Stryper - Their break-up
You'd have to live in a cave to not hear of the latest rumblings going on in the rock world. Kiss in makeup? Roth back in Van Halen? (short-lived) Those were the big wave makers, but what of other rock reunions? Cinderella, Dokken, Motley Crue, Ratt and Poison are bands that have rejoined to do what they do best. The Christian music scene has even seen reunions in the form of Neon Cross and Barren Cross. With rock being viewed as the ugly sister of the music family in the nineties, lately it's hip to be square. If you ever had a favorite band of yours break up, then you've no doubt dreamed of their return. For me and for a ton of others, that band is Stryper. More than just a band, to many they were the tool that God used to shine His light in their world. (In 1986 I heard "Calling on You," and my life has never been the same.) Could it ever happen? Will it ever happen? Who better to answer this question than the once striped ones? For the first time since their breakup, read the candid words of Robert, Michael, Tim and Oz in one interview.
Robert Sweet
Robert Sweet's views are as steady as his drum beats. Since the band's demise, his haven't changed much.
"I've always wanted a reunion, simply because I never thought it should have gone away. Friendships, marriages and businesses all go through rough times. There's not a band out there that hasn't gone through it, but that doesn't mean it should just fall apart and you should just quit. So, I would be all for it, absolutely. People think we had rough times just at the end, but we had rough spots at the beginning and all the way through. But, it was a wonderful thing, and those were the best memories of my life. I saw so many people touched through our message and I saw so much great music being played. If there was ever a time in my life when I was a blessed person, it was then. Who knows if it will ever be like it once was, but there are bands like Aerosmith who came back bigger than ever. I don't look at it as strictly a music or a money thing. I never have. The magic won't be whether or not Stryper comes back together. I think the magic will be if God's hand is on it."
The music scene is definitely not what it was when Stryper was together. If they were ever reunited, would it fall on deaf ears?
"Last summer I toured with King James in Sweden and Norway, and did a bunch of concerts with them. There were hundreds of teenagers who were 15 through 17, who were totally into Stryper, that approached me. There is definitely a new generation of Stryper fans who seem to want this reunion as much as the fans who have always been there."
Indeed, there do seem to be many bands from the eighties coming back together for reunions or tours. But is it out of demand for some good ol' rock music, or a quick buck?
"I'm glad to see a lot of bands getting back together, but I don't think it's a money thing. I think the reason many of these bands are coming back together is because they're unhappy with what they're seeing out there in the marketplace. There were so many great songs and bands from the eighties, but the negativity towards the eighties today is terrible."
Is that mentality due to just being tired of eighties music?
"There are eighties bands out there that are still doing well, like Metallica (who opened up for Stryper at one time). I remember when Pantera had big hair. They're also from the eighties. There are some bands that just made the right choices and hung in there and didn't split up. I applaud any band that has the courage to stay together under fire."
At one time, the only members of Stryper even saying the word "reunion" were Robert and Michael. Does Robert see any change with this?
"When Stryper fell apart, we all went through our own personal hell. It was probably the roughest time of our lives. But now, looking at Oz and Tim, it's like seeing two new people. Their attitudes are fantastic."
But is now the right time?
"We're never guaranteed a tomorrow, and as Christians we should know that. Our lives could be taken from us tomorrow. So, why do we waste years when we have something we know God has given us, and then wait for some sign?"
Any last thoughts?
"Stryper stopped on our sixth record, the number of imperfection. For a band who put 777 on everything, we should have a seventh record. We were about achieving a goal, it wasn't just a paycheck or doing music. It's affecting the culture in which we live. Tons of bands made music, Stryper made history."
Tim Gaines
Many readers were startled to read what Tim Gaines had to say last time HM talked to him. He didn't want anything to do with Stryper. Has that changed?
"At this point in time, Oz and myself are putting our efforts into Sin Dizzy, as opposed to trying to get Stryper back together. Not that we're opposed to getting back together, but we're just waiting on the right situation to happen. We don't want it to happen just for the sake of getting back together."
If the band did reunite, what would it sound like?
"I feel our highest point musically was Against The Law. I would love to see us continue on in that direction."
So, does Sin Dizzy continue in that direction?
"Sin Dizzy sounds nothing like Stryper. The sound is a cross between Stone Temple Pilots and Nirvana. Maybe a little Rush influence also. We've been together for about three years. It was originally an off-shoot of what was going to be a solo project for Oz. Oz asked me to play on some demo tapes, and we just ended up jamming Sunday afternoons in the garage. We started writing songs, and in the period of a couple of years, we wrote enough songs to make a set. We just gave the whole thing up to God, seeing where He would take it. He's really the director of everything that's going on right now. It's nothing we're trying to push. We're getting radio play on local stations, and we're building a local following."
With the success that Stryper had with its "double meaning" songs (like "Honestly"), is that something Sin Dizzy will do?
"Stryper always had candy-coated lyrics, where you could make of it whatever you wanted. As far as the Sin Dizzy project, the lyrics are heavy duty and to the point. It's in your face, where you know what we're talking about."
Do you still have regrets about being in Stryper?
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Interesting thoughts, just wanted to mention I came from blogspot.
