The Agony Scene
The classic commentary on art says that suffering produces great art. It would seem that The Agony Scene perhaps lived up to its name and went through quite a bit of turmoil between the self-titled debut and The Darkest Red. Besides telling me what happened, describe how hardship may have helped you create this art.
"From the last album until now we’ve gone through a tremendous amount of stuff," admits drummer Brent Masters. "Holy crap! We’ve gone through… When we were touring last year we really disconnected, like, as friends and stuff. We weren’t communicating very well. We were really worn out from touring and playing shows. Things just didn’t seem to be progressing like we had hoped. Things were just getting really nuts. I was, like, dabbling with a lot of drugs on tour and there was a lot of drinking and stuff going on, you know, which isn’t that sad of a thing, but I mean it was getting really out of hand, so that we weren’t able to communicate and stuff. That’s when we lost communication with each other. We lost track of what we were trying to accomplish, ultimately, which was just creating good communication and music-wise between each other (getting) a good connection. We took a break for eight months or sorta broke up or whatever you want to call it. We just kinda quit doing stuff. Eventually we just sat down with each other again and just said, ‘God, we just really miss doing this. We should give it another shot and go at it again. I think we can do it way better.’ We definitely used everything that we went through during that time period to make us stronger. I think it’s just obvious. Unless you’re dumb, you learn your lessons from your mistakes. I think that we really did that. I think it helped us to see, if we don’t communicate and we don’t get our (bleep) together and just start working with each other… It stinks. If we’re not sober, things aren’t going to run smoothly. We’re not going to be able to communicate. We’re just going to break up. So, I think we definitely learned our lessons in that aspect. And it just brought up more clear communication between us as a band in our writing process, also. I think we just get along better. We understand each other overall – even without speaking – better, because we’ve just been through so much. We’ve seen each other in all our ups and lowest of lows. I think that we’ve definitely seen each other in our raw, natural element. We know each other a lot better than we did last year. Even though some of us have known each other for eight years or more. That’s pretty much what happened."
(why did Johnny and Matthew leave the band?)
(how did their departure make you feel? What did that do to the band?)
How did it make me feel? Honestly, it didn’t really do that much to me. It’s just like, you know, I have to look at a band like a group of friends. At the same time, it’s a band and it’s a business also. If we aren’t communicating real well, if people aren’t getting along, if people just aren’t getting their job done, then we just need things to work smoother than that. I haven’t talked to Johnny in a long time. I still talk to Matt every once in a while. We’re still friends and stuff, but it’s just bad communication. We didn’t get along as well as we should have been. I definitely made me feel bad, but I definitely feel the band is better off without ‘em, honestly.
Describe how your new sound was developed. You mentioned (in your bio) that this is what you’ve always thought The Agony Scene should sound like. How would you define this sound? What are the key elements that make up one of your songs?
I think that that statement is kind of a weird statement. Whenever we said, ‘We thought that’s the way we always thought The Agony Scene should sound like…’ When I said that, it was more like what it feels like for us. We’ve opened up to a more natural flow as musicians and friends, like I said. Our writing process is a lot different now. We really just go into things with absolutely nothing. We have no pre-concepted ideas. We don’t go in saying, ‘We want this song to be like this pace,’ or ‘this sound or this kind of feeling.’ It’s just kind of like, we go into our kind of writing and we just start playing together. When something feels good to us, then we’ll play off of that and just continue to write on top of that, instead of just like putting something, ‘Okay, this fits here.’ We put something in a place because it feels good. It feels like it should be there. Like it has to be there, not like it could be there. I think that our communication just as musicians has gotten a lot less on speaking type thing and a lot more just a feeling of our playing and experimenting with each other and our instruments.
You are no doubt familiar with the Christian hard music scene that your band was introduced to with your debut album coming out on Solid State. What is your perception of that scene’s bands, venues, and fans?
Of the CD?
