Conference napalm::heavy_metal

    Rex Carroll is currently working on an instructional guitar video.
    It will be released in May '91 to coincide with the release of their
    new album.
    
    Mike

    [from CCM's special Guitarist's Issue, Jan. 1989 with Phil Keaggy on the
     cover.  Incidentally, Rex was just voted Christian Guitarist of the
    Decade (finally beating out Keaggy)!  You definitely have to check out 
    Whitecross!]
    
    If you're one of those folks who think that the guys that play in metal
    bands aren't really musicians to speak of, consider Rex Carroll, lead
    guitarist for Whitecross.  His musical training began in the 3rd grade
    with the violin, which he played for 9 years, along with 5 years of
    keyboard and by now, 20 years of guitar.  He enrolled at Northern
    Illinois University as a double bass major, then switched and got his
    degree in classical guitar performance.  After graduating in '82, he
    supported himself by teaching until things really started to break with
    Whitecross, with whom he has recorded 3 albums and an EP in less than 2
    years.
    
        Guitars: 'mail order mutt' custom built by Carroll.  Has a Chandler
                 neck, DiMarzio body, Seymour Duncan JB pickups, Floyd Rose
                 tremolo and Ernie Ball .009 gauge strings.
                 CustomAx w/Duncan's distortion pickup & reverse head stock
                 Zion Radicaster w/EMGs & Floyd Rose tremolo
        Amps:    ADA MP1
                 Marshall Artist Series 30wt top
                 Peavey 4x12 cab w/Celestions
    
    
    Though Carroll claims he has listened to just about every rock 'n' roll
    guitar player on the planet, he is careful to blanketly recommend
    secular music to young players.  "There are a lot of factors that need
    to be determined if you're going to do that, such as your calling your
    maturity level and an ability to make value judgements.  If you do,
    keep a healthy communication with your parents or someone whose
    spiritual judegment you trust about what you listen to.  It is,
    however, an invaluable tool for expanding your ideas."
    
    "Let your relationship to the Lord be your first priority.  Establish
    your calling with your instrument, and if you really want to be
    serious, be disciplined and practice.  And enjoy yourself."

    Whitecross 
    Hammer & Nail
    Triumphant Return
    
    all on the Pure Metal label.

    Some tour dates that might be of interest to readers in here:
    
    Whitecross - Boulder, CO      10/10
                 Denver, CO       10/11-12 (Simons Music Hall)
    

    Sorry, but I think that comment made in -3 "I think young players
    should only listen to secular players..." is a bunch of crap!
    
    Why?  I don't really think it has anything to do with their upbringing
    as Mr. Carroll suggested.  I mean, I, for one, have listened to a slew
    of players, from Purlman to Pitrelli, and I'm still a very moral
    catholic_of_the_90s...what I'm trying to say is from my personal
    experience, it didn't make a difference!
    
    JMHO

    Re: Buck
    
>    guitar player on the planet, he is careful to blanketly recommend
>    secular music to young players.  "There are a lot of factors that need
>    to be determined if you're going to do that, such as your calling your
>    maturity level and an ability to make value judgements.  If you do,
>    keep a healthy communication with your parents or someone whose
>    spiritual judegment you trust about what you listen to.  It is,
>    however, an invaluable tool for expanding your ideas."
    
    Personally, I don't see anything wrong with this quote.
    
>    of players, from Purlman to Pitrelli, and I'm still a very moral
>    catholic_of_the_90s...what I'm trying to say is from my personal
>    experience, it didn't make a difference!
    
    I'm not going down this rathole here (offline maybe), but let me just
    say that it doesn't work that way for everyone.
    
    Mike

    
    Oh, come on Mike.  Don't take it off line!  Enquiring minds wanna 
    know!  
    
    Many 8*)
    
    SESOB
    

    This ex-Catholic doesn't have many nice things to say about
    Catholicism.  Especially in public!
    
    Mike

    
    RE: -.1  ;^)
    Took your happy pill today, Mike?  ;^)
    
    Seriously, I've read that article 3 times now.  I didn't have any 
    problems with it whatsoever.  If he wants to ***recommend*** "secular"
    players, let him.  His "general" listening audience are probably doin' 
    that already anyways.
    
    Me, I'm a mutt as far as influences and listening goes.  I try to keep 
    it all open cos I wouldn't wanna miss out on anything.  Yes, this means
    learning from hip hop music, and country as well as metal, rock,
    classical, jazz, fusion, blues, and alternative music.  I think all
    these different styles have something to offer if one wants to listen.
    
    My $0.00000000000000000000000000000000000000000002
    
    J.

                     -< Sorry I walked on sacred ground! >-
    
    Oooops, SORRY...I forgot there is such a BIG difference between
    Christians and Catholics!
    

    re.buck..
    
    whats a catholic of the 90's???

