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The Predators were a ground breaking Christian rock band that started in the late 1970\u2019s in England. After several releases, they called it a day in 1989. Mike Rimmer has a great historical piece about the band<\/a><\/strong> on the Cross Rhythms website. Recently, the band got back together and recorded a new album. We decided to catch up with them to see where they have been, what they are doing now, and where they are going.<\/p>\n What has everyone been up to since the band called it a day in 1989?<\/strong><\/p>\n Fran Johnson (FJ): I am the owner\u00a0of\u00a0an electronics manufacturing\u00a0company as well as having a multi-format\u00a0recording mastering studio that is also involved in converting analogue media to digital;\u00a0I am also involved in writing and co-writing music for other artists.<\/p>\n Kelvin Allwood (KA): I continued working in bands as guitarist.\u00a0 Initially I spent a year with Shiloh (Black Gospel Choir); then became involved in a Sheffield-based Christian Rock band RED ALERT for approx 8 yrs doing similar outreach work to the Preds (i.e. gigging in mixture of secular and church-based venues).\u00a0 Later, after a spell of playing guitar and drums in my home church, I was a founder member of OUTCRY an inter-denominational worship band which continues to work in churches and other (e.g prisons & festivals etc) more secular venues.\u00a0 My 2 year stint with CD4 immediately preceded the Preds reformation.\u00a0 CD4 is a registered charity which uses music as a means of bringing about HIV awareness.\u00a0 Gigs at Universities and other strategic venues organised as part of major festivals etc (e.g World Aids Day) together with the production of 3 internationally distributed CD albums were used to propagate the message.\u00a0 This was part of my \u201cSocial Gospel\u201d activities rather than as a direct means of evangelism.<\/p>\n Paul Truswell (PT):All Christian guitarists eventually become bass players in worship bands?!? Well that’s what I ended up doing. In addition to the Sunday worship band I was in two groups \u2018Exalt\u2019 and then \u2018Oblivious\u2019 – reasonable stuff but far too safe and introverted in their outlook. Finally third group \u2018Clueless\u2019 (not literally!) came along, competently but unexcitingly doing covers from Free\/Alright Now through to Behind these Hazel Eyes\/Kelly Clarkson, Bon Jovi\/Living on a Prayer etc. with much in-between.\u00a0 Workwise since 1989 \u2013 well in a nutshell; up until 1994 I worked in an Architect\u2019s office and thereafter I have run my own info technology support business, in partnership with my wife since 2002.\u00a0 At church, in addition to causing a few earth tremors on bass Sunday by Sunday, I have been involved in the youth outreach work on the housing estate where I live.<\/p>\n FJ: This was the persistence of Gemma, Kev’s daughter, who kept on our backs for about three years before we did anything about it.\u00a0She and others felt that\u00a0The Preds still had something to give, that they were still relevant through their music and message to the younger generations.<\/p>\n KA: There was a growing desire on my own part to be involved once more with the Preds and a one-off re-union re-ignited the old flame!<\/p>\n PT: Kevin’s daughter Gemma emails the band on 12 June 2008… \u201cHope you’re all OK. I believe you have heard that we want to get the old Predators team together to see if you want to do some rockin’ again – in whatever way you all feel is best etc.\u201d No I hadn’t heard! Following a meeting at New Life Church Tameside on June 26 of all The Preds (6 band members + road\/management\/production crew + wives and a few others; 20+ in all) and an email deluge, a reunion bash was organised for 11 September 2008.\u00a0 We met in Andy Rayner\u2019s work premises in Hazel Grove near Stockport amongst shelves of car wax, polishing cloths and rubber mats; Fran got a modest drum kit set up, Brian piled up a few keyboards and the rest of us just about managed to squeeze a few amps in, oh and we managed to find room for Kev and mic \u2013 just.\u00a0 Then we launched into: Your World, Jack, Love You To Death, Never Said A Word, Never Say Die, Plastic Surgeon, Stand Up and Be Counted, Sunday Boy, Wipe The Tears and Don\u2019t Burn That Cross; easy!