Artist Review - Christian Music

This Praise Report music review features the versatile Christian Rock power trio "The Seakers".  The Seakers are affiliated with Liberty Calvary Chapel Valle Vista in Hemet, CA (one of the band members is the worship leader at the church).  However, they are not the official praise band of the church.  Liberty is located at 44200 Palm Ave., Hemet, CA 92544 and pastored by Cliff Watson.  The phone number is (909) 927-6879.  Sunday service times are 9:00 am and 10:45 am.

Although I categorized them as a rock band, The Seakers are much more than that.  I was able to catch up with the them at a ministry event going on at Calvary Chapel Oceanside (California).  The Seakers played through a 45 minute set that went from rock, to funk to praise & worship and back again.  It was nothing short of an awesome praise roller coaster ride.  They were the first act of the night and the crowd had just finished eating dinner.  Talk about a tough set.  But that didn't matter.  Within three songs, The Seakers were able to get the crowd off their chairs dancing stage-front.  Then, they had the audience with hands up in full praise to the Lord when they played through songs such as "Jesus...lover of my soul" and "Open the eyes of my heart."  Their discography was not the only thing I was impressed with.  All of the band members were able to have a good time on stage while seriously praising God throughout.  If you like worshiping the Lord with a godly band that knows how to mix it up and have a good time, then The Seakers are a band that you need to experience.

Interview

This month I conducted an interview with "The Seakers".  Joe DeRoche (bass guitar/lead vocals), Jey Gifford (guitar/lead vocals) and Don Richart (drums/vocals) make up this power trio.  Joe is also the worship leader at Liberty Calvary Chapel Valle Vista.

PR: How long have you been together as a band playing praise music?

Joe: We've been together about a year and a half.

PR: Where did you get the name "The Seakers" with the "a"?

Joe: We're fans of 60's music and there was a famous band in the 60's that spelled their name with an "ea" so we kind of ripped them off a little bit I guess you could say.

Jey: The Seakers name comes from Matthew 6:33.  Which is "Seek ye first the kingdom of God..."  And the "ea" is just a rip off, from the lads from Liverpool.  Joe is a smidge of a Beatles fan.

PR: What is the band's mission, musically?

Jey: Our mission statement is to know God and to make Him known.  And that really incorporates everything that we do and encompasses everything that we do.  When we do a show, the objective is - to know God better at the end of the show and to make Him known to the people.  Wherever we go, anywhere in the world or even just our back yard that's what we do.

Joe: We really have a heart to see the lost won for the Lord.  We know God, but we want people to know God.  We're hoping that through the music and the message and the words that we sing and speak, that we point people to God.  Hopefully our music is doing that.

PR: Have you noticed that by putting God first, the doors have been opened a lot easier then when you don't?

Joe:  Definitely. That's kind of how we got together.  Just allowing God to open the door for us.  Our church was going on a missions trip to Russia and Don and I had played together and the guitar player we were using at the time wasn't able to go.  We were a band wanting to go to Russia and serve on a missions trip without a guitar player.  So through a mutual friend, he said I got the perfect guy for you and it was so prophetic because I called Jey up on the phone and said "Hey you want to play in a band and want to go to Russia?"  I could hear his jaw hit the floor.  But God just put it together.  Initially, we said we're just going to go to Russia to do some concerts and see lots of people come to know the Lord.  While we were there, God really spoke to all of us and the pastor of our church and said "Hey, what you're doing here I want you to continue doing in the states."  So, I really feel like God put us together.  It wasn't anything we were really seeking.  We were just seeking God.  He put the three of us together and He's kept us together.  He keeps opening doors for us as we keep following Him and keep seeking after Him.  He continues to lead and open doors and it's just been awesome.

PR: What kind of things do you want to see coming from The Seakers?

Don: Actually, that's a deep question.  I would like to see a broader range of people that we affect.  I'd like to get out to a larger number of people.  I would like to see more people get saved from the music...In all avenues of media.  From the internet, to CD sales as well as concerts.  Even one on one.  I want them to know that we're serious about what we do...We're out for souls that don't know Him.  Lost souls, definitely.

PR: Thank you Joe, Jey and Don for giving me an opportunity to find out what The Seakers are all about.  It's clear that you guys are using your gifts to lead others to the saving knowledge of Christ.  And that's why I give praise to Jesus for hearts like yours.  In a world where most Christians shy away from ministering to the lost, The Seakers are doing just that...Seeking.