Online interview with Kalel from Pillar
June 2004
 

Just a few years ago we had this small band come in from Oklahoma to do a concert for us.  We never dreamed that that band would not be one of the hottest bands in all of Christian music.  They have been talked about in Rolling Stone to CCM.  There latest cd, Where Do We Go From Here, comes out in just 2 weeks and you do not want to miss it.  The cd is absolutely amazing and shows incredible depth and maturity.  Click here for the review.

Dennis: We are on the verge of your latest release hitting the streets June 15, "Where Do We Go From Here?" and let me say it is an incredible album! The maturity is remarkable! What has been some of your favorite tracks and what was the inspiration for the title?
Kalel: I like all the songs because they are new. Some of my favorites are Hypnotized, Bring Me Down, Let It Out, Simply, and Underneath It All. We’ve seen a lot of disunity (is that a word?) among Christians and the "church" in general. So we wanted to ask the "church" where do we go from here? It’s really a questions for people to think about themselves and reflect.
Dennis:  That is a great concept and topic to go after and has been the focus with our website for quite awhile now.  

Dennis: Lyrically, you guys are so straight forward with your Christian message but often, like many, shy away from that Christian label. How do you think this album will be captured by the main stream market and will you be pursuing a main stream record deal again?
Kalel: We have no idea how the mainstream market will take this album. I guess we will find out. our single "Bring Me Down" is already getting picked up my several mainstream radio stations early. It goes for adds on June 7. Our video for Bring Me Down goes to MTV and Fuse on June 10. I know we got a bunch of mainstream radio shows this summer and even a show with Slipknot in August. Bands don’t really pursue mainstream labels, you have to get their attention somehow (good sales) and they come to you. We are in talks with several mainstream labels right now. They are interested in working a deal with Flicker and licensing the new record.

Dennis: Several years ago when Pillar emerged from Oklahoma you were very quick to dismiss the rap core genre. You guys have now had to battle that image and many will realize soon enough that the rap core days are basically dead in the water. How has that label been a curse and a blessing at times?
Kalel: We don’t really care about labels people put on music. We write music we like period. The rap core label didn’t seem to slow us down at all in the last several years. Fireproof shipped close to 300,000 records. A lot of the hits from the Fireproof album were all singing such as- Fireproof, Further From Myself, A Shame, and Light At My Feet. Several other songs had singing choruses. So Rob proved that we can sing, and wait until you all hear the new album. It’s all singing and stepped up to another level.
Dennis:  I noticed the obvious pull from rap core on your latest album.  The new album suits you well and is a much more overall appealing album.

Dennis: On a serious note, our condolences are with Rob and his family with the loss of his mother-in-law. We also last week lost our 17 yr old nephew, Josiah in a car accident. Our life is never guaranteed a day so what is your words of encouragement to teens going through tough situations like death of a family member or friend?
Kalel: First of all we aren’t guaranteed another day on this Earth so make sure you got your life straight before its too late. If your going through the loss of a loved one just trust in God that he has a bigger plan than you can ever realize. He imagined us and then created us, don’t you think he will take care of us later on also?

Dennis: This fall you guys will be hitting the road on an incredible head lining tour and Project 86 will be opening up for you. There seems to have been some rumble in all fan camps with that decision. How did you guys team up with P86?
Kalel: We called our manager and said, "Hey, call Project 86 and see if they want to go on tour." He did, and they said yes.
Dennis: Hhmm, ok sounds easy enough haha.

Dennis: I first met you guys after the release of "Above" and you guys have grown so much both lyrically and musically. Looking back on our your releases now what songs have had the biggest personal impact on you?
Kalel: I’d have to say Fireproof. That song became an anthem for so many people. The song is just a statement of a faith we should all have.

 Dennis: Many non-Christians come to our website. What would you tell them if they asked you why they should give their life to Jesus?
Kalel: Jesus loves you no matter what you’ve done. The terrible things you might have done in the past or even recently can’t scare God away. He wants you the way you are and then will help you clean up.

Dennis: You had mentioned you would get a WMP tattoo on your butt last year, I was just checking if you had yet. I mean I'm so cool I stole Rob's cross for mine. I just wanted to put you on the spot about something you mentioned in an email to me. You said if we designed a cool black t-shirt, from our www.satanisanerd.com site, with a skull on it that would wear it. Can I go ahead and get your confirmation on that and what size will that be...I'm guessing XS.....
Kalel: I was actually just trying to be nice saying I would wear the shirt. I didn’t think you would bring it up again. I would have to see it and make sure it Doesn’t look gay. I do like skull shirts though. I have several. No tattoos for me. My wife would beat me down. She doesn’t care about my long hair or the ear rings, but she doesn’t want me to bring up tattoos ever again.
Dennis:  Wow, thanks for the nice Christian love and stab in the heart there...it was a joke haha.  OUCH.  Well, I figure as little as you are it would only need to a be a small so I'll send that when we get them made haha.

Dennis: What is Pillar listening to and playing on the PS2 while on the road right now?
Kalel: The PS2 stays in the bus and we’ve been home for a while. But on the last tour Bulders Gate 2 was the game of the month. And yes they did beat it. When I’m home I honestly just listen to the local Christian rock station.

Dennis: Well, that's it for me. Any gossip you want to give us....any lessons you want to give us on getting through airport security? Wasn't it easier when you guys were just driving around for $500 a show in your old bus and van haha. This is your guys chance to show your personality and humor.
Kalel: Uh, no. I like our current 1/2 million dollar tour bus and making $100,000 per show (J/K). As for airport security don't try and fly with a huge flip knife. I've accidentally done that once only to get my huge knives taken away.
Dennis:  Yeah, let me make that very clear to everyone reading this....they aren't getting a $100,000 per show....you guys aren't getting that on an entire tour haha.  So GO BUY THEIR ALBUM NOW!