Interviews/Reviews

An interview from Brazil's Cristo-Rock magizine's Ricardo Borges wmetal@wmetal.com:

RB: How did Saint begin? Why did you decide to form a band, and how?

JK: We started out originally as The Gentiles in the late 70s. with John Mahan, Richard Lynch Gene McClendon and a vocalist whose name I do not remember.

We love to Rock and loved Jesus so we melted the two interests together and gave it our best effort to do both.

RB: Some famous bands from 80s and 90s that had stopped are returning. Some examples are you, Leviticus and Stryper. Can you explain this phenomenon? And about you, what is the reason for you're returning playing classic metal?

JK: The phenomenon of all these bands reforming in my opinion is because we all love our music and we were all born to do this. It is a passion for us all. We can't see ourselves doing anything else. The music of the 80s is retuning to some degree and we are aware of the interest.

RB: What was the composing and the recording/producing process like for "In The Battle"?

JK: Rich Lynch wrote almost of the songs over a period of years. I wrote the music to Full Armor in the 80s and the lyrics, which were done recently. We preproduced all the songs on our PCs using cakewalk audio 9 program and Cool Edit pro engineering software.

RB: Who is doing the distribution and how is the public responding to this new album?

JK: We are distributing it currently as an Indy Label and our fans are loving it immensely.

RB: For the lyrics and attitude, we see that Saint is an absolute Christian band. Are the lyrics as important as the music?

JK: The lyrics are everything we stand for and believe in. I've heard it said that there is no such thing as Christian music, only Christian lyrics. The music has to have it's appeal to the listener what ever stile it is and has to be as well recorded as written and performed.

RB: Jesus was clear about telling us to store up treasures in Heaven. Do you see capitalism and communism as a conflict of interest to the Sermon on the Mount?

JK: Capitalism and communism are a conflict of interest to each other.

I'm not very knowledgeable concerning communism but from what I've heard it has good intentions to make all people equals financially in a utopian society originally dreamed up by Karl Marx (I think). It has it's failings because human nature is basically greedy and a limited few can be content with basic needs met. There is a desire in us all to be the one to raise the bar. (A term used in Track competition for the high jump event.)

It has been known to try to silence the Gospel of Christ and prevent people from worshiping the religion of their choice. Capitalism is simply an equal opportunity monetary system that allows people to obtain wealth even if their roots are born in poverty with creative hard work and a desire to succeed. Capitalism has no interest in The Gospel as far as squelching or promoting it. The love of money is the root of all evil.

Money in and of it's self is just a tool which in the hands of someone wise and good uses it to benefit themselves and those who work for them in addition to sharing it benevolently to help those in need within their church and community.

In the hands of someone evil it is used to benefit themselves and in some cases used to destroy lives. The storing up treasures in Heaven is a concept that implies that when we do good works for those in need without compensation or expecting to be paid, we are storing up for ourselves eternal riches not in monetary terms as gold and silver but as joy and blessings eternal which has no monetary value as we know it.

Ian of Christian Metal Mayhem interviews Josh

Ian Keith Hafner: So Josh, what gives with the rumor that you were in a country band?

Josh: It's true I played in a country / Rock band in the mid 1990's while living in Nashville Tn..
We played outside Nashville to make any money. It was not easy. I played primarily bass, switched to guitar on some songs and back to bass. Leaving my wife E.J. home for a couple of weeks at a time was very hard on our marriage.

I was no fun after the shows. While the other guys went out to find loose women, I went back to the hotel. I'd call E.J. and we'd miss each other on the phone. I would then eat, shower, then sleep. We played Travis Tritt, Joe Diffy, Hank jr., Pearl River, Little Texas Garth, Alan Jackson, Brooks and Dunn, Diamond Rio, Vince Gill and all the fun Rockin Country stuff. I actually had a lot of fun working with this band (withholding name) and playing music.

I didn't care what kind. I grew up with Hank Willams Sr., Patsy Cline and stuff that mom and dad liked to play on the record player. ( To those of you out there who are too young to have ever seen one, it's one of those old fashioned thingy's that D.J.'s scratch records on with rappers...you know,with the big round black vinyl flat thing called an L.P. A.K.A. phonograph record?)

I've teased about my waking dream doing choreography in a Reba McEntire performance wearing black spandex and then Wynonna Judd appears on stage and then I woke up. Granted those guys in Reba's shows make more money in one night than I made in a week, but it still was kinda funny at the time.

I don't hate country music. In fact some Country music is amazing. Diamond Rio, Vince, Garth, Travis Tritt, Marty Stewart, Alison Krause (she is so cute, kind and adorable in person! We met her shopping at Wild Oats Natural Food store there in Nashville. No we didn't ask her for her autograph...that would be very goshe), George Jones and Hank W. Sr. are still my favorite country acts. It was just bizzare for me to be on a stage in small night clubs making $350.00 a week, playing country music when I used to appear for crowds of a thousand or more with Saint around the country. At times less in the crowd, but we rocked the house. The comparison between venues is really a stark contrast and was almost an out of body experience for me. I would much prefer to be back on stage with Saint. It is what I was born to do and I feel right at home doing it.