Your perception of the scene – the Christian hard music scene – the bands, the venues, and the fans…
Oh. I don’t know. I don’t really pay attention to it. I don’t really care. I just keep my mind and my eyes on my goal – keep us running smoothly. For us as a band and stuff. I don’t know. I think things are cool. Things are definitely different everywhere. Scenes vary so much. I don’t even know what – if I could tap down what the best scene is. I mean, there’s a million different scenes. Every city has a different scene, so it’s kind of a different story everywhere. But kids have been really awesome and receptive of us. Not everywhere, necessarily, but for the most part, people have been really, really to my band and stuff. It’s definitely been good for us – meeting people in different cities and stuff. Everyone’s been pretty cool.
Right on. The phone’s breaking up a little bit. Hopefully, we’ll stay in touch here. Can you hear me?
I can’t hear you. Hello?
Hello? Can you hear me now?
Okay.
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Comments
Man. That's a good interview. Brent Masters. I love that guy.
yeah but he used to be much cooler....when he WAS a christian.....yes he was a christian and so were all the original T.A.S members......crap some of em used to play in a praise and worship band.....i love and respect them musically but maybe you had to see the downfall to understand what im sayin....sorta sad
So, a lot of people used to be christians. Are they harking on you for still being one? I didn't think so. Free will means free will to choose what you want to be and who you want to worship. Give the kids a break - it's hard enough being the poster children of ridicule from all of the chrisitan market for "not being a christian band on a christian label," couldn't you leave their personal convictions and lives out of it? You either like their music or you don't. I personally don't care if they're christian or Scientologists, they just make good music and that's what this entire article is about. If you love and respect them in any way shape or form, you should let them be themselves. Do you think that any of this music would be possible without their hardships?
Just my two cents.
so are they borna again ya know christian guys or what? like believe jesus saves them ya know....>?
please e-mail and explain I still don't understand "used to be christians" like the guy who posted first do you know what they are like, are they really christ like (as in Underoath, AILD, etc.) or what?
There comes a time in a musician's life though when have to think about more than just the "art" aspect of their jobs. Christian musicians have to think about their religion and secular musicians might have to think about their families so there comes a time when making good music isn't good enough anymore so it is a valid question asking about The Agony Scene's spirituality.
If Solid State is going to sell mainstream: "not Christian" artist's music, I think they should clarify that that in the marketing of the musician. Alot of people know Solid State as a lable that markets Christian music. If they want to expand: whatever. Just let people know. I do care about a bands convictions and message. I mean what if you opened the next edition of HM and saw country music artist. O.k. but not what you buy the mag for. right?
after reading mark salomans book simplicity i agree with this guy--i dont think the Christian scene is all that healthy for bands and listeners.
you can't "Used to be a Christian" if you are truly a Christian nothing can change that
yeah yeah yeah i know all that crap.....once saved always saved.....if they were saved then they are STILL christians....i got ya.....im sayin as far as lifestyle.....they sureley dont act like it anymore and thats a choice....i wasnt judgin em....i love those guys musically and as individuals....what im sayin is its sad that theyve turned away from that and i think that is a valid totally understandable feeling....and the guy is right sometimes ya have to look past the artistic side of things and get to the influence....i mean think of the influence music has on people.......it comes with great responsibility.....sorry if i was misunderstood.....those guys are great guys and im just sad that they dont represent christ like they used to.....but they know that.....ive told em lol.....so its no big thing and im not harpin on em or whatever....just makin a statment of dissapointent just like i would if a friends or my brother went down that path
as a christian, if your friend or brother went down "that path," your religion teaches you to love them and accept them and show them the erros of their ways through your own life. I don't think you guys are "bringing them back to the Lord" or whatever by arguing what is or isn't a christian. You're also not portraying a very good reflection of the entire Chrisitan franchise by telling people that you're dissapointed with their choices. I thought the whole bible was about making free choices. I could be wrong.
how is he not being a good reflection of a christian by saying hes dissapointed with their choices? he sounds like a friend of theirs and i think that as friends who are christians, we SHOULD judge each other. not judging as in u dont know someone and make judgements but if i had a friend who was christian and he started going down the wrong way, i would feel its my job to tell him how i feel.
i have followed the agony scene forever, the old singer used to go to my youth group and we used to hang often (name drop sorry) but this band WAS a christian band...if you read their lyrics they were like spirit filled hardcore like strong arm etc, and reading this interview confuses me, its as if brent never was a christian in the first place...
i like the agony scene and that will not likely change. only when i was reading the interview, i couldnt help thinking, 'you signed with a christian label, you play at christian festivals, etcetera, so why complain that you've been pigeonholed?' seriously, if they feel pigeonholed, they set it up that way. they say that they dont want to be limited; well, change labels. i just really dont see how bands try to label christian listeners as labelers and assuming when they set up most of the assumptions themselves.
good interview!
