Mark Millard of The Lads
http://www.theladsband.com
by Chris Gilbert

CS: What is the main focus of your ministry? Why?

MM: The main thing for the Lads is evangelism, using our music to tell people about God. Why? Well when the Lads first started, that was what we felt God was directing us towards. But it's also something that we all love, one the greatest things about being in the Lads is hearing back from people who send us e-mails saying "I heard you play at such n such a concert and thats when I became a Christian."

CS: Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?

MM: Essentially doing what we are doing now, using music to tell people about God - but it seems what we are doing seems to be spreading further and further. This year we're looking at doing our first tour through South East Asia and then the States.

CS: Do you have a goal in mind when writing the music? What is the message you are trying to put across?

MM: I think each songs is different in terms of what it's trying to say. But one thing that we are quite big on in the Lads, is having lyrics that are quite clear (i.e. not obscure or difficult to understand), this doesn't mean we dumb down our songs - but rather we work hard at making sure they make sense.

CS: How did the group form?

MM: Basically we were a bunch of mates who grew up together, and from about the age of 13 started performing and doing items at our church... somehow from there - it grew.

CS: Does your name mean anything? Where did it come from?

MM: Yeah, the bunch of mates that I just refered to..... people used to call us 'the lads'... I don't even know who made it up, I just always remember saying 'I'm going out with the Lads tonight', you know? I know you really have a style of your own, but how would you describe it? That's always a tricky questions... in an interview at a music festival last weekend one radio announcer described our sound as being 'comic worship'.... I'm not sure if he meant it as a compliment or not... I think it was a compliment.

CS: Do you ever worry that your success will change you? Do you worry about getting caught up in the "World of Show Biz"? How do you deal with it?

MM: I think the biggest challenge for us is not being caught in the world of show business, but rather being caught in the world of 'yourself', you know, having an exagerated sense of 'self importance', which sometimes comes from spending time on stage in front of large crowds. How do we overcome it? Well, honestly - we work on this thing called 'pride' all the time. And when it comes up, when one of the guys has a bad attitude about 'serving' or get's grizzly about the conditions of this or that - as a band we are pretty good at challenging each other about these kinds of things.

CS: If you could perform with any one band, who would it be, and why?

MM: U2. Cause I think they are awesome - best live band in the world (I reckon)

CS: If you were face to face with God, for 30 minutes, how would you spend it?

MM: If I was face to face with God, I'm not sure I would actually have the choice.

CS: When on tour, how do you find time for personal worship? Do you spend time together worshipping, or doing devotions?

MM: When we're on tour, it's hard! You've really got to take the moments you can, cause every day is different - you can't have a routine in what you do.

CS: What is the funniest thing you've seen while touring?

MM: Being the bunch of guys that we are, our tours tend to be filled with funny things - but possibly the hardest I have laughed in recent years (you know, you laugh until your eyes are watery and your stomach hurts), was when after a long trip we had almost arrived at our destination, and one of the guys drove our band bus from a parking position straight into the bus stop sign which was right in front of him (almost like he saw the sign as a challenge or something)... and... the bus hit the bus stop sign... but the bus, it did not stop. Little damage was done, rather bent sign post, but at the time it was very funny.

CS: What is the biggest thing God has done while you were performing?

MM: I think one of the greatest miracles, is the miracle of salvation. When someone confesses and hands their life over to the living God and in return not only do they receive eternal life, but the God of creation comes and reside within - that is a miracle.

CS: What is the biggest thing that God has shown you through your music "careers"?

MM: Maybe a bit of perspective. At the end of the day - music comes and goes... but relationships matter, that is what we are made for - relationship with God, and relationships with other people.

CS: What is the latest news? CD's?

MM: We're looking at recording a brand new album very soon, which will take a few months to get through the pipeline. And right now we're working on touring options for the year.

CS: Do you have any advice for a) Youth, b) Musicians, and c) combinations of the two?

MM: hmm... I would say two things 1) personal hygiene is a good thing to remember in life 2) you and I were made to know and love God, when we keep our relationship with God the main thing, everything else seems to make better sense.