\u00a0 Well let\u2019s just say we surprised ourselves\u2026\u00a0 a great night was had by all and we left happy, buzzing and ears ringing, in an all too familiar way.\u00a0 It quickly became apparent however that despite blistering performances that evening from Brian Westhead and Andy Rayner that neither of them could see any future for themselves in a reunion going forward.\u00a0 We quickly therefore had to meet our first challenge \u2013 a new format for The Preds.\u00a0 So I took up the daunting challenge of taking over from Andy on bass (last time round I had been on lead guitar) and we started looking out for someone to replace Brian on keys, equally challenging and a role eventually taken on by Dan Reed \u2013 new blood at last!<\/p>\n Getting back together led to recording a new album. How was that different this time, compared to past albums? What style of music were you aiming for with the new <\/strong>music?<\/strong><\/p>\n FJ: I\u00a0think the music more reflects where we are now and also how we have evolved\u00a0 over the years,\u00a0we have resisted the temptation to do a big production number on it.<\/p>\n KA: This is a difficult one to answer.\u00a0 Naturally we wished to widen our sphere of influence by tapping into the recorded as well as live market, but there was also a desire to see what we were capable of now that some of the original song writing contributors were no longer involved.\u00a0 Could we still deliver the goods?\u00a0 What would emerge?\u00a0 Although we were aware that musically, things had moved on a long way from the raw and edgy days of the 70\u2019s, I don\u2019t think that we deliberately set out to write in any particular style.\u00a0 We just wanted to be true to ourselves, as well as providing a powerful message that linked into the everyday experience of ordinary people.<\/p>\n PT: I am a relative late-comer to The Preds having joined as recently as 1987! \u2026apart from the obvious technical differences, certainly when it comes to reproduction and distribution (ie. digital formats via CD, Amazon, iTunes etc), and apart from the presence of four huge display screens and a very bare looking desk complete with keyboard, mouse and a few other technical gizmos in the production suite; the process of recording was the same; get a backing track down (numerous takes) get you own part down (more numerous takes) and then everyone pile in behind the desk for the pre-mix critique.\u00a0 Also I think I\u2019m right in saying that Roundabout<\/em> took a lot longer to record than previous albums \u2013 all of 6 months!\u00a0 This was not however because of obvious \u201cprogressive\u201d influences emanating from certain members of the band (me, Kelvin and, surprisingly, Dan) but for more mundane practical reasons like weather (affecting travel \u2013 we\u2019re a very geographically scattered band) and other church\/music\/work commitments.<\/p>\n Where can people get the new album?<\/strong><\/p>\n PT: Online via iTunes and Amazon (just search \u201cThe Predators Roundabout<\/em>\u201d) or on CD via\u00a0direct.crossrhythms.co.uk<\/a><\/strong> or follow the links at\u00a0www.preds.eu<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n How has the music scene changed over the past couple of decades in your opinion? Do you think these changes are for the better?<\/strong><\/p>\n FJ: Music changes and\u00a0I think that’s normal, the messages within the music reflect people’s experiences, that’s normal as well. \u00a0As to whether it is good or bad in my view is coloured by how well you can relate to it.<\/p>\n KA: It seems that the street credible Christian outreach bands of the 60s and 70s have given way to more contemporary \u201crock worship\u201d which unfortunately is now confined mostly to church buildings.\u00a0 Whatever happened to the commandment to \u201cGo into all the world and make disciples…..\u201d, or does it no longer apply?!?<\/p>\n PT: Kelvin picks up how the Christian music scene has changed but I think your question is more general?\u00a0 My response to this is that certainly in the UK the days of \u201cbeing spotted\u201d or an artist evolving naturally and growing an army of fans by sheer hard work seem in many cases to be over, for now at least. \u00a0Talent shows like \u2018The X Factor\u2019 and more recently \u2018The Voice\u2019 have had a big part in changing all that and certainly the aspirations and expectations of many young artists have changed as a result.