I think The Agony Scene should of never been on Solid State Records in the first place. Totally dumb. What were they thinking? Isn't Solid State a Christian label? Basically it's owned by Tooth And Nail. I think T&N should've done something before the sigining even took place. They should of asked the Agony Scene if they were Christian or a Christian band. Ya know what I mean vern? If they did, then some of it is the Agony Scene's fault.
I have known and saw Agony Scene rise up on the Tulsa Area Music scene mostly as a Christian Band. One writer wrote that a couple of the members used to play in a Praise band and this is true but, that was way before Agony Scene started touring and doing shows outside of Oklahoma. Johnny and Matthew were in my opinion the strongest Spiritual members with Brent and Mike being the weakest. Chris is somewhere in between.
I think things happen that cause people to change their focus or direction. But if you are a Christian Rock Band and your two strongest members leave a band.
where does that leave you. This the current state of Agony Scene. Next I must give my two cents on the once saved always saved thing. The really question is : If saved, always saved. The bible says you know then by their fruits. If saved a transformation comes over a person life. Life does sometimes
throw a curve ball and sometimes we go astray of the intended path this for many Christians is where the term backslided comes in to being. A person can be a backslided Christian which may be the case for our friends in Agony Scene. I think the best thing to do is pray and wait and see what comes around down the road. I personally bought the Darkest Red and did not get a postive vibe from it so I sold on ebay. You will have to decide for yourself if the album is for you or not. Just Remember Prayer is powerful and can cause chance! whowever would have thought that Korn guitarist Brian Welch would become a Christian and leave one of the top rock bands to follow Christ.
hey i got to say, i agree with a lot of what has been said on these responses to this awesome interview. I love that a 'christian' mag can intervien anybody, christian or not, ask them questions straight up and not get in their face about beliefs, Doug Van Pelt is the man. i checked this interview out because i wanted to find out more about TAS and what solid state was doing with signing them, and im still looking into why the 2 guys left and stuff. Its been mad insightful, i ddnt know they were once labled a 'christian band'. But everything said, and like a couple have said already, we can speculate all we want, but what the bottom line is is that its not our place to judge them about where they are or aren't right now in their journey in life and with God, because most of us, with some exceptions, dont know them and dont know all the details. What we need to do is either dig them for their music and their message or not. James was dead on, if you call yourself a christian, prayer is HUGE. Either for your own discerment on what you listen to and put in through your ears and spirit (music is sooo powerful), or prayer for others to get to the point in theirs lives that they need to be with God. They will know us by our love, so living witnesses and prayer are two of the greatest markers we can have as christians to point others toward Christ. His ways are not are ways, so who knows how He orchestrating their live. They may have strayed from their beliefs, but God turns His back on NO ONE. So keep with the prayer, and dont stop seeking and questioning things for yourself, own your beliefs and opinions.
My only questions are for any of those who knew them at all:
Were they still calling themseves christians when originally signed by SS? (i dont know when they got signed at all) and
Does any one know what Matt and Jonny are upto now that they left the band?
first off i wanna thank hm for printing this interview , it was great. secondly , mr drummer has a few contradictions in this interview. maybe im just dumb , but did he not say he didnt want anything to do with the christian scene but then say that christians should check out the agony scene? dude...hello , that would be the christian scene. 3rdly , as stated in a previous post , why the crap are you signing to solid state if you are not a christian band?? now i know that not every member in every band on solid state is a christian , but you have to expect when you sign to solid state that your cd's are going to be put in to christian bookstores!! please people , tas knew what they were doing when they signed to them.
