Donny: We are a music ministry out of Chattanooga TN. We are in the hard rock/metal genre. I am the bands technical guru, emergency electronic repairman, Axe FX 3 programmer, road trip mechanic, oh, and I play guitar.
Jimmie: I’m the vocalist and jump off things.
Gabriel: I’m Gabriel, and I hang out on the drum set behind the other guys. We’re just a group of guys that enjoy playing music, and got together with the goal of jamming out, and using our gifts to write some Christ-centered songs.
Patrick: I am the bass player and founder of Faith Head. In addition to playing bass and song writing, I also manager our marketing, social media and the website. Jimmie and I handle most of the show bookings.
2. When did you decide you wanted to be in a band?
Donny: When I was 3 years old. I played air guitar for years with Metallica.
Jimmie: After Jason Beaver’s left the band, I was asked to fill in for just one gig. Initially I told Patrick no but after being asked again I gave in. After that one gig I haven’t looked back.
Gabriel: The subconscious desire to be in a band was probably there somewhere in the 7-10 year old range, since I was raised with music and around musicians. I started on drums when I was 12, and would say that I immediately formed a conscious interest in pursuing some type of band playing.
Patrick: Being a bass player kind of denotes you’re going to be in a band unless you are a Stu Hamm or Victor Wooten type. I could do that virtuoso type music, but I like writing with people and the harmony of a band vibe. There’s a deep spiritual element when you are writing and creating as a group you don’t get solo. I always liked the role the bass plays in keeping the music together. If the drums are the bones of a song the bass guitar is the muscle. I like creating waves of sound for everyone else to surf on in the song. Being in a band is very different from starting a band. There’s another level of responsibility that comes with starting your own project. Its success and mainly its failures are associated with you more often than the group. I am blessed that I have good partners in this band. I believe that’s why we’ve grown so much in this short amount of time.
3. What is different about being a musician than you imagined?
Donny: Having to work on gear as much as we use it.
Gabriel: I’m not sure I had a specific idea of what the journey of musicianship would be like, but realizing how much one must push themselves for improvement, and the amount of dedication to practicing and focus is something that I did not imagine from the beginning.
Patrick: Being a musician has changed a great deal in the last 20 years. You just can’t be a musician anymore. You must be a business manager, an accountant, a publicist, a lawyer and travel agent all rolled into one and that’s the short list. If you are lucky to be able to focus just on your instrument or writing, consider yourself blessed. The business part of the music business takes the joy out of creating music if you don’t have a good team of people around you that you can trust. Also, the standard or measure of what is “success” has changed as well. But being a musician, a song writer or bassist to me is more about expressing myself through music and the statement I am trying to make. Technology has really changed the business. It’s easier now to share our music with the world than it used to be but there are no fewer rewards or compensations for doing it. You got to love it, or it will burn you out fast.
Jimmie: Rock n’ Roll don’t pay like it use to. You would think live entertainment would be in high demand but that is not the case. Luckily, I don’t do this for the opportunity to be rich and famous
4. What gear do you use and why?
Jimmie: Give me a Shure 58 or preferably a wired Shure Beta 58 (feels right in my hands).
Gabriel: The set I’m playing is a Mapex Mars Pro. I like the tone and punch from the 9-ply combination of maple/mahogany/maple. The 10-inch tom doesn’t match the rest, because it came to me by way of a careless fellow who orphaned it. The largest tom, “The Cannon,” is a 20” x 30” Ludwig, made in the early 70’s. An awesome thrift-store find that I restored. I’m not married to a particular brand of cymbals, because I like some Sabian hi-hats, Paiste & Zildjian & Meinl crashes, and Wuhan chinas. I prefer nylon-tipped sticks, and have ProMark in Japanese oak, and Vic Firth in hickory
Patrick: I played Rickenbacker Basses for years, but they’ve become too expensive to replace if damaged or stolen. I started played Schecter Ultra Basses about 6 years ago. The profile of the neck is good and allows me to fret fast. I like the weird body shape which is always been a requirement for me. The Schecter Ultra Basses respond well to how I play. Regardless of my right-hand technique; slap bass, tapping, finger style or with a pick, I can get the sound or tone I want. I just hit the thing and it makes the sweet noises I desire. But without my DR Lowrider Steel Bass Strings my tone wouldn’t be the same. My pedal board is mostly Digitech effects; Distortion, Chorus, Synth and Whammy, but my wah pedal is a bass Crybaby and my tuner is a mini Polytune. Until recently I was playing through a rack mount SansAmp preamp into my Genz Benz rig, but we’ve now moved my bass and Donny’s guitar in to a Fractal Audio Axe FX unit. I was skeptical at first but it has made traveling to shows much easier, lighter and it requires less space. But Donny will tell you more about that.
