Hawk Nelson Has That Should Be an Easy Task, Mcnevan of Thousand Foot Krutch
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mmm• LIFE.GQD.TRUTH-FDR GUYS. (really) The guys were in Seattle working on their new album, Smile, It's The End Of The World, which releases April 4 on the Tooth and Nail label. Busy as they were, Jason and Daniel took time to comment No, really. It can happen. Breakaway talks to the band about musical on everything from Bigfoot sightings and ministry. But dont worry; there was sWI -'--*sum- * * " on Breakaway's Summit Adventure to ~ relationships with their grandparents to their musical mentor, Trevor by Joanne Brokaw Hawk Nelson has That should be an easy task, McNevan of Thousand Foot Krutch. something to say about everything, considering that during my telephone (Article on www.breakawaymag.com) including this article. interview with Jason and Daniel Biro, The guys also talked seriously about "You could start by saying 'I talked I had to keep asking them to repeat their whirlwind career, the great deal today to the funniest band in Canada,'" themselves because they were laughing of attention they've received in the Jason Dunn suggests, "You could make so hard at their own jokes. It didn't help mainstream music scene and the us sound really funny* that I was laughing along with them. ministry opportunities it has opened. The band's big break came when they Hawk Nelson has hit high publicity from played a showcase for TV executives. the get-go, most notably appearing on A man approached Jason afterward NBC's "American Dreams" and in the and asked, "If you could be any band movie Fours, Mine & Ours, Their music from the '60s, who would you want has been featured in episodes of WB's to be?" Jason's reply of "Well, I guess "SmalMHe" and "Summerland" and the Beatles" was met with a "Wrong in commercials for the 2004 Summer answer!" by the man, who turned out Olympics. They've toured with artists to be with NBC's "American Dreams." including Thousand Foot Krutch, He invited the band to come on the Sanctus Real, Kutless and tobyMac. show and portray the legendary rock Not bad fora band that only three short predominately Canadian, thanks to the band The Who instead. years ago was playing church basements membership of Jason (vocals), Daniel That led to an appearance in last in its native Ontario, Canada, Though (bass) and Jonathon Steingard (guitar). December's Nickelodeon ilm Yours, there have been some alterations to Drummer Sqwid (aka Aaron Tosti) hails Mine, & Ours, which included a strut the original lineup. Hawk Nelson is still from the United States. down the red carpet and a performance PNUIDGWHY / DAVE HIU / PARADIGM MANAGEMENT at the film's premiere party. The publicity also led to coverage in POPSTAR! and Tiger Beat magazines. When he thinks about those teen fan magazines and the potential that kids are pinning up Hawk Nelson posters on their walls, Daniel says, "I think it's a concept we can't really grasp yet because we're a new band. But I'm going to say this: It's an honor and a privilege." in mm A FUNNY TO IE, BECAUSE I DONT CHRISTIANITY SHOULDiEA Meant for More In fact, the guys think all of these opportunities are God leading them to their It was challenging to find the mission field. but new members Jonathon Steingard (gut "I felt like we were raised for Aaron "Sqwid" Tosti (drums) have brought a fresh awesome and that makes them happy? this," Daniel says, explaining excitement to the band. But ft didn't make the changes any easier for the "The fiew 9tiys are really excited to be here and that all four band members remaining bandmates, they work so hard," Jason says. "Sqwid is really, really grew up in Christian homes. "ft was really hard because you've alt been friends talented and the sam« goes for Jonathon on the guitar. "Now here's our chance to go for so feng," Daniel says. "YouVe all had the same It's awesome, and I'm so fltad they're with us." out into the world. We feel as if we were meant to do that." Bands who get their starts find it rather humorous," a lifestyle, and it's funny that night, but he felt prompted in the Christian music indus- Jason says. "You have an sometimes it gets twisted by the Holy Spirit to share try and go on to find success opportunity, because the [as a label] and it loses its a story about a friend who in the mainstream often find doors open for you, to reach effect." had