and let me please just add a lil more to that. as shady as the christian scene may be , if you truly do trust in the lord and put your faith in him , he will take care of you and your bandmates. i understand from being in a band(not a christian one by the way) what temptations and other things are out there . but at the same time , as a chritian you should never take your eyes off christ . if brent was a christian at one point , its sad to see him deny his faith now , ok im done
This was indeed a great interview. I am from Tulsa and I was never really personally knew The Agony Scene but I've hung out with the former members and current members and I've been involved in networking and playing in Tulsa bands; therefore I feel as if I can say what I am going to say. Yes the Agony Scene started off as a Christian band; yes they were involved in local churches and involved in youth groups. Yes I agree that when Matthew & Johnny left the band, the band's focus was then somewhat misdirected off the whole Christian focus. When they signed to Solid State, they knew 100% that it was mainly a christian label. I think it was more that the first opportunity they got, they were going to get out of that scene, and basically used their hook-ups as a stepping stool for their own advances. The bible teaches us to not judge, only God is able to judge, however the bible teaches us accountability and I think that is often times confused with judging. Jesus taught us to not judge someone in the hypocritical sense. I also believe that we are not to judge one's faith, but I agree that we are to guide our fellow christians in their walk and to call them out when they sin. Most of the New Testament is made up of Christians writing to fellow Christians correcting them in their ways. Paul, John, Peter, James, etc. were ALL writing to churches informing them that they have a higher standard to live up to as Christians and they were falling short based upon their actions (or fruits). As Christians we MUST live a higher standard; we are to be light in a dark world. I think someone should be able to, based on the what the bible teaches, pinpoint someone as a Christian b/c of their faith AND how they are living their life. A Christian first accepts Christ and then follows the Christian lifestyle set forth by the bible. We have responsibilities! I don't believe anyone is or has judged The Agony Scene; merely calling them out on how they are choosing to live their life. I strongly believe sin is sin and to God lying is in the same light as murder. It's just that different sin has different outcomes. You reap what you sow, biblical principle. I don't believe you can base where someone's walk is with the Lord on if they have sinned(even Christians sin, but I believe you can form an opinion and call them out (in love) based upon how they are living (if their sin is continuous) b/c repenting is a turning away from sin...not just asking for forgiveness. If the members of the Agony Scene were true Christians they should know they live in the world but should not be part of the world (lifestyle) and that if they are sinning, then they need to not only ask for God's forgiveness but to actually turn away from the sin and embrace him. I agree with the power of prayer and if you're not personal friends with them, then I ask that you pray for their walk, if any, with God and that the truth would be made known so the Spirit of God would be heavy on their hearts. I didn't want to get this in depth, but I mean Brent (speaking for TAS) couldn't even explain his opinion with Jesus' claims. He seemed very confused in what his beliefs, unfortunately.
This was indeed a great interview. I am from Tulsa and I was never really personally knew The Agony Scene but I've hung out with the former members and current members and I've been involved in networking and playing in Tulsa bands; therefore I feel as if I can say what I am going to say. Yes the Agony Scene started off as a Christian band; yes they were involved in local churches and involved in youth groups. Yes I agree that when Matthew & Johnny left the band, the band's focus was then somewhat misdirected off the whole Christian focus. When they signed to Solid State, they knew 100% that it was mainly a christian label. I think it was more that the first opportunity they got, they were going to get out of that scene, and basically used their hook-ups as a stepping stool for their own advances. The bible teaches us to not judge, only God is able to judge, however the bible teaches us accountability and I think that is often times confused with judging. Jesus taught us to not judge someone in the hypocritical sense. I also believe that we are not to judge one's faith, but I agree that we are to guide our fellow christians in their walk and to call them out when they sin. Most of the New Testament is made up of Christians writing to fellow Christians correcting them in their ways. Paul, John, Peter, James, etc. were ALL writing to churches informing them that they have a higher standard to live up to as Christians and they were falling short based upon their actions (or fruits). As Christians we MUST live a higher standard; we are to be light in a dark world. I think someone should be able to, based on the what the bible teaches, pinpoint someone as a Christian b/c of their faith AND how they are living their life. A Christian first accepts Christ and then follows the Christian lifestyle set forth by the bible. We have responsibilities! I don't believe anyone is or has judged The Agony Scene; merely calling them out on how they are choosing to live their life. I strongly believe sin is sin and to God lying is in the same light as murder. It's just that different sin has different outcomes. You reap what you sow, biblical principle. I don't believe you can base where someone's walk is with the Lord on if they have sinned(even Christians sin, but I believe you can form an opinion and call them out (in love) based upon how they are living (if their sin is continuous) b/c repenting is a turning away from sin...not just asking for forgiveness. If the members of the Agony Scene were true Christians they should know they live in the world but should not be part of the world (lifestyle) and that if they are sinning, then they need to not only ask for God's forgiveness but to actually turn away from the sin and embrace him. I agree with the power of prayer and if you're not personal friends with them, then I ask that you pray for their walk, if any, with God and that the truth would be made known so the Spirit of God would be heavy on their hearts. I didn't want to get this in depth, but I mean Brent (speaking for TAS) couldn't even explain his opinion with Jesus' claims. He seemed very confused in what his beliefs, unfortunately.
