Phone
interview with
Joseph Rojas, lead singer of Seventh Day Slumber
January 18, 2005
On the surface, Seventh Day Slumber doesn’t sound much different from other modern rock bands. They belt out catchy hooks behind throbbing guitars while singing about real-life problems confronting many young people like addiction, suicide and depression. But what sets this Christian rock band apart? Seventh Day Slumber sings about solutions. “There are things going on with Christian kids that no one wants to talk about because we’re supposed to be happy,” said Joseph Rojas, lead singer and guitarist for SDS. “When talking about those issues, we always paint Christ as the answer to hurting people and tough situations.” We recently caught up with SDS while they were on the road with Skillet and Kids in the Way.
Dennis: Here you are in the middle of a tour with Skillet and
a new album releasing Feb 1! I know
you guys are super busy right now so thank so much for taking the time with us
and we wanted to let you know you are the artist of the month for February on
our site.
Joseph: We are honored man, thank you.
Dennis: Give us a quick run down on the mission of Seventh Day Slumber and where
the name originated.
Joseph: I'll start with the name first. The name
just comes from Exodus 20:11. God created the
earth in 6 days and rested on the seventh. We aren't Seventh Day
Adventist, a lot of people ask that. We are just four guys who love Jesus
man, we are in love with Jesus. But um, so, that's where the name comes
from. As far as the mission statement, people think that I'm a little crazy when
I say this but that's nothing new to me haha. But before I give you our mission
statement I just wanted to say that I have a little basis for being crazy.
I mean God delivered me from a $400 a day cocaine addiction and changed my life.
And I believe I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And
He turned a $400 day cocaine addiction into a guy that has a ministry that has
led over 20,000 kids to Christ. I was crazy enough to believe that
scripture so I know a little bit, I mean I have a little bit of basis for that
statement so you'll know where I am coming. But man, our mission statement is
this, people ask us what do we want to accomplish as Seventh Day Slumber.
It's pretty simple, we want to change the world for Jesus Christ period.
We are crazy enough to believe there is enough people on this bus to do it.
To change the whole entire world for Christ and won't stop until we do or I will
die trying.
"I saw them two years ago at Acquire The Fire, and they
are an awesome live band. A real presence. I don't know what song they were
playing, and I couldn't even tell what they were singing about at the time, but
at one point I was breaking down spiritually during their concert. I felt naked,
like God was looking straight into my soul at the worst moment. I couldn't hide
anymore. The spirit hit me like a freight train. I've never been the same. I think it's safe to say that that concert was a serious
turning point in my life. I don't know how SDS influenced it, but they were
there, and they were part.
So I guess you could thank them for doing what they are
doing, and encourage them to continue to channel God's spirit into their
music."
What do you want to tell Cade?
Joseph: Wow, that is so powerful. When we are really
willing to listen to what God has to say to us it is amazing. I mean when
we are willing to let him speak to our hearts and to our mind, you know it is
amazing at how powerful just the simple quiet time with God can be. You
know it doesn't have to be the preverbal quiet time, it can be a loud concert.
But it would drown you out of everything you were thinking about before you
walked in the concert. You know I think that God had a huge plan for Cade.
God probably had been trying to talk to Cade for quite sometime and the sound of
music probably drowned out everything he was thinking about and the anointing of
God was there and hit him. And God wanted him to know how amazing that Cade was
to him and how beautiful and awesome Cade's life is to Him. That's what God
wants all of us to know man. Sometimes we are so busy, even us as ministers we
replace serving God for knowing God. That's what happen, Cade was there and God
was there and he shut down long enough for him to hear God. Cade will
change a lot of lives!
Dennis: I have heard that John Cooper likes to play a
lot of pranks on everyone….has he played any so far or have you any plans to
get back at him?
Joseph: Um, he hasn't tried anything on us but we do have
a plan of attack. We aren't exactly sure how we are gonna do it but we
want it on videotape haha. We are trying to come up with something that will get
him really really good
Dennis: So how is the tour going?
