Best Christian Prog Band

P.A.: You are clearly happy to talk about your religious beliefs. Many reviewers criticize albums such as "Testimony" by Neal Morse as being  too overtly religious, to the point where the message is a  distraction from the music. Do you feel that such criticism is justified? If so, where do Glass Hammer draw the line when it comes to including religious messages and references in your music?

Fred: Well, Neal has a strong conviction to speak that way through his music at this point, and if he feels that way, he should.  People can take it or leave it, but that's part of his art right now.  I listen to all sorts of music I don't agree with a word of because it would just be too limiting not to; I can detach from that aspect of it.  But anyone who listens to Neal has to make that choice as to whether they are comfortable with his overt lyrics.  We sort of take the approach that we aren't going to hide what we think, but for us we feel we can talk about things that are important to us without being ungainly about it, or too distracting, as you put it.  We're out to make entertainment, not preach through music.

Steve: I make no distinction between my religion and my day to day life. It is all one to me. I am a Christian. And that doesn’t mean that I think I’m better than anyone else – it’s just who I am. And being a Christian means (to me) that I should take my ‘art’ seriously and that I should prayerfully consider the direction I go with my music and lyrics.

Christians often say they felt ‘led’ toward one decision or toward one direction or another. What they mean is that God is pushing them toward something. Some artists have chosen to label themselves Christian for marketing reasons while some avoid that label like the plague and for similar reasons. Some,honestly feel led to present themselves that way. I can’t answer for any of them.

For me, I have never felt led to perform Christian music within the framework of Glass Hammer. So, you will never hear us singing "Jesus" lyrics like the CCM bands do. We’re subtle. We’re the Narnia of prog. Is it a fantasy about a "lion a witch and a wardrobe", or is it really allegory? It’s up to you. Same with Glass Hammer – is The Inconsolable Secret about an evil knight and a cursed princess – or something more?

That’s the kind of thing I feel led to do – write allegory. But if the day comes that I feel God wants me to write Christian music exclusively, how do I refuse? And if I obey, how can this Christian’s art be ‘too overtly religious’?

I hope that everyone who likes symphonic-prog will enjoy GH. It is not my intention to alienate anyone. They’re all welcome. Do our lyrics make you cringe? I’m told by many that no one reads lyrics anymore anyway! Listen to Glass Hammer because you like the Moog solos and the Hammond organ. Listen because you like our songwriting. I think there is plenty here for any fan of symphonic-prog to relate to!