Phone interview with Bob Vergura, drums, from East West
September 2004

www.powerjams.com

Dennis: Hey, this is Dennis Minner with Wise Men Promotions, I hope Andy told you I would be calling.
Bob: Yeah, man I was expecting your call.
Dennis: We have met several times but I know you meat hundreds of thousands of people so you probably dont remember me.
Bob:  Yeah, I remember you, you were the promoter with the Fire Proof tour right.
Dennis: No way you really remember me.
Bob: Yeah, you had the beautiful wife.
Dennis: hahaha Yep, now I believe you.  Well, how have you been?
Bob: Good we are on the road in Chicago.  Our last show was down in Tulsa with Blindside and getting ready to do a run of shows.  We have some friends here we are staying with who is a cop so we get to do some ride arounds and stuff.

Dennis:  I know this is a very basic question but could you tell us a little bit about how you and east west hooked up and where the name comes from?
Bob: Let me answer that first.  East West comes from the verse Psalm 103:12 "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." That was an attractive promise we wanted to share. The band actually started with our former guitarist House, out in California.  He had an ad in the paper that I answered said "Christian band looking for drummer."  To make a long story short that was 9 years ago, that we all ended up together.  Actually we started taking it serious about 4 years ago when we sold over 6,000 albums on our own locally.  That made us start getting noticed and people started offering us deals.  Then we initially went out on tour and made decisions to quit our regular jobs.  I was an engineer and traveled the world and made good money but felt led to quit.

Dennis:  Wow, that's awesome because that is something I am dealing with now as I am in pharmaceutical sales but feel God leading me to ministry.
Bob: Well, it was hard and my life was like, "You are gonna do what!"  It was a huge life style change but it was amazing how God provided.  A lot of times miraculously through friends our needs were always met so it was taking a step out and trusting God fully.
Dennis: That's so awesome because that really ministers to what I am going through now.
Bob: Yeah it is extremely scary. It is a big commitment but if you know in your heart then do it. I knew as a kid that someday I would be doing this.  So if God lays it on your heart to minister to people then He will see it through. 

Dennis: “Hope in Anguish”” has been out for over a year now and it really seemed people loved it or hated it.  It was a very different album from your prior music.  One of the comments I heard from people was that is was just such a dark cd.  What was the reason for the direction of that album?
Bob: For us that was an interesting record for several reasons.  We lost our initial guitarist, House, and there was some comments asking how we were gonna do another album since he was the main song writer.  We were touring like mad and only had 2 weeks to write the entire album.  We would go to my house and sit and pray and say God we dont know how we are gonna do it and we tried coming up with at least 3 songs a day. So, we had  2 weeks to come up with all the music and Mikey had some of the lyrics.  There was an incredible time crunch to make the album happen.  With out our prior album we had 8 months and here we were getting ready to leave for a tour in Europe. With all that in consideration and where we were as a band, we were going through some hard times.  Financially, Mikey also had taken a huge pay cut as a computer engineer and we were all going through so much pressure. We were like "God, do you really want us to do this."  All these things were such heavy burdens and that came through our lyrics.

 Dennis: Wow, that is a great response.  One of the things that I admire about East West is your openness to deal with your faith and even lack of faith at times.  I think you basically just answered this next question but what would you describe as the ministry purpose for Hope in Anguish and do you see hope in the lyrics?
Bob: Yeah, I just look at Job and we are not through anything that he went through.  We may go through difficult times but God lets us do that so we can then talk to other people that are dealing with similar situations.  People that suffer similar things can then understand our hope and see that is alive.  We know that without Him there is nothing. 
Dennis: Yeah and people need to know the truth and that's the reason I am so open to teens about my daily and past struggles.  
Bob: That's what people are relating too.  It's amazing and weird being a musician cause after people listen to your music for 3 months they then meet you and feel like they know you.   In that for example, after this album, we have had people come up and say "I was raped by my uncle and you are the first person I feel like I can tell."  They felt they could identify with our pain or whatever.  At Cornerstone last year we had a girl give us all her surgical razors she used to cut herself.  The previous show she said we had talked to her and made her feel special and then she asked us to all pray with her.

