Bowling Green’s own Cord of 3 opened Metal Fest last month on WKU’s South Lawn. The fest featured 3 other bands as well; This Fires Embrace, Burning Yesterday, and White Collar Sideshow. Due to other commitments (there was lots going on in the Bowling Green music scene today – but it was Rocktober after all) I could only stay for Cord of 3, but they invited me, so I was really there for them. In that sense, mission accomplished. But my apologies to the other bands, who Cord of 3 assured me, are all rockin’, and all on a shared mission.
Cord of 3 played their brand of hard hitting, head banging, thought provoking Christian heavy metal. In talking to the band I learned they want to reach as many people as possible, so they pay little attention to religious detractors who don’t think there’s a place for heavy metal in ministry. The band’s thinking, and I agree, is that there are people in all walks of life who need to hear the Word, and those people can be found everywhere, whether sitting in an office, standing in a mosh pit, or drinking in a bar. So it is not beneath them to play at bars either, which some Christian bands avoid. But don’t come expecting to hear any sermons, because Cord of 3 is not about condemnation. They are all about Jesus, love, and other things that they believe in. Their lyrics don’t hit you with a hammer but rather give you something to think about and hopefully lead you to some good conclusions of your own, and eventually, it is hoped, salvation.
By the way, the band members are all good friends with another Bowling Green band you may have heard of - Cage the Elephant. I learned that Sony wanted to sign Cord of 3 also, but only if they agreed to be promoted without the Christian labeling. Ah, there's always a catch. Cord declined, and are still looking for a label. But there must be that certain something to Cord of 3's music that you might want to check out for yourself.
So the music is Metal with a message. Lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and bagpiper Randall Erskine fronts the band, resplendent in a traditional plaid kilt (he’s proud of his Celtic ancestry). He is extremely energetic, so much so that I think he missed a few of his vocal cues wandering too far from the mic. His voice varies from smooth to a Rob Zombie-like deep, course, primal roar (very foreboding but powerful). Robbie Bennett plays lead guitar, but the emphasis is more on the heavy use of power chords and hard rhythm, with a little lead thrown in here and there, and that suits the music just fine. Brandon Bradshaw is the bass half of the rhythm section, and also provides secondary percussion at times. Completing the rhythm section is Mike Ballard on drums, who I was quite impressed with. There was more than ample pounding on that drum set, which is so key to the metal/progressive genre. Oh yeah, want to know where the band name comes from? Look up Ecclesiastes 4:12 (I’m intentionally making you work. It might do you some good).
As for the performance, there were a few standout songs for me. My favorite was “Letter of My Life”, a song about the emptiness and invisibility so many feel today in their lives, and the resultant pain that causes. It is a universal call for recognition, perhaps to God, perhaps to other people, but most likely to both (I told you there’s no hammer in these lyrics; there’s plenty for you to interpret on your own). Another good one was “Breathe”, a new song the band just recorded for an upcoming CD (expected release date is Spring 2010). The main theme here seems to be God’s unconditional love and his desire to breathe life back into anyone who wishes to accept it. “Free From All” highlights the need to live life free from the burdens of expectations, dreams, etc. that others may have for you. Then there was the medley of “Scotland the Brave/Amazing Grace”, where Erskine’s bag piping is given some heaviness by the dual percussion of Ballard and Bradshaw, with no guitar. Very interesting.
Other songs included “Bones”, Metamorphosis”, and “Just Shut Up”. During “Bones”, the final song of their set, Erskine tried to get the crowd into a mosh pit attitude but there was just too much space and not enough people to make it work. There was plenty of jumping around though, so the people were into it..
They plan to schedule many more local gigs, so keep an eye out and go see them when you can. The message is good, the music is good, and each of these aspects does not detract from the other. To find out more about Cord of 3 go to www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=81291666586 or www.myspace.com/mycord3. Mr. Bradshaw is also a radio personality on 90.7 FM – Family Christian Radio, here in Bowling Green. Check out his show.
Cord of 3 played at Metal Fest, WKU South Lawn, Bowling Green, KY on 10/3/2009
Pennman bought his first 45 at age nine and has been hooked on rock ever since. He has spent much of his disposable income on music, especially live performances. He writes reviews of the shows he sees and keeps a keen lookout for upcoming shows in or near Bowling Green. He has a BA in Communications, specializing in journalism, and has dabbled in music himself, both as a player and instructor. Find more of Pennman's work at www.associatedcontent.com/user/165511/pennman.html or visit him at www.myspace.com/pennman_bg or www.facebook.com/pennman
