Online interview with Mike Simons, vocals/bass, for The Swift
July 2004
www.the-swift.com
We almost always pick a harder style band for our monthly band showcase. I was sent the prerelease for The Swift's newest cd, Today, and instantly heard the passion and love for the Lord in this band. I wasn't totally a fan of all their music, I mean it has some pop times but the style is unique to the Christian industry. It is also a fresh air of boldness of what it means to be a Christian artist! So, even if you are the hardest of hard core fans, take the time to look into the passion of The Swift.
Dennis: Hey Mike,
thanks for the chance to interview you in your very busy schedule. We have
selected you as band of the month for July on www.wisemenpromotions.com.
We always pick out hard core bands but after hearing the inspiration in your
upcoming cd we had to pick you! For those that may not be familiar with
The Swift could you tell us a little about the band and your music?
Mike: The
Swift is a Christian, piano-pop-rock band from North Carolina. We've been
together since 1997....signed with Flicker Records around two years ago...and
are getting ready to release our second "national" recording. We
started out just doing church camps and retreats on the weekends (leading
worship)...Two years ago, we made the move to Nashville, TN.
Dennis: Your manager
mentioned you are doing this interview while you are performing at a church
camp...what is your best AND worst memory from church camp?
Mike: This is probably one of the best and
worst. A couple years back, we rolled up to a campground and it looked as
if the staff had left the kids at the camp alone. It was like an eighties
movie....toilet paper everywhere....boys chasing girls....girls
screaming....everyone jumping in the lake....We found out later that the staff
was just really "laid back". They thought that everything was
under control. All of the campers were wound up during the concert and we
were wondering why we were even there. But, when it came time to open the
Word and speak truth to those kids, the Lord moved in an overwhelming way and
everything became perfectly still. Close to 40 teenagers gave their lives
to Christ that night of "Crazy Camp".
Dennis: I noticed on your site that your lead guitarist, Chris Byers, is
leaving after 6 years with the bands. During a transition like this so
much can happen...any ideas on who will be replacing him and how soon?
Mike: You would think
that we would have pulling our hair out... I mean, we were at the recording
studio, in the middle of tracking the new recording, our whole year was booked
full of shows, and Chris (our guitarist/founding member) tells us that he feels
like it is time for him to leave the band. We never even saw it coming!
We actually thought he was joking with us. He wasn't joking with us.
God has been faithful to bless Chris' obedience to leave. "He"
alone has made this transition time feel like a piece of cake. We never
even had to hold auditions for a new guitar player. A friend of a friend
put the word out and shortly after, we received a call from Justin Sharbono
(former member of SuperChick). From the first time we talked on the phone
with Justin, we knew that this was "the guy". We didn't even
have to hear him play, but once we did...."Praise Jesus!!" One
week later, he was on the road with us. All the glory to God.
Dennis: One of the
reasons I chose you guys was because of your unbelievably outspoken attitude
concerning the lack of ministry with some Christian bands. Let me first
say, I have no problems with bands that are full of Christians to just be
playing music not as a ministry. But, I have seen so many bands that
started and were very vocal about sharing Jesus and as their popularity grew,
their Christian message went to the back side. That I do have a major
problem with. What has given you guys the passion to be a witness to other
musicians out there?
Mike: The
Bible!!! (Romans 1:16; Hebrews 4:12) We understand
that we are called to be good stewards of everything that God has allowed our
ministry to do and have. One day, when The Swift stands before the
Lord...we will be held accountable for how we used the time He gave us on and
off the stage. If we call ourselves "followers of Christ", we
are responsible for clearly communicating the Gospel message of Christ to our
audience. If we aren't sharing Jesus from the stage then we are just
promoting ourselves. As ministers, our message needs to be direct and
strategic. We also have to realize that a "song" does not have
the power to change a life. Only the message of the Gospel of Christ
has the power to change a life. The Swift gets their passion form seeing
lives changed by Jesus Christ.
Dennis: Your new cd,
Today, will be coming out in just a few weeks. I got my copy last week and
as a hard core music fan, well, I was a bit nervous haha. Then as I
listened to it I found the music a breath of fresh air in the pop culture of
Christian music. And as I listened to the lyrics you guys inspired me to
want to praise the Lord and show my love to Him more. I really mean that.
You guys inspired me more than you know! Songs like "Now That You've
Found Me" and "I Need You" are incredible songs. Where did
the passion come for this latest cd by The Swift?
Mike: This year has been very long and
demanding. God has held us together by teaching us many, practical, life
lessons. His ultimate goal is for our ministry to bring Him glory.
In order for us to do that effectively, He must show us what areas need to be
changed...what ideas need to be surrendered...what strengths need to
be developed...and what sins to be thrown out. This new recording
speaks of the daily pursuit of practical obedience. The highs and the lows;
the triumphs and the failures. "Today" is all that we have.
How will we respond to God's call on our life?
Dennis: With your new cd, Today, hitting the stores and the general population,
what are your hopes and dreams for this cd? I mean what do you hope to
accomplish but putting on the album?
Mike: I hope people hear the truth
of God's Word and are encouraged. I hope people hear the message of Jesus
Christ and are changed. I hope they like what they hear and invite us to
come do a concert!
Dennis: Your music style is very unique in the Christian market and so many
bands came to mind as I listened...everyone from Maroon 5 to the Beatles to
Billy Ocean to Jason Mraz. I think I even heard the Fine Young Cannibals
at one point haha. What has been your musical influence of the past and
who are you guys listening to right now while touring across the country?
Mike: Billy
Ocean....hahahahaha....I love that you said that. We all like Switchfoot
and the Beatles. Some of our favorites include Cold Play, Keith Green,
Billy Joel, Travis, MercyMe, Phantom Planet, U2, Harry Connick, Jr., .....
anything with a melody. We also love to watch live, concert DVD's.
Dennis: Wow, I can't believe I put Billy
Ocean...see I could have edited that since it was clearly a mistake and I meant
Billy Joel haha. Glad you got a kick out of that haha.
Dennis: I have my
testimony posted on our website, www.wisemenpromotions.com,
and I had a long journey to finding Jesus. How did you guys find and give
in to the grace of Jesus?
Mike: My family relocated from
Indiana with my dad's job when I was 12. Shortly after that, my parents
marriage almost fell apart. I was feeling like I had no foundation so I
began to rebel. Life got worse and worse and I became completely desperate
for stability and purpose. I surrendered my life to Christ when I was 15.
He answered my cry for help and instantly filled me with assurance and peace.
Psalm 40:1-3 "I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined His ear to
me and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, our of
the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He
has put a new song in my mouth-Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and
will trust in the Lord."
Dennis: A lot of discussion goes on in our site dealing with the issue of
secular music. Our stance towards teens has always been that they must weigh
whether the music is a positive or negative influence in their life. Many of the
bands in your genre tend to promote negativity and use a tremendous amount of
expletives. What are your thoughts on the influence of music on teens?
Mike: Any music that offends your
walk with God is where we encourage kids to draw the line. All Christian
music isn't exactly edifying...and all secular music is not terminal to your
walk with Christ. Bring God glory with what you fill your mind with.
Dennis: Wow, we usually ask some lighter type questions, so thanks for handling
all those big topics haha. Maybe we can sit down and do this again in the
future. So this is it, your final thoughts or words of wisdom.
Mike: Thank you for your questions
and time. I will gladly do this again. Make sure to tell the kids
about the free bowling party we are giving away when they pre-order our CD
online. You can read about it on our website. Keep in touch.