S T R Y P E R O N L I N E . C O M

WordNews.org Interviews Michael
11.17.2005

EXCLUSIVE: Fridays with Stryper
A Word News conversation with Michael Sweet - part I:
Band On A Mission, Bringing Hope

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (W.) Oct. 7, 2005 -- One of Christian music's top-selling -- and controversial -- bands, Stryper, is back on the road, and on a mission.

"We're back together," said Michael Sweet, lead singer and one of the founders of the band that dates back to 1983 and once topped Billboard.

The Stryper "Reborn" tour is in the early stages. The first new album since 1990.

"We just felt it was a great time to do it," Sweet said. "Everyone’s got a real clear vision of what we’re doing. We’re going for it. We'll see where it takes us and how it unfolds."

That vision is to return to the band's roots in 1983 through 1990, Sweet said. "And that is spreading the message of Christ. We feel we have a call on our lives. He provides, He gives the ability, the talent, the music. We want to give back to Him and give Him all the glory. It’s as simple as that. That’s the vision, that’s the goal."

Sweet said it's a different world now than when Stryper toured in its heyday. But one thing hasn't changed.

"There still the need for encouragement," he said. "We live in a world that has a lot of darkness in it. We turn on the news and are constantly hearing about horrible things happening, be it terrorism or war or hurricanes or whatever. Constant attack after attack after attack after hit after hit after hit."

That's where Stryper comes in. The band has encouragement in its name: Stryper stands for Salvation Through Redemption Yielding Peace, Encouragement and Righteousness.

"You can never get enough encouragement in in the place that we live in, this world," Sweet said. "So we’re here, we’re a small little band, a tiny, small, little piece of the puzzle and we're trying to bring in hope and grace and mercy and faith and encouragement -- all that good stuff to this world that desperately needs it. People’s days and lives are tough enough to be fed with garbage, which is what a lot of bands feed the world. And there’s plenty of that going around that you can load your plate up with. We want to offer the extreme opposite and offer people hope and encouragement. And really the ultimate hope and encouragement is Christ and His word. That’ what we’re all about."

EXCLUSIVE: Fridays with Stryper
A Word News conversation with Michael Sweet - part II:
Times Have Changed, Message Same

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (W.) Oct. 14, 2005 -- Michael Sweet, lead singer and founder of the Christian rock band Stryper says he's amazed when he walks on stage. "Really, it's always surprising, the response," said Sweet [second from left]. "To see people come out to the shows. To look out and see all the people come out to support and stand behind what the band is all about--it amazes me. We never expect anything."

This awe is surprising when coming from Sweet, who has had his share of success as the band once topped music charts, went Platinum and had videos airing on MTV. Now, Sweet's noticing some changes to his audience.

"There's a lot of old fans, people in their 30s and 40s," he said. "And then we see a lot of younger fans, people that have become fans of the band that are in their teens and 20s."

Sweet said he's not sure why, but he knows Stryper has a special calling.

"We kind of, for whatever reason, feel we were called to do this. And any other group of guys could have been called to do what we’re doing and used on the platform we’ve been used. We feel a lot of new doors have been opened through the years, through the band, by the band -- MTV, mainstream [music], and all this stuff that you don’t typically see from a Christian band. It's been an incredible journey and we’re honored to have been a part of it and we look forward to the remaining part of the journey for the rest of our lives--to just continue doing it."

Stryper was once a lightning rod of a Christian band. Parents weren't thrilled with their children listening to what was labeled "heavy metal" -- Christian heavy metal or otherwise. But Sweet said he never considered Stryper a pioneering band.

"We don’t view it that way," he said. "We have a tot of people tell us that. It's always humbling and it's an honor."

EXCLUSIVE: Fridays with Stryper
A Word News conversation with Michael Sweet - part III:
The Trappings - And Lessons - Of Success

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (W.) Oct. 21, 2005 -- During a tour in the early 1990s, Christian metal band Stryper faced a moment of truth: It was saying one thing on stage and living another way on the bus. "We had many temptations along the road and many opportunities we could have grabbed on to," said Michael Sweet, lead singer for the Platinum selling band which has regrouped after a decade and is back on tour.

