The two faces of Christian rock

This week, Festiva focuses on the changes happening in Christian pop/rock music, locally and throughout the country. Click the links below to read on.

• ANGELS & DEVILS Christian musicians and fans are divided over what actually qualifies as "Christian" music. Read about the musicians and bands in the Valley and their opinion on the matter.
• ROCK FEST 2009 San Antonio superstars Abandon are headlining a huge free Christian music concert this weekend. Find out who else is playing and how you can win VIP tickets to the show. 
• PRAISE & PREJUDICE While Amy Grant and The Fray are both music industry stars with Christian leanings, their experiences couldn't be more different.
• THE VALLEY COMEBACK Read about live Christian music's resurgence as a viable --- and profitable --- industry in the valley.
• CHRISTIAN ROCK 101 If you're not too familiar with the ins and outs of Christian rock, read our study guide.

As the lights go down in the arena and the fog machine kicks into overdrive, the bass drum resonates in the floor and all around as it tries to catch up with the fast, rhythmic beating of the audience's collective heart.

A spotlight falls on the lead singer as he bursts into song and instantly the crowd reaches for the sky. The hands in the air aren't forming the classic rock "horns" sign though. The crowd, full of children, teens and adults, outstretch their hands, signaling surrender to God and worshipping as they sing along to the Newsboys' opening set at Dodge Arena last March.

After a few songs, lead singer Peter Furler takes a moment to "witness" to the audience — sharing his story of how he came to know God. As he approaches the end of his story his voice becomes louder, more intense. Palms offer their search for salvation as the music starts again. Some faces lift to the heavens and tears stream down cheeks. Most of the audience sings along, though some are in a different place altogether, their eyes closed in prayer.

The same scene repeated and maybe the same audience showed at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Showgrounds in June to see Jeremy Camp, another "praise and worship" Christian rock band.

"The only difference between a secular concert and a Christian one is the crowd," said Eloy Silva, 23. "Not many people know Christian music, but those who are there are just as excited to see the artist."

Silva leads Bible studies at Primera Baptist Church in Mission. He's a fan of all types of music, including Christian - and not just of the "praise and worship" variety. He is aware of the hesitance some Christians may have with music that doesn't have a clear message of hope, faith and God — such as a song with a subtle positive message, or hardcore and screamo music with lyrics that aren't easily discernable.

"People do look down on music like that, (and) say it isn't God-inspired," he said.

Silva admits he doesn't always understand what's being sung by the members of local Christian band To the Wolves, but he knows the message is there.

Not everyone’s as forgiving.

ANGELS & DEVILS

The Roper brothers admit their last gig was a bit crazy and rebellious. Underage drinking? Check. Drug use? Check, for some of the band members.

"They were always baked at practices," William said.

It didn't take long for William and his brother Robert to pack their instruments and wave goodbye to their former band, A State of Silence. The two are now members of The Requested, a screamo/hardcore Christian band.

"I didn't have a relationship with God before, but (forming The Requested) was actually my idea," Robert said.

The new band built a strong fan base within the local community and got lots of exposure using MySpace. They have local photographers set up professional shoots for them and they get official-looking CDs pressed. They're serious about their music and they're serious about God.

"We play for God. We don't play for the fame and fortune," said William.

Still, The Requested's fans aren't necessarily Christian, and that's OK with the band.

"Some people could care less what the message is and just like how the guitar sounds with the screams," said Cody Romo, the band’s vocalist.

Romo doesn't exactly sing most of the lyrics - he screams them. But behind his howl are holy words, such as the lyrics to their song “Southern Gentlemen:”

"O Lord, will you be there and walk me to my grave/Your faith is your sword and shield so stand up and fight what's right/Stand, stand your ground/He will be at the gates/Standing at the gates where you walk."

Not everything about The Requested, however, is so pious. Photos on blogs and MySpace show one member with a cigarette in hand and another member taking a hit from a beer bong. Check some members' Twitters and you might see some profanity-laced updates. The band says there are some people out there who judge them for their past or what they perceive from a photo.

"Any party we've thrown, everyone gets home safe, no one gets into a fight ... and no one gets knocked up," said William.

The guys don't claim to be without sin, but they also don't feel it's fair for fans to hold them to a higher standard because they're Christians.