Sorry...I was going to end saying that if are not personal friends with them, then to pray. If you are personal friends with them, then to pray and see how God wants to you use you in touching their life for Him. (sorry I posted the above twice, if Dave reads this, can you delete one of them? thanks)
Hello ,
i would like to know if is a The Agony Scene christian band? who's in band is christian ?
Bye
Music is about the connection you have & not what religion the band is. You're truly lame if you only listen to bands that call themselves christians. Anyone can say that.
thats cool
like i respect his opinions and all
but
je kinda seemed offended that people thought they were christians
i dont know though
i listen to music that is not christian
but if you are going to sign to a label that has primarily christian bands and you arent
dont get pissed cause people assumed you were
and if he was so pissed about the christian scene or whatever
why did they choose solid state?
so like..lyrically..how is the new cd compared to the first one?
do they cuss at all? cuz if they do my mom wont lemme get it...and i heard Scapegoat and i loved it..and i've heard that the new cd is better then the first..i want it.
Just because they were involved in local churches in the past does not mean they were Christians. There are many who go to church every week who will be in Hell. They think the good will outwiegh the bad, or thier parents make them go. Its all about faith in Christ. Justification, God's proclomation that we are blameless and rightious in His sight. Not based on what we have done, but on what Jesus did on the cross. To follow will be sanctification, when we become more like Christ as our lives progress.
It seems to me that if Brett could not claim that Jesus was the only way to Heaven, than he was probably never justified to begin with. I'm not saying this based on what he does or what sins hes commiting(which we all do everyday) but on what he says. I believe the bible says if you deny me, I will deny you. I'm sure most of have or will question our beliefs, but to go as far as Brett has seems a bit to far to me. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. In the end God is the only one who can say if he has been justified or not, but the tree seems to be producing rotten fruit.(based on this interview)
May the Holy Spirit of God focus, or re-focus thier eyes on the Cross of Christ. And then continue to put out some awesome music.
Amen!
i talked to mike(vocalist) after a show one time right after the self-titled CD came out and he said that he was a christian and that most of the guys were as well - so i find it hard to believe that they got thrown into the christian scene against their will - this is not a judgement on my behalf, just saying what he said
How dare you judge me calling me judgmental!!! You hypocrite!!!
everyone's a hypocrit
You judging me?
I would first like to start off by saying a big "thank you" to everyone at HM for putting this interview together, not because I liked what Brent had to say, but because it has helped me form an opinion about where the heart of the band is. To me, the message that a band puts forth is just as, if not more critical than the music itself. Most Christian bands will tell you that they view their place in the "scene" as ministry over music and money. Look at bands like Underoath and Norma Jean who have become a force in the underground on all levels. Each of them has not let the success and the money and hoards of adoring fans get in the way of their focus. They sure haven't lost fans over giving the glory to God in front of 5,000 fans who range from youth pastors to drug addicts. I would also like to call out parties that no one seems to factoring in to the tangled, discombobulated mess that is TAS. What about Solid State? Is it not their job to operate a label that contains bands with a like focus. You may say, "but matt, TAS brings non-christian fans to the Christian scene and gets them involved with Christ-like things." TAS is not bringing people up, but rather pulling Christians down. Solid State needs to be held responsible for being a main player in keeping TAS in the Christian markets. When the drummer in a band states publicly that doing drugs and drinking before shows is not "all that bad" it sends an obvious message that their moral compass isn't calibrated. I would encourage everyone who reads this article to do some soul searching about whether or not you really want to support this band. The key for me was when Doug asked Brent about his view on Christ, and Brent basically dodged the question and gave a mediocre answer in an attempt to satisfy both Christian and non-Christian readers. To Doug: Man, you did a GREAT job of asking questions that made TAS's position obvious to even the dumbest of readers. But if you're heart lies in the same place as the editors of HM (which I have no doubt it does), to extol Christ at all times, there needs to be some diseration at the end of the article about how there is apparently some decay in TAS. If any or all who read my opinion are offended or congruently minded, please e-mail me and gripe me out or let me know what you think on the issue. In the mean time, I will be praying that TAS will return to the straight and narrow.