\u00a0 There has also been a massive growth in professional cover or more properly described \u2018tribute\u2019 bands, in many cases being \u00a0just as good or even better than the original; Limehouse Lizzy is a classic example.\u00a0 So far no one has covered The Preds \u2013 perhaps it\u2019s because we have refused to throw in the towel or maybe there isn\u2019t a Kev clone out there!\u00a0 My comments about the Christian music scene follow in the next Q\u2026<\/p>\n Fran had some interesting comments in the biography (link at\u00a0<\/strong>www.preds.eu<\/strong><\/a>) about Christian bands mixing it up with secular bands, and going to places many Christian bands wouldn’t go. What do you think stops Christian bands from doing that?<\/strong><\/p>\n FJ: Well, number one: is God in it? Because if he isn’t, it will fail and it can be painful. The other problem is that it means mixing with people who can be quite hostile toward what you are about.<\/p>\n KA: I can only put it down to fear of leaving one\u2019s comfort zone and lack of confidence to go out in God\u2019s strength to take on the enemy.<\/p>\n PT: With regard to Christian music I am dismayed by the lack of bands being prepared to bust the walls of the church building or Christian venue and get out there.\u00a0 Tim Hawkins of \u201cworship signals\u201d fame amusingly refers to the drummer\u2019s \u201cbullet proof shield\u201d drum booths that seem to characterise Christian worship bands (well those with money anyway) and I think there is a lot of truth in that, and what Kelvin refers to above and below (view the Tim Hawkins video I refer to at\u00a0http:\/\/youtu.be\/1KXbva6M6fY<\/a><\/strong>).\u00a0 It seems there is a lot of fear not just amongst Christian artists, but amongst Christians involved in outreach \u2013 especially when it comes to getting noisy and confrontational when presenting difficult day-to-day issues, and shining the Light of the Gospel of Jesus on those issues at the same time.\u00a0 People get nervous; but The Preds have always done just that.\u00a0 Perhaps a little fear to a degree is understandable or even healthy, but it is also true that \u201creligion\u201d and \u201cmulti-culturalism\u201d are much more in the headlines than they were 20+ years ago, and therefore Christians in particular need to get their voices heard now in as many places as possible \u2013 not just music venues.\u00a0 Ironically there are, in the UK today, new young Christian bands playing fantastic, professionally produced, cutting edge music, with all the financial support you could hope for; but do you see them in the regular pub venues down town?\u00a0 Not likely.\u00a0 I hope there are some out there who will prove me wrong and get in touch!!<\/p>\n Also relevant to this question; in the UK there have been big, politically driven, demographic changes that have seriously affected the pubs and clubs mainly through changes to the Law with regard to drinking hours and smoking; this has made staying in business a massive and sometimes terminal challenge for many pub venues that you might have seen The Predators playing in the past.\u00a0 Fear amongst Christians perhaps is surpassed by fear amongst publicans and venue owners that any activity on their premises which has the potential to drive away valuable custom during \u201ctough economic times\u201d is perhaps a risk not worth taking.\u00a0 For them and from their point of view in many cases it is a simple choice \u2013 selling drink or \u201cselling\u201d Jesus.\u00a0 Another obstacle for Preds\u2019 management is that regular \u2018super-pub\u2019 venues are in most cases just wanting tribute\/cover bands (as mentioned before there are many excellent ones out there) \u2026something that The Preds has never been!<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/downthelinezine.com\/archives\/files\/2012\/07\/ThePredators5.jpg\")
What led to The Predators getting back together? How did that work out?<\/strong><\/p>\n
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Could you tell us a bit more about Kelvin’s band that promotes HIV awareness? What is\/was the reception at gay bars when they played?<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/downthelinezine.com\/archives\/files\/2012\/07\/ThePredators2.jpg\")
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