Home > Music > Interviews
 On the Line with 38th Parallel
interview by Michael Herman
posted 10/07/02
38th Parallel (left to right): Shane Moe (guitars), Mark Jennings (vocals), Aaron Nordyke (lying down – drums), Nate Rippke (vocals), Jeff Barton (bass)
Rap-rock band 38th Parallel hails from a small-town in Iowa, but they've rapidly made an impression on the Christian music industry with their debut, Turn the Tides. Their song "Horizon" is also prominently featured on the Todd Beamer tribute album Let's Roll — Jeff's mother's cousin was one of the pilots on United Flight 93. After talking with the band earlier this year, it was striking to note their intelligence and their diversity. One look at each individual member's musical tastes, and you'll wonder how they ever started playing together!
How would you describe 38th Parallel's music?
Group: Very melodic. It has some rap in it, but it's not at all "urban." It's very groove-oriented and has been described as similar to Linkin Park. I think the best way to describe it is a cross between Linkin Park and Incubus.
What makes you different from those bands?
Shane: I think one of the great edges we have is in the lyrics. They're very intelligently written, there's nothing clichéd about them, and even though many of the lyrics are rapped, there's nothing really urban about our sound. It's not "street" in any way. It's really closer to Renaissance poetry. No, seriously, it is.
We're a bit different in that you really won't find us playing video games on the road. You'd have a far better chance finding us in our bunks reading philosophy, theology, War and Peace, or something along those lines. There's nothing wrong with being that other type of traveling band, but it's just not us.
Your backgrounds are pretty diverse. What can you tell me about each of your musical influences?
Jeff: We have tons of diversity in the band, and we all bring it together to form who we are. Mark came to the band with a classically trained vocal background. He's been doing show tunes his whole life. Aaron grew up listening to jazz with his Dad, and his grandpa used to play drums in a jazz group. Nathan listened to a lot of R&B/hip-hop. I'm the pop-guy. I love all pop. And Shane's the intelligent writer of the band who listens to all kinds of intelligent music — classical guitar and stuff like that.
What job would you like to do for a day?
Aaron: A job imitating movie characters.
Mark: A paranormal investigator.
Nathan: A fighter pilot.
Jeff: I'd be a "carnie" yelling out to anyone who walked by to come and play my game, which they can't possibly win.
Shane: A music producer.
Other than salvation, what promise of God is one you hold tightly?
Aaron: That everything is completely new when we receive God's forgiveness again and again. That happens at the point of salvation, but forgiveness is needed again and again.
Mark: God is willing that none should perish.
Nathan: We don't have to worry — it'll work out as God takes care of us.
Jeff: The same as Aaron. Forgiveness is amazing.
Shane: That God's mercies are new again and again.
Who do people say you look like?
Aaron: Oswald, from "The Drew Carey Show."
Mark: Chester from the band Linkin Park, and also Sinbad (actor/comedian).
Nathan: Drew Barrymore. I wish I could deny it, but I think it's true.
Jeff: Ashton Kutcher from "That '70s Show."
Shane: Fred Durst from the band Limp Bizkit.
If you owned your own record label, what 3 artists would you want on your label?
Aaron: Switchfoot, The Juliana Theory, and Jimmy Eat World.
Mark: Mr. Plow, Index Case, and 35 Inch Mudder.
Nathan: The Cranberries, Incubus, and The Deftones.
Jeff: Destiny's Child, Mandy Moore, and Britney Spears.
Shane: P.O.D., The Juliana Theory, and Project 86.
What qualities do you admire in people?
Aaron: People who are great servants.
Mark: When someone really has a lot of love for people.
Nathan: Being able to accept things around them and adapt.
Jeff: Honest and real people — both with themselves and others.
Shane: People who have and show compassion during stressful times.
If you had to change your first and last names, what would you choose?
Aaron: River Phoenix
Mark: Jim Kirk. Then I'd sometimes go by "James T. Kirk."
Nathan: Peabo, with no last name. Just Peabo.
Jeff: Geoph Cuomo
Shane: Gabriel Phoenix
What's one thing you've overcome in your life?
Aaron: Stage fright.
Mark: Being overweight. I lost 30 pounds in 5 months.
Nathan: Low self-esteem, apathy.
Jeff: Stage fright.
Shane: Low self-esteem.
What's something you think you should do better?
Aaron: Be more of a giver than a taker.
Mark: Be more assertive.
Nathan: Be more disciplined.
Jeff: Be more kind to people.
Shane: Be more optimistic.
What can't you "live without?"
Aaron: Reading fiction
Mark: "Star Trek"
Nathan: Hair gel
Jeff: The Gap
Shane: The same as Aaron, reading fiction.
What would you like to see invented someday … a better way to do what?
Aaron: Cars with smart cruise control, so I could relax or eat while I'm traveling.
Mark: A better way to prove people like Nathan wrong.
Nathan: A way to work out without having to work out.
Jeff: Edible plates would be nice.
Shane: A way to learn quicker — kind of like in The Matrix.
Favorite meal before a concert?
Aaron: Chick-fil-a
Mark: 6" Subway turkey sandwich on wheat with lettuce, onions, and honey-mustard sauce.
Nathan: 6" Subway club sandwich with Southwest sauce.
Jeff: Pizza
Shane: Chicken Alfredo pasta (from the Olive Garden).
Click here to read our review of Turn the Tides, and listen to song clips at Musicforce.com.
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