Bride - A 'What if?' as they turn 16
All Pages | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11
Doug Van Pelt on : Bride
While slightly a jumbled read, following are a few excerpts from the Bride article printed in the May/June issue, along with some very raw and unedited quotes. We think each of the members said some very interesting things that didn’t get a chance to see the printed page. So, read on and enjoy...
There’s this band called Bride. You’ve probably heard of them. They created some of the most authentic and credible hard rock in the early 90s. Many would agree that, given the chance to perform on the world’s stage, they probably would’ve taken off. Somehow they were never given this chance. Another “What If...” story for the armchair Christian rock historian. Their success inside the Christian music industry, however, was big. Labels drooled and bid against each other for the chance to sign them when their deal with Star Song expired. Part of the spoils of their success, however, was also the ensuing backlash that all things rock/metal received after Seattle quickly took over the music industry. Overnight it wasn’t cool to be associated with metal. In the Christian music scene, Bride was almost the only hard rock outfit still carrying a tune. Thus, they somehow became the whipping boys for an entire generation of indie rock snobs, who relegated the band to the self-indulgent 80's metal scene.
A remedial lesson in rock and roll is necessary here: Winger, Motley Crue, Judas Priest, Scorpions, Poison = heavy metal. Guns ‘N’ Roses, LA Guns, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Bride = hard rock. Similarities? Yes. The difference between the former and latter (with apologies to Judas Priest and Scorpions) can be generalized as form versus substance. While Bride was guilty of its hair ‘n’ makeup phase from 1986 to 1989 (Show No Mercy, Live To Die, and Silence Is Madness), they gave themselves a huge amount of credibility with their significant style change and release of Kinetic Faith and Snakes In The Playground. Add another decade of playing select dates and the almost annual trek to Brazil’s packed-out soccer stadiums (Bride knows what it’s like to play in front of 130,000), and you find Bride still alive and kicking. Where other bands would and did crumble, this band fights on. It doesn’t hurt that brothers Dale and Troy Thompson are consummate performers who understand “vibe” and can perform a seamless and dynamic show, jumping in and out of huge grooves -- all without a setlist. Yes, Bride have earned the title of rock and roll statesmen and could teach a course on live performance. However, now they find themselves on the eve of their 10th studio album and at a crucial point in their career.
When a rock band turns the corner of its 16th year, there’s a story. When said artist outlasts trends and faces the task of winning over its own offspring, there has to be something inside. Weaker bands would crumble. The inner fortitude carries the band when the sting of a critic’s pen cuts deep; or when a record executive decides to “talk tough.” This passion in the gut keeps the band together after multiple blow-outs of a trailer’s tires on a weekend hop; and gets past the broken strings and other mild irritations. The fight inside a band is tested when personnel drop out and are replaced, but the most vulnerable point is always on the eve of a new album release. This is where Bride finds itself today -- having to fight even harder just to keep the musical ground they’ve taken.
“This is a pivotal album for Bride,” states guitarist Troy Thompson. “We could continue on with the strength of our website and release albums directly to our fans, but in terms of reaching out to everyone on a retail level, this is like our last stand. If this one doesn’t work, that’s probably it.
Bride takes an unfair share of pot shots for representing the “old school” of metal, which is unfortunate on two levels -- One, because their last seven albums have been hard rock (ie. Guns ‘N’ Roses) and not metal (they were guilty of a metal phase, complete with too much makeup and teased hair); and Two, because they can still tear the house down live and have maintained at least a semblance of that great rock signature sound on each of their albums.
The Transition of Adding Lawrence & Michael...
“Lawrence had already played on Oddities... The dilemna with Lawrence was that he lived in Ohio, which was more than two and a half hours away. We felt like, if he was willing to make the sacrifices, then we were willing to work with him on that. (Dale) “We put out a call for a drummer and didn’t get one person interested. A music store in Southern Indiana, run by fellas I’ve known for years, and they actually introduced us to Michael. Our first rehearsal -- Michael had two days to learn the songs. And in two days he learned 11 Bride songs. We rehearsed with him on a live stage and he knew the songs and had no problems whatsoever. We were in a transition period anyway, because we were writing songs and had no shows to play; so we had no down time because of the change. I don’t think people will know there was a change, unless they look at the album credits. (Dale)
On the New Album...
“Every band always says that their new album is the best they’ve ever done; and 9 times out of 10 it’s probably not. But this is definitely our pinnacle album. We took a year and a half to write this. We had plenty of time to sit back and reflect and just see what works and what didn’t work. When we first started writing for this, we were writing with Steve and Jerry, and the direction was much lighter. But when Lawrence and Michael got into the band, I just kind’ve came alive again to write heavy stuff. The heavy stuff had become unnatural; and now it’s natural again to play this kind of music. It’s not heavy like anything we’ve done prior. I think it’s very current. Nothing anymore is groundbreaking, so we’re not breaking new ground, but we’re definitely in the ballpark with this record. I can’t even listen to the old Bride records at all, because this is such a better album song-wise, lyric wise, definitely production. (Dale)
Lyrics...
NEXT PAGE
All Pages | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11
Return to Internet Exclusives
Comments
Hello can anyone tell me this article was wrote. I read in May/June but which year?