"It's the mess-ups that make me a better person," said Romo. "I'm far, far, far from perfect."

However, there are others who believe that you hold yourself to a higher standard when you put yourself out there as a Christian.

"The Bible says you're a leader," said Gabriel de la Garza. "So it is fair to be held to a higher standard. It's what we've been called to do."

When Gabriel is asked what genre of music he plays, he doesn't tell people he's a Christian rock artist. He says he plays alternative rock.

"If you were to ask someone who has no clue what Christian music sounds like, they're going to think it's probably someone playing an organ," said Gabriel. "Or maybe not, I don't know. A lot of people are drawn to the style of music first, so I describe that it's alternative music style, but in the Christian genre."

His music is also what some consider "praise and worship" music - Christian music with uplifting lyrics and music made specifically for worshipping God.

"My songs are personal conversations with God," he said.

While Gabriel fully accepts his position as a role model, he does get flak from some who think he may be searching for fame and fortune.

"There's no money in this market," said Gabriel.

Gabriel hasn't even made half of what he put into producing his debut album I Need You.

"There are a lot of bands out there who are just out to make a buck or make a name for themselves," he said, acknowledging corruption in the Christian music industry.

But he also knows there are many genuine musicians who are answering their calling – whether that comes in the form of adult contemporary music or hardcore rock. The genre of music shouldn't be judged, the message should, said Gabriel.

"Just because some kids aren't playing worship music doesn't mean they aren't Christian," he said.

Click the links below to read about and hear music from other Valley Christian bands:

• The Requested - Hardcore/screamo http://www.myspace.com/therequested
• Ana Laura - Latin/Pop www.myspace.com/analauramusic
• Mayra Leal - Latin/Techno www.myspace.com/ministeriosmariposa
• Nidia - Latin/Pop www.myspace.com/nidiaquintanilla
• CoDiGo - Latin/Rap/Alternative www.myspace.com/codigoband
• Silas - Latin/Pop/Rock www.myspace.com/silasmusicweb
• Capitol Conspiracy - Screamo/Hardcore www.myspace.com/capitolconspiracy
• To the Wolves - Death Metal www.myspace.com/wolvesskin
• Far From Peril - Screamo/Metal www.myspace.com/farfromperil
• Llama de Fuego - Christian/Rock/Latin www.myspace.com/llamadefuego
• Heme Aqui - Christian/Rock/Latin www.myspace.com/hemeaquiband
• Crown of Thorns - Christian/Rock www.myspace.com/crownofthornspbc
• Evergr33n - Rock/Powerpop www.myspace.com/evergr33n
• We Light the Night - Christian/Rock www.myspace.com/welightthenightmusic

PRAISE ...

The Fray can be heard on stations that play Top 40 music all over the country. The alternative rock band from Denver plays catchy pop songs that appeal to many tastes. While their lyrics aren't overtly Christian, there is a positive message throughout their music.

The Fray plays to a mostly secular audience in packed arenas and that's the calling they experienced from God.

"I feel He would be disappointed with us if we limited ourselves," said drummer Ben Wysocki in an interview with Christianity Today.

In the same interview, lead singer and pianist Isaac Slade sums up the goal of The Fray.

"If you're a painter, paint, but you don't have to have Jesus in every picture. Paint well, and if you paint well enough, they might ask you why you do that."

Lifehouse tasted success in 2001 with their hit "Hanging By a Moment." Their music has a spiritual quality that was recognized by Christian and secular critics alike.

In CCM, a Christian music magazine, a reviewer said: "Lifehouse ... sports more poetic sense and spiritual insight than most rock bands currently on the traditional Christian circuit."

An interview with David Wild for Rolling Stone magazine in 2001 clearly shows the lead singer of Lifehouse, Jason Wade, as a man on a mission.

"I think we have a positive message of hope," he said. "We're not trying to blatantly preach. It all comes down to love."

And the band never claimed to be a Christian band, though at least two members consider themselves Christian.

"My music is spiritually based," said Wade. "But we don't want to be labeled as a 'Christian band,' because all of a sudden people's walls come up and they won't listen to your music and what you have to say."

