Hi, were in the UK on tour. Were doing great thanks for asking.
How’s 2010 going thus far?
Super busy, lot's of travelling, but great. We are just back from a month in the USA and enjoying gigging in the UK for a bit, then out to Romania for a tour to finish out 2010
If people don’t know what you and your music are about, how would you describe yourself?
Well, we are full on missionaries. Our music is kick ass rock, but we are missionaries at heart. Superhero exists to take the gospel message out to the widest range of people we can. Our music is typically British I would say.
Where does the name of the band come from?No big story I'm afraid, just needed a name, and it stuck!
When did you give your life to God and what made your life turn in God’s direction?
For me, it was when I was a kid. I saw how God made a big impact in my mum's life, she was a single parent and life was tough. God turned her life around and when I heard the gospel myself, I knew that God was calling me and I responded.
You've had four releases. Which would you say was your most successful and how would you define success?
Well, we love making records, love writing, recording and all that band stuff. I would say that our most recent record 'The Bicycle Thieves' defines us best as a band and has been recieved really well across the board. But, without doubt, success is all about lives changed, souls saved and young people stirred up to mission.
What’s your favourite track from your albums?
Favorite track is a song that will be on our new record called "Things we need for the Journey'
Which do you most enjoy playing live?
Again, a new song we just started playing live on this tour that will be on the new record called 'Children of the new Generation'
What message do you want to give through your music?
Easy, Jesus loves you, he is calling you and you need to respond. We are called to confront people with the Gospel.
Your latest album The Bicycle Theives helped to take you to an even wider global audience. What is that like, what are the benefits of that as a band and as a Christian band?
Good question! Actually, we have been playing all over the world for about 7 years.....but yes, this new album has helped take our music to a much wider audience. I think that for us, because we are so focused on reaching the lost, it all comes down to just making everything we do with Superhero point towards that goal and so bigger exposure means bigger crowds, bigger potential influence and more people hearing the message.
Back to your roots, how did you first come to music?
Bedroom, Record player, Punk Rock, Bob Dylan, The Beatles.....Started playing piano when I was 5 then learned the Flute to grade something....can't remember, then somone gave me a guitar and everything changed!! Started writing songs as a teenager, listen to a massive wide range of music from classical to rock and almost everything inbetween. I listened to so much music when I was younger. Now I listen to less, only because I spend so much time playing, writing and recording.
Where do you find influences?
For writing, mostly just life! People, things that get under my skin, of course, my faith. I'm not prolific when it comes to writing. I need to feel strongly about something to commit to writing about it. Books also, lots of reading and also film.
Who would you love to perform with, past or present?
lol....maybe for me, a duet with Bob Dylan or Thom Yorke. Share a stage with Rage against the Machine would have been fun!
What artists have you most loved sharing a stage with?
Well, our support act on the tour MPFREE, he's awesome. Bell X1 was a good night, Third Day gave us their hotel rooms once, and they are they nicest guys ever, 6 week tour with Nevertheless in the USA was good, I guess we have had the most fun with our friends as opposed to some of the bigger bands weve played with. 2 week tour with Skillet was pretty amazing though ; )
What are you currently listening to on your mp3 player?
Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens, Radiohead, Ben Folds.............I don't own an mp3 player!!
Who do you think is going to sum up the sound of 2010?
Erm.....no idea!!
God's Earth is a huge place and you've been taken to all corners of the globe as Superhero. Where have you most enjoyed visiting, what cultures have you embraced?
Always enjoy Switzerland, Holland and Scandinavia. Recently we have travelled the length and breadth of the United States, 39 states in 3 years!! We just got back from a month in California and I do love it there, and up as far as Oregon, Portland is maybe my favorite place in the world outside of Scotland! The Faroe Islands is maybe the strangest place......followed closely by the mid-west!! ; ) We have grown to love America thats for sure. We first arrived in early 2007 very sceptical and cynical of what we percieved to be the American way of life, typical European views. But having seen so much of it and met so many people we can see through the steriotypes and into the heart of the American psychi. That has been a very interesting journey for me.