Donny: Why? Because it just makes sense. We were hauling around a Genz Benz full bass rig, a road case with 2 Mesa Boogie amps running a wet dry setup, effects tray being controlled midi, a 4x12 and a 2x12 cab. That I had to troubleshoot 1/2 the shows. The guitar and bass rig is now set up and sound checked in 5 min now, we run it direct to front of house, It’s our amps, cabs, and all effects used, and it only takes up 3 rack mount spaces. I should add it sounds better and cleaner than running a full amp rig, Zero, I mean absolutely zero amp hiss, background noise. The tones are on par with some of the best and most expensive tube amps out there.
5. What music do you listen to that would surprise people?
Jimmie: I’ll find myself listening to old Bill Gaither videos on YouTube a lot (old southern gospel music).
Donny: Jane's Addiction
Gabriel: Not sure. The things that surprise people sometimes surprise me. I’ve been a fan of classical music forever; and a huge fan of Blind Melon, Ben Harper, and Fiona Apple for a long time.
Patrick: Being in a Christian band people would think I listen to other Christian artists, but I don’t really. Back in the day the quality of Christian metal wasn’t equal to that of Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax or Slayer in my opinion and recollection. I think this is why I was inspired to create Faith Head because I felt like there wasn’t Christian metal / alternative music that I liked. Growing up in the rural South there wasn’t a huge variety at the local music store. Though recently people have come up to me and will ask if I listened to such-and-such band. I confess to them I don’t know these artists but then I get to go discover these bands later. My influences are still the old guard: Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, Iron Maiden, Motorhead, W.A.S.P., the Misfits, Danzig and the Big Four I already mentioned. I don’t listen to them all as much as I used to because they can take me to a dark place in my heart if I let them. But you can hear them in the songs where I am the predominant song writer unashamedly. I think it would surprise people that don’t know me that I do like bands like alternative bands Primus and Rollins Band which are strong influencers on my playing as well. Mastodon has been consistent in my CD players for the last couple of years. I listen to Johnny Cash a great deal which is a cool thing to say now in the hard rock / metal world. I like Junior Brown who is the Steve Vai of country / roadhouse guitar if you don’t know him, but his live performances are the best. I like talent in whatever music I find it. I like discovering new music that speaks to me regardless of the genre. I’m really into new and up-and-coming bands and making sure they get heard.
6. How do we find your music and merch to buy?
Jimmie: Visit our website at faithhead.com and click on the Merch link. You can find our music on most of the usual suspects. Apple Music / iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio etc.
7. How did you get a record deal? Or do you want a record deal or are you DIY?
Jimmie: Faith Head is unsigned. We have been approached from smaller labels in the past but have turned them down. We’re looking for our ‘soul label’ and won’t commit until we find them. In the mean time we’ll fund, record and book ourselves.
Patrick: We can write music and make records on our own. If we were offered a record deal, they would have to be offering us something we can’t do for ourselves. Since a record label is essentially a marketing firm combined with a financial institution that loans artists money, there would have to be a clear plan of return on investment for us to accept a deal. We collectively believe if God intends for us to be on a label, that the path to it would be very clear. Right now, we’re content to do it all ourselves and keep moving forward.
8. What bands do people compare your music to?
Gabriel: If I recall correctly, some have mentioned Alice in Chains, Metallica, or Chevelle. Each person hears different things with any music they listen to, and I take those noted associations as a compliment.
