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It's
a common fantasy among children to want to be a Superhero,
coming to the aid of those in distress.
But in the title track of its latest Pamplin album,
Scarecrow & Tinmen encourages us all to become heroes for a
much greater purpose.
Chris
Padgett, lead vocalist/keyboardist for Scarecrow & Tinmen
explains, "Despite our sins and weaknesses and failures,
God uses us to reach a world in need, to be love to the unloved,
to be encouragement to those who are discouraged; to really
involve ourselves with humanity." Adds partner Bradley
DeRosia (guitarist/programmer), "Even though we are fallen
and we stumble, we can be all things through Christ, to a lost
and dying world."
The
music on Superhero builds
on the unique "technofolk" sound Scarecrow &
Tinmen introduced on its disc, No
Place Like Home. The
band incorporates progressive and classic rock ideas while also
skillfully blending acoustic elements and even hip-hop
influences. Says
Brad, "We have very different musical backgrounds.
Chris generally writes on piano or acoustic guitar, where
I've always been an 'in your face' rock guy.
For most of Superhero,
I would program a loop, add a guitar, maybe a bass line, and
then throw it to Chris. Or
he would pass along one of his song ideas and let me add all the
programming bells and whistles. Hopefully his sense of melody
and my sense of arrangement result in ideas that will stick in
your brain!"
One
thing that certainly sticks in your brain about Scarecrow &
Tinmen is the band's name.
"The name really does have depth and meaning,"
says Chris. "'
The Wizard of Oz' is such a wonderful piece of Americana;
everybody's got some kind of memory associated with it.
Of course, we identify most closely with the Scarecrow
and the Tinman, who needed a brain and a heart.
As Christians, God gives us a new mind and a new
heart."
Given
their backgrounds, it's not surprising that Chris and Brad bring
widely divergent musical tastes and styles to Scarecrow &
Tinmen. "I was
almost literally born with a guitar in my hand," recalls
Brad. "My dad
has been a musician all his life, playing country music
professionally since he was 16.
In the first picture of me as a baby, I'm holding a
little cardboard cutout of a guitar!" Brad would go on to
become an accomplished saxophonist, while still retaining his
passion for guitar and love of all things technical ("I'm
one of these people who reads instruction manuals for
recreation," he confesses.)
Through
his parents' love of music, Chris would be exposed to everything
from the folk sounds of early Jesus Music
to alternative and hard-core punk.. Although he played
trumpet through high school, Chris says he always loved the
piano. "I
didn't have much formal training, but I enjoyed picking out
melodies and writing instrumental music.
It is really only through God's blessing that I can turn
these thoughts and ideas into songs."
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Chris
founded what would become Scarecrow & Tinmen in
1994. Shortly
after, Brad joined him. "I
was helping Chris to produce piano and acoustic guitar demos for
his original duo," recalls Brad.
"I thought, ‘boy, his melodies and lyrics are
great! Wouldn't it
be cool if…’
So
I came on the scene and added all the loops, programming and
electric guitar.”
Thanks
to Chris' prowess at booking, it wasn't long before the band was
able to go full time, though Chris admits, with some
trepidation. "It
was overwhelming at times to think of what we'd done.
But I wish everybody could experience that sense of total
dependence on God--giving up savings, insurance, What you cling
to as stability-and living on faith." Affirms Brad,
"we were called to this job, and so were our wives and
kids. We do it
because God says 'Go!"'
In
fact, adds Brad, as tough as touring gets, it's really the heart
of the ministry of Scarecrow & Tinmen.
"I love hanging out with kids and getting the chance
to make a difference in someone's life.
I want to make sure I'm an influence that they're going
to remember and cherish. We
fall and we fail, but we can point you to Someone who
doesn't."
As
with their groundbreaking debut No
Place Like Home, acclaimed producers John & Dino
Elefante have pulled another collection of entertaining tunes
out of Scarecrow & Tinmen for Superhero. "'Big
Mouth' picks up on the 'Superhero'
theme," explains Chris.
"It talks about using our words to give
encouragement rather than tearing down.
Then 'This Much' continues along those lines, talking
about God's willingness to provide the ultimate sacrifice on
Calvary. That was
truly the greatest act of heroism."
"I
really am Chris' biggest fan," enthuses Brad.
"I think as a writer, he's able to take theological
concepts like dealing with the death of our sin nature
("Get Off My Back") and get to their essence in a way
that allows kids to go, 'Yeah, I get it."' "You don't
always have to say ‘Jesus loves me' to express it," Chris
concedes. "But
sometimes it's important to be direct, even blunt.
Kids have a tough enough time knowing what path to travel
without having to translate the directions."
Scarecrow
& Tinmen are known for their kinetic live shows.
"It's pretty interactive and hyperactive,"
Chris says with a smile. "The
goal for our shows is to touch every sense humanly possible.
We do contests-- chugging YooHoo or Coke with an optional
best burp; dancing, seeing who can sing the best version of
"Sweet Home Alabama." We just try to be as silly and
crazy as possible."
He
continues, "The second half of the show is very
introspective and ministry oriented.
The point is to win kids over; whatever we can do to make
an impact, so that they're more receptive to what we have to
say. When they listen to our music later, we want them to remember
the concert and how God spoke into their lives.
I think we're a good advertisement for the fact that if
God uses us he can use anybody.”
As
they prepare to tour with this new album, Brad says Scarecrow
& Tinmen hopes that a new organization it has formed will
help recruit a new generation of "superheroes."
"We're launching an organization called 'Be Warm, Be
Filled,' because when God eventually brings an end to this band,
we don't want to ask ourselves, 'what do we have to show for
it?' We see thousands
of people on a monthly basis.
If they see us doing good things, they'll hopefully try
to emulate that. So
the organization will be asking people who come to the shows to
bring staple items--canned goods, blankets clothing--and we'll
funnel them to existing local charitable
groups. We
want the youth of America to get excited about those who cannot
help themselves.
And in that, I believe, Christ will change the lives of
both those who give and those who receive."
And
that, Chris says, ties in with "The Reason Y" a song
he calls their statement of purpose. "We're out here doing this because of who Jesus is and
what he's done for us. If
we can help people eat, stay clothed and arm and find some hope
amidst the tragedies life can bring, that's so much bigger than
a band. The
greatest hope we can have not only for Scarecrow & Tinmen
but for those whose lives we touch, is that we will all be able
to hear the words, 'Well done, my good and faithful
servant."'
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