See my previous blog posting to understand the conversation below...
ERIC: In the newspaper article, you mentioned the fact that you guys have written a 'war protest' song. It's a song protesting the activity of the war in Iraq. You stated that you made a decision not to put this song on your CD (Good Monsters) because of 'what might happen' with CD sales, concerts, Christian bookstores and retribution. Many people are curious about this, and tell us about the song.
DAN: Sure, it really was...the song is a song called 'Hero43'. It's not a finished song. There was more to not putting it on than simply the content. Some of it was simply...we didn't necessarily feel like it was up to par with the rest of the songs that we were trying to do for the "Good Monsters" project.
Aside for that; as for the content, what we were really talking about is this sense that in our current political system the evangelical right...and it seemed like President Bush, was (were) using faith as kind of this manipulative tool, saying this is our job. It certainly felt like it was moving back to the crusade.
We felt like, OK, you're trying to justify a war using the tenets of faith. I don't believe that's an accurate or wise way to move in government. So we were somewhat protesting that use (of faith as a reason for war). And also, that sense that if your a Christian then you have to be a Republican. You have to be a conservative. I don't know...so many of my friends that are incredible believers, incredible thoughtful people that don't fall into that category.
When I was talking to the interviewer (the newspaper columnist), one of the things I was saying was people in the watching world already think that if you're a Christian you're a Republican, you're a conservative, you hate homosexuals and you're absolutely against abortion and any kind of choice for women. You also hate the environment. If you don't speak (speak up) then that's what they lump you in with. So there is a danger to that, we believe you have to say something.
(Another) problem is with the current mechanics of Christian retail and Christian radio, they are a sort of the voice boxe for the Christian culture. They are gate keepers that are conservatives and are in these places to where they don't want you to have to contend with other people's perspectives. So you kind of have to play in that field. You have to navigate that with a great deal of strategy and intelligence. Or it comes off as a rant, or it comes off like you're denouncing your faith. So it's a tricky spot to be in.
ERIC: On the title of the song, "Hero43", what does the title mean?
DAN: (nervous laugh)...uh...43rd President. So that was really just it.
ERIC: Many people say, when they go to a Christian concert they just want to hear the CD live. Don't give us the politics. Dan, what do you say to the Christian audience that says, "when we go to a 'Jars of Clay' concert (or in buying the CD) we just want to hear the album live, and we want to be encouraged." What do you say to them?
DAN: I think it's important for an artist to share what is on their heart, what their passion is about. I think it's an artist's world to look at the world and to describe it. (And) many times you can't fit that full description into a three minute song. Sometimes it takes more than that. It takes the communication on stage, it takes the content of an entire show built around a theme of justice, or of freedom. I love what we do, and I really do enjoy being in that place where there is tension.
