Decyfer Down's Drummer Josh Oliver Exclusive Interview
Several years ago, one of my best friends was telling me about this band that totally rocked the show with Skillet. At the time, I held a deaf ear to Christian “rock” music. I thought to myself, “If I can’t understand what they are saying what’s the point?” Five years and some change later, you could say that I “Crashed” into this gifted foursome.
Four months ago, Meghan who is married to guitarist Chris gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Although she is home now, she became very ill and was quarantined for a few weeks. Josh Oliver, the drummer has been supporting his wife Veronica through chemotherapy over the last several months after being told she had cancer near her heart and lungs.
Over the last several years the men and their families have sacrificed time away from each other to be carriers of the Gospel. Caleb, who used to sing lead for the group has left the band to be at home with his new wife who is expecting the newest addition to the family, Josh’s soon to be niece. Josh, who originated the band in 2002 with guitarist Brandon Mills have seen some come and go, but you will no longer hear Caleb leading vocals.
The voice that carries the lyrically driven harmonies on the latest release belongs to the new front man TJ Harris. You’ll just have to get the CD or catch them on tour to see just how much of a range this gifted vocalist has.
I had the opportunity to speak with Josh today and I asked him if the encounter they had with the guardrail had anything to with the title to their new album.
Josh: “The accident didn’t really have anything to do with the title to our new album. We were talking about the idea with John from Skillet. He was talking about how when you crash into something you pretty much destroy it. So in regards to the things we used to do and the people we used to be we have to crash into that stuff, so it no longer holds us back from becoming the men that God wants us to be. We all just really had to do a spiritual and emotional gut check after the accident and that is what spawned a lot of the songs on Crash ”
Tina: “Josh, you said once that we can’t walk all over grace, and we will screw up from time to time. If I was a new believer how would you explain what you mean by that?”
Josh: “Well, it’s pretty much common sense, we’re created by a Creator. He has an Eternal glory waiting for us, with a purpose and a plan as we pursue a deeper relationship with Him. That deeper relationship has got to be reached for, if we don’t reach, our purpose will not be fulfilled. A lot of times during the reaching, we make mistakes and God offers grace to us. We have to move on from those mistakes and try not to make them anymore. Some people have to stop hanging out with people that influence their old habits. You know, if you have trouble with alcohol don’t go to the bar on the weekend.”
Josh: “Well, everything is person to person, walking in a different spot on a different maturity level on the path with God. Our band has gotten to the place where He is using us to go into the local bar scenes or affiliating with secular rock stations. You know contrary to our way of life, in order to impact peoples lives that are being delivered from alcohol and drugs. When God moves in your life you can have a serious influence on family and friends all those who are around you.”
Tina: “TJ once said that a lot of people are satisfied with simply receiving God’s gift of salvation and they stop there. Do you think that is because of what is being taught in the church, or is there another reason?”
Josh: “Well, a lot of times as Christians we try to do our best to win as many souls as we can for the Kingdom. Sometimes it is forgotten that there is a discipleship that follows that first step. If they do not continue to grow in God they will never live up to all the blessings that He has for them.”
Tina: “Personally, my favorite song on your new CD is “Best I Can” cause I can relate so much to the lyrics. You know, when we fall short of what God wants us to do we can become very critical of ourselves and it can actually weigh us down.”
Josh: “Yeah, sometimes we don’t always understand what is going on in our lives. But, we have to live this life and walk in our purpose and calling the best we can. We can’t beat ourselves up over stupid mistakes. We have to learn to move forward and continue striving to be a better man.”
Josh wanted me thank all of their fans for their continued prayers and support. Lord willing, they will be able to do some touring in the future with their great friends Thousand Foot Krutch. For those of you who can’t wait, they will be kicking off another tour with Skillet starting in fall. I know I will be looking for an opportunity to “CRASH” into a show!
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