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10 Questions with ... Michael Sweet
August 26, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Current members of Stryper
- Michael Sweet - lead vocals, rhythm & lead guitar
- Robert Sweet - drums
- Tim Gaines - bass, backing vocals
- Oz Fox - lead & rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Former members
- Tracy Ferrie - bass
Discography
- The Yellow and Black Attack (1984)
- Soldiers Under Command (1985)
- To Hell with the Devil (1986)
- In God We Trust (1988)
- Against the Law (1990)
- Reborn (2005)
- Murder by Pride (2009)
- The Covering (2011)
- Second Coming (2013)
- No More Hell to Pay (2013)
1. Give me a brief history....birthplace, childhood, schools, jobs, current hometown
I was born in 1963 in Whittier, Ca. I grew up in California for the most part except for one year (3rd grade) I lived in Moore, Oklahoma. I went to 3 elementary schools, 1 junior high school and 4 high schools. I worked as a paperboy, at a liquor/package store, I loaded catering trucks and then signed my first recording contract at the age of 20. I currently reside in Plymouth, Ma with my wife Lisa and my daughter Ellena.
2. What does a normal day at home look like for you? Morning to Night.
I Get up and pour a cup of coffee. Then I do all my ritualistic chores (I'm ADHD & OCD) like walking the dog, watering plants, blowing the driveway, etc... Then I usually go to the studio (my home studio) and either practice or write songs or if we're recording, record vocals. Then I do more chores (I obsess over using a swiffer, vacuuming and cleaning toilets:-) and then I have dinner with my wife and daughter and we usually unwind by either watching a movie and or going out to dinner. Pretty simple life.....
3. What's the song that you just can't get out of your head right now ? Why do you like it so much?
At the moment it would be "Have You ever Seen The Rain" by CCR. I grew up on Creedence Clearwater Revival and I always come back to songs that were/are a part of my life. It's one of my favorites......
4. How much do you travel, what are the challenges?
I travel a lot! It seems to be more of an inconvenience these days but you just learn to roll with it and deal with the issues at hand. I'm not an avid flyer. I actually have a phobia of flying and I go through seasons regarding flying. Sometimes I don't mind it and other times I'll cancel my flight. Not a good phobia to have if you're a traveling musician........
5. What's the biggest "God moment" that you've ever experienced, personal or professional? Details, please.
There are many. Seeing all the miracles throughout the years, they are all God moments. Seeing all the doors opened over the years and seeing peoples' lives changed through the message of Stryper's music. People who were once drug addicts who are now pastors, pastoring mega churches of 10,000+ members. That's an amazing thing to witness and to experience and I have many times over.....
6. What's the last book you read?
I'm not much of a reader and it's been a long while since I've read and or finished a book. I do read, but in spurts and as I'm traveling or waiting. Sorry! I of course read the bible when I can and try to apply it to my life.
7. Tell me about how you became a believer. What caused you to want to serve God in full time ministry?
I became a believer when I was 12. The entire family came to know God through Jimmy Swaggart ministries and we found a church (First Southern Baptist) and started attending soon after. I walked away from the age of 13-20 and rededicated my life at the age of 20. I haven't looked back since. :-)
8. Tell us about your latest project "No More Hell To Pay". What's it like, what should we expect?
I write all of the music and all the songs portray a positive approach to sharing God's love and His principles. Some songs deal with love while others deal with judgement such as the songs "Revelation" and "Marching Into Battle", both of which are written with the book of Revelation in mind. It's a powerful record that has many flavors and we're very proud of it!
9. If you could go back and change three events/decisions in your life, what would they be, and why?
I'd not mix business with family. This was the primary reason for my departure from Stryper back in 1992. I would have gone to college to secure my degree so I could have something else to fall back on and I would have taken the time to "smell the roses". Often enough we are in and out of each destination we visit and not enough time is taken to enjoy the scenery.
10. Person you'd most like to have a discussion with, living or dead.....Deities are excused from this question .
My great Grandfather. He was a great man but I never met him. I'd love to sit down and share a cup of coffee and discuss life with him.......
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