Jimmie: I’ve heard everything from Alice In Chains, Tool and POD. I’m not sure if you can exactly put your finger on Faithhead.
Patrick: We got compared to Soundgarden in the beginning. But since Jimmie has come on board as vocalist, not so much anymore. Our next studio recording will be a step forward in new direction. I am curious to what we’re compared to then.
9. Are you pro Spotify / streaming services? Or do you think it hurts sales?
Gabriel: Where we are in our career is still very early, and with the continuing drastic changes in technology within the music industry, and in listeners’ lives, we embrace most legitimate ways to get our songs into your ears and your heart.
Jimmie: I’m pro. Of course the current setup of streaming services is harming and discouraging bands in some areas, mostly in being able to tour(lack of income to support). But it does encourage more music and projects that would have otherwise been very costly in pre-internet times.
Patrick: I can’t say I am a fan. Its great to see you get 100+ plays in one day, but the reality for us that comes out to about $1.00 monetarily if we’re lucky. Not that we do it solely for money, but making money helps us make more music. I like the process of buying music. I am old enough to remember that going to the record store was a thing. I’ve written articles about this in different publications. When vinyl records started making a comeback it gave me hope that the experience of buying music may come back again for this generation. I want my kids to experience the joy of discovering and buying music. It’s a lost experience in our culture now. It makes me sad. It used to take time, now its instant. I still buy CDs if I am fan. I believe its important to purchase the brand, especially if you want more. Unless there is a major change in the industry with this new proposed law I don’t see streaming services helping the industry, more especially for new and undiscovered artists.
10. What’s the ultimate goal for the band?
Gabriel: We’d like to have the option to make Faith Head a full-time gig!
Donny: The ultimate goal would be for us to be successful enough to support our families and do it full time.
Jimmie: To grow the Faith Head brand on the social media front and have a predictable amount of people to come to regional live shows.
Patrick: I don’t know if there is an ultimate goal other than keep moving forward. Becoming self-sustaining would be it if I had to pick one. As God opens doors we continue to step through them. If God continues to inspire the music, we’ll keep writing and playing it. Every week there is a new opportunity presented for us to explore it seems.
11. Will we see you tour?
Gabriel: Yes; if you follow us, support us, and get your butts out to our shows!
Patrick: We’re looking to put something together for 2019 where we can stretch our legs a little further. We’ve noticed that we have a growing audience in Denver, Chicago and St. Louis through our distribution services. Its still all in the idea stage at this point. Since we all still have jobs it will have to be a weekend endeavor unless we can get the right financial backing.
Jimmie: It will be a short tour. Currently we are weekend giggers but would love to take 10-14 days and play 8-10 shows consecutively.
12. Who would you love to tour with?
Donny: Disciple
Jimmie: Convictions, Disciple, Memphis May Fire, and Unspoken.
Gabriel: Hard question. Tourniquet, Disciple, Living Sacrifice, Daniel AMP, Primus, POD, Chevelle, Decyfer Down, Skillet. There are a ton of great bands out there.
Patrick: Alice Cooper. I would just love to pick his brain and hear all the stories, plus I would get some good pointers for my non-existent golf game. I think it would be cool to tour with Ozzy. Perhaps get to sit in on a song or two. I would want to go out on the road with someone who’s done it for a while to learn the ropes, that knows all the good places to eat and all the hangouts. Having done a small leg of a tour we know there’s more down time than anything. Touring with someone who’s done it would be the ideal experience.
13.What is your favorite song of yours and why?
Jimmie: ‘Push’ - It’s a song of encouragement and combats some culturally taboo subjects. It’s one of our edgier songs but it’s fun to see people listen when it’s in song form rather than argue and be offended if it were spoken verbally.
Gabriel: I think right now it’s a new song of ours “Rise Up.” One of the lines is “...give angels a season to cheer! Give demons a reason to fear!”
