The Rising Sons in the Western Music Scene

TSM : Ok, so the most serious questions first. Why the name "Seriously?"

JB: So there's this guy named Sam Rhee that goes to our church and for a period of time he was in a phase of saying "seriously!" after everything to emphasize his point. And we did it as a tribute to him...but I didn't think it would stick forever.

TSM : So the band was officially on the spot after it won a talent show at Kollaboration '06 and struck a record deal with Chaos Theory Music. But how did Seriously come about before that and what brought you guys together?

CP: It came together because of Kollaboration. We first entered to see if we could make it. It turns out that we did and were very happy, but Josh wasn't there at the time, nor Nathan. We had this guy, Gene, fill in for him for the audition--he was supposed to be strictly for the audition--but it turns out that we did really well but we couldn't keep him [because] we had Josh in mind as the bassist originally. Then Josh came along and we just gelled. It was quite a ride getting to know Phil and Josh this past year, and we all have good chemistry so that definitely helped us stay together as a band.

TSM : We were reading on some of your guys' biographies, and the one common factor we found among you is that you all grew up in the church. How did that impact your musical upbringing and abilities?

CP: I think church had a key role because our passion for music started with our passion for God.

NP: Church has most definitely influenced our playing, especially our perspectives in terms of how we view music and for whom we play. Playing on the praise team for 7 years really helped me grow musically, but not only that, its also become key for us to always play for God's glory.

TSM : So how has the message of the Gospel affected the way you guys make your music?

JB: I think music reflects who you are as a person, and if we have been influenced by the good news, then it should show naturally in our music, lifestyle, and other things. That's not to say that our lives are awesome all the time, but I think we all hold onto our own hopes in eternity. This helps us press on even when we get on each other's nerves.

TSM : Your group is a pop and alternative group in a secular music industry. What makes your music different in a scene that is dominated by superficial
lyrics and overdone beats?

PP: I think our unique sound comes from our different interests in music. It's fun to mix our different styles together.

JB: Well, we opt to use overdone lyrics and superficial beats. [laughter] I think we care more that it sounds good to us, and that the words resonate
with us first. We don't need to conform to what's necessarily popular in mainstream, or else I would've written "Lundi Lundi Bridge Redux." Sex
already has its niche, let's push the good stuff.

TSM : Now that you guys are at the brink of big time fame and stardom, how have you guys been able to stay grounded and down-to-earth?

NP: God humbles us time and time again. We know that we wouldn't have gotten this far without God's blessing, so that definitely keeps us grounded.

PP: And every time we get too confident, God lets loose.

CP: We also make sure we are living normal lives as well. We all still go to school or work and do things normal people do like shower and eat.

TSM : There are many others out there who would be dying to have a platform such as you guys do to make a difference. People, especially musicians like yourselves, are afforded that opportunity. With your platform, what is the message that people should ultimately get from Seriously?

JB: We want to use celebrity for good, not for evil and/or girls. I hope that people go for their dreams more and not build walls for themselves.

CP: Because of rock and roll stars or famous people, in general, it's easy to correlate sex, drugs, and the very worldly things with our genre of music. But we are different, we are Christian. And like that verse says in Romans (12:1), we ought to live not by the patterns of this world but by the renewing of our minds.

TSM : What's next on the menu for Seriously in terms of concerts, albums, and memorabilia?

NP: Concerts, private parties, and some other upcoming festivals.

JB: Pocket protector: July 2008

We thank Seriously for their time and participation. For more information about the band, please check out their Myspace at www.myspace.com/seriouslytheband. They have released a self-entitled LP for purchase, and their music is also available on iTunes.