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Religion

Rock 'n' roll goes 'fresh and clean'

A fab four with a catchy name wants to find success but for different reasons than the average garage band.

By EILEEN SCHULTE
Published June 25, 2005

A few years back, teenagers Ryan Squitieri and Brock Douglas were at a Christian music event in downtown Clearwater kicking around some possible names for their new band.

They wanted something meaningful and sagacious. The two thought of Delve, as in diving deeper.

But a guy at the next table piped up and said "Man, 900 bands have that name already."

Then someone walking by said, "Why don't you call it Among the Thirsty?"

A band was born.

"We didn't know who he was and we never saw him again," said Squitieri.

They practiced in Greg Smith's garage in the summer, using duct tape to attach the mike to the stand.

Since then, Thirsty has been trying to break into the Christian music industry, performing at coffeehouses, churches and other venues throughout Florida and Georgia.

Although the group members have been performing and touring seriously for only a year, they've already achieved some measure of success.

They finished third out of 30 bands in a local contest called RealFest, their first recorded song was chosen by Focus on the Family to be included in a nationally released CD, they were one of 25 groups selected from 120 that auditioned to perform at Atlanta Fest, and they recently won a battle of the bands contest in Plant City.

Their sound is hard rock, but the message is about Jesus and love.

In fact, one of their most popular tunes is called Love Song.

"Christian kids just can't seem to get enough of rock music that is inspired by a God-centered worldview," said Tricia Whitehead, spokeswoman for the Gospel Music Association. "It has become the fastest-selling style of Christian music, with bands like Switchfoot, Relient K and MXPX leading the way. This is a great time to be a young rock band in Christian music."

Thirsty is made up of lead vocalist Squitieri, 19, a Tarpon Springs High School graduate who works as a cook and singer at a local restaurant; guitarist and backup singer Douglas, 18, who takes classes at St. Petersburg College and works with children at a local YMCA; guitarist Joshua Yates, 19, of Dunedin, who attends the University of Central Florida and works as a landscaper; and drummer Smith, 19, of Palm Harbor, who attends the UCF and works at an electric company.

"Just the simple thing of being in a band excites me," said Smith. "I just love playing. It's the best thing that has ever happened to me."

The band's management, which consists of parents Gregory J. Smith, a certified public accountant, David Yates, former chief executive officer and president of Ironman Properties, which operates triathlon events, and Al Squitieri, a law enforcement officer, is trying to take the group along slowly.

Al Squitieri, who is the booking agent, said the band has done three dozen shows in Florida. His goal is 100 shows.

"Next summer, we're going to do a tour of all the Christian shows," he said.

The group, which patterns itself after the band Relient K, among others, has a leg up on other bands fighting to make it in the industry. The guys perform original songs, written by Ryan Squitieri and Joshua Yates.

"I get inspiration from my experiences with God," Yates said.

"I hear stories from my friends and turn them into songs," Squitieri said.

"We just stand there and look good," said Smith, laughing.

They want their music to appeal to all ages. They were thrilled when, playing at a church in Tallahassee, an 81-year-old woman started to get up and dance.

The members wear white shirts and pink ties, calling it their "look." It matches the music, which Al Squitieri calls "fresh and clean."

"These guys have chemistry," David Yates said.

Local congregations are trying to help them on the road to the big time.

"Last week, Zephyrhills Assembly of God church donated a trailer to carry the instruments," said David Yates. "Now we need a Winnebago."

"Maybe we'll pray for a Winnebago and get a popup," the elder Squitieri said, laughing.

But even if they never become superstars and travel by private jet, they will have fulfilled their primary goal.

"Our ambition is to share our hearts and what God's done in our lives to our generation," said Joshua Yates.

Eileen Schulte can be reached at 727 445-4153 or schulte@sptimes.com

[Last modified June 25, 2005, 00:35:14]