Passing Thru
by Jessica

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

PT: Passing Thru started a little over 6 years ago...the only change is that we added Mike, who does keyboards, programming and background vocals. He has been with us almost 4 years. Started with Matt and Sam jamming at Crown College...and then the rest is history.

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

PT: We are each other backbone and best friends. I mean...we have good days and bad. But the undeniable is that we are brothers in Christ.

CS: What kind of equipment do you use?

PT: Jason plays Paul Reed Smith guitars Mesa amps, Matt is endorsed by Risen Drums, Tedd vocal chords, Sam plays G&L basses and Mike plays Korg and Mac

CS: What is the main focus in your ministry? Teens? The lost? The hurting? Why did you decide up on this as a focus?

PT: We focus on everyone. I think we have found that there are just as many lost and hurting people in the church as there are in the world...so we just try to be obedient and go where God leads.

CS: What does your groups name mean?

PT: Means...that our bodies...are for a lck of a better term just "earthsuits" and we are just Passing Thru.

CS: Where did you come up with it?

PT: Just in a rehearsal one day. 7 years ago

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

PT: We are just now getting to the point where we feel comfortable signing a record deal...so you will definitely hear more about us soon. We hope to have this thing grow.

CS: Do you ever worry about getting caught up in the world of show biz?

PT: That success will change your group? Not really...I mean its not that we are super human...but weve paid our dues... hundreds of shows... sometimes for 3 people. There is nothing glamourous about what we do. We are thankful that people enjoy our music..but we have more reasons to stay humble than not.

CS: What kind of relationship do you maintain with your audiences? Do you fellowship with them? Or do you remain distant as the performer?

PT: We try to be as involved in our fans' lives as we can be. I can remember a time when some of the guys went home with some guys that came to our show to play x-box with them. I think that was in Sibley, IA. lol

CS: How would you describe your music style?

PT: Hard..melodic...catchy

CS: Who, or what, are your biggest musical influences?

PT: Hoobastank, inkcubus, pillar, linkin park, BLINDSIDE, ...

CS: Are you involved in any other ministries?

PT: Mike is a music pastor in Elk River, MN...Tedd goes to Higher dimensions in Rogers, MN...Matt and Sam are involved with music at Freshwater Church in St. Boni, MN.

CS: How much time do you spend practicing as a group? How much time do you practice individually?

PT: 5-8 hours a week generally...most of us spend a lot of time out side of rehearsal

CS: Does the group come together for prayer at times other than concerts and ministry opportunities?

PT: We get together everyweek in rehearsal. Prayer is just one of those things that you cant do enough of.

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

PT: Not really...but I think for all of the guys we feel at home in what God has for us now.

CS: What is the latest news on your group? Any new CD's to be released soon?

PT: We are signing a record deal probably this month...look for a new release this spring.