Christian bands?

I came across this blog this afternoon and was dismayed. The writer of the blog (a Christian) notes the following;

I ran across... an interview on 2/23/07 on Australia Talks. The program was about Aussie rock and a caller called in and said:

"I play in a band that goes with the Christian message…. We sell on the internet…. There's six of us in the band, and in the last five years, we're literally all millionaires…. I'm not a Christian, and none of the members in my band are either. But it's a bit like The Wiggles. If you put yourself out there and find a market, you cater to it, and it's as simple as that…."

And when questioned by the radio host about none of the band being Christians, he responds:

"Well, it's a market, that's all you need to know really. You know, you cater to it. You write your songs to it. And that's all there is to it. It's no different to writing a jingle for Marmite…. I don't really see why I need to be a Christian to play Christian music. If they want to buy it, that's all that needs to be known."

I should point out that the interview may or may not be hoax but bearing this in mind I noted the following.

I often hear from those around talking about these so called "Christian Bands". It's almost as though I should appreciated them just because they are "Christian". I find this difficult to swallow. If music is good, then it's good and we don't need label it "Christian" to justify it in some way.

I'd hate to be among the gullible fans who jump aboard the latest "Christian" bandwagon (pun intended) only to find their trust misplaced. There are wolves in sheep's clothing and I reckon we should apply this to "Christian" music and marketing. What do you think?

 

7 comments:

Clare said... 2/27/2007 11:40 pm  

I remember a couple of years ago in High school, we were talking about this issue. (I went to a "Christian" school). One of the guys in my year was quoting his brother in law, who at the time, happened to be in a Christian band (and they were all very Biblical Evangelical Christians). Apparently, there were (and maybe are?) bands out there on the Christian music scene who are there because it was easier for them to get noticed in the "Christian" genre of music rather than the mainstream. So in one sense, I am really saddened that this is possible, but at the same time, not shocked at all to hear it. It kind of reminds me of Matthew 7:15. They may not necessarily be prophets, but they certainly do come in as wolves in sheeps clothing...

Anonymous said... 2/28/2007 12:02 am  

It is a shame to have to hear something like that. Let’s hope this isn’t common practice.

Clare said... 2/28/2007 12:24 am  

I hope this isn't common practice as well either!

JK said... 2/28/2007 2:41 pm  

yeah that is pretty dismal, A sad representation of Gods followers.

Anonymous said... 3/03/2007 5:22 am  

Very interesting..thanks for the info. And very well said about the wolves in sheeps clothing...I always apply that to church, but have never seen it in this light of "Christian" bands.

Abraham de Souza said... 4/16/2007 5:25 am  

Hi there, you don't know me but i am really good friends with Clare from "Stan and Clare". I have moved overseas and lost touch and I was hoping that you could forward them my email address, ebonyanne@bigpond.com. Thanks, Ebony

Anthony Rochester said... 4/22/2007 10:50 am  

i'm in a christian band of a different sort. all of us are christians, but we don't write explicitly christian songs, they're just songs about whatever we feel like writing about.
(www.myspace.com/apostlesofm)

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