Dennis: Wow, that is some intense examples of your ministry!  For the next question, in what direction will your new cd be going and any word on a release for that??
Bob: I think for a number of reasons this next album will be much more produced.  We asked Dennis McKay for the last record that we wanted something raw and felt raw.  So, we delivered what we wanted in the short time we had. This next record will be recording in October to December and we currently have about 15 songs and need about 10 more before we go in and start picking the best.  I think we are a little more relaxed and this point and time and we will have some more "radio friendly" songs and a different vibe on this one.
Dennis: So, more like your prior album "Light in Guinevere's Garden"?
Bob: Yeah. I would say so with less darkness in the lyrics this time around.  

 Dennis: So many teens go through such a darker time than it seems I did when I was younger. You mentioned cutting and it is getting to be such a major problem now a days.   What is your advice to those going through darkness? 
Bob: Well, I will be honest with you, I was blown away when that girl showed her scars to us cause I had no clue it was such a prevalent problem.  But, when I talk to someone like that going through deep depression we try to get to the root and relate to them our problems.  Mikey talks to everyone at our shows about the song "Dwell" whish is about suicide.  I mean people get in these little boxes and all they start seeing is their problems.  We try to share some positive advice and about how we have dealt with those issues.  

 Dennis: What brought you to a relationship with Jesus?
Bob: I grew up in a very chaotic family in which my mom was a stripper and my dad worked for the mafia.  So, my household was chaotic and I would cry out to God and say "If you are out there there has to be something else because there is no peace in my house."  So growing up with that and looking for God as a kid, I was then teamed up with a guy to do a video project when I was 18 in college.  I showed up with my Black Sabbath t-shirt and all stoned and I get teamed up with this guy and he happened to be a minister.  We started talking and he could answer every question I had for him.  I was afraid of death but had such a deep desire.  He was able to handle everything and answered things so plainly.  That triggered me to walk with the Lord and grow my faith.
Dennis: Yeah, just like you asked God to show himself he did.  I tell teens don't ask God to reveal the truth unless you really want Him to  because sometimes we dont like His answer.

Dennis: A lot of discussion goes on in our site dealing with the issue of secular music. Our stance towards teens has always been that they must weigh whether the music is a positive or negative influence in their life. What are your thoughts on the influence of music with extreme offensive language and topics?
Bob: Well, I mean for me I have a hard time listening to offensive lyrics.  But when people dont know the Lord then I have to expect it cause that is where they are coming from.  So people that dont know the Lord have completely different passions than I do.   So for me it isn't offensive in a way because I dont except light to come from that darkness, so you get what you ask for.  

Dennis: So many teens don’t feel like they need Christianity because the hypocrisy they see in many Christians.  They also feel the church is not offering them something for there rage?  What is your response to the church to more effectively reach those that are in the most need?
Bob: Well, for the church it takes some selflessness.  I mean the church way be working with a kid with multiple piercing and may not look like your basic preppy kid.  You have to go beyond yourself cause some of these kids are hurting so bad but they just dont feel accepted in the church.  They get judged on how they look or how they act or if they smoke.  The first thing Christ did was show them love and met their needs on where they were.  Christ's two greatest commandments was "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, body and soul," and then the next was "Love your neighbor as yourself," and that doesn't mean just your Christian neighbor.  It is all about relationships not about religion.  WE complicate it with all these regimens.  Bottom line, God wants us to go directly to Him.  You dont need a middle man or even a church for that matter.  Like you said, He will show you himself and he will put people around you if you really seek that with all your heart!

