How did the band get started? It started about 4 or 5 years ago, as a more of a rap-with-some-guitar-in-it band. We've gone through a number of name and member changes, until we got to our current line up. I joined in the summer of 1997. I met Matt at a show, and they were looking for a 2nd guitarist.

What is your goal as a band? Concrete's goal is minister the Word of God and to tell about our personal relationships with Jesus Christ. Sometimes we preach from the stage, sometimes we don't. We always try to play well and have a good time onstage. We just do whatever God leads us to do.

What style do you play? We sound a little like EDL, but we have more hardcore in us. We scream a lot more.

Where are you guys from? The rest of the band is from northeast Connecticut. I'm from Massachusetts.

What is the music scene like in your area? The music scene here is pretty good, I guess. There are a lot of bands. There haven't been to many Christian bands around here until recently. The Christian bands just need to stay together and mature musically and spiritually before "going out there". A lot of them are new bands.

What bands influence your band? We're into a lot of styles of music, individually. Casey is into oldies and pop like Weezer and things like that. . We're all into pretty much anything from hardcore to CCM type of stuff. Personally, I like emo and the related genres a lot, like Roadside Monument and Dear Ephesus. I don't listen to secular music, because I feel convicted when I do. I try to avoid it.

If you had the choice, which band would you tour with? I can't speak for the rest of the band, but I'd love to tour with a secular hardcore band. We'd reach a wider audience, rather than just Christians. Don't get me wrong, I love playing at churches and stuff, because of the fellowship, but that's not where God is calling us.

What's the wackiest thing you've ever done in concert? Good question. Matt kind of has long hair. One time he got it caught it Pat's tuning keys on his bass during a song. It was kind of funny. Matt usually tackles me at one point in the show. I also have a tendency to trip and fall during our set. One time I fell off stage.

What would you say the best part of the show is? I'd say the best part of the show, for me at least, is the opportunity to worship. I don't get into traditional praise and worship music, so this is the only chance I get.

Best and worst things about being in a band? The best thing, like I said befire, is the chance to worship and to serve God. The worst part is the driving and all the sacrificing you have to make once in a while.

Anything people should know about the band? Orange. We like the color orange.

What 5 cds do you think everybody needs to hear? (in descending order of importance): 5. Zao- "The Splinter Shards the Birth of Separation"- one of the best hardcore/metal albums I've ever heard. 4. Believer-"Dimensions"- great weird-metal album, great songwriting, great musicianship...good luck trying to find a copy of it. 3. Dear Ehpesus-"The Consolation of Pianissimo"- great emo/alternative album with good lyrics. 2. MxPx-"Pokinatcha"-groundbreaking. 1. Strongarm (RIP)- "Advent of a Miracle"- best lyrics in the world, Christian or secular...contains more wisdom than most CCM artists combined...incredible musicians.

Do you have any cds,demos, etc., out? We've put out 2 tapes than we don't really sell anymore. We recorded a 4 song demo a few summers ago to represent our current style. We were also on the Trampled compilation from Boot To Head Records. We'll also have a CD out in January on doubleplusungood records. That's it so far.

How can people contact you for merch and stuff? The label's address is at: 368 Sudbury Street Marlboro, MA 01752

� 1998 Unleaded, please use only with permission.