My used to be wife E.J. and I worked very hard to launch her first in pop then in country music and finally in Christian pop because it is what she loved and I supported her 1000%. We gave it a good try at the brass ring In Nashville.

Ian K. Hafner: How did the Nicolas play come about? What was the inspiration for the story?

Josh: Around 3 years ago I began to hate Christmas and became very scrooge like. Congested Christmas traffic, huge expectations for money and gifts to be sent out and all of the commercialism hype made me resentful of the season. I wondered if the Saint Nick thing was just a myth or if he actually existed. I had a wild dream as described in "Howie's note" and performed in the play as one of the scenes. My job at the time of the creation of Nicolas was a combination of Gardening all by my self and on occasion I worked with construction crews. I enjoyed working alone because I could dream up songs, scenes and created almost every scene in my head. I'd then jot down my ideas at break time. Working with construction crews was not as enjoyable because the guys punctuate every other word with expletives and have to derail your moment with every foul joke they could think of. I wore ear plugs all the time not to just block out the noise from the job but so that I didn't have to listen to all of the gobltygook going on around me. It was a refreshing change of pace to finish the day job, clean up, throw down a quick Taco Bell Burrito or MacChicken sandwich then head over to my music and acting students homes for their lessons, which eventually became recording sessions for the play. These young and older folks were instrumental in the inspiration of the play with their enthusiastic input as well as their remarkable acting abilities. Often times parents saw how much fun the kids were having so they joined in and contributed as well. I am inspired by Shakespere and great gothic movies that stir the imagination. (For more detail, go to my interview with Steve Healton).

Ian: How much of the story is true and how much is fiction?

Josh: I created a small imaginary community of people who did not exist in our history books. Nick's friends, Grand parents, personal trainers, tutors, butlers, maids, towns folk, some political figures, and some events of his life growing up that I had to use my imagination to take creative licence and make supposed possible life adventures for him. If I were to have written the story (not by my self) based on the few paragraphs of legends and folk tails handed down to us with virtually no written actual journals of his own or family records, the story would have been a boring historic encyclapedic account no more interesting than reading about the digestive process of parimeciums in a test tube. How much of it is true?.........That's a very good question. Some times I wonder myself.

SAINT ROCKIN' GERMAN METAL FANS
[Posted by Pastor Bob on Monday, June 14, 2004 ]
Here is a great SAINT review from Germany!

"The White Metalheads of SAINT are back again and have a new album: "In The Battle". As they are confident Christians, I believe, that they are in the battle against all unbelievers. Or maybe against all modern in Metal because this album is such Old School, more Old School isn't possible. Everything, from the "stereotyped" cover, the production to the nine compositions sounds of the 80s.

That's good as already the opener and title track shines with its mid tempo pace and an anthem-like chorus. "Star Pilot Return" reminds of elder PRIEST, ennobled with high screams, you all know from uncle Halford. "Here We Are" is rather stomping and has a cool guitar solo in the beginning.

Again with an out of hand but great chorus. "Sacrifice" is the best song of the entire album, in my opinion. seven ties-PRIEST-feeling meets elevated vocal lines.

Great! "Holy Rollin'" is again stomping and with a hymnal singing. Also the next three songs aren't that different - but that's a plus for the band. Originality isn't really a strength of SAINT. But when I buy a MARDUK album for example, I don't expect any ballads or innovations... the absolute killer track (apart from "Sacrifice") is presented in the end by the US Metallers: "Full Armor", which is introduced by the acoustic intro "Acid Rain". An utter headbanger track, reminding me a bit of CAGE. Cool sirens singing and Metal in pureness!!!

What I like on SAINT is, that they have a totally unique style despite their old-fashioned direction. Okay, they contain slight JUDAS PRIEST tendencies - but I could name a thousands of bands, borrowing lots of elements from PRIEST & MAIDEN. These are simply the Godfathers (maybe also BLACK SABBATH).

But as long as bands like SAINT sound that dedicated and authentic, it's alright. If you are interested, please visit www.hellionrecords.de or www.stephans-buchhandlung.de." (Online June 13, 2004)

Link: www.metal-observer.com
Link to the Review:
www.metal-observer.com/articles.php?lid=1&sid=6&id=6370
Link to Review in German:
www.metal-observer.com/articles.php?lid=2&sid=6&id=6370

From: "sangre suficiente zine" <sangresuficientezine@hotmail.com>
To: joshkramerofsaint@hotmail.com
Subject: Sangre suficiente
Date: Wed, 16 Jun 2004 20:19:46 +0000

Dear Josh here send the questions for our Fanzine.
Thanks for your help
God Bless you

El Zelote: Can you tell me about the beginnings of the band?

