Feature: WEAPONS OF GOD – Knights in White Satin
by Chris Gatto
Live Cover Photo by Chad Fenner of ConcertFotos
Yes, the title was supposed to make you laugh, just like these guys will, if you get to know them well. Weapons of God is a Roxx Records recording artist hailing from Dayton, Ohio. Currently the band is Steve McGowan and Leon Black on guitars and vox, Ed Girard on bass, and Jason Harmon on drums. I’ve had the pleasure of becoming friends with these guys, and manager Rochelle McGowan (Steve’s sister-in-law) and love that they can be both serious about ministry, but also have fun and not take themselves too seriously. Listen in as I check in with main man Steve McGowan to see how the new album is progressing.
“To Everyone Who Hates Christmas Music” came out just in time for Christmas. It was a departure from the classic Steve and “Leon Knights” sound. Who was more surprised by the song- the band or the fans? Are you guys open to drummer Jason writing more songs in the future?
Steve: I’ve always pondered on the idea of wanting to put together an original Christmas song. Not your ordinary traditional Christmas song; I just never knew where to start.
Jason Harmon (drummer) presented this original Christmas song to everyone that he had written. Me personally, I instantly loved it!!
“We have to do this!!” I told Jason…”But, you have to be the one to sing it, and sing it with the funny accent you presented it with.” I don’t believe it would have sounded the same if myself or Leon Black (Vocals, guitarist) would have tried to sing it without pulling off the accent for the song. I think we got a great response from the fans.
“To Everybody Who Hates Christmas Music” is more of a comical, all in fun, punk rock sound approach that’s out of the ordinary for Weapons of God. But, like all the other songs on the first two CDs, it shouldn’t come to any surprise that we don’t stay in our own lane when it comes to sticking with a certain style of hard rock / metal music that’s been labeled for decades.
Jason is all aboard on the writing process for the next CD. He’s already contributed three songs of his own that are fantastic, and he has collaborated with us on a couple of other songs. He’s been a true asset and blessing to the band.
I know Ed used to play in the excellent band Four Star Revival. Were the rest of you in other bands prior to Weapons?
Leon and I have played in local secular bands in the past. Weapons of God is the first band to make an impact on Leon, and myself in the Christian Metal scene and around the world like Four Star Revival did. So obviously, this is not Ed Girard’s (bass) first rodeo. As for myself, Ed and Jason, we also play on Sunday morning praise and worship teams at our own individual churches that we attend. Jason also plays bass guitar in the Christian Metal band Souls Awakened.
Steve, as a Kiss fan, would you say they’re the band that most inspired you to play heavy music?
Yes. Kiss is the reason why I picked up the guitar. Vocally, Paul Stanley was a big influence. Some would say that I sound like him but anymore I try not to let my vocals mimic Paul too much and just try to be my own singer the best I can. Soon, Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Ozzy with Randy Rhoads, and Led Zeppelin followed right in line. But it wasn’t until I was introduced to Stryper’s Soldiers Under Command by a friend of mine in high school, that it really inspired me to one day start a Christian Rock band. It took me quite a while to get there. Obstacles in life got in the way along my journey. I didn’t know it was possible to play rock music and sing about God at the same time. I was raised in church, but all I knew was your typical church hymn songs. Stryper was a game changer and I’m still a fan to this day.
How did Weapons get started as a band?
I WAS LIVING IN A VAN!!! BY THE RIVER!!!!! Haha!!! I’m joking.
(Editor- Later I was going to ask Steve who the clown of the band is, but I think the cat’s already outta that bag)
The idea of starting a Christian Rock band started around 2012 with a few past members at the time, which soon fizzled out quicker than it started. It wasn’t until 2013 the name of the band “Weapons of God” was born, inspired after the title track song “Weapons of God” which is about the Armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-20. Along the way, members came and went. It wasn’t until 2017 that the band started to take off with Leon Black, Ed Girard and past member Dave Brown (drums). We landed our first record deal with Roxx Records the same year and debuted the CD self-titled Weapons of God at our first big show in 2019, at the Chains/Unchained Festival in Aurora, Missouri with then, past drummer Greg Alan.