He said there was one stumbling point at the band's peak.

"We went through a period in "Against the Law" when we started drinking, we started getting a little out of control," Sweet said. "The bad part in that is the fact that it was somewhat hypocritical because we were standing on stage telling people you don't need alcohol and then we'd go to the bus and drink."

Sweet said the band felt alone in the Christian music industry at the time. It had been a target of parents and churches.

"It was more of a rebellious time for us, kind of a lashing out at people in the church who had come against us for years and protested and bull-horned our concerts and said we were of the devil and all that kind of stuff," Sweet said. "And then you get to a breaking point. Many people do in life. You can take so much and take so much and then you break. And that was our breaking point."

But that period didn't last long.

"Thank God we didn’t completely disintegrate and have a meltdown and go the opposite -- and continue on the opposite -- path. We woke one morning and said, 'What are we doing?' and we halted and put a stop to everything and got back on path."

Sweet said the band wants to be an example to others.

"We try to speak less and let our actions be the example of Christ in our lives -- who we are, how we treat people, what we say to people. Do we smile or growl to people? Are we pleasant and nice? Do we give grace? That's what's going to have an effect on people more than words. We try to live as examples and let that light shine through."

EXCLUSIVE: Fridays with Stryper
A Word News conversation with Michael Sweet - part IV:
Big Bands Listen To Stryper, Too

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (W.) Oct. 28, 2005 -- You might be surprised who listens to Stryper music, said the band’s founder and lead singer, Michael Sweet.

Members of Marilyn Manson, the controversial metal band with albums such as "Anti-Christ Superstar" and Creed are just a couple.

"Loads of people, man," Sweet said. "It’d blow your mind if I could sit down and write a list. It’s mind boggling."

Sweet, who helped get the band together a year ago, said those listening can’t help but be impacted by the Christian message of Stryper’s lyrics.

"They may not necessarily be Christians or listen to the band for their words or message. Maybe they respect Stryper because of their music and guitar solos or the drumming. But I’m always a firm believer that our mind is a positive thing and the subconscious is a positive thing and those words and that message is going in one way or another. I think it’s having an effect and anyone who listens."

Sweet said since the band's older [Sweet is 42 with an 18 year old son], "I like to think and hope we're more mature. We’re the same as far as the message goes." [His son has gotten him listening to bands like Switchfoot and, P.O.D).

And that message is one he's delivered in many concerts in the past.

"It's a timeless message and we're still delivering the message and that is the saving grace and power of Christ through Him," he said. "If you want to be with Christ in eternity, and go to heaven, we share the news about the only way to get to heaven is through the blood of Christ. From His sacrifice on the cross. It’s that simple. We don’t say it in a way that it’s a turn or burn thing, you better do this. We say it in love. You have the choice. We love you no matter what you choose and hope you choose the right thing."

There's one thing that's always bugged Sweet regarding Stryper. That was being called a heavy metal band. Having a tour with heavy metal band Motley Crue as part of a Heaven and Hell tour probably -- and wearing spandex and big hair -- probably contributed to the perception.

"I never thought we were a heavy metal band," Sweet said. "I always laughed at that term. We're just a hard rock band. I'd compare us more to Van Halen than [Iron] Maiden. When I think of old school metal I think of Maiden or Creed. We're certainly not Maiden or Creed. A lot of our stuff is more melodic, a little poppier. Whenever we were labeled a metal band I always cringed a little bit. I love metal but we're not a heavy metal band. We were just a hard rock band and we still are."

And Sweet believes the band sounds better than ever on its new album Reborn.

"It's different," he said. "It's not the old days. It’s not 1983. It’s 2005. It’s new day," he said. "We’re trying to be a new band but yet not sell out our original, what we were as a band in 1983. We want to try to stick to our roots and continue on with harmonies and things we’re known for and yet on the other hand we want to step up up and step into 2005 regarding production and not make an 80s-sounding record. That would not be a good thing. That would be the nails in the coffin."

Source: www.wordnews.org