Do
You Believe in God?
CONTINUED |
TCPUNK: Do you think Stryper converted fans to Christianity?
TIM GAINES: I can't say that Stryper ever converted anyone
to Christianity. We were simply the messengers. I can say
that the presence of the Holy Spirit went forth when we
played and touched the hearts of those God had chosen.
His spirit is in our songs on the recordings too. I can't
really explain it, it just happens. So to answer your question..
No we didn't convert anyone, but yes people were converted
or rather gave their lives to Christ through our music
or our concerts.
TCPUNK: Did fans ever try to give you drugs?
TIM GAINES: I can't say that anyone ever gave us drugs
because we didn't do drugs. We did from time to time have
to dodge empty bottles that had been thrown at us on stage.
OZ FOX: That’s a funny question! No, fans never tried
to give us drugs. Mostly fans just wanted to meet us in
person, get an autograph, or snap a picture with us. I
used to walk outside after shows and meet with people out
in the parking lots or out on the street. That was one
of my favorite things to do out on the road because it
made the tours seem more personal. If you think about it,
Jesus always met with the masses.
TCPUNK: Stryper must have had groupies, how did you deal
with them? |
OZ FOX: We had some pretty tight security. People were
watching out for us so we wouldn’t be left alone
with groupies. Our bus driver had strict instructions to
let no one on the bus except band and crew. Groupies were
treated just like any other fan, we would always try to
share Christianity with them, give them bibles, and pray
with them.
TCPUNK: Looking back on the Stryper days what memory are
you most proud of?
OZ FOX: I feel good about all the times we would visit
with someone who was sick, bedridden, confined to a wheel
chair, people less fortunate than most. It was nice to
make them happy by giving personal attention to them. One
time we spoke at a grade school assembly and encouraged
kids at a “Say No to Drugs” rally. Those are
the kind of things that are nice to remember.
TCPUNK:
Was there ever any pressure from your record company
to drop the religious angle from your music, in order to
appeal to a wider audience?
OZ FOX: Yes, that happened during the Against
the Law period. That’s why the Isaiah 53:5 did not
appear by the Stryper name on that album.
TCPUNK: Looking back on the Stryper days
what memory are you least proud of? |
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