Patrick: That’s a tough one. “Going to the Mountain” really started it all but “Burn” was our first group collaboration with Jon, Jason, Donny, Gabriel and myself. It’s a toss up between “Push” and “Revolution” which are great collaborative efforts. Your songs are like your children. You don’t really have a favorite but each one affects you in a different way and plays a different role in your life. Each song is a moment in our history with its own story to tell.
14. Why should people take the time to listen to your band over the thousands of other bands?
Patrick: Hard rock and metal music is synonymous with being music that releases negative energy. There are plenty of people out there that will testify that you can release your negative energy and get recharged with positive energy with our music. Consistently people tell us after listening to our music they feel better and positive, believers and non-believers alike. I believe that is the divine element in our music. Its not your stereotypical Christian music lyrics either. There is something for everyone to hear. Our next batch of songs we’ll be responding to culture.
Jimmie: We are not pandering to a trend or popular culture. Which is unlike 95%+ of the other bands out there. We’re looking to make people uncomfortable but able to dance and head-bang along with the subject of our songs.
Gabriel: We’re doing this because the Father inspired us to take His message to His children. We want our brothers and sisters and any unsaved to have music that doesn’t lead them to sin.
15. What are your favorite music websites labels podcast etc?
Patrick: I listen to the Joe Rogan Experience.
Jimmie: Jesus Wired and Loud Wire.
16. Is imagery important to you? Do you judge albums by the cover?
Donny: No.
Gabriel: Imagery can be impactful, but I try not to judge a book by its cover.
Jimmie: I don’t judge by the cover but it very well could make that album re memorable.
Patrick: Imagery is important to me. As I said before, I enjoy the buying music experience and the artwork is part of that. There used to be an excitement and mystery to it that came from examining the album’s artwork back in the day. That album’s artwork may have been the key factor of whether you bought that album or not. As a graphic designer by trade, it’s something that always goes through my mind when putting together our packaging together. I think the artwork should speak to the contents. I have bought albums in the past because I liked the artwork but hated the album. Album artwork is going to become a lost art if we let it.
17. If you could choose a cover song your band mates would hate what would it be?
Jimmie: Take a Taylor Swift song and metal it up.
Patrick: No comment.
Donny: Nothing, because, chances are I would hate it too.
Gabriel: I’d rather not be mean and name an artist — which might swiftly create some bad blood, but we recently heard a guy play a certain popular female artist’s music, and we all 4, chins dropped, promised that we’d never commit that horrible atrocity.
18. Is the record or live show more important?
Donny: Live. ALWAYS LIVE!
Jimmie: The record is a tiny bit more important. That is what you use to draw them in. The live music after getting them interested becomes just as important at that point.
Patrick: I think they’re equally important. Albums are eternal but live performances are memories that you keep with you as an audience member. We want to be interesting to watch live as well as listen.
Gabriel: The live show requires much labor, but seems to be the most rewarding. We get to interact with great people, and share and trade some very exciting energy and emotion.
19. Name 3 people dead or alive you would want to play your music for.
Jimmie: Larry Norman, Sonny of P.O.D. and I don’t know who else ..
Patrick: Jimi Hendrix, Cliff Burton .. Elvis.
Donny: Jesus .. that's cheating, we do that every time we play. My dad, he would be proud. Tavner Smith, so that he would get a good dose of Biblical Truth for once.
Gabriel: There are so many! Some of the most incredible live performances I’ve experienced have been at Cowboy Mouth concerts, so it would be extremely cool to have them in our audience one day, and their drummer happens to be the lead singer! Dave Matthews’ drummer, Carter Beauford, is an immensely talented drummer, and seems like very cool guy, so I’d like to be able to share our music with him. As a drummer, though, how could I not want to have the opportunity to meet Rush’s Neil Peart?!
20. Lemmy Ozzy Dio and Rob Halford in a cage match who wins?
Jimmie: Dio.
Donny: Dio.
Patrick: Lemmy.
Gabriel: Hands down; Lemmy. He’s the most “man’s man,” out of those 3.
https://www.faithhead.com
https://www.facebook.com/FaithHeadBand/
https://www.twitter.com/FaithHeadBand
https://www.instagram.com/FaithHeadBand
https://www.reverbnation.com/FaithHead
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