Two Ends for Music

This evening I attended the sixth annual Battle of the Bands at the Jewish Community Center in York. My own band played in 2005 at the same event. I primarily went to support the band NoRedTape, who are my good friends.

I spent the night wandering the JCC, observing the teens and bands. The teens were the traditional emo-punk-groupies, girls with swooped bangs and guys with girls’ pants who look like they dressed in the dark. Each band had a unique twist and most did very well. I believe that good music unites crowd and performer, and each participant this evening was no exception.

But I realized that two forces were at work. There were musicians who wanted to worship the god of music, and those who wanted to worship the God of the Universe. My friends NoRedTape, and also Epidemic Remedy (a band I’ve recently become familiar with) play for the Lord Jesus, as their music reflects. But there were several other bands who exude over-confidence through their musical performance and their fans’ abrasive discourse.

I believe that rock performers are always susceptible to the genre’s stereotype: devil’s music. No problem for a secular band, but for a Christian artist, going against the grain of how the world has portrayed rock is a tough gig. Tonight I found myself encouraged by the pure intentions of NoRedTape and Epidemic Remedy, and a little disgusted at bands with big egos (even if they had talent to back them up). The Christian bands’ music goes beyond the “watch me rock out” mentality and transforms the show into a more meaningful experience.

Someday I think we need to reclaim rock ‘n roll. Why should the devil have all the good music?