How do you see your music progressing between album #1 and #2?
All the music on the first CD, Weapons of God written by me except for “Anger”, written by Leon Black. So, we had music that was already established to play and record. The War Within Us, the second CD in 2021, consisted of material written by all the members at the time. Everyone had something to bring to the table in their writing styles. It’s refreshing. It’s important to me for everyone to have a share in the writing process. Kinda like a buffet. A buffet of music!! Hmmmm!! TACOS!! Dig in, boys!!! Haha!!! Vocally and musically, we made a great 2nd CD in my opinion.
What song are you most proud of, or feel best represents the band?
I’m proud of them all. All the songs represent the band in some way or another but what’s really important is that the songs speak the word of Jesus Christ. There are songs that talk about the crisises in the world and how you can overcome those situations in life or our daily fight and struggles against spiritual warfare. There’s a message that needs to get across to the people, and that’s the love and promises that God as given to us all. He loves you and wants a relationship with you. Give Him the Glory!!
You guys are working on your next album. What’s your process? Are the songs rough ideas or complete and thoroughly rehearsed before you get to the studio? How will album #3 refine the band’s sound?
As I mentioned before, it is important to me to have everyone participate in the writing process if possible. Some of the songs are already established, some are rearranged and rewritten and some are new. We will rehearse the songs over and over, fine tune and polish them. Then, each week we also try to bring in a new song. Not all songs make the cut, but that leaves them possibly for the next CD after this one. There were songs that I already had in mind that I wanted on this next CD but, I believe God has other plans where he is taking us for the moment. We are shooting for a twelve-track release for the third CD. No title has been decided yet. I think the way the third CD will refine the band’s sound is that we learned how to play and sing better. Haha!!! Honestly, I truly believe it’s going to be heavier than The War Within UsCD. A much more dirty, southern metal groove with a touch of epicness!!!! Is epicness a word? Awesomeness!!
As a Christian musician, what’s your role in spreading the kingdom of God? Does your approach change depending on your audience (or maybe the venue you’re playing in)?
God’s word doesn’t change. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow! That’s how I feel when we go out to play. We’re not going to sugar coat it for you. It’s time for War!! War against evil that is. We have played bars and venues where we were the only Christian band in the lineup. We’ve been accepted. We’ve also been turned away at times because we were a “Christian” band or not in their “clique.” At events, we prayed with people. For example, we had a chance to pray with someone and then afterward we were allowed to destroy her Ouija board. We also had an incident where there was a guy who tried to get into our music. He kept trying to headbang with one of our songs called “Ghost”, but he was being convicted, hissing like a demon and soon he left the building in the middle of our set. We also have seen many people touched by our songs in other ways. So, we are the same no matter where we are.
The music industry is in the toilet, fans don’t show up for shows, it sucks to keep finding new drummers, the march of time is relentless, and having a heart attack on stage can kill. What keeps you motivated to keep playing music?
God, my bandmates; Leon, Ed, Jason and Rochelle. The fans. Yes, the music industry is terrible and unfortunately, we are very late for the party! We’re not spring chickens anymore so, we must make the best of it, with what time God has given us. If the band dissolved today, I would continue to write for my own enjoyment.
Bonus question time. My favorite Steve McGowan stage move is what I call the “milk money shakedown,” where Steve starts shaking his guitar like he’s trying to wring every last sound out of it. Do you have a favorite stage move of your own?
Are you serious about this question because I have nothing? LMBO!
No moves you picked up watching other guitarists or singers?
I don’t want to get arrested. There’s my answer! Lol.
What the what?!? Lol. Sheesh!
Keep an ear out for Weapons of God’s new album coming soon on Roxx Records and see them live at Immortal Fest Part 2 in Versailles, Ohio over the Labor Day weekend (see BMI Event Center for tickets.)
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