    
    RE:  -< i'm sitting this one out. >-
    
    Oh, come on!  Jump right in, Wendy!  ;^)
    
    SESOB

>                     -< Sorry I walked on sacred ground! >-
    
    Buck, there is no such thing.
    
>    Oooops, SORRY...I forgot there is such a BIG difference between
>    Christians and Catholics!
    
    I'm sorry for bringing this up since it has nothing to do with the
    point.  
    
    You don't even blanketly recommend secular players yourself, why can't
    Rex Carroll get away with that statement?   We have all seen/heard your
    comments on guys like CC DeVille(sp? Poison's player), Van Halen (or
    Headache as you call him), and George Lynch (for attending GIT).
    
    You exclude the above for musical reasons.  Rex Carroll does the same
    for spiritual reasons, not necessarily musical reasons.
    
    Mike

    Mike,
    
    While I maintain comments on some players, like VH and CC, it doesn't
    mean I would tell other players NOT to listen to them!  What would
    people say if I went around saying "Man, don't listen to VH, the guy is
    trash"...I mean, lots of players get a LOT out of VH's playing...and
    that is great...for them.  Me, he does nothing for me, and that is
    neither pro nor con.  What I'm saying is, I think people should listen
    to EVERYBODY...and then make up their minds as to who they like and 
    which ones they will draw their influence(s) from.
    
    The problem I have with Rex C.'s quote is that *I* perceive it as a
    limiting statement...Ie - recommending to people not to listen to
    someone unless they're secular in origin, I can only think of the large
    group of talented players someone would miss out on by taking this
    man's advice.
    
    I, persoanlly, would have liked the quote better if he had said
    something like "I believe young players today should intergrate more
    secular players into their listening habits along with the other
    non-secular players out there..."

    Buck, I understand your point of view, but from a spiritual (or Christian)
    standpoint it isn't that cut and dry.
    
    Some players/groups/etc., have some very blunt references to Satanism,
    immoral sex, and drug use, despite their collective talents.  Does this
    edify a young, aspiring, Christian guitar player?  Music should be 
    something to enjoy, without having to compromise your relationship with
    God.  
    
    Personally, some material really depresses me, and weighs heavy on me, 
    though the music may be decent.  I'd also like to add that I'm not
    the only Christian that feels this way.  There are MANY that feel the
    same.
    
    Mike

    Mike,
    
    Ok, I see (and understand) your point of view as well.  I guess I'm a
    very cut n dry person.  
    
    Sure, some bands have blunt references to Satanism, immoral sex, and 
    drug use/abuse, and some bands have very subtle (quasi-subliminal) 
    references to the same subjects...which one is the worse of the two
    evils?
    
    As a tangent, I believe that ignorance/avoidance-of-the-issues is only
    a "temporary fix" to the problems (satanism, drugs, and sex) at hand. 
    I think these issues eventually catch up with everyone, and when you're
    confronted with the situation, how are you going to handle it?  I
    firmly believe knowledge to be the power to overcome those obstacles.
    
    B., who will have his children read up on Satanism and witchcraft, as
    well as the Bible, so they know what they're dealing with, and how to
    recognize it.

>    Sure, some bands have blunt references to Satanism, immoral sex, and 
>    drug use/abuse, and some bands have very subtle (quasi-subliminal) 
>    references to the same subjects...which one is the worse of the two
>    evils?
    
    Well according to what Christ has said in the Bible, sin is sin (i.e.,
    they're all bad).  I would say that the quasi-subliminal references are
    more dangerous though.  Most normal people know enough not to bother
    with the artists that are blunt.  
    
>    As a tangent, I believe that ignorance/avoidance-of-the-issues is only
>    a "temporary fix" to the problems (satanism, drugs, and sex) at hand. 
    
    On the other hand, wouldn't the devil want you to get wrapped up in his
    issues so that you take your eyes of Christ?
    
>    I think these issues eventually catch up with everyone, and when you're
>    confronted with the situation, how are you going to handle it?  I
>    firmly believe knowledge to be the power to overcome those obstacles.
    
    I firmly believe that knowledge of Scripture and God's annointing are
    enough to overcome any demonic oppression/possession.  The Bible is
    full of information on how to perform spiritual warfare.  Besides, I've
    dabbled in this stuff myself, once upon a time.  I also have a few
    friends that were heavily into it before becoming Christians.  I can 
    sense these obstacles when they present themselves.
    
>    B., who will have his children read up on Satanism and witchcraft, as
>    well as the Bible, so they know what they're dealing with, and how to
>    recognize it.
    
    That's good, but I wouldn't expose them to too much witchcraft.  It can
    be VERY counter-productive!   Some things you don't treat lightly or
    play games with.
    
