Not For The Crowd
I want to give all the credit for the awesome way in which this was written to Javier Obregon. I also thank God for making this interview possible.
Not For The Crowd is:
Jason Farman-lead singer and rhythm guitar
Adrian Romo-Bass
Jason Bowen-drums
Mike Eddy-Percussion
Alex Espinoza-Keyboards
Ken Kamena-Trumpet
Colin Johnson-Saxophone
Javier Obregon-Trumpet and lead guitar
We started this band back in the summer of 95, as a 3-piece band, with
no real knowledge of music or of writing music. Jason Farman was the
only one who had received any kind of formal lessons, but had no idea
how to write anything close to a Ska song. In fact, the group focused
primarily on Funk, jazz, and very little Ska. In the coming months,
NFTC added a couple of horn players, a trumpet and trombone. With two
coffee shop shows finished, NFTC lost its trombone player. Another 2
months passed, NFTC found another horn player, and the basic frame of
what still remains was formed. NFTC decided to concentrate upon Ska.
Two-Tone and Traditional were the styles of choice, and from there, we
continued to add to our band more members and what we think to be a
unique blend of musical styles to formulate the recipe known as Not
For The Crowd.
Our goal as a band is first and foremost to reach as many people
as possible with The message of Hope and Love, which is the Gospel of
Jesus Christ. Along with that, we maintain to share the Gospel boldly
and to encourage those that already believe. We truly want to be "not
for the crowd," and solely for the God's purposes.
Again, we play Two-Tone and Traditional Ska, and combine many
other elements of inspiration into the mix, but staying true to our
particular sound.
The music scene in our area is awesome, and currently the
spawning ground for new music around the country. Ska, remains very
strong, but has scene a change from the former underground, to a
different crowd which is mostly mainstream.
The bands which mostly influence are band are too many too list!
But, some examples are The Skattelites, The Specials, Madness, The
Slackers, Hepcat, The Selecter, and many other bands from the
Traditional and Two-Tone Eras. Of course, there's always non-Ska
music that inspires us as well, such as...Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66,
Henry Mancini, 80's music in general, and even more modern sounds such
as The Bomboras, Morrissey and The Smiths, even The Reverand Horton
Heat. Even though all the bands listed are secular, we do not
necessarily agree with the messages represented by these artists. We
do understand that Christian music is finally on its way to creating
competent quality music, and that prayerfully one day, will be able to
carry the gospel message with the quality as that of secular music.
If we had a choice to tour with any band....in the Christian
scene we would probably have to say that we would want to tour with
The Supertones, because we have a really good relationship with them
and would grow insanely in our Spiritual walks. But, our preference
would more than likely be a secular tour, any, and it would be even
more ideal if there was another Christian band on that tour with us.
A cool story we like to share is that of this last summer's tour.
We wanted to play Cornerstone, in Bushnel, Illinois. We weren't
booked nor were there any spots left to play. We felt in our hearts
the Lord confirming that we should go and try to get in anyway. From
Payson, AZ to Bushnel in two days straight driving, with all the money
we had left when we got there being 32 dollars. We ended up playing
the very same day that we got there, and made enough money that day to
take care of us for the rest of our tour. Is that the work of the
Lord or what? Not only that, we got to play twice! Once again on
that Saturday!
The wackiest thing we do at shows is probably go out in the
crowds and skank with them in a crazy madness while we play our songs.
Not too wacky. The other thing may be the occasional tripping,
collapsing of a band member or breaking of the stage at Spirit West
Coast.
We only play one cover song, called "Roll Jordan Roll," by Laurel
Aitken...a traditional Ska tune. We have plans to play more cover
tunes in the future at our shows.
Our band preaches the Grace of God as more often as the central
theme, and we enjoy giving messages and alter calls.
We have our first CD entitled "Morningstar Radio Hour," (which was
actually supposed to be a demo only), we're featured on
"Skantified,"(Eclectica-NSoulRecords) "Freedom Sounds vol.1"(With the
Israelites, Big Dog Small Fence-on Kingston beat)and "Ska Craze" on
(Bettie Rocket Records).
Our newest and most distributed comp as of yet will be "Moms Like
Us Too" (w/Supertones, Plankeye, Joy Electric, The Dingees, Fold
Zandura and others on BEC Recordings) We are signing to BEC and
should be releasing a new album by summer.
The hardest thing about being in a ministry like this is giving up
your life to do this. It has to be something you are called to do
beyond a shadow of a doubt. But, the blessings you receive and the
lessons you learn are are well worth the sacrifice.
To reach the band by mail write to: P.O.Box 2385, Montclair, CA
91763. To book the band or for questions about NFTC e-mail
[email protected].
For NFTC webpage go to HTTP://www.jesusfreak.com/nftc/
For concert info call (909)603-3765.
Verses that are awesome-Hebrews 4:12,2nd Peter 1:16, The entire book of Romans
(c)1999 Skankin' Truth, Please use only with permission.