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By EBONY WINDOM, Times Staff WriterZoomdaddy, a Christian rock band, has been criticized for being loud and inappropriate. But members say they're simply "in your face about Jesus Christ."
It's not your granddaddy's gospel music.
The message is the same, but this band's target is the younger set. The lyrics bring a message of salvation, forgiveness and acceptance. But the tunes are pure rock 'n' roll.
Individually, they are Bruce Edwards, Stan Martindale, Nathan Boone, Mark Ensley and James Brown.
Together they are zoomdaddy.
The Christian rock group blends vocals with instrumentals such as guitars, drums and keyboards.
"God made us musicians," said Edwards, the band's 40-year-old leader. "If anyone knows about being an instrument for God, it's those of us who play one. We want God to play us just as intuitively and dynamically."
The band swiped its moniker from a song of the same name by the Swirling Eddies, an alternative Christian group. Members say the abstract name makes people curious.
When the group formed four years ago, people packed the house to hear members cover ZZ Top and Fleetwood Mac tunes. Since then, they've evolved. They brought new members on board. Today, zoomdaddy has the same rock 'n' roll beat but a new song. No more secular covers. Now, all their tunes contain a powerful Christian message.
"Our songs are overtly Christian," said Boone, 34. "It's in your face about Jesus Christ. When you're dealing with Jesus, that's very serious."
Despite their Christian message, members say some people remain critical of rock music used in worship.
One of the band's church performances was halted because some people said the rock 'n' roll sound was inappropriate.
To that, Boone offers an answer.
"Anyone who thinks we are too rocking can go read Psalms," he said. In the Bible's book of Psalms, people praised God by playing various instruments loudly, he said.
Martindale, 51, agrees.
"We use the same exact notes that Beethoven did," he said.
Others have complained about rock music's screeching volume.
Last week, at a rehearsal at a local church, they were asked to quiet down.
But the beat goes on.
Band members are convinced that their music is effective.
The band serves as a mission of Farmworkers Self Help Inc., an agency that assists Dade City's migrant families. Some band members attend church services at the agency's Resurrection House Mission. Boone and Martindale attend Crossroads Community, a United Methodist church in Wesley Chapel.
"Farmworkers Self Help (provides) food and clothes," said Edwards, the son of Margarita Romo, who heads the agency. But some people still lack self-esteem.
Through its music, the band preaches a message of self-worth. Band members minister to Dade City's teens and young adults - even those who do not understand the lyrics.
Edwards remembers one migrant man who broke down in tears during an outdoor concert.
"We sang in English, but God could still touch his heart through the music that we were playing," Edwards said.
Despite busy lifestyles and long drives for some, members rehearse weekly at a small but fully equipped recording studio next to the agency. Before anyone plays a single note, members bow their heads to pray.
Afterward, it's time to rock 'n' roll.
At a recent rehearsal, they play a cover of the Newboys tune Giving It Over. Edwards, wearing a hands-free microphone, takes a seat behind the drum set. Ensley taps his foot to the beat. His tattooed arm strums a bass guitar. Boone clutches the microphone stand and playfully slides it back and forth while singing:
I'm putting my heart into treasures that don't rust.
Giving it over, giving it over.
I'm giving it all to a face I can trust.
The band plans to record its first CD soon. Boone and Edwards have penned a few songs. For now, they perform at local churches and small events. Members hope to go on tour with their message one day. They insist they will not allow it to get watered down.
"Popularity and fame is not what we're after," Brown said. "We strive to be effective."