I need to apologize for one thing in my prior post. I went to Solid State's website and did some digging only to find out that The Agony Scene is no longer listed anywhere as one of their artists. Furthermore, they are not on any of their media, shows, etc. pages. I apologize for getting ahead of myself. In the future, I will be more cautious do my research before calling someone out.
I was surprised by the interview it kind of reminded me of the hopesfall interview .TAS is still a great band and I will be praying for them.
The Agony Scene is an awesome band, however, they GOTTA get their faith straightened out and focus more on God. The world needs more Death Metal bands that sound like TAS, that are CHRISTIAN and are PROUD of being it....
I just have to say that I agree with pretty much everyone who has posted thus far. Thank you HM (and Doug) for completing this interview - I thouroughly enjoyed it, as I enjoy the enitre magazine. :) I became a fan of TAS the very 1st time I heard their 1st CD. They've appeared (vocally) on other artist's CD (Christian and non) and I always had ont thought...these guys must be Chrisitian. I based that thought on the fact that when I saw them live they never swore, they were always polite, and the obvious - they're signed w/SS. T&N is my FAVORITE label, so of course I love SS. I admit, I never did any deep research on TAS, but after this article was published and I read these posts, I began to re-think about TAS as a Christian band. There are numerous "non-Christian" bands in the music realm today who don't swear, are plenty polite, and may even be signed to "Christian" labels. I believe though, that as an artist, Christian or not, bands/musicians have a platform that not too many people have...the opportunity to speak to kids in a way that their parents can't. Let's face it - music is what kids live by. Period. TAS has a platform and they have been labeled as a "Chrsitian" band, whether they like it or not, and they might want to consider (as an entire band) clarifying any doubts listeners have. Are they Christians making great music or just everyday guys living "of the world" making great music? I am a Christian - I was saved at a very young age, being raised in a Christian home. However I, like so many people "of the world" do, fell away from Christ. I didn't become "unsaved" I just walked out from underneath the covering of Jesus Christ, subjecting myself to anything. I was was involved in drugs for quite a while, along whith some other not-so-great choices, and during this time I (like Brent of TAS stated) didn't want ANYTHING to do with God or Christians. If someone asked me what I thought of God and the whole "Christian scene" I pretty much answered the same way Brent did in this interview. I have now returned to Christ and He has blessed me with an awesome testimony that I am able to share from the stage. Enough about me. What I want to say is this: YES it's up to God to do the judging, not us. But like a few posts have mentioned, we should pray for and confront (in love) our brothers and sisters in Christ and let them know that their ACTIONS are inappropiate and remind them (in love) what the Bible says: "anyone who denies Me I will also deny in the presence of My Father." If members of TAS truly did have a relationship with Christ, then they know this already and know what the consewuences will be. I agree that the "Christian scene" is judgemental and a lot of times it is about money, but that is not how all Christians are. I enjoy the music TAS writes/records/performs, and I don't think I will ever stop listening.I don't think it's fair to be blaming anyone - SS or TAS for their being on SS. What sbhould matter to us is the thought of where members of TAS and other bands we love will end up when the 2nd coming of Chrsit occurs. To everyone reading this: please keep in mind that Brent was the only one involved in this interview, so anything he said is the way he feels - it may not be the feeling of the entire band. We should all keep an open mind about this whole thing - both Christians and non-Christians alike. Thank you and may you all continue to serve Christ with diligence. Best wishes! :)
don't be lame. everyone changes in their beliefs. and it has nothing to do with being cool