Joseph: It's
going amazing man and we've already seen over 500 kids come to Christ. It's just
awesome to be on the road with two bands like Skillet and Kids in the Way. It is
so amazing to see them talking to all the kids afterwards. We have been on
a lot of tours and it is almost embarrassing to say this, but we have not seen a
lot of bands that want to talk to the kids and minister to the kids after the
shows. We have always felt that was so important you know. To see Skillet
and Kids in the Way spend times with kids afterwards has really touched our
hearts.
Dennis: A lot of discussion goes on in our site dealing
with the issue lyrical content. Our stance has always been that the listener
must weigh whether the music is a positive or negative influence in their life.
Modern and hard rock is a very crowded market that often finds bands interloping
with very similar sounds and musical styles.
How do you guys fit the modern rock genre but still keep it original and
unique?
Joseph: Um, well I think the key is, well even before this
record, we wrote half this record while in the studio. We just honestly just
wanted God to breathe on this record. And I really dont have very many cd's, I
dont have 
any
with me actually. I really dont listen to a lot of bands but I will turn on the
radio every once in awhile to see what the kids are listening to to keep
current. I like rock music and as a kid growing up. Before I was saved I
grew up listening to Metallica, Rage Against the Machine and Stone Temple
Pilots. I love rock music but the message has been, you know I struggled a lot
with the messages from secular bands. So one thing we wanted to do differently
is play rock and have kids jump around and all that kind of stuff but we wanted
the lyrics to be powerful, bring hope and a solution. We didn't just want to
talk about the problem but we wanted to bring the answer and the answer is Jesus
Christ. That's it, He is everything man. And uh, so musically we asked God
to make it fresh and make it new. He is the creator of music so it was no
secret to us that He knew what He was doing. We got to the studio and said
we don't know anything about writing music, about writing lyrics and God we are
asking you to make this a powerful record and He did. We are very honest about
ourselves on this record.
Dennis: There is so much diversity in the lyrical
component of “Once Upon a Shattered Life” and the one thing I noticed is you
are truthful and you deal with heartache, depression and even anger.
What gives you hope when you are performing and writing those songs?
Joseph: I think one thing that makes us so different from
other bands and even other ministries. We don't look to everybody else to
figure out what to sell to kids, we aren't writing lyrics to sell a million
records, we aren't trying to write what everyone wants to hear or what everyone
wants to hear us say. Basically the bottom line is we speak to these kids from
the bottom of our hearts. We put down in our music some of the most revealing
things about our lives. We have a song called "Masquerade" on the new
record and it is about me and how I felt like I was living a double life. You
know I didn't feel like I was close to God but I was ministering to kids every
night. I just said God sings to me and take me back where I first met you.
Another song that follows that, well I don't know where they finally put it on
the record, but the song "Back in Time" and because of
"Masquerade" it is like here I am broken and I need you and then
"back in Time" says wow, I want a spiritual time machine to take me
back to that first day. Sometimes it is embarrassing to write the things
we write but we hope someone is touched by it and not have to go through what we
had too.
Dennis: I have had the chance to listen to your
upcoming cd and it is absolutely amazing. You
guys had major success with your last album having several #1 hits in Christian
Radio and also a Dove Award. How do
you feel being with BEC will carry you further in your career?
Joseph: Man, with BEC is a dream come true. Our
manager is Carol Peters and she is an amazing woman and managed many superstars.
She manages Deana Carter, Heart and many platinum selling artists. The reason I
say that is she could have gotten us a deal with anyone, I mean even if we aren't
that good, she is haha. She and us were so impressed with BEC that is the label
we went with. They have been amazing to work with and we love them, they
are so awesome. We are so excited about this new record and our single
right now is "Caroline." It is starting to blow up and believe that it
is a powerful song. I believe with the right team behind it, it will do
well and touch a lot of people. BEC has been great.
Joseph: This is the fact, he who has the youth has the
future. It can be Korn or it can be us. If we want those kids then we
have to go where it is at. But I would say this is other people that are
affected by those, it isn't just Christians that think that. I mean teens
are like POW's being held hostage. We have to go in there and get them.
