The US techno rockers DOWNPOUR who are not exactly a new band. Tony Cummings explains.

Downpour

It's been observed before that American Christian rock bands are currently as common as fleas on a dog. But there's always room for a good one, particularly when they are prepared to fly into the UK to minister. As it turns out, Downpour aren't in fact a new band. They've been together for five years and, as Plaid, had a fairly successful career opening for acts like Sixpence None The Richer and Audio Adrenaline. However, a change of style integrating a distinct techno sound into their rock groove required a new moniker, and after connecting up with top producer Michael Quinlan (who's worked with such acts as Rebecca St James and Raze), the band have emerged with a brilliant new album, 'The Real Me'. I spoke to the band's vocalist and guitarist Brannon Hancock prior to them coming to play at the Cross Rhythms festival in Devon.

Tony: The song "Listen", from when the band were called Plaid, has gotten quite a bit of airplay on Cross Rhythms. Can you give us an early history of the band?
Brannon: "Plaid got together during my sophomore year of high school. The original line up included me (vocals and guitar), Jason Payton (drums), Allen Salmon (guitar) and Andrew Adams (bass). After being together for two years, we signed a recording contract with Rustproof Records. We recorded the 'Understanding God' album with producers Mark Quinlan and Derri Daurghtey. Within months of the release of 'Understanding God1 we decided to add Steve Busch to the group as a keyboardist. So for the vast majority of the time that we toured that album, this was Plaid's line up. But as we got nearer to recording a second album, Steve and I were collaborating on most of the music and lyrics, and were writing songs on our own. We also wanted to move in a direction that involved us both singing and 'fronting' the band. So we began to work on the Downpour project with producer Michael Q and things just began to move in that direction. We realized that Downpour was a brand new, exciting thing. Downpour is currently me on vocals and guitars and Steve Busch, vocals and keyboards."

Tony: How long have you been working with K P Westmoreland and what motivated you to do that?
Brannon: "We were involved in a See You At The Pole rally in Yukon, Oklahoma. The youth pastor that was responsible for getting us there also arranged to have K P there to bring the message. We struck up a friendship with him and discovered that we were both interested in working together in the future. Now, whenever K P does a YES ministries World Tour event, we are there. He has committed to us that he'll always use us, and we've committed to him that we'll always make it a priority to be there for him. He's doing a great thing for the youth that he ministers to, and hundreds of people are accepting salvation every time. God is working in and through K P and us as we work together to build the Kingdom."

Tony: What is your attitude towards ministry?
Brannon: "Downpour exists for the purpose of inspiring and encouraging people into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Our music is the vehicle to carry our message that only the love of God will truly fill the emptiness in people's lives. We just try to do our part to build Christ's Kingdom and make a difference in people's lives. But regardless of our careers, we are ALL called as Christians to tell people about Christ's love, and that is what true ministry is really all about. We're just blessed because we get to have a career and make a living doing what we love to do, but we also have a great platform to minister at the same time. But our ministry is no more important than any other ministry. As Christians, our LIVES are our ministry."

Tony: Do you relate to the CCM industry of Nashville?
Brannon: "There are many things about the CCM industry that I don't understand or agree with, but I also know that God is using it every moment to change people's lives. But just like any job or any business, there are things that don't have anything to do with 'ministry'. Those things are harder to deal with sometimes, like the need to be 'radio-friendly' or the need to look and dress a certain way for photo shoots. But those things are all part of the job, and that's what it takes to be a part of the CCM industry. And even though I may not totally buy into the mindset behind some of those things, I am willing to 'play the part' so that we can have the platform we have to do God's work."

Tony: You've changed your name. Has your attitude changed towards Christian music or what you are trying to do?
Brannon: "I don't think my attitude toward Christian music has changed, but my mentality regarding my career and what I want to do creatively has changed quite a bit. Back in the Plaid days, I was all about just rocking out and being a 'guitar band' forever, but a lot of my interests have changed and the new sound that we've created as Downpour is very exciting. Not only is it a bit more 'mainstream' and 'accessible' to the listening audience, but it is also a much more mature, unique and original sound. And I like it, too, because we still have our moments when we get to 'rock out'!"

Tony: Presumably this will be your first time in the UK. What do you know about the British scene?
Brannon: "I know absolutely nothing about the British scene, especially the British Christian music scene. I DO know that Delirious? was pretty huge over there. I have always wanted to visit the UK. I am quite a 'literary buff' and so many of my favourite books and authors are from that part of the world, and I am very excited about being there and seeing some of the famous places first hand."

Tony: Some have suggested that there is a new dimension of Christian music coming - deeper, more spiritually dynamic. Do you discern anything like that?
Brannon: "I do discern that very thing happening. I think Christian listeners are tired of hearing song after song that just talk about how happy and great things are living for Jesus. And we all know that life isn't always like that. Sometimes we have difficult days, and sometimes it's about struggle and doubt and confusion, and KNOWING that God is there but not being able to see or hear or feel him. And I am starting to see many artists who, like us, are beginning to be honest and incorporate that aspect of 'life with God' into their music and lyrical themes. People want to hear that they're not the only ones who struggle and doubt. They want to hear that it's okay, and that our God is bigger than our doubts."

Tony: How would you describe Downpour's sound today? What are your influences?
Brannon: "Downpour is a pop/rock group. Our sound combines elements of rock and folk and pop and techno and a bunch of other stuff. We use guitars and synthesizers and live drums and sampled drum loops, and all kinds of crazy sounds, to make a unique style that is hard to describe specifically, but can generally be described as pop. You can definitely hear hints of our influences in there - U2, Radiohead, Garbage, Collective Soul, even DC Talk. It's quite a mix."

Tony: What are your plans and visions for the future?
Brannon: "The future of Downpour is very uncertain. Of course we'd like to be successful and become well known, and sell lots of records and get to play in front of massive amounts of people. But we know that this is God's deal, and we're trusting him to guide us in every way. If we never achieve that level of success, and God takes us in other directions, that's okay with us. We just know that right now, we are where he wants us to be, doing what he wants us to be doing, and we couldn't be happier. Maybe God will allow Downpour to keep going for many years, and we'll make many records. Or maybe it will just last a few years and we'll just make a few records before he shows us what he has in store next for our lives. But no matter what happens, as long as we're seeking his will and allowing him to direct our paths, we're going to be exactly where we're supposed to be."