At first glance, it’s doubtful that music fans would mistake artist Red for a run-of-the-mill Christian cover band. But for longtime friends Michael Barnes and twin brothers Randy and Anthony Armstrong, the humorous fact that the hard-edged outfit’s founding members cut their rock ‘n’ roll teeth playing songs by dcTalk, Audio Adrenaline and Jars of Clay will always keep them humble.
“Some video will probably surface eventually,” bass player Randy says. “We’re just looking forward to showing it to Toby [of dcTalk] and those guys because it’s hilarious.”
Michael, Randy and Anthony grew up together in Pennsylvania, where they admittedly dipped into a predictable bag of tricks, including acoustic-driven melodies and the occasional dance step. But as the guys got older, their tastes started to change, and a serious shift in musical direction followed.
“We felt like we grew out of pop music because we were introduced to something different,” Randy says. “I guess we were at the point in our lives where music meant more to us, because it spoke to us in a different way. You grow up, and you don’t think certain things are cool anymore. It’s not that we don’t think pop music is cool, but for us—full-grown adult men—this is the kind of music that speaks to us.”
The Band Grows
After moving to Nashville, Tenn., to pursue music full time, guitarist Jasen Rauch and drummer Hayden Lamb joined the fold. Red’s new sound began to emerge—a sound that includes big guitars, rangy vocals, tight harmonies, precise rhythms and strategically placed string arrangements that come together to create a dramatic effect.
“We have to enjoy the kind of music we play,” Randy says. “If we don’t, we’re not the kind of guys who can play acoustic guitars and have that be the core of our sound. We’re a heavy-rock band. Playing that music is what keeps us going, and it makes us more exciting to watch on stage, because we’re passionate about what we’re doing.”
Moving Forward
But before Red ever ventured into a tour van, the band first wanted to create the best music possible. They spent a year and a half producing a demo before getting signed to Essential Records in August 2005, then went back into the studio for even more fine tuning. It was a meticulous process that forced the band members to trust completely in the higher purpose for their existence.
“God kept opening doors for us,” Randy says. “When we got to a point where we thought it wasn’t going to happen, He’d show us it was going to happen by opening a door and leading us to another connection. We’d take a few steps back and then a big step forward.”
Thematically, the music found on Red’s debut album, End of Silence, deals with the hard-pressing issues of life that young people face every day—anger, sadness, confusion, self-worth and fear.
“Our music addresses a lot of those feelings and the situations that cause them,” Randy adds. “I hope our music inspires people to ask questions and seek God and know that they’re not alone.”
SCREAM!
One thing the band Red did retain from its pop-influenced days was a strong appreciation for solid hooks and impeccable melodic vocals. Much of that influence came from Michael’s classically trained voice. Adding some well-placed and equally contrasting hardcore screams also provided some unique challenges.
“We decided as a band that we really needed to start incorporating someone else screaming to help Michael out so he wouldn’t destroy his voice,” Randy says. “I told the vocal coach that I didn’t know if I could do it. I needed some serious training to learn how. She told me there were some other ways to do it, and she taught me the technique.”
Randy learned how to scream while breathing inward instead of the more conventional outward method. This makes it impossible to damage his voice. It also generates an intense sound that resembles something closer to Jurassic Park than anything human.
Red also utilizes a distinct measure of intensity within its live show. From the time they hit the stage to the time they hit the last riff, the band’s demeanor is virtually unrecognizable from the way they present themselves outside of the concert experience.
“We call it ‘the switch,’ “ Randy says. “It’s like a pro wrestler who turns into a different guy. That’s kind of like what we do on stage. That’s our entertainment value. It’s not something we do before the music starts. I think it’s just something that comes natural to us.”
Red’s Favorite Red Things
Jasen: Red Hots, Red Bull energy drink, cranberry sauce
Hayden: Red Bull, licorice, red cream soda
Randy: salsa, Gatorade, flowers
Mike: chili, cinnamon, sugar-free Red Bull
Anthony: his red blanket