People use fear and the Bible as a crutch. Well, the Bible says we shouldn't be
unequally yoked...come on that doesn't
have anything to do what we are talking about. We are talking about saving
the lives of young people and not watching ours son and daughters die. Don't
hide behind God, maybe you need to talk to him more and find out He is telling
us to go out and reach our young people but don't be like those other bands on
tour. I think it is also important to be bold about your faith.
There is a fine line and there are some bands that have crossed over and dont
say a word about God anymore. We have seen them and it breaks our heart.
They were the same bands that talked about Jesus every five minutes and now
because stardom, fame and record sales have gotten to them. Bands think
that is what people want out there, but that isn't it. People want you to be
bold about what you believe in. When kids see that you have some guts and you
aren't trying to be cheesy but just wanting to let them know that Jesus loves
you and wants to save your life. But if you don't sell out people respect
you a lot more than when you came from a Christian background and now you don't
say anything anymore. We have seen bands like (deleted for privacy) that
have started off talking about God and now they don't say one word. It's
like it is all about a rock show now for some bands! They are hurting more fans
than signs that bands see against them. I know John (Skillet) went through
that with some fans also and it has been tough.
Dennis: Yeah, John and I talked
about that in an interview not too long ago. The next question I guess...this
environment is getting tough on Christians. In this tough generation how do you
give kids courage to stand strong for Christ?
Joseph: I think the reason it seems like it may not
be politically correct or something to be a Christian is an because we talk in
"Christianese." Just talk normal! You can talk about Jesus and sound
like you have a mind of your own. When people hear you talk in
Christianese, people hear that and think we are brainwashed. It's like
when people prophesize and they speak like they are talking from the KJV.
Man, Jesus didn't talk like that, He didn't even talk in English. It is
hokey things like that. Always be bold but don't be afraid to talk about Jesus
but dont be pushy, dont shove it down peoples throats, dont get into arguments
and dont try to talk intellectual and be theological. Just talk like a
person. Be freaking normal man and let people see you as a person that loves
God. Sorry if I am preaching but just be freaking normal man. You will not
believe how many lives you will change. Always preach the gospel and use verses
but let your life be the example!
Dennis: A loss of hope is what many in this generation are experiencing.
Looking at Seventh Day Slumber, you had a very serious cocaine addiction
which led to an overdose, your guitarist watched his father leave his family for
another woman after being for 31 years, a drummer who spent years dealing with
drinking problems and a bassist who was actually the good guy and remained
sexually pure until marriage and drug free living with missionary parents.
Wow, now that is a diverse group! What is your message to someone that is
searching and finds themselves on one of your sets of shoes and just seems to be
lacking the faith to go on?
Joseph: I would tell them to quit beating themselves up.
The majority of kids I meet are so down on themselves. Here is the problem
I see is that kids are looking to everyone else to tell them who they are.
A lot of these kids are raised in a fatherless generation and those that do have
e them are lacking spiritual guidance. They are looking to the media,
their friends and everyone to tell them who they are. Here is the thing,
quit looking to everyone else and look to the one that hand crafter them.
Look to Him, ask God who you are and he will tell you that you are the head and
not the tail. That you are above all things and part of a royal priesthood and
that you can do all things through Him who strengthens you. You are more
than a conquer and let them know that are of worth! True worth can not be
repossessed. It isn't something that can be taken away from you and so
many of those teens are worth just so much!
Dennis: Well, Joseph, it has been a pleasure
talking with you and I can't thank you enough for remaining true to your fans
and to God. Now plug your album man haha.
Joseph: Yeah thanks man. I would just
honestly say the new cd is brutally honest and there is so much hope in this
one. I'm not bragging but telling the truth, God breathed on this album
and can compete with anything mainstream out there. It is good solid music, the
riffs are solid and catchy and put together by an amazing producer, Aaron
Sprinkle. The lyrical content is personal and hits so many subjects people
deal with today. If you are hurting and inside and you like good music
then Once Upon a Shattered Life is for you!