Grammatrain, Common Children, and Tragedy Ann Church of the Redeemer in Gaithersburg, Maryland November 9th, 1997 By Tony LaFianza On a seasonally cool Sunday evening, November 9th, I went to an early concert at Church of the Redeemer in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The youth program at the church is called Ground Zero, and when I walked into the church it was obvious that the youth group had been working hard before this show. The stage was set up with an army camp motif. Camouflage hung from the backdrop and the roof while stage boulders and plants set a jungle scene, and at stage right was parked a jeep with the head lights shining across the stage. Right on time, 6:30 p.m., the youth pastor came out to give us the announcements and introduce Tragedy Ann. The four man crew from Portland proceeded to rip through a rockin' set. They rock with a cool west coast alternative sound. In between their five or six songs, they talked about the importance of Christ in their lives. Unfortunately, their set was too short. I think since this was a youth group event the pastors were watching the clock. Tragedy Ann wanted to do another song, but they were told that they were out of time. The audience appreciated the impressive, if short, show. After a quick set change, Common Children took the stage. Hailing from Nashville now, and on Tattoo Records, this modern rock trio sounds like a hard rock "Choir." Mark Byrd, on guitar and lead vocals, can play effects guitar and crank up the intensity in some very good songs. Mark also ministered in his set and took the time to explain the band's song "Hate." This song has some controversy attached to it and has been the reason for a few returns of the record to stores. The chorus says "I hate myself," and Mark explained to us that this refers to Paul's statements in his epistles that he is a wretched man dealing with his own flesh and sin. The song is intended to encourage us to hate the things within us that keep us from loving God with all our heart, and then to confess their existance and get God's help and forgiveness. After the introduction, they stomped and ran through this Nirvana-like, screaming rocker to finish the show. Grammatrain, the evening's headliner, came out shortly after that to a tape of military music. They are a forceful, sonic three-piece rock band out of Seattle. As the headliner, Grammatrain got most of the stage time and the crowd was dancing and jumping. With his hair dyed a jet black and cut all to one length, the lead singer and guitar player, Pete Stewart, gave his testimony and encouraged the crowd to love God and to love our neighbors even if they look different than we do. About midway through the show the lights went out, and through the PA we heard a soundclip from the original Star Trek TV series, in which Captain Kirk ponders the age-old question, "Why, (classic William Shatner dramatic pause) are we here?" --to introduce the acoustic part of the show. When the lights come back up, the guys in the band were sitting and playing acoustic or semi-acoustic instruments for a couple of songs. After the impressive acoustic set the guys picked up their electric guitars again. In his intro to the title track to their latest album, "Flying," which he describes as "the strangest song" he has written, Pete explained the story. It's the story of a bird, a child, and a snake; the bird dies to save the child when the snake turns on him, representing Christ's sacrifice and death to save us. They did one more song after "Flying" and invited the kids in the crowd to talk with them about Christ or to just stick around to meet them. Grammatrain is a good band, and three good musicians. Although, it's unusual to go to a show at 6:30 and get out by 9:10 p.m., I liked the venue, and you can't beat the price of the show-- free. It was a topflight bill, and I'm hoping these three keep putting out music for a while to come. Catch this show if it comes to your area. |
