Usually, news comes FROM the West Wing and FROM the Pentagon, but this past Sunday, March 11, 2007, the news (the Newsboys, rather) made a visit to Washington. You can see a photo gallery of their visit at www.newsboys.com.
Just who are the Newsboys? A lot of you probably already know who they are, as they’ve been around since 1985. Then again, they are a Christian rock band, so maybe not everyone out there knows who they are. Those who have already heard their music would probably agree that they create quite a collection of very interestingly put lyrics. They definitely spread the Good News, just not in the most normal of ways. Some of their music is very calming and what some of us Christians might refer to as “soaking” music. Other pieces that they have created are quite unusual – take their song called “Shine”. When I first heard this piece it had me laughing and a little like, “…Okay…I think…I get it.” It’s just not how I would have ever thought of wording it, but it makes sense – a lot of sense! “Love, Liberty, and Disco” sounds like a very interesting title for a song. Then there’s the song “Take Me to Your Leader,” which says it all. At first glance, this might sound like it would be about some aliens coming down to Earth to visit. I’ll leave that up to you to find out.
All of the band members appear to be fairly young. (Of course, I am judging by my own standards. The youth of today would consider me old, because I am in the 35 and over category already! Ha! Ha! A lot of them think 25 is old! So I must be ancient!) The co-founder of Newsboys, Peter Furler, was born September 8, 1966. He said that when he was a boy he banged on anything he could find – back seats, his lap, you name it! He also had a very good ear for music, being able to recognize a tune by the first chord. Furler became a Christian at the age of 17, and his music has never seemed to look back from reflecting a Christian theme. The only passion that was greater than music and being a Christian seemed to be surfing. He is the original drummer, rapper and background vocalist of the band, but eventually he became one of the guitarists, as well as the lead vocal. An interesting tidbit of trivia is that he was actually the auto mechanic of Newsboys’ first tour bus. I can just imagine the stories behind this! The first concert Newsboys ever did was for his sister Julie’s 16th birthday. He has written most of the songs for Newsboys, and often with the assistance of Steve Taylor.
Jeff Frankenstein, the keyboardist, was born June 26, 1974, in Sterling Heights, Michigan. He claims that he was asked by the Newsboys to join as their new keyboardist. He simply attended one of their concerts, and met them backstage later. When he told them that he played the piano, they invited him to fill that spot. Another Australian member, Duncan Arthur Phillips, mainly a drummer for the band, was born March 3, 1964. He also has played keyboard, and has composed some of the band’s songs – most well-known would probably be “Love, Liberty, and Disco”. Before joining Newsboys, he played for local youth groups. Paul Colman is also a member of Newsboys. Born August 22, 1968, in London, England to an Australian father and a British mother, he started his first band at 11 years old! He didn’t take music seriously until much later, making teaching his first career. He taught High School History, English, and Religion. Many might know him from the Paul Colman Trio.
If you want to find out more about the Newsboys, you can go to www.newsboys.com or www.companyxusa.com – and happy listening! I know they have an online radio that you can listen to that does not interfere with your additional surfing. I was using it earlier, and it was awesome!