Wow! Now my brain is having to work hard at 8.15am on a tuesday!! MORE COFFEE PLEASE! In recent times weve enjoyed mainstage at Flevo a couple of times, 6-8 thousand people, always nice to play to a big crowd. Headlining Plugfest in Switzerland this year 2010 was pretty amazing and also Playing at the Luis Palau Highland Festival in Inverness with Delirious playing one of their last ever shows was quite a night.
What do you miss the most when you’re on the road touring?
My family, my home, my coffee machine, my village............the list is waaaaay too long!
How has the Christian music scene changed since you've been a part of it?
We have so little to do with it that I don't really know! I think it's got smaller and there seems to be a big emphasis on anything that is classed as worship music and very little emphasis on mission........don't get me started!!
If Superhero was a Jelly Bean, what colour and flavour would you be and why?
Peanut butter and Mayonaise!
Some quick fire questions:
Tea or coffee?
Er....coffee
Summer or winter?
Winter
Superman or Batman?
Powdered toast man!
Mac or PC?
lol Mac
Bread or Wine?
Both please.
Favourite passage from the Bible?
Anything to do with the Nephalim.
What made you decide to put together a 3 year 194 date tour? The tour is called 'Battle for your Soul', whats the story behind the name?
Well, it's been an idea that I've been thinking about for a number of years and now we are finally underway.
We are missionaries, God has called us to confront people with the Gospel, we make no apologies for that. This is our calling, to partner with local churches everywhere to put on a quality event that people will love that ultimately grows to a point on the night were we confront people with the gospel. Its kind of militant and upfront, its not wishy washy, its in your face, its bold and its totally confident in the message it brings.
We are calling out the unsaved every night, calling them out to salvation through faith in Christ. We are boldly proclaiming the gospel message in the confidence that that is where the power is and that people are desperate to hear this good news.
We are engaging ourselves fully into the battle for peoples souls, our goal is to win as many to Christ as we can and play kick ass rock music at the same time ; )
Why 194 dates? How did you select the venues?
We always partner with the local church, this is essential to the ongoing discipleship of the people who respond. We will take the tour to anyone and any church that has a desire to reach the lost.
How does it feel being in a position where you can influence so many young people? Do you feel the pressure or does God talk easily through you and your music?
I feel a great sense of responsibility, but I also feel that we are exactly where God wants us to be, doing what he wants us to be doing, and I don't really subscribe to the idea that we, as a band, are trying to make christianity seem 'cooler' or something, so our confidence is in our message and that takes away any feelings that we need to 'produce the goods' it's God that does it, all we can do is be obedient. What’s coming up in 2011 and next on the agenda for Superhero? Any plans yet for a follow up to The Bicycle Thieves?
New record is being worked on as we speak. Were very excited about it : ) It will, without question, be our best record ever! 2011 will see the 'Battle for your Soul' Tour continue in in the UK and USA.
As it is fast approaching…how will you be celebrating Christmas?
Not touring!!
And finally, how would you describe the love of God for all those people who perhaps get embarrassed about being a Christian, those who are unsure of their direction and of course those already on their journey with Christ?
God's love is too big to describe or fully understand, thats for sure, but what I would say is this. If you have made a decision to follow Christ, if you call yourself a christian, you need to give yourself fully to Him, submit your life completely and become a disciple.
He has the best plans for your life and will guide you if you let him. This world needs you to stand up and be counted, this world needs you to fully engage yourself in the battle for the soul.
Never, ever be embarrassed, never let the devil persuade you that people won't listen if you tell them about Jesus. It's a lie, plain and simple. Even if they mock you, beat you, disown you and kill you, it's still what we are called to do and when we start emersing ourselves into all that God has for us, put him first and make our worship a lifestyle and not a compilation CD we will see the kind of revivals that we are looking for. The latest fad or trend will come and go, but the ongoing eternal work of God will remain and is the key to seeing Christ return.......well you did ask!
Thanks Tim!
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