Pastor Gothic Slash Rocker Man

Steve-O: Wow - great question, tough question, here comes a multi layered answer......
Happy to be living here, we somehow pulled off the move. We're also challenged to be living here, as the economy is struggling, and wages are much lower than they are in California. We're definitely living out the call to frontline ministry here inside of people's lives, but taking B12 Vitamins to keep up with the energy consumption that frontline ministry sucks out of ya.

DA: Tell us why you moved to um . . . Detroit?

Steve-O: We're on a mission from God. And quit laughin.
Let me explain something about Detroit: it's hardcore. It's cold here. People are struggling to make the rent, struggling with heavy addictions, struggling with depression, anger, multi-generational prejudice, they are searching for a voice, they are searching for connection, they are searching for meaning, searching for a real relationship with God, yet they are too blue collar proud and scared to say "help me." Add to that a certain blunt honesty. If they like you, you'll know it. If they don't, believe me you'll know it.

Laura and I speak that language. It's been said in certain circles that we're possibly a wee bit rough around the edges. But we fit here. Not only do we fit here, we were made for this place, and this place has welcomed us. It's a battleground that we've been preparing for all of our lives.

DA: What goes on in detroit?

Steve-O: Here's a small excerpt:
I'm part of the underground Goth community. Basically, they are practicing witches and pagans who loathe Christianity and "Christianese." The scene is far beyond hedonistic, and it's far beyond what you see on TV, these are angry, throw away people. These same Goths just started a "let's go to Steve-O's house and mow his lawn" party, because my lawn mower broke. These are the same people that donated money, furniture, food, and toys for a formally homeless woman I know here.

They got involved, because the church turned her (me) down when she asked for help, they said she was not part of their community. So I went to the Goths for community, and I left that church and found a new one. A year and half ago when I first got here, these same Goth outcasts constantly chastised me and told me to "go home Jesus boy". So I decided to hang out, cause you should not double dog dare me. The spiritual discussions and exchanges we've had since then have been priceless. I love my spooky kids. Some of them even love me. And they're going to mow my lawn.

I'm also now a part of the local rock scene. I play in a secular rock band, one that reformed from Laura's high school rock band. Half my band now goes to church with me regularly. So do their brothers and wives, and a bunch of friends from the scene. Two of them actually help run sound and lights at my church, and they are not even "believers" yet! As for the Bar scene, everyone there knows I'm a Christian. You'd be surprised at the types of conversations that are struck up by seekers right therein the bar. My Pastor even comes to watch my band play sometimes. And we rock it brutha, believe me we rock it.

DA: Do you miss California?

Steve-O: We miss Newsong. We miss El Pollo Loco and Double Double Animal Style's. We miss our friends. But our new church we absolutely adore, it suits us and our style of ministry perfectly. And the surrogate family that has rallied around us has been phenomenal. These aren't (by majority) Christians mind you, these are regular struggling everyday Joe's who have made room in their lives for us and have held us close and kept us warm. God always knows what he's doing....and he's doing quite a lot in this place.

DA: So how did you get back into music?

Steve-O: Actually....I was recruited. Laura had dropped a few hints around town that I was a singer, and played a few key people here some of my old songs, unbeknownst to me. One of the leading bands in town was looking to make a change in the singer's spot and they asked me to audition. The rest is history. I had missed making music for so long, and I had sort of resolved to let that go, as we were struggling financially and I was working a lot of side jobs.

But I'm a singer. It's what I am. Laura gave me a gift in setting that up for me, she gave me back something that is a critical element in my nature, and something that God himself put in me. The ministry that has developed from that little rock and roll gig has been incredible, not to mention the joy of rippin it up again.

DA: Tell us a little bit about the band, I'll link the website if you like:

Steve-O: We're a gang of misfit brothers and one sister. We play everything from Led Zepplin to Bob Seger to Alice Cooper to Tom Jones (that's right). The players in this scene are incredibly talented, and it's an honor for me to be included with them. Everyone out here supports one another's bands, were a big musical family-kind of funny that I'd come all the way from LA, to join a local bar band in Detroit. I think Elvis would be proud...

DA: Having fun? Touring maybe?

Steve-O: I love my band. We're a bunch of idiots up on stage. I think that's part of the vibe that makes for a great band....fun. We play hard and do our homework, but we laugh hard too. Were all very close and do many social things together, such as grilling and consuming meat products. No tours yet (laughter) - but all of us would love to make this a full time thing, there are a few bands out here with a large enough draw to make a living out of it. We hope to join them.

DA: Looking a little skinny on stage there!! Are ya eating?
Steve-O: Ever heard of white castle? Um, um good. Makes your car smell like burger grease for a week though. Yeah I actually lost some weight this past year, and I'm still working on it....the joys of being "over 21". I also own a Bowflex. I hang my pants on it.

DA: Thanks, my brother, for taking the time to answer a few questions. We'll be talking to you again, I'm sure.

Oh yeah, here's the link: www.powersourceband.com