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November 23, 2009
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Home > Music > Interviews > 2005 |  
Rock 'N' Roll Is Boring
So says newsboys frontman Peter Furler in this wide-ranging interview, where he also talks about the worship movement, his record label's apparent "greed," and his new priorities.




But there's a huge sticker on the case that says, "THE NEW WORSHIP ALBUM."

Furler I didn't even want to go there, but now that you bring it up, that had nothing to do with the band. That was just greedy record company people. I'm sad about it. But at the same time, all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord. I'm bummed about it, but what am I going to do? Act like some bitter guy complaining about everything? There are some things on the industry side that we simply don't have any control over.

[Note: Christian Music Today shared Furler's comments about Sparrow with the label, but the record company opted not to respond.]

But there are other details about devotion that make it seem like a marketing ploy. You guys are standing under a bridge, just like on the Adoration cover. There are a couple of worship covers. There's the sticker. These things could set you up for criticism.

Furler That's possible, but that doesn't mean anything to me. I believe devotion will be a record that, twenty years down the line, people will still be blessed by it. As far as the bridge, like I said, Adoration felt like album No. 1 in many ways, and devotion is No. 2. The way I saw it was, first you adore something, but that doesn't mean you're devoted to it. With devotion comes sacrifice. It's like a sequence. And the bridge is just symbolic. It's the process. It's like you're crossing from one piece of land to the other.

Has your perspective on why you make music changed in the wake of these two records?

Furler It's only rock 'n' roll. It bores me some days. Music doesn't mean that much to me anymore. It's not my life. It was for the last 18 to 20 years, but it isn't anymore. I'm not bored with writing or creating; I love that part of the process. I'm buying a new drum kit today, as a matter of fact. Creating excites me like that first time I picked up those drumsticks to play. But I just don't take myself so seriously. I don't even know why I still have a record deal, for goodness' sake.

If rock bores you, and in the end all that's going to remain is "Holy, holy, holy," then what about those who are still doing the rock 'n' roll thing? Is there a point to what they're doing? Or are they just wasting their time?

Furler I don't know how to answer that question. The only way I could think about this is how Jesus, when he taught on the Parable of the Talents, told us how to do the best with what we've been given, to live life to the fullest, to try to seek first the kingdom. That's enough for me to do. Not rock 'n' roll. It's not a priority to me anymore. In the end, I believe it's going to take musicians who are really walking close with the Lord, in fellowship with their church, in fellowship with other believers, walking in the light, so that we can see mighty things happen. Right now we just have a whole bunch of people that are just trying to be hip and relevant.




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