Dennis: Great answer.  Now for the last few question I will try to lighten the mood haha.
Bob: haha That's all right.
Dennis: In my opinion “Hope in Anguish” gives a lot of props to your drumming!  How long have you been playing drums and who have been influences on your skill and style?
Bob:  Well since I was about 3 banging on pots and pans and then at times I would take time off.  But actually I got to meet one of my influences, Neal Pert, and I got to hang out with Rush, Jack Black and others a few weeks ago. I got to sit at his 24kt gold drum set.  All the chains and everything were 24kt.  Other influences are Tommy Lee who I have got to meet many times, John Bahnum from Led Zeppelin and Stuart Copeland from the Police.  A lot of different drummers.
Dennis: Living in California it is amazing all the people you get to hang out with.  I've noticed all the pics on your sites with rock stars.  
Bob: Yeah, well we really open to have an affect on those people.  Like we got to hang out with Alex Van Halen......
Dennis:  WOW, that's my favorite band in the world man!! How have got to meet him?
Bob: Well, we had a mutual friend, named Rickey, who we dedicated our last album to who had developed brain cancer at 16. He had prayed to God asking for him to be used mightily for God.  So, through his mom and a few of our friends he has got to meet tons of people like Gwen Steffani, Alex and Eddie Van Halen and  he was able to share Jesus with them.  He was able to tell them East West was his favorite band and explained the name to them.  

Dennis: I've heard some rumors about upcoming tours for you guys and such…would like to fill us in on your fall?
Bob: Yeah we are getting ready to do some shows with Disciple.  We just got back from some shows on our own and actually played the Pepsi center with P.O.D., Blindside, MxPx, Third Day, Project 86 and a few others.  One of the shows we are doing in a few weeks with Disciple is playing a prison in Maine.  We are still wondering how we are selling merch and all that there hahaha.  I'm kidding of course. But we were told we would get a percentage at the door haha. Or maybe they will give us smokes as payments haha.  We love the guys in Disciple so wanted to do some shows before we hit the studio.  We are then planning a huge spring tour.

Dennis: Last question and I'll let you go.  President Bush is actually coming to our town this Labor Day.  So many bands are vocally attacking the President and doing tours against him.  So, I felt it my right to place a banner on our homepage which I have a taken a little heat over.  So, is this a subject you even want to touch or should I just shut up haha. 
Bob: We have a shirt that we all wear that says "Michael Moore for President!" haaha.  I'm totally kidding.  We are George Bush fans and feel his values are closer to ours.  But also, even when Clinton was in there we should support those in command and we should pray for them.  So regardless we should support them but we hope it is someone with more of our values. 
Dennis: So is that a yes, East West is voting for George Bush but otherwise if Kerry does get in we should still keep him in prayer also.
Bob: Absolutely!  We just got back from Europe and everyone there wanted to talk about politics but I mean we really dont have a big sway to get our guy supported haha.
Remember I had mentioned I was an engineer, well I had done some work for President George Bush Sr.  I was working at the Pentagon one day and I saw a bunch of media cameras and it was lunch time  so i thought I would go check it out.  I walked up and a solider greeted me and said "Right this way sir," and he sat me down.  I then noticed a rope to the right and thought that is probably where I should be.  But, with all the snipers walking around I didn't want to move.  So I look around and to my left was Casper Weinberger, from Regan's cabinet and what I was actually attending was Dick Cheny's swearing in as Secretary of Defense. So, here I am sitting with their families and on all the national news.  Here it is President Bush, VP Dan Quayle and me haha.  You know later the secret service was watching the tapes thinking who the heck is this guy haha.  That's my favorite government story.

Dennis: Well, man that is a funny thing to end this interview on haha.  Well, it's been awesome talking and catching up with you.  We will keep you guys in prayer and if you could keep me in prayer while we decide what to do with our ministry.
Bob:  Well, thanks man.  Just remember it sounds like you are convinced God is calling you so remember to call on Him.  "Where God guides, He provide" is a quote that brings me some comfort so hopefully it will for you.
Dennis: Thanks man and hope to see you guys soon.
Bob: Well, tell your wife I said hi haha. Hope to see you guys soon as well.