Cover

Toby's Back!
by Ryan Richardson

Subversive
Christianity
by Stephen Barkley

Interview:
Staple
by Justin Taylor

Book Review:
Generation Ex
by Ryan Richardson

Book Review:
Not By Chance
by Colin Michael

Health & Fitness
by Jeff Consiglio

The Addiction
part ii
by David Chipp-Smith

God's Promises
Part III
by Colin Michael

It's Not About
the Body
by John Siembida



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Staple is: Darin Keim - vocals; Grant Beachy - drums;
Israel Beachy - bass; Brian Miller - guitars

Here's what their site (www.staplemusic.com) has to say about their self-titled debut album: "It doesn't take more than one listen to Staple's savagely sophisticated and melodic debut to realize that this is a band whose lyrics and music share the stage equally in focus. With a work ethic that has seen Staple play close to 300 shows in the last two years, it's been a long road to their debut release on Flicker Records that culminates with their self-titled release hitting retail on March 23, 2004. This ethic has helped them craft a live performance that rivals any working-class band out today."

A recent interview with Staple's frontman, Darin Keim, helped me better understand what makes 'Staple' tick.

MDM4M: How did you come up with the name 'Staple'?

Darin Keim: Staple - a necessity; food source; diet; a true principle. The source of our diet is truth in God, hence God is our 'staple'.

MDM4M: How did you get into music?

DK: I've grown up with music in the church, from the hymnals. I listened to Audio Adrenaline, DC Talk, 7 Day Jesus, Skillet, etc, which got me hooked into it. White Cross was the first rock tape that i bought. I started playing guitar in 10th grade, and ever since then i've wanted to do this.

MDM4M: How did the band come together?

DK: We've been together for 4 1/2 years. Three of us (Darin, Grant, Brian) met in college. Our bass player, Israel, joined a year and a half later. We all live in Columbus, Ohio.

MDM4M: Who has had the biggest Christian influence on your life?

DK: That would be my parents. My dad was a pastor and I grew up with their great examples. There were a lot of Christians around as I grew up that held each other up. My friend Chris was a great example for me. He knows how to defend the Chritian faith. I liked the way he sought after truth. It made my faith stronger just knowing him.

MDM4M: Who has had the biggest musical influence on 'Staple'?

DK: That would have to be 'Project 86'. I like what they do lyrically, and the way he (Andrew Schwab) has a bold approach to the way he presents things.

MDM4M: What's your favorite song from the album?

DK: The 'songwriter' is my favorite song. It has a good melody, but is also our heaviest stuff on the album.

THE SONGWRITER

The date was set, this night was saved
(the music played)
For holy vows to be unmade
Silent bouquets fell to the floor
(with no remorse)
Forsaking what they're living for

Your passion cut so deep, it bled
But now, the songwriter is dead

Now here's to the way, here's to the truth
Here's to the life that you once knew before your passion died inside of you
Now here's to the song that you once played
Before all meaning died and all the words faded away

We are composers who have fallen
We are the poets who've died young
We are directors who've forgotten
We are life's writers and all our hope is gone

How far will we fall?
Our passion dies, here tonight.
We've forsaken our first love…
Look how far we've fallen from!

What does the album mean to you? - PAGE 2 --->