Believers Come Alive, Speak Out
By Andy Argyrakis, senior music editor, GospelMusicChannel.com
Skillet Comes Alive
With more than 400,000 copies sold of its 2006 CD Comatose, five back-to-back number-one Christian radio singles and three secular top 40 hits from the project, plus tours with Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace and Flyleaf, Skillet is unquestionably on top of the rock world these days. Though the metallic alternative act is ramping up for a studio release sometime in 2009, the current album craze continues via the brand-new concert CD/DVD set Comatose Comes Alive (Atlantic/Ardent/INO).
“First of all, I was really nervous because I’ve seen a lot of bad and boring concert DVDs,” admits frontman John Cooper from his home in Wisconsin. “But in the end we’re super happy with all of it – the editing, the special effects – I think it’s all pretty excellent. There was quite a lot in the way of production and lighting, being a child of the ’80s, and I think the music lends itself to that type of dynamic. It’s more emotional than your typical rock show with some moments that are down, but then build with timing, tension and emotion.”
Outside of astounding production (complete with a string section at times) and all of the key cuts from Comatose (plus a few golden alternative oldies), the DVD also includes videos for the smash hits “Rebirthing,” “Whispers In the Dark,” “The Older I Get” and “Savior.” The audio soundtrack is also a perfect companion piece for the car or iPod, also boasting loads of extras like several acoustic songs and the b-side “Live Free or Let Me Die.”
“Some of those bonuses were on the deluxe edition of the Comatose CD, but that was a limited edition project, and as far as I know, you can’t get those anymore,” Cooper contends of that added treasure trove. “What makes me mad is when bands just repackage the same old title and force you to buy something again. We figured that if people are buying the live DVD, we might as well throw the other stuff on there as well since it’s becoming hard to find.”
Even with the excitement of Skillet’s “Panhead” fan base surrounding Comatose Comes Alive, Cooper and company are already gearing up for the next album and hint at a complimentary dynamic with Comatose, but one elevated to additional evolutionary degrees. “There won’t be a big directional shift, but we’re certainly going to expand and try new stuff,” he confirms. “We have 24 songs [written] and are setting up time in the studio as we speak. It’s really important for us to have a hopeful record and I think part of the reason [Comatose] has lasted so long is because fans can see we’re sincere about the message we deliver.”
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Blessid Union of Believers
When Blessid Union of Souls hit the top of the mainstream charts in America, Asia and the UK with its monster single “I Believe (That Love Is the Answer)” and found additional fame on tour with Goo Goo Dolls, Bon Jovi, Third Eye Blind, Sister Hazel and Vertical Horizon, many listeners of faith wondered if the group was comprised of Christians. As it turns out, the Eliot Sloan-led outfit was coming from a spiritual perspective even back then and still does, while continuing to ride the general market charts with infectious rockers like “Hey Leonardo (She Likes Me for Me),” “Let Me Be the One” and “Oh Virginia.”
“People often ask us about what we believe and I always tell them I believe in Christ – always have and always well,” verifies Sloan, calling in from home in Cincinnati. “In fact, my friend wrote a book called ‘Changed’ where she interviewed a lot of different pop and rock stars and even some Christian artists with everyone getting quoted about what they believed in. There was a chapter on Blessid Union of Souls where I said ‘I believe Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven period’ and that’s just how I put it out there. I didn’t want to leave any doubt or dance around it in some sort of politically correct way.”
As it turns out, the group’s new album Close to the Edge (Torque Records/Sony/Red) continues in that bold direction, with several insightful songs presented across the band’s soulful rock n’ roll undercurrent. Take for instance the addiction recovery cut “Back From the Dead,” the self-explanatory “I Still Believe In Love,” the reinvigorating “I Have Just Begun to Live” and even the anti-abortion anthem “Let’s Get Out of Here.”
“I’m pro life, and I’m not ashamed to tell people,” he affirms. “If it alienates fans, so be it, but I can’t waiver because I believe abortion is murder. The really interesting thing is I wrote the song from the baby’s standpoint sitting in the waiting room at an abortion clinic. The baby is saying ‘let’s get out of here and give it a shot.’”
Given the faith-influenced content on Close to the Edge, a conversation with Sloan couldn’t be complete without asking if a full-fledged Christian project will ever come to fruition. Though he’s unclear if it will be a solo project or fall under the Blessid Union of Souls banner, several of the songs have already been written and the troupe’s since signed with New Line Management (who’s roster also includes Joy Electric, Farewell June and Anthony Evans).
“At the end of the day, my goal is to live the Great Commission,” he promises. “People talk about preparing for the future all the time and the economy, but to me, the future isn’t about the next 10, 20 or 30 years. To me the future is eternity, not how high gas prices are or how much money you have in the bank when you die. When I finish the Christian record, I want to people to see Christ since that’s what I believe is the real future.”
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About the Writer
Andy Argyrakis is a Chicago-based entertainment writer/photographer who appears in the Chicago Tribune, Illinois Entertainer, Daily Journal, Concert Livewire, Hear/Say Magazine and Image Chicago (to name few). His record label writing credits include Warner Brothers, Atlantic, Curb, EMI and Universal, with additional photo credits for Fuse TV, Live Nation, Nikon, Pollstar, Celebrity Access, Paste Magazine, MTV.com and Vibe.com. He’s also the author/narrator of “Access Matthews” (an audio CD tracing the career of Dave Matthews Band) and spends considerable time on tour, including outings with Arlo Guthrie, The Guess Who, Madina Lake (on Linkin Park’s Projekt Revolution) and Gospel Music Channel’s very own “Gospel Dream” (where he served as season one judge).