Josh: In the Beginning: In the late 70's, the core of the band was John Mahan and Richard Lynch. John left the band in 81 or so. They recruited Gene McClendon as the drummer and in 1982-83 recruited me as the lead guitarist to replace Mahan. We desperately searched for a singer but none were to be found so I gave it a try. Rich loved it so I from that moment on was the lead vocalist. We coaxed Mahan to return which he did. Warriors of the Son was born. Churches, Christian radio stations, and Christian record labels turned us away for a while, so we marketed the E.P. ourselves.

We recorded our first EP as "Saint" entitled "Warriors of the Son" in early 1984. In 1986 Saint got airplay on many Christian radio stations throughout the US, and around the world. Saints first full length LP was recorded on the Pure Metal Records Label, entitled "Time's End" It was a groundbreaking album for the band. "Too late for Living" was released in 1988. This release received worldwide notoriety, and is popular to this day.

Our most popular albums "Times End" and "Too Late for Living" mainly focused on an apocalyptic theme. Not many bands would choose this theme to focus on but would focus on Jesus and spiritual battles between the flesh and spirit. With our apocalyptic theme, we were considered by anyone interested in Christian metal to be on the cutting edge of emerging genre.

El Zelote: Was it hard being a Christian band in the 80's

Josh: It was extremely difficult. Rich Lynch has lived in Salem most of his life so this is where we are based. It was very hard to get a job as a long haired hippy freak that wanted to take off every now and then. i built up a load of music students which floated me. The average reaction from the general public towards our image was revulsion. Even now I tried to grow my hair long and got weary of the disrespect from people in general. My hair is very short now and everyone thinks I look respectable.

El Zelote: Your lyrics speak about last times , Why is this your focus? How did it come about?

Josh: We are in the last days. This is a very tense and difficult time for humanity. We found great inspiration from the book of revelation.

El Zelote: Some people consider to Saint like a Legend. How do you think about this.

Josh: We are greatly honored and humbled by this. We of course dreamed of hopefully being a well liked and popular band but when people start calling us and me a legend it sort of makes me feel........not worthy. I'm just me. I grunt and groan through my day, get my mouth washed out with soap by the lord every now and then like everybody else, and I have faults and failings like everybody else. Since we are on this subject, I want people to know that I am a sinner that got saved by the grace of God and I am not perfect yet. You'll know I'm perfect when you see or hear of 6 paul bearers carrying me in a box. If you want to be like anyone, strive to be like Jesus.

El Zelote: Speak us shortly about the separation of the band

Josh: After "Too Late for Living" was released, we still were wondering what was going on. The record company gave us the same song and dance as the previous record companies not telling us the truth about how many albums were being sold and kept lying to us telling us that we hadn’t reached recoup level. They never gave us a touring budget, so we rotted, and starved. I wanted to reconnect with family in California, and hook up with Sanctuary South Bay and Pastor Bob Beeman to get an extra needed spiritual refreshing, which I did. I ran short on cash got stranded and got replaced. Fans wondered where the band was or if we were going to release any new material. In 1997, Richard Lynch reissued all three Saint albums on a two CD set. Then in 1999, Saint released the CD entitled "The Perfect Life" which was more of a modern sound with a couple of classic sounding Saint songs. I was married and had long given up on Saint and was losing my grip on God, my marriage and my line of credit. Since I was unable to play on this album as the lead singer due to being in outer space and 2 thousand miles from where Richard was based, I got replaced by Tim Lamberson.

Later in 1999, Saint would work along with M8 Distribution to re-issue "Warriors of the Son" with The Gentiles demo, "Too Late for Living" and "Times End" with a live show from Cornerstone 1986. The production of this album was considered very disappointing.

El Zelote: And how born the idea of make this last album "In the Battle"? and what events were happening in your life at that time?

Josh: around 2000-2001 Rich and I struck up a dialog around about the time of my separation with my spouse. Talk about spirit intervention and cozmic timing! He sent me some song ideas on cd and I liked some of them. Well into 2002 I was in total emotional and spiritual collapse from my divorce. I was into beer and pot and stopped going to church completely. Rich didn't know this. I started writing a book in 2000 about Nicolas of Myra, (Santo Nicolas). I knew it was time to make some serious changes. The time to move out west came and off I went. Two powerful songs were born from the ashes: "Full Armor" and "Cold Day." "Cold Day" is way too mellow for Saint but I am releasing it as a special solo project along with some other songs that might be way to thrash sounding for Saint in the near future.

El Zelote: Speak shortly about this , You back to heavy roots.

Josh: It's what I was born to do.

El Zelote: I read about of a project to make a Bible for Metal heads, and read the name of Richard Lynch of Saint help in this . You know some about this.

Josh: I'm unaware of this.

El Zelote: What are your future plans?

Josh: To hopefully marry again, be a great husband and papa. Hopefully live long enough to see my grand children.

El Zelote: Your final words for the readers of Sangre Suficiente

Josh: Pray without ceasing, love and forgive one another. Become experts on the subject of repentance. I hope to see you all on tour very soon. God bless you all!!!! Josh Kramer