... & PREJUDICE

Controversy seems to follow some Christian music artists like the plague. Tongues wagged when Amy Grant chose to depart from her squeaky-clean image and delve into the supposedly seedy world of secular pop music. Though she signed with A&M records nearly two decades ago, Web sites devoted to exposing the singer as a fraudulent Christian still linger.

In the mid-'80s and early '90s, Grant embraced her new sexy image in various interviews and the video for her hit "Baby, Baby," which caused uproar in parts of the Christian community.

Cynthia Sanz reported for People magazine in 1991 about Grant's shift from good girl to sexy siren. "There's saintly Amy cuddling some hunky guy, crooning "Baby, Baby," into his ear and looking pretty sleek and sinful for someone with a clean-as-kitchen-soap image," wrote Sanz.

"Christians can be sexy," said Grant in the interview. "What I'm doing is a good thing."

But her jump into pop music and sexiness didn't sit well with many - some Christian radio stations banned the song "Baby, Baby" from the airwaves.

"When it occurred, her complete crossover to pop was more a slight shift of emphasis than a major change of direction," reported William Ruhlmann on allmusic.com. "Nevertheless, it made her a controversial figure in the Christian music community of the '80s in a way similar to Bob Dylan in the folk music of the 1960s: she was both the field's biggest star and came to be viewed as something of a traitor."

Not all Christians abandoned the singer though; Grant became a successful crossover artist, topping Billboard charts for both Contemporary Christian and Adult Contemporary categories.

Rumors of infidelity swirled when Grant filed for divorce from her first husband, Gary Chapman, in March 1999, only to marry country crooner Vince Gill a year later. And the Christian community remained split over how to feel about Grant and her decisions. 

THE VALLEY COMEBACK

Christian music in the Valley seems to be making a big comeback, though some would argue it never left. The Valley hasn't seen many big Christian acts play this far south in several years. Steven Curtis Chapman heads down to Hidalgo in August and Brandon Heath scheduled a Donna show in October.

"Nano" Ramirez, a concert promoter in the Valley since 1971, has seen the trends in music shift. About 10-15 years ago there were more Christian bands being booked in South Texas, but it tapered off, said Ramirez.

"It's gone through two cycles. Probably back in the early '90s when the Christian bookstore was involved," he said. "Then it almost completely stopped, or at least slowed down. But it seems to be coming back now."

Gabriel de la Garza, 31, a local award-winning Christian musician with a number one all-time album on indieheaven.com, was raised in the Valley and practically grew up in the church. He still attends the church of his childhood, Primera Baptist Church in Mission. In 1998, de la Garza became the worship leader for the church and still is today.

Christian music has always been around in the Valley in some way, said de la Garza.

"I remember going to shows at the Viva Life bookstore and seeing local Christian bands when I was in my early 20s," he said.

It takes a large budget to bring artists like Jeremy Camp and Steven Curtis Chapman, said de la Garza. And since acceptance of Christian music seems to be growing, he noted, that may have something to do with the recent influx of Christian artists playing in the Valley.

Jesse Cervantes, Jr., saw Jeremy Camp live in Mercedes, but wasn't a big fan of the artist. He knew a few songs, but it wasn't about going out to see a concert.

"If it were just music, I could go see anyone," he said.

The 21-year-old attended the concert specifically to worship. And he got what he wanted and needed from the show.

"It was really good. Really inspirational," he said.

CHRISTIAN ROCK 101

CHRISTIAN MUSIC VS. SECULAR MUSIC

Defining Christian music is a difficult task since the definition will vary from person to person. More conservative Christians expect Christian music to make obvious reference to God, Jesus or Christian life. Anything more subtle might be considered spiritual, but maybe not enough to earn the title of "Christian".

Specifically, "praise and worship" music is often uplifting and very clear in its message about Christianity and God.

Secular music, simply put, is non-sacred or "worldly" music.

GLOSSARY

• Witness To talk about one's religious convictions
• Calling A strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence
• Worship leader A musician who leads the congregation in singing during worship services at church.
• Praise and worship music Music most commonly sung during worship services in church with an uplifting pop music style and focus on praising and worshipping God.

Amy Nichol Smith covers local and national music for Festiva. You can reach her at (956) 683-4420 or at asmith@themonitor.com.