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Happy 24th Birthday, Paul!! -5th Oct. Benji Interview in AP Mag -4nd Oct. What do you think has caused the resurgence of Christian bands in the punk/indie scene? Im not sure if we should call it a resurgence. I think Christian punk bands have always been there. It is quite possible that a few of them in the last couple years happen to be better then the rest, and they happen to break through to the mainstream punk-rock fanbase. Punk rock has subgenres, and I would say Christian punk could be one of them. It isn’t so often that an MxPx comes along. When they do, they cant be denied just because of their faith. If its good, its good. You don’t typically see any Jewish or Muslim punk bands; why is Christianity the only religion actively praised in rock? This question is probably the hardest to answer. I am sure if you looked hard enough you could find a few examples of bands that proclaim and possibly preach different faith –even Satanic bands, but even that kind of plays into Christianity, doesn’t it? It is a good question. There are bands, like System Of A Down and Apex Theory, who are Armenian and have strong ethnic influences, but they aren’t proclaiming a religion. I think that the answer to this question could be that Christianity is the minority. All of these other religions are a minority, so we don’t see it that often. Im not sure if there is a really clear answer for this question. I do believe that no matter what someone is singing, if its from the heart, then its what they should be singing; it will connect with some people and wont with others. Is it fair to make money off your faith? Should Christianity be a selling point? I think anyone would say that its unfair to make money off of your faith. Like those televangelists you see asking everyone to send money in as a vow of faith- ofcourse that’s not right. Then again, I don’t really don’t think these bands are doing the same in thing. Lets give them a break. They are dudes in bands, I am sure that there is the occasional exception of the band who say, “Hey, if we have a built-in fanbase,” but I think that’s the bands doing the same thing on the other end of the spectrum. Some of the most super-duper punk and hardcore bands out there are doing by the same question, is it fair to make money off punk rock- which, in its own way, is a faith? There is a reason we all love it and buy it. And there are a lot of people making a killing, from indie labels to bands; Warped tour, even magazines. I am sure the owner of AP is doing okay, and I have to tell you, punk rock has been good to me. So who are you to judge, right? Punk rock was used off the idea of not falling into a predetermined belief system, which Christianity obviously is. So, is it possible to be Christian and “punk?” In a way, this question contradicts different answer. A lifestyle; a style of music; a fashion statement? All of the above. The answer a 13-year-old gives will be different then that of a 25-year-old. How can you really say? Basically, I don’t think the doors of the Church Of Punk Rock should be closed to anyone.
