Separated
http://www.separatedband.com
by: Trisha Bleau

CS: How long have you all been together?

SEPARATED (Chris): Michael and I, have been involved in music together for somewhere around 4 or 5 years. We recently picked up our new drummer, A.J.; he's been with us for around 1 and a half months.

CS: What kind of relationship do you all have with one another? Are you one big happy family?

SEPARATED (Chris): We are like brothers (two of us actually are!). We are definitely a happy family! :0) Not only do we share a common interest in music, but we all love technology and video games...just like brothers.

CS: Please share with us how your group formed and any changes it went through after forming.

SEPARATED (Chris): Well, it started with my parents. Before becoming a Christian my father was a guitarist in a hard rock band, and my mother was a pianist. So, we've always had musical instruments around the house. My Grandparents started a ministry in Southern California after coming to know Jesus. They would travel just about anywhere you can think of, bringing praise music and spreading the 'Word'. As my brother (Michael), and I (Chris) grew older we became more involved in the Ministry. We would lead worship services, and write praise songs. Which pretty much brings us to where we are today. Our name has changed several times, as we lost and gained musicians on the way. Our sound has also changed a little to reach a more 'youthful' crowd. This has been a great tool for us. This change has enabled us to play in places that you would never expect to see a Christian group; bars, clubs . . . etc. It's really rewarding after a show to have people come up to you and start as!
king about Jesus.

CS: How long have you all been together? How long has the group been in existence, not counting any possible changes in members?

SEPARATED (Chris): The current line-up, with our new drummer, has been together for about 1 and a half months.

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

SEPARATED (Chris): We have lost friends along the way, which is always hard. But, it is a must. Each and every member must be focused on the same thing....and in Separated that thing is Jesus.

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

SEPARATED (Chris): All of the above.

CS: Do you ever worry about getting caught up in the world of show biz? That success will change your group?

SEPARATED (Chris): We're not after money, or recognition. We're all about Jesus. Which is why a majority of the time our shows are free...meaning, we get paid nothing, and the audience pays nothing.

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

SEPARATED (Chris): We try to stay in contact with most of our audience, weather its through close interaction with them personally or through e-mails over the Internet. Since the Internet, is one of our largest forms of promotions, we've gather an audience of listeners worldwide, which has just been an amazing way for us to connect with people from all over. Everytime someone listens to our music they're receiving a message weather they know it or not. We haven't had the chance to fellowship with as many of our audience as we would like, but I'm sure we will be doing more of that in the near future.

CS: Do you ever feel that you are not ready Spiritually to be performing and ministering as you are doing now?

SEPARATED (Michael): Chris and I where raised in a church going family and participated in church functions and so on. So I'd say we've been ready to help minister to others.

CS: If you could meet any one person, past, present or future, who would you meet? Why would you choose that person? What would you ask them?

SEPARATED (Michael): Jesus. He has played an important role in our lives and has and always will be there.

CS: If you could ask Jesus any one question, what would you ask and why?

SEPARATED (Chris): That's a hard one! Honestly, if I saw Jesus I don't think I'd be able to speak a word. And if I could speak, I don't think that I would ask Him a question....I'd fall to my knees and thank Him.

CS: When and how did you accept Christ into your heart?

SEPARATED (Michael): Chris and I where raised going to church and being involved in church functions. I couldn't recall the exact day that I accepted Christ into my heart, for as long as I can remember he has been there for me. Everyday I ask him to be with me.

CS: What is the most inspirational piece of scripture that you have found that applies to your life?

SEPARATED (Chris): Oh...a hard one. Really it is impossible for me to choose just one. I love them all. Lately I've loved hearing (Matt. 6:25-34), about worry. It's good stuff.

CS: What is the most fascinating piece of Scripture you have studied?

SEPARATED (Chris): I love reading through the words of Jesus. The things He says are amazing! It is all really fascinating though. How Old Testament prophecy becomes fullfilled through Christ. God's unconditional love. The Bible really is a treasure.

CS: When did you feel called to perform in a group like this? Have you felt God's hand guiding you towards this all along?

SEPARARED (Michael): I think for all of us it was different times. I remember watching my brother Chris (vocals) performing praise songs that he wrote himself, back when he was only 14 years old. So that kinda inspired me to learn guitar. I started playing music along with him when I was around 15 years old.

CS: Do you make it a goal to use your music to minister to people? Or do you just write for the sake of writing and performing?

SEPARATED (Michael): We enjoy playing music, and we love Jesus; So I don't think there ever was a point or time in the band where we didn't want to play music for Him; or a point in the band where we didn't play music that had a Christian message in it.

SEPARATED (Chris): For me, when we play a so-called "show"...I'm not singing to the audience, I'm singing to God. It really is worship to me. I believe that a hardened heart will never turn to Jesus without first being prepared by the Spirit of God. In itself, it is an act of God. So, basically my hope is to plant the seed in those who have never heard....and to encourage believers to keep the faith.

CS: What is the message you are trying to get across with your music?

SEPARATED (Michael): As a band we're just trying to relay our love, and passion for Jesus Christ to everyone. We want our music to mean what it means to you, but the main idea behind every song that we have done is and always will be Jesus.

CS: What is the hardest thing about ministering through music?

SEPARATED (Chris): Honestly, it's not hard at all. The only truly hard part is managing booking and promoting. Other than that, it's easy. ;0)

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

SEPARATED (Chris): Gez, there are too many funny things that happen. Which is good. Mostly though, it's when we are just hanging out talking funny things come up. Inside jokes.

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

SEPARATED (Chris): He touches lives. It's amazing to see people who are normally quiet and shy becoming loud, and uninhibited....unashamed really that they are crying and singing for Jesus.

