Kamikaze Friday
by Trisha Bleau

CS: How did your group form? Did you start out together or did you pick up players along the way?

Kamikaze Friday: (Ben) Our group formed under the inspiration of a good friend Chris Tidwell. We have picked up one addition to the original instrumental setup: a lead guitar, due to the need of a thicker, more diverse guitar sound.

CS: Has it been hard on the band seeing members come and go the way they have?

Kamikaze Friday: (Ben) It has been hard seeing members go because it always leaves a feeling of emptiness. We are then left to rely on God to bring a new member to fulfill the old member's shoes both spiritually and musically. It is often scary with a new member, because I never know what to expect spiritually. But, we have faith in God to grant us wisdom in those decisions.

CS:How has this affected the group? Did it take a while to bond? What kind of relationship do you all have now?

Kamikaze Friday: (Ben) Each new member affects the group differently. One might boost our stage presence, while others immediately step in and encourage us all to step up our spiritual life. Surprisingly, bonding does not take long--probably the result of long weekends together and hours of practice we spend together. Most of us are best friends outside the band. It's always fun to meet other band members' families.

CS: How did you decide that teens were one of the main focuses of your ministry?

Kamikaze Friday: (Guy) It just sort of fit. Teens are predominantly the ones that listen to ska-punk.

CS: What does your group's name mean?

Kamikaze Friday: (Guy) Well, a kamikaze was a Japanese fighter pilot that gave his life for the cause of his country. Jesus was our kamikaze. He saw a cause that needed to be met, so he set his eyes to the cross to meet it. He did all of this on a Friday. Hence the name.

CS: Where did you come up with it?

Kamikaze Friday: (Guy) Chris Tidwell just sort of came up with it.

CS:Where do you see the band in five years? Ten? The future?

Kamikaze Friday: (Nick) It's hard for me to tell what the band will be doing in even one year. The way I see it, it doesn't matter if we make it big. Our purpose is to minister, and to reach the lost. Popularity is only a booster.

CS: How has the group changed since you started out? Besides changing band members I mean?

Kamikaze Friday: (Nick) I've seen a change in the amount of time we hang out together. Last semester, before I joined, I always saw them together. Me, Dave, Guy, Oz, and Ben hang out quite a bit, but Dean and Mason don't as much. I think that's because they don't live as close to the others... also because Mason has a girlfriend (girlfriends... they consume time like crazy).

CS:Do you write your own music?

Kamikaze Friday: (Dave Justin) Yes, all of our songs were written by one of the band members (except for one cover song on our Self-Titled album). Most of the songs were written by Jason (former lead guitarist) or me. But, each band member contributes his own feel into each song.

CS:Where do you get ideas for your music?

Kamikaze Friday: (Dave Justin) Lyrically, we get our ideas from life--stuff that happens to us, observations we make... and most of the lyrics reflect life through a lens of a heart that was changed by God. Musically, we seem to each add a bit of our individual musical influences. But, we seem to have developed a unique sound that's us. People are getting tired of hearing the same ol' ska rhythms and licks simply rearranged. We're not really ska, punk, rock, or swing, but a blend of all of the above. That's not selling out from your musical style. That's just called being musically creative and diverse.

CS: Do you ever get criticized for your lyrics?

Kamikaze Friday: (Dave Justin) Traditionally, we haven't had too much of a problem. That's probably because the lyrics are often so fast that you can't understand them anyhow. (chuckle). Seriously, it isn't unusual for me to spend forty minutes on the lyrics for a single verse of a song. We take care to pray over the lyrics, and to make sure that they rhythmically flow, sound catchy, and are clear in doctrine, yet tactful.

CS: What is the biggest thing you have learned from ministering through music?

Kamikaze Friday: (Ozias) I have learned that music can reach a part of the soul that words alone cannot.

CS: What is the biggest thing God has done during one of your concerts?

Kamikaze Friday: (Dave Justin) Naturally, when people are so moved by God's Spirit as to embrace the gift of eternal life, we call that the biggest thing. Also, I think there was a guy last summer whose leg got healed during one of our concerts, but I'm not sure.

CS: Have you always had a desire to sing in a group like this?

Kamikaze Friday: (Dean) Absolutely. It's always been a dream of mine... especially a ska band.

CS: Do you have any plans on signing with a major recording label? I know you are currently working with Fed People Music. I was just wondering if you had plans for a larger label.

Kamikaze Friday: (Dave Justin) Well, it'd definitely be a blessing to have someone else handle booking and stuff... it'd be nice to have the time I put into management go to song-writing instead. We'd be glad to consider whatever offers are made to us. We wouldn't just jump on any ol' offer, though.

CS: Favorite verse of the band members?

Kamikaze Friday: {Sorry I couldn't reach all the guys...}
(Ben) Isaiah 61:3: To all who mourn in Israel, he will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. For the Lord has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory.
(Nick) Romans 12:1: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer yourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This is your spiritual act of worship.
(Guy) Matthew 16:24-26: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.
(Ozias) 2 Corinthians 4:8: We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed but not in despair.
(Dave Justin) Romans 5:8: God demonstrates his love for us this way: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
(Dean) Philippians 4:13: I can do everything through him who gives me strength.