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On Fire … but Cool
by Michael Herman
posted 08/12/02
Left to right: Noah Henson (guitars), Brad Noone (drums), Rob Beckley (vocals – kneeling), Kalel (bass)
Hard rock and rapcore band Pillar has come a long way in the four years since their start in Kansas, though the future hasn't always been certain. Two of the original members have since retired from the band — first guitarist Travis Jenkins, and just recently drummer Brad Noone, who has left to spend more time with his family (he is replaced by Lester Estelle of Kansas City, MO). Let's also not forget the close call for Rob Buckley, a member of the Army reserve who was almost assigned to serve in Afghanistan after the September 11 terrorist attack. This a band that lives up to its namesake — strong, sturdy, and like the title of the latest album, Fireproof.
How you would describe the sound of your new album, Fireproof?
Rob: It's an intense, passionate, melodic dreamscape of musical divergency. The title track is the first song, and I think it sets the tone for the rest of the album. Some people didn't agree that it should be first, but as a band we felt it was important enough to have it there to take people into the rest of the album.
This is a better album than our first one, and the first project won a Dove Award. So we're excited about having people listen to it and enjoy as much as we do. This album has everything from rapping to singing to a ballad. It's cool. That's how to describe this album – "it's cool."
What has this new project allowed you to do that you didn't do on the first album?
Kalel: On the whole, we were able to do what we wanted to do with each album. We weren't held back from doing anything. But there were two and a half years or so of growth that went into this album that wasn't there for the first one. We grew as Christians, as people, and as musicians.
Technically, we tried some more complex guitar parts and time signatures thanks to our new guitar player, Noah. The music side of the album definitely is stepped up, but the lyrics intentionally stayed very relatable to our audience.
What's your greatest fear?
Rob: Being eaten by a shark.
Brad: Clowns & "carnies" (people working at carnivals).
Noah: God
Kalel: Experiencing a painful heart attack.
What job would you like to do for a day?
Rob: I'd like to be a professional cricket player.
Brad: A Wal-Mart manager. Yeah, I'd be that for a day.
(Interviewer's note: How many Wal-Mart managers do you think would want to play rock & roll music for a living?)
Noah: A skydiving instructor.
Kalel: I'd be a professional wrestler.
Who do people say you look like?
Rob: Richard Gere
Brad: Somebody named "Karl" or "Steve." A lot of people seem to just think that's my name.
Noah: Sonny Sandoval from the group P.O.D.
Kalel: Keanu Reeves
What do you hope someone will say about you someday?
Rob: "He was a good man."
Brad: "He sure knew how to cook beans."
Noah: "That man has something different that I want."
Kalel: "Of all the people I've ever met, he was one of them."
If you owned your own record label, what three artists would you sign?
Rob: Definitely Captain Geech & the Shrimp Shack Shooters. Then The Lyrical Butcher, and also Bill Gaither.
Brad: Big Fat Jam, Unified Front, and Unified Jam
Noah: Big Fat Jam, Incubus, and Seven Ducks.
Kalel: Disciple, Sub 7, and Smallwood.
What qualities do you admire in people?
Rob: Humor
Brad: Honesty
Noah: Loyalty
Kalel: Nice teeth.
If you had to change your name, what would you choose?
Rob: Hezekiah Smith
Brad: Mel Gibson or Ted Swafford.
Noah: Israel Noah
Kalel: Boba Fett
What can't you live without?
Rob: My cell phone. It's important for me to keep in communication with my wife.
Brad: Fried food.
Noah: Mach 3 razors
(Interviewer's note: All of the other band members strongly agreed with Noah on this one.)
Kalel: Paper towels. There's always something to clean, even if it's just me.
What's your favorite meal before a concert?
Rob: I don't like to eat anything immediately before a concert. Earlier in the day I'll work over the veggie tray.
Brad: Carrots with veggie dip.
Noah: Healthy food — a super salad.
Kalel: Cheese, but in square chunks.
What's a great lesson you've learned?
Rob: Don't look directly at the sun. It hurts. I learned that one on my own.
Brad: Don't be afraid to ask for help.
Noah: You're a fool not to listen to constructive criticism.
Kalel: Better to serve than to be served.
Visit our artist page for Pillar to learn more about the band. Also read our review of their latest album, Fireproof. Go to Musicforce.com to purchase your own copy of Fireproof today!
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