Online
interview with Nathan Ehman (Lead Guitar) February 24,
2004.
March 2004 Band of the Month
Kids in the Way
We just had these guys in concert in February of 2004 and after meeting these guys we couldn't pass then up for the next band of the month. Their attitudes and passion is as true as it comes. These guys put on one heck of a show! (photos click here)
Dennis: When listening to your debut cd, "safe from the
Loosing Fight," and >also seeing you in concert, the listeners
get a blend of everything from punk, emo core, modern rock and pop.
How does Kids in the Way define their style and who have been the
influences?
Nathan: We try to define our style as little as
possible. haha. We do have extensive influences from all over the
genre map. We're into a little of everything and it really came
through on this record. It's hard to pick and choose particular
bands that we want to sound like. We just kinda get influenced by
everything we like. We want our music to be spiritual and
passionate on record and live, and that's the bottom line....oh, and I
guess we like to rock SUPER HARD too.
Dennis: Well you guys are much harder and the emo core really
comes out in your live show. Where does the name Kids in the Way
come from?
Nathan: We found it in some fortune cookie, and we
liked it. Not really. The actual term comes from the lyrics
of our song "We Are". And we felt it fit the band, so
that's what we chose. The song was written before we picked our
name. If you check out the lyrics to that song, it's just about
how we feel in society and where we feel we belong.
Dennis: So much of the industry thinks music has to be labeled
Christian or Secular. I am personally sick of this constant debate
and many bands are full of Christians such as P.O.D., Thrice and even
Phil Sneed of Story of the Year. How do you guys fit into the
debate being on a Christian label but lyrically be appealing to a broad
spectrum of fans?
Nathan: Yeah, it's almost annoying to talk about
that debate anymore. So we try not to get into it. We listen to
music because its good, and because it means something to us. Hopefully
one day, there won't be such a huge debate and everyone will join hands
and sing a song of peace and love. HaHa. Well, I don't know
if that answers your question or not, but we're Christians, and we're in
a band, and our label is owned by Christians. Our music is deeply
spiritual, and we believe in Jesus Christ as lord and savior and only
son of God. So if that makes us a Christian band, then SO BE IT.
Dennis: We just had you guys in concert in Poplar Bluff on Feb 13.
You guys were absolutely incredible even when Dave forgot the lyrics to
one of the songs haha. What keeps you motivated while touring as
much as you guys have the last few months?
Nathan: Haha.. We warned everybody. Our
motivation is our calling. It's why we bother getting up in the
morning and put on our rock and roll uniforms. When God calls you
to do something, and you love doing it, its hard to stop. That, and the
loads of money we make. JUST KIDDING. Maybe someday we'll
earn some of that stuff. I hear it's quite useful. Really,
our motive is sharing the love that we have through Christ and loud rock
and roll.
Dennis: There is so much depth in your lyrics. One of my favorite
songs lyrically is in "We Are" and "This Fire We Started
Made Wreckage Of All That We Know." Which by the way is the
longest song title I have ever seen. But in these songs you deal
with the issue of the failure of the modern church. At our concert
the crowd was full of Gothic kids and many
of those that the church feel are unreachable. What does the
church need to do to support the growing diversity and post modernism in
teens today?
Nathan: The church needs to love and accept them.
The church thinks it's society that's ruining them, but then they sit
there in their little christian bubble and let society go on without
them. WAKE UP PEOPLE. Christians need to get out there and
do something about modern society. Go read "roaring
lambs". Get involved, go where the hurting people are.
Don't just sit around in a 50 million dollar building trying to perfect
your "christian coffee house". Get real... people are
dying, and when they die, they're going to HELL. It's
our fault. I'm as much to blame as anyone, don't get me wrong.
We've gotta come together as a body of believers. We love goth
kids. They really have some cool personalities if you can get past their
exterior. I think we're headed in the right direction... it just
takes time, like anything else.
Dennis: You guys are not perfect by any means and neither am I.
Teens deal with so many issues and not just the basics of sex, alcohol,
drug abuse. But many of these problems go deeper and involve
personal depression, anger and self pity. I heard one of the girls
at the concert talking to a member of Staple and she said everyone
thinks she is a Satanist just because the way she dresses. What is
your personal advice to teens dealing with the heavy burdens of today's
society?
Nathan: It's tough out there. I can't lie
about it. The world is a cruel place. As a band, we're
always subjected to critics. People that think we can't be
Christians because of our tattoos and clothes and stuff. People thought
Jesus was crazy too, he was even accused of being from Satan. Don't be
brought down by what people think. (that was so generic). But it's
true. You have to love the people that hurt you, and explain what
you believe to them. People need to understand that God can heal
us of ANYTHING. We need to have faith in that.
Dennis: A lot of discussion goes on in our site dealing with the
issue of secular music. Our stance towards Christian teens has always
been that they must weigh whether the music is a positive or negative
influence in their life. What are your thoughts on the influence of
secular music on Christian teens?
Nathan: We were christian teens once, and we
listened to "secular" music. So I can't say that its a
bad thing either...I agree with your stance. Music is a very
important part of people. It can be extremely influential to some,
and so the key is balance. If you find yourself changing your
views and opinions and habits because because of music, be sure to
evaluate if it is positive or negative. I get convicted about
certain kinds of music, and so
i just don't listen to it. but what's right for me isn't
necessarily right for others. It's between you and God.
Dennis: Wow, ok sorry for all the ultra serious questions.
Lets lighten it up abit. If we shuffled through your players right
now, who would we see the guys in KITW are listening to and why?
Nathan: wow... haha... um... now? we've got
AC/DC live, story of the year, thrice, the new blindside record, The
Mars Volta, Brand New, Coheed and Cambria, Muse, U2, Billy Talent, Plus
One (the new record, silly), Sleeping at Last, Interpol, our 80s
music....should I continue? haha. We live, breathe, eat, and sleep
music.
Dennis: I hope you were kidding about the Plus One
cd...anyway...There has been some interesting things going on with your
latest tour especially in dealing with..well you know haha. Have
you heard any jokes lately? Ok..lets forget that, what has
happened on the road that would make us all laugh that you hoped no one
would find out? We wont tell anyone.
Nathan: God bless Canada. Well.... hmm.....
we've got a pretty funny collection of video that we've been filming.
I'll have everybody over (this means you, the reader) and we'll watch it
together. How's that? I'm sure we'll laugh.
Dennis: Name a band past and present you would like to tour with and
why.
Nathan: Past, probably U2. (not that I
wouldn't do it now)... they are just amazing. They truly have been
an example of a spiritual rock band. Heck, I'd love to just SEE
them! Present, probably Blindside. Their new record is amazing.
They are incredible. Everybody go buy that cd after you buy ours.
Dennis: Here is your last chance to plug away or make comments
about anything we may have missed. Let us know your first pets
name, what you want to drive when you are 40 or whatever. We don't
care..this is your last chance to make an impression.
Nathan: We don't have pets. But if I did,
I'd probably name it. When I'm forty hopefully I won't be driving.
I'll have somebody do it for me. HAHAHAHAHAHA. Well, thanks for the
interview...I hope to see everybody that's reading this at a show soon.
Seriously. Keep checking our website for more show dates and
jazz like that. You guys rock. We'll catch you on the
flipside. Cheers.