STRYPER Frontman: 'We Want To Be In God's Will'

October 23, 2003

STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet recently spoke to The Kansas City Star about the band's decision to embark on their first-ever reunion tour — the Christian hard rock band's first nationwide performance junket in more than 12 years.

"This is a celebration of the ministry STRYPER did," Sweet said. "We're not concerned about the numbers. I refuse to play that game because it weighs upon you. We live by different rules — we want to be in God's will. If we step into God's lead, he'll bless and take care of everything."

Since STRYPER split up, mainstream Christian rock has split into two camps: spiritual bands like CREED, P.O.D. and U2, who have Christian members but don't overtly display their faith, and Christian bands like AUDIO ADRENALINE, DC TALK and THE NEWSBOYS who wear their religion on their sleeves.

"I've seen CREED and felt a vibe similar to what people feel at STRYPER — positivity, encouragement, upliftment," Sweet said. "Most kids at a CREED concert, like those at STRYPER, aren't in church. There'd be drinking and we could smell people smoking pot. It never bothered us, though, because Christ preached to the sinners, too. We are there to reach those people and help them relate."

AUDIO ADRENALINE, Sweet said, is a great band, but "there is no denying they are CCM — Contemporary Christian Music — all the way. Most people at those shows are kids in church."

As previously reported, STRYPER will be filming a live DVD at the Ogden Theater in Denver, Colorado on October 24.

Remaining STRYPER 2003 Reunion Tour dates:

Oct. 24 - Denver, CO @ Ogden Theater
Oct. 25 - Albequerque, NM @ The Sunshine Theatre
Oct. 26 - Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
Oct. 28 - Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues
Oct. 29 - Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
Oct. 30 - Phoenix, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
Nov. 01 - Austin, TX @ The Backroom
Nov. 02 - Ft. Worth, TX @ Ridglea Theater
Nov. 03 - McAllen, TX @ La Villa Real
Nov. 04 - Houston, TX @ The Engine Room
Nov. 06 - Nashville, TN @ Rcktwn
Nov. 07 - St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Landing
Nov. 08 - Jacksonville, FL @ The Murray Hill Theatre
Nov. 09 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ The Culture Room
Nov. 11 - Atlanta, GA @ Earthlink Live
Nov. 12 - Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
Nov. 14 - Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
Nov. 15 - Raleigh, NC @ The Lincoln Theatre
Nov. 16 - Asbury Park, NJ @ Stone Pony
Nov. 18 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance
Nov. 19 - Boston, MA @ The Axis

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