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AWOE MAGAZINE INTERVIEW
PROMISE ME FOREVER INTERVIEW
ROLLING STONE'S AWAY FROM THE ROCK OF LOVE
AWOE: So you guys are from Ohio, what some would say is another part of the Bible belt of today. Are there a lot of Christian rock bands where you live?
Michael: There are a lot of Christian bands from this area. But in this day and age its hard to find a band that is just giving it all to Christ.
Derrick: Yeah, it seems harder for band snow a days to actually stand for something. Don’t let the world hold your mouth shut.
AWOE: Now it's been a year since you guys were formerly known as SwitchSentenced, and now are Promise me forever. How long were you guys SwitchSentenced and why did you guys change your name to Promise Me Forever?
Derrick: Well we were SwitchedSentence for about two years. We did some great shows, and made a small following but our drummer at the time decided to take a different path in his life. So we sort of took a hiatus. Michael became an ordained pastor. Both him and I got married, and then we started talking about getting the group back together and recruited Brandon, Michael's little brother to perform with us.
Michael: The name came from a saying that Derrick was working on for a song. In that he thought that when you give your life to God, and forfeit everything, the only thing you ask in return is "forever". We then took it and prayed more on it, and got a revelation. That it goes the other way. When we get saved God asks US to promise HIM forever.
AWOE: Since ya'll have switched, what has God done with your sound and the unity of your band?
Derrick: We went into this project driving to mature our sound, and make it a lot more complex, we are moving in that direction.
Brandon: Unity? We are all brothers, some more than others. So we have always been close. This makes the process so more personal and unified.
AWOE: And you guys are like 20, 21, and 17, right?
Derrick: Yup
Michael: Yeah, Brandon's the baby.
"We pray together before every practice, every show,
and every meal together. It’s all about prayer."
AWOE: How long have you guys been playing and how did you begin?
Michael: I’ve been playing guitar for about 9 years
Derrick: Well I went to a middle school called Arts Impact Middle School, where I bounced around on many instruments, but I finally settled on the Bass about 6 years ago.
Brandon: I’ve played for about years off and on, but seriously for about 2.
AWOE: One thing that really impressed me is your bio is really about representing Christ in not only your music, but also your lifestyle. How did you guys come to Christ?
Brandon: Very carefully.
Michael: No really, none of us were raised in church growing up. We all found God on our own. Through our church Victory Community Church, in Pickerington. Being that we all sort of found our own way it lead us to really hunger and thirst for more ways to express his love for us.
AWOE: Now that you have that relationship with the Lord, how do you maintain it?
Derrick: Well, Michael is the Youth Pastor of our church and we are both involved in the worship team. But I think the real thing that keeps us grounded as a band is really prayer. We pray together before every practice, every show, and every meal together. It’s all about prayer. You have to have that open communication with God
AWOE: Being a Christian isn't terribly popular in today's society, so how have you guys dealt with being Christians in just everyday life at school and shows? Being a Christian without being preachy?
Brandon: It’s really more or less a lifestyle, its normal, as natural as breathing.
We just act like ourselves.
Michael: Yeah, you really have to real, and transparent. People don’t want to be told their GOING TO HELL, that won’t witness to them, so we tell them like it is. And be real.
Derrick: Nobody likes a "megaphone man".
"Christians just like everyone else have good days and bad days, highs and lows...
and well I guess, you can only write about what’s on your heart."
AWOE: Your song, All To Real is a song that feels like it's about having that transformation and fire for Christ.
Who wrote the song and does it accurately depict how you feel about Christ?
Michael: I actually wrote that song. It really is just describing the feeling we get when we are worshiping. When we are in His presence. It’s too good to be true, all too real.
AWOE: When you guys are creating songs like Drop of The Hat then create something as in deep motion as Rise Again, how do you do that? Give off that contrast of sound and feeling?
Derrick: Christians just like everyone else have good days and bad days, highs and lows... and well I guess, you can only write about what’s on your heart. All of our songs, are very "youth" oriented, I mean that a lot of our music talks about things that kids go through, and deal with. So we write about what’s we are thinking about. Simple as that.
AWOE: For those who are afraid to look forward to the future your song Move On is truly motivating. Why do you guys think it's important to turn over your past to Christ?
Derrick: We all come from ugly pasts in some way or another, but we have to get past that. Or we can never move forward.
Michael: That song really applies to our selves just as much as it does to anyone else. I once heard a saying that goes, “Your past can never take you further than you've already been.” I’ve always liked that and felt this was the true meaning in that song.
"...we should all strive to be a perfect being,
to be more like God."
AWOE: You guys make a statement in your bio that says you're not perfect, but you strive to be. How do you move on from the mistakes you've made onto living your life by faith?
Michael: It’s all Christ and through him. We always fall short of the Glory of God, and we will never be as great as he is, but we should all strive to be a perfect being, to be more like God.
AWOE: How would you encourage others who may be experiencing judgment from others or even from themselves who are like, "I'm just not good enough, I'll never move pass this." What's your message to them?
Brandon: There’s always hope, a light at the end of the tunnel.
Michael: Exactly there is always salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. People are always looking for an exit, but they need to realize that you sometime have to look inside yourself, to find the answers. I always tell my Youth Group that God is a gentleman. He will only go as far you let him. You have to open up your heart and let him take control.
Promise Me Forever Website
PROMISE ME FOREVER INVITES YOU TO
COME TO JESUS
Dear heavenly father, I pray that you can reach the people who read this magazine, reach their hearts and help them to see that any issues, any snares that they might be experiencing be released on their lives. I pray that anyone under the sound of our voice be filled with the love of the Holy Spirit and be renewed today. And lastly Lord God, that if there is someone who does not yet know you, that they may be acquainted with your loving touch. And may their lives be changed FOREVER. Lord God, we Break your Trust, and we Break your heart but you continue to Break our fall. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Read More About Promise Me Forever in AWOE MAGAZINE PROFILES
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