LIVE FROM ICHTHUS
Interview with Staple: April 22, 2005
Posted on WMP: June 21, 2005
Featuring lead singer, Darin Keim

www.staplemusic.com

Ichthus is one of the nations largest Christian music festivals with crowds reaching over 20,000.  Ichthus was a reaction from Woodstock and is now stronger than ever.  This year's theme, "Let it Rain!", caused a stir.  Why? Because every year it rains....LOTS. A few hours before one of the worst storms I have ever seen hit, I was able to talk with Darin, Keim, lead singer of Staple. I have got to know these guys over the past few years and watched them grow with an amazing amount of maturity in their lives and music. If you have never checked out Staple and are a fan of hard core music then you need to get out from under your rock! Staple is one of the most under rated bands in all of hard music and I have made it a mission to help get them more known!

Dennis: Hey Darin, thanks for taking time to talk with me for a few.  You guys are on a current 25 city tour with Kids in the Way and Spoken. I know you guys are great friends with KITW, so how is the tour going?
Darin: It has been a blast.  KITW and Spoken are some of our best friends.  Last Tuesday is also on the tour and they are great guys. Our best show was in Dallas at The Door. The crowd was just insane and so into it.  They were shouting back all the words and so crazy.  Those are the best shows!
   
Dennis: "Fist Afire" is your latest and final release of your current album.  We just go to hear some of those live and they were amazing.  What's the word on the new album this August?
Darin: The new album hits the street August 30.  We will start recording on May 12 after the tour.  We are working with producer Silvia Massey who has worked with System of a Down, Tool, Powerman 5000 and others.  We are really excited to be working with her. We have been batting around several ideas for names so I don't want to commit and say one now. A lot of our music is dealing and continuing the path of writing honest music.  It tackles a lot of issues that I have dealt with and have seen around.  It deals with different challenges to make people think. 

Dennis: You have a very different approach on your lyrical style is very unique to Staple.  How do you bridge the gap with your lyrics?
Darin: The important thing is to write lyrics intelligently and respectfully.  If you write lyrics to the best of your ability and they pass both tests then the only thing people can have an issue with is if they don't believe like us.  We are prepared to deal with that also. The line is becoming less of an issue as it gets blurred.  Christian and secular bands play together all the time and realize that if the band is talented then that is the focus.  There will always still be those that make it out to be an issue.  

Dennis: A few minutes ago I had a conversation with a guy and he had a problem with a band that didn't preach from the stage like they used to.  I told him I was in pharmaceutical sales and I didn't preach in every office though. What are your thoughts on how bands should spread the ministry of Jesus? 
Darin: I think that is completely up to the bands conviction.  We as a band want to say something no matter if it is two words or a dialogue.  We have made that a priority to at least let people know where we stand.  I agree with what you said about other professions, and people are in that market and they are Christians but they dont always preach.  I mean a Christian plumber doesn't write 'I love Jesus' on all his pipes or have that on his plunger. I try not to judge or bothered by other bands that choose to not say anything.  If they are Christians and praying to the same God that I do then I must believe that God has called them to do something else. 

Dennis: THe political correct crowd has demonized Christians as a close minded group.  What are your thoughts to those that are considering what faith or religion to go with?
Darin: I think people need to seek out truth.  That doesn't mean what they want in life, what they feel comfortable with or what they prefer...but I think sometimes truth is hard. Americans are so comfortable in what we do and people what to be catered to.  Truth is truth.  There are scientific laws as proven facts and people dont argue with that. I think the way the world is set up, that looking at science and other things, we see the way the earth is formed is on absolutes and principles that dont change.  Why would that be any different for faith and religion? The God that designed all these absolutes, why would he set up His spiritual laws and truth any differently.  One of the lines on one of our new songs say, "Truth is not dependant on geography." It doesn't matter where you are born, truth is not relative of that.  I would say seek truth as genuinely as possible.  I will tell them confidently that through the acts of Jesus and the Bible, that this is the truth.  I think that is found in the Christian religion and not others.

Dennis: Great answer Darin! Like I mentioned, I loved your new songs and they seemed to have an almost darker and heavier approach.  How would you describe your upcoming music in comparison to your last album?
Darin: It's still Staple. It's still heavy and riff rock but this time it is bigger.  I think the guitar riffs are bigger and you will remember those more on this next album, the same with the hooks and the melodies.  We are trying to capitalize on what we have done except make it bigger and better!

AUGUST 30: THE NEW STAPLE HITS YOUR MIND!