    Mike

    Set mode/moderator
    
    As a moderator of the conference, I'd have to say that this note is not
    an appropriate place to discuss whether a Christian person should or
    should not listen to secular music.  If you want to continue this 
    discussion on value judgements and what's right or wrong, please do it
    offline or in either the "Is HM Gospel good" topic or the "Mutterings"
    topic.  Please restrict discussions here to the band being discussed.
    
    Set mode/nomoderator
    
    re: Rex Carrolls statements 
    
    I don't want to get into the religious value judgement discussion (or
    aid it) going on here, but I did have a comment on the part of the
    article that seems to have started this rathole.  
    
    Nowhere in that quote did I see Rex Carroll recommend that anyone NOT
    listen to secular music.  In fact, what I read was that he recommended
    that people *DO* listen to many forms of music, but just be careful to
    maintain your own spiritual values when you do, so if there are things 
    in there that are contrary to that don't influence you.
    
    Remember that this article is in a Christian music publication and
    there are many people in that community that recommend NEVER listening
    to secular music.  Given the audience that Carroll is addressing here,
    I think he took a fairly controversial stance.  It would have been a
    lot easier for him to say "Don't listen to secular music" or to not say
    anything about his musical influences or to avoid the advice for
    learning players topic entirely.  But he seemed to feel this was
    important enough to discuss and I think that's commendable.
    
    gh

    Thanks Greg.  Maybe the appropriate notes can be moved to topic 53.
    
    Mike

    Michael Elliott has left Whitecross for financial reasons.  it's
    possible that he might be able to join the band on the road next year.

    12/8 Bedford, IN
    12/14 Rockford, IL
    12/15 Chicago, IL
    
    Rex Carroll has also been in the studio producing Chicago-based
    "Screamin' Eden" for a Pure Metal sampler album that's in the works.

    reports from the Whitecross camp say that the band's new album is a
    big-time rockin' thang... The production is rumored to be head and
    shoulders over much that we've heard in the Christian metal realm.
    
    Mike

    My sources tell me the new Whitecross album waiting in warehouses
    across the land and is all set to go.  They also say it kicks major
    gluteus maximus!!
    
    Mike

    The new album is "In the Kingdom" and should be out now.  They cover
    Dez Dickerson's song by the same name for the title track.
    
    They also just finished filming some music videos in Tulsa, OK to
    support the album.
    
    Mike

    "In the Kingdom" is in the store now.

    This band is on the cover and the feature interview in the new CCM. 
    They have a new bassist and drummer (he's a brother too!).  
    
    They just finished some videos that will be aired on MTV.
    
    Mike

    Are these guys any good? I got "In the kingdom" here in the office so
    I'll give 'em a listen. 

    I just purchased there mew disc called "High Gear". I think its one of
    there best if not.. Rex is doing some real neat stuff in it. Plus, it
    seems that there writing is getting better and better with every
    release they come out with. They have some nice tasteful hooking
    choruses in this one with some good backups on vocals. They always had
    some catchy choruses but these are more tasteful cause of the harmony
    vocals..I give this one a very High Gear rating!!!

    Watch out Mike!! Don't you go out and abuse that credit card of
    yours..ha ha..Ah..what the hey..go out and buy it. You'll like it!!!!

    This band has a gig coming up at Derringers.  Plan to attend ($11) if
    you want to see the best HM guitarist in CCM.

    >Plan to attend ($11) if you want to see the best HM guitarist in CCM.
    
    Or one of the best HM/HR guitarists anywhere!  Rex Carrol rules!
    
    gh

    Anyone know the date of the show??

    March 4th is the date of the Whitecross show.  I'll see ya all there...

    Oh no you bloody won't!
    
    
                                                staynz

    Paul,
    
    Geeeze, what is the date of the show??
    8^)
    
    I thought for a second that Tristan had logged into your account...

Article 24981 of rec.music.christian:
Newsgroups: rec.music.christian
From: [email protected] (Rob Halsey)
Subject: Rex Carroll / Whitecross news...

Well, folks, it's official...Rex Carroll is leaving Whitecross.  I guess 
that he and Scott had done almost everything that they wanted to, and Scott
will keep the band's name and try to replace Rex.  BTW, I saw the last 
show that Rex will do with them last Tuesday.   Quite good, I must say.  
He has a new band that will record with Star Song, and their album will 
hopefully be out next fall.  

I anxiously await that one...
--
* [email protected] is...*    =SARCASTIC HUMOR=     * "A spirit with a 
Rob Halsey (A.K.A. Trebor) *  "Men are pigs...it's    *  vision is a dream...
171 Manzana Ct. N.W. Apt 2B*   just too bad we own    *  with a mission" 
Walker, MI 49504           *   everything!" -T. Allen *        -Rush

    Bummer, they made a really good combination!  Wish I'd made it to see
    them while they still had that lineup.
    
    Greg