taken his own life. It hit their motives questioned by out to kids who maybe don't If there's one thing the home with the audience. fans, and Hawk Nelson is go to church, and people see guys do know, it's that being It's a blessing to have no different. Jason says he that as a bad thing?" in the mainstream spotlight a platform to be able to got an e-mail recently from In fact, Jason questions the only helps them reach kids reach out to kids, but Hawk a fan who noticed the band whole "Christian band" label. with a positive message Nelson understands that it's in a commercial for Yours, He says after a show recently about God. also a huge responsibility. Mine & Ours and comment- some girls asked if Hawk "We played a show in Los "Someone wrote to me ed, "I thought you guys were Nelson was a Christian band. Angeles several months saying he wanted to kill Christians." Jason thinks it's "It's such a funny question ago," Jason says, "and I gave a himself. How do you react strange that appearing in a to me, because I don't believe talk about suicide. I let them to that?" Jason says, adding film would somehow mean Christianity should be a know the answer is in Jesus." that the response "I'll keep the band had left their faith. genre of music," he says. He explains that he didn't you in my prayers" doesn't "Kids are all of a sudden "Christianity should more be plan to talk about suicide that give the immediate help [saying], 'Oh yeah, we used to like Relient K, but they're 3HER WITH HAWK! not Christian anymore.' I section and share thoughts about rea! relationships. 16 | BREAKAWAY APRIL 2006 Hawk Nelson: Wilderness Adventurers *************** "but we have the opportunity, Breakaway: So tell me about the Breakaway so it's awesome." Summit Adventure. Daniel: The trip was really fun. We were only there Up Next for one day, which was disappointing. We had to fly This spring, the opportunities to do a show before and a show right after. If we will expand as the band could, we would have been there for the hike and releases its second album. everything. "We're really excited about Jason: I saw, like, five deer. It was awesome. it," Daniel says. "[After the Daniel: Yeah, Jason saw five deer, but what he album comes out] we're Last summer, Hawk Nelson braved excessive doesn't know is that near Yosemite National Park, I doing our own little prom airport layovers and 100-degree heat to join 30 actually saw Bigfoot. tour. It's really different for Breakaway readers in kicking off Breakaway's Breakaway: Bigfoot? What did he look like? us, and we're going to have Summit Adventure in Oakhurst, Calif. That meant Daniel: Well, he had big feet, but he's not as tall as some fun. hanging with your fellow readers, playing a private people think. He's actually about 6'5," 6'6" "Like, we want to do this outdoor concert and pumping up the guys before thing where you can win Breakaway: Did he talk to you? launching them onto the trail for 10 days. Hawk either a date or a dance with was a great addition to all the festivities, and the Daniel: They don't speak English. Yeah, there are Jason," Daniel laughs. Breakaway staff was honored to have them. Here's more than one. Bigfoot is the common name, but a glimpse of what went down from Hawk Nelson's you can also refer to them as Yetis. Can fans expect more of perspectives. the band's signature high- energy pop/punk music on the new album? "It's a secret!" Jason says. necessary to teens with included a link to Teen Hope that's what they're trained "Yeah, you should publish problems that serious. "I Line on its Web site. "We to do. We play music. Those that," Daniel adds. "It's a don't want to say the wrong don't always know what people have a better clue secret." ® thing, but at the same time I to say," Daniel says. "[The how to help." want to encourage them." people at Teen Hope] are "We're really not worthy Joanne Brokaw writes for Breakaway That's why the band has there 24 hours a day, and to be doing this," Jason adds, from her home in East Rochester, N. Y. THE IAIIDMCV^ ^^L^^S ^S g C A13C DA^S«.II^^ '^I" II SAME ROADS. NEW SPEED LIMIT. Camel-spit-dodging host Dave Stotts gets the dirt on early Christian history. See how the book of Revelation gives glimpses of life in the start-up church and get insight on the showdown between Paul and Ephesian idol makers — all with the unique film style that have made this series so popular.