This Fires Embrace Interview
Why don't you start by telling us how you came to Christ?
Well, I was in a very popular central Ohio band which I had formed with my brother called Liquid6teen. We’d been playing for around 4 years and were doing really well. But, I felt empty. You see, no matter what successes we had, I knew that I was supposed to be doing something else with my life. I just didn’t know what that “something else” was. I had spent years drinking heavily to compensate for how I was feeling. It’s the worst feeling in the world when you play a show to a packed house where everyone loves you and screams your name only to find yourself all alone at the end of the night in your own emptiness. I think that’s why most musicians turn to drugs, sex, and alcohol. It’s an unconscious attempt to fill that empty void inside us all before we accept Christ. Fortunately for me, I was raised in church by parents that were both ministers and I have some close friends that were strong spiritual mentors for me. They loved me and they were there for me even when I was destroying myself.
What role did Darrell's murder play in either your conversion or in your rededication to the Lord? Were you a believer (even if nominally so) before that?
I always believed in Jesus. I think that I just chose not to acknowledge Him because it allowed to me to do a lot of the things that I wanted to do, but knew I shouldn’t do. I reached a crossroads where I was trying to compromise with the Lord. I wanted Him in my life but I was trying to do it on my own terms. He doesn’t work that way. That’s basically where I was spiritually when I went to see Damageplan on Dec. 8th, 2004. That night completely changed me. I was about 15 feet off to stage right when the gunman ran around me and out onto the stage. I remember laughing to myself when I saw him because he was a large guy and I thought he was going to stage dive. Then, the gun came out and the nightmare began. I watched in disbelief as Dime was murdered right in front of me. I had loved this man’s music since I was in Jr. High school and I’d seen him in concert countless times. Now, I was seeing him die a few feet away from me. As the gunman shot other people I just couldn’t believe that this was happening. I have never felt so helpless. The grief, sadness, and finality of it all was overwhelming.
How did that event act as a catalyst in your faith?
In the aftermath of the shootings, I did some serious soul searching. I reevaluated how I was living my life and who I was living it for. I realized how precious life is and the time we’re given to live it. More importantly, I understood how hopeless life is without Christ. That’s when I made the decision to dedicate my life and the music I played to Him. I made some really tough choices like quitting Liquid6teen and I began to pray for the Lord’s guidance. My prayer was this simple, “Lord, If you want me to play music for you, send me the players to make it happen.” Within 2 months, THIS FIRES EMBRACE was formed. I was and still am blown away by how He has blessed me for being obedient to Him.
How has the Ohio regional scene helped support what you guys are doing?
The last year and a half has been a real whirlwind. When I announced my decision to leave my old band and the reason for it, I took a verbal beating from a lot of people in the Columbus Music Scene. I became a black sheep so to speak. There were friends that turned their backs on me. A lot of people counted me out and thought I was finished. Then, when I immediately came out with THIS FIRES EMBRACE, people were shocked. They didn’t know what to think. We were a Christian band but I felt like I was supposed to go back to those same clubs and bars we used to play. So, that’s what we did. We haven’t looked back since. Now we’ve played all over Ohio, and all the surrounding states. Big things are in the works for the band. All the stuff we’ve accomplished in the last year and a half still boggles my mind and I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for us.
What is your approach to music and ministry with This Fires Embrace?
Music is a universal language. I can’t see any better way to communicate what Jesus has done for me and what he can do for anyone that accepts Him into there life. All things are possible through Christ.
What would you like to say to the readers of Heaven's Metal?
Believe. Have Faith. Be strong and stand for Him no matter what other people say. This world will try to beat Christ out of you. Don?t let them. Give everything you are over to Christ and let Him show you the path for your life. You don’t have to be perfect to do it. He loves you just as you are and He’s waiting for you. He is the only one that can fill the emptiness in your soul.
STORY BY LOYD HARP
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