CS: Do you write your own music?

SEPARATED (Michael): Chris Wilson (vocals) writes most of the songs. All the songs that we've performed and recorded have been ideas that came from him; (He finds most of his inspiration in the Bible). Sometimes the songs come out the way he originally wrote them and sometimes we add or change stuff around, as individuals we all have our own style of playing.

CS: Where do you get ideas for your music?

SEPARATED (Chris): Almost 100% from the Bible. God is amazing. Jesus is amazing. I don't believe that I could ever run out of ideas or words to sing for Him. For me, a lot of the time I become inspired when I find the irony in things, like in the lyrics for "Bleed":

"I'm giving all my strife and You're giving me one more chance at life..."

To us humans, it seems like an unfair trade. That God would take our strife, our sin...and wipe us clean.

CS: How would you describe your music style?

SEPARATED (Michael): Christian Hard Rock

CS: Do you ever get criticized for your lyrics?

SEPARATED (Michael): Well, a lot of our songs can be interpreted into many different meanings.

SEPARATED (Chris): I don't think we've ever been criticized for them. But we have had plenty of people ask "what does this mean?". Which, to me, is a very good question to be asking as it gives us the opportunity to talk about Jesus.

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

SEPARATED (Michael): For me there are several people that I look up to. For starters my Father and Brother. They've both been playing for quiet a bit longer then me, they inspired me to start playing, and I haven't stop playing since.

CS: Who are some of the groups you have performed with and what did you think of them?

SEPARATED (Michael): There are so many we could name. We've played with so many bands through out the time we've been playing music. Some bands that share our same love and passion for Jesus and some who dont. Either way, All the bands we've played with have all been really nice.

CS: Who, aside from Jesus, is or has been the biggest influence in your life?

SEPARATED (Michael): Our Families, those who have given their lives because of Him

CS: Who do you look up to the most in life?

SEPARATED (Chris): Family. In today's society family has completely fallen apart. We're very family oriented. It is a very rewarding experience for those who actually take the time to get to know their family.

CS: What is your musical background? Did you take lessons to gain the musical skills you have now?

SEPARATED (Michael): Both Chris and I are self taught musicians. I learned most of what I know by watching other people play. I believe A.J. (drums) is self taught too, he did do some drumming for his school band.

SEPARATED (Chris): I used to sit in the front-row at church every sunday so I could watch the guitarist's fingers. I'd go home and practice mimicking the songs. LOL. My father is also a great guitarist....and it always helps to have someone there to show you how to do things.

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

SEPARATED (Michael): We'd like to practice as a group as much as we can. Whenever we have spare time to get together, we do. Once or twice a week is probably our minimum. Individually we probably practice just about everyday for atleast an hour each.

CS: How do you fill your spare time while on tour?

SEPARATED (Michael): For me that would either be playing video games, being on my computer, or playing music. Chris like to read books a lot, so most of the time you can find him reading a book or working on one of his many art projects. We do a lot of things.

CS: Do you have an accountability partner or prayer partner to keep you encouraged and uplifted?

SEPARATED (Michael): As a band we're are always there for eachother. We're like a family.

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

SEPARATED (Michael): For as far back as I can remember. I Love music and always wanted to play.

CS: Do you sing anywhere else just for fun? Like maybe in the shower or while cleaning or driving, etc. And if you do, do you sing your own music or someone
else's?

SEPARATED (Michael): Sometimes when we're alone at home or when we're bored we'll just bust out into song, Mostly just to get some good laughs.

CS: Do you find it strange to hear yourself singing on the radio or to see yourself in a video?

SEPARATED (Michael): When you first hear yourself on the radio anytime, its kinda like an adrenaline rush. Its very exciting. I remember recording one of our own songs off the radio once, just to have for memories.

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

SEPARATED (Michael): We've pushed back the release date of our new album which is self titled "Separated"; we plan on having out as soon as we finish recording and mixing a few more songs. We keep all of our audience updated with the latest news about the band and the new album at www.separatedband.com.

CS: Many teenagers and adults get really emotionally involved in the lives of the band members. Do you feel people look up to you as near idols?

SEPARATED (Michael): When you receive and e-mail, letter or hear from someone who tells you how much they enjoy your music and how your music has helped them out in their life experiences, that's probably one of the most rewarding parts about what we do. We've receive quiet a few e-mails for young teenagers who want to tell us that listening to our music or seeing us live has inspired them to learn an instrument. Its a good feeling knowing that we've influenced someone in a positive way like that. Reaching out to people or Helping atleast one person out makes what we do worth while, and inspires us as a band to keep playing music.

CS: Do you feel people look down on you for your age? For your music style?

SEPARATED (Michael): I think with the whole age thing, people are more shocked then looking down on us. The bands, and the audiences that we've played with and for so far have not treated us any differently because of our age.

Rock n Roll wasn't always accepted by many religions, as it is now. As a band we haven't had anyone look down on us for the style of music that we play. Most everyone that we've met and know are very supportive of our music.

CS: Any plans to sign with a major Label in the near future?

SEPARATED (Michael): If its Gods will for us to, then we will. If not then we will continue to play music the way that we always have.

CS: Do you have any advice to give to the youth of our world?

SEPARATED (Michael): Believe and Follow your heart.

SEPARATED (Chris): Don't believe everything you see or hear. And never follow somebody else just because they say it is the right thing to do. Search for yourself, it doesn't hurt to open up your Bible to find answers. Share with friends who are also passionate about Jesus. It's ok to be confused, to cry, to be hurt. And no matter how far off the path we go, God is always there to welcome you back. That's the wonder of God's unconditional love, which can only come from Him. Be unashamed (matt 10:32) of Jesus, because he was first unashamed of you.