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God on their side
‘I FIND IT DIFFCULT T0 DEFINE WHAT CHRISTIAN ROCK IS ANYWAY'
Which comes first: the Christian or the rocker? David Pollock speaks to Glasgow outfit Superhero who manage both with some considerable style
Religion and rock tnusic don‘t usually mix. but they've always been on speaking terms. Elvis himself grew up a good. god-fearing boy. while Bob Dylan. possibly the tnost famous one—time born-again
Christian in music. released two albums of Christian .
songs in the late 70s. Then. of course. there‘s gospel. Where would modern music be without gospel churches and choirs? Yet just because artists like Nick Cave or Johnny Cash make reference to God. it doesn't make them altar boys. now does it‘.’
There’s clearly a difference between talking about religion in music. and actually being a Christian rocker. and the latter is a deeply unfashionable genre of music. no matter how you look at it. After all. the point of rock for most listeners is that it allows them to apply any values they want onto it and themselves. and the whole idea of God getting in the way of that process is just a bit too dogmatic for teenage kids with no interest in being preached to. Besides. huge stars of the CR firmament such as English group Delirious? do tend to sound like Keane or Coldplay without. you know. the Satanic elements. Musically. Superhero are considerably more inventive than that. and singer Tim Cheshire is clear and easy about his experiences with his Christian rock outfit. Superhero.
‘The way our band formed was just the way 99
percent of others do.‘ says Cheshire. ‘We were people
with similar tastes in music who all played the
necessary instruments. There was no ‘let‘s take the =
world for Jesus' plan. but we absolutely don‘t hide the fact that we‘re Christians. ‘1 find it difficult to define what exactly Christian
42 THE LIST 21 Aug—4 Set) 2008
Rock means anyway. Is it a separate genre like jazz or blues‘.’ We certainly don‘t make worship music. which would be sung congregationally by a group of people. so I presume it’s just the fact that our songs have meaning and that we‘re upfront about what we believe — the same as any band worth their salt. The songs aren‘t all about our faith. but because we have that faith. our music and ethos are influenced.‘
Superhero fortned around seven years ago after all attending the same Glasgow church. although the latest line-up — bassist Johnny ‘l)redd‘ McAdam. drummer Mike Uphill. keyboard player Mike Crawford and guitarist Gavin McGrath — are spread throughout Britain from Glasgow to Leeds. The singer points out that the market for Christian Rock in the UK isn‘t large enough to make a living from music. but that the situation is vastly different in the less-secular US. and Superhero are touring there in October promoting their forthcoming fourth album.
‘People generally do have a preconception about any band who are labelled a Christian one.‘ says Cheshire. ‘and it’s usually a bad one. But y‘know. that‘s what we have to live with. I'll continue to write and perform songs. though — I love it. I find music inspirational and uplifting in my own life. and I want to write songs that are meaningful to others. We‘re not dogmatic or fundamentalist. we‘re just singing about something we believe in. and it really is tough if people don’t like that.‘
Superhero launch their new album Fake Lunar
Landing at Nice ‘n’ Sleazy, Glasgow, Wed 3 Sep.
LIST
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THEII‘BEST ROCK, POP,'JAZZ & FOLK
é: Seri Tankian The one—time System of a Down frontman plays this rescheduled date. finally getting the chance to showcase the epic politico- metal wizardry of his debut solo album. ABC, Glasgow, Mon 7 Sep. (Rock 8 Pop)
a Hydro Connect Returning for a second year, the boutique festival on the bank of Loch Fyne features Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand. Sigur Ros, Goldfrapp and Glasvegas. See feature, page 10. lnverary Castle, Inveraray, Fri 29—Sun 31 Aug. (Rock 8 Pop)
Claire and the Reasons This dynamic femme from Martha’s Vineyard brings songs from her considerable debut album The Movie for pair of dates to win us over. Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Mon 25 Aug; King Tut’s, Glasgow, Tue 2 Sep. (Rock 8 Pop)
3% Jeffrey Lewis & the Jitters Cult anti-folk singer and comic book artist Jeffrey Lewis’ has a new album in the offing. Expect the unexpected. Captain '3 Rest, Glasgow, Mon 25 Aug. (Rock 8 Pop)
Black Sun Glasgow's most brutal and punishing grudge noise trio set nerves twitching with a new album Paralyser and a rare flurry of live dates to cleanse your twisted soul. Yum. The 73th Note. Glasgow, Thu 28 Aug. (Rock 8 Pop)
tit: Superhero See preview, left. Nice 'n’ Sleazy, Glasgow, Wed 3 Sep. (Flock 8 Pop)
3%: We Were Promised Jetpacks, Zoey Van Goey and Lyons Quality Triple header of Scottish indie banjaxxers, all kicking out their respective jams for charity. What’s not to like? Nice ’n' Sleazy, Glasgow, Fri 29 Aug. (Rock 8 Pop)
:32: The Dodos US psych folk duo drop by for unhinged fun. King Tut’s, Glasgow, Wed 3 Sep. (Rock 8 Pop)