Feature: The Protest Feature Interview

If you have read the new in-print(!) edition of Heaven’s Metal Magazine, you might have noticed that this article said, “Read more of this interview at heavensmetalmagazine.com.” Well, here is that fuller, longer interview as promised. (Photo by Chad Fenner – Concert Fotos.

The Protest is one of the newest/youngest bands at the Imortal Festival. Let’s see how their perspective either aligns with or contrasts from some of the veteran bands on the bill.

I got to see The Protest live a couple years ago, opening for Stryper, in Indianapolis.  What was that experience like, opening for the biggest legendary name in Christian metal?  Did you tour with them or just play that show? 

We have played a couple shows with those guys! They are incredible, and of course we were very humbled to open. Honestly, most of our bands probably wouldn’t even exist if it wasn’t for artists like them paving the way. I would also like to add that they are still so good! Jarob (Our drummer) and I actually do a lot of their artwork through our company Quiet Strength Design. 

The Protest seem to have landed into a nice mix of traditional heavy metal but with some modern sounds.  How did you arrive at that genre? 

We grew up loving artists like Kiss, Def Leppard, AC/DC, Alice Cooper, etc. We still love all these artists, but our tastes started trending heavier as time went on. When we were all in high school, we started to really grow in our faith. At that time, we discovered bands like Skillet, Disciple, Decyfer Down, and Red. That turned into really digging bands like Wage War, Memphis May Fire, Beartooth, and others. So, I’d like to think our sound pulls from all of them. At the end of day, we try to write a brand of heavy music that is uplifting, points to Christ, and has moments that are special in a live setting.  

It’s so cool that you guys are getting to play Immortal Fest alongside so many giants of Christian metal.  How did that come together? 

Immortal Fest is an amazing festival. They asked us to play last year, and we had an absolute blast. We were asked back this year and we are so stoked to play! The lineup is always STACKED! To even be mentioned alongside some of these artists is unreal. Very humbled.  

Unless I’m hiding under a rock, it’s been a while since we’ve had an album from The Protest.  Are there plans to change that? 

You are correct. Our last album was Death Stare in 2021. We have released a Christmas song and two singles since, “Dying Breath” and “Take It Back.” We are currently working on our next album. Every band says this, but these tunes we are working on are our best yet! We can’t wait to share them with everyone. We don’t have an exact timeline for the release, but we are getting closer each day.  

Do the members of the band attend church together, or in different churches?  Has/have your church/churches been supportive of your music and/or mission? 

We all grew up going to Sulphur Springs Christian Church in almost the middle of nowhere Indiana. We all have families now and have moved around a little bit, but two of us still attend Sulphur while the others go elsewhere. Our church family is kind enough to let us store gear and rehearse in the family life center. They also treat us as a ministry branch. They donate to us, pray for us, and serve us anyway they can.  

What has been a highlight of your time together so far? 

We are four best friends who have been in a band together for 15 years! The memories are endless. To see God work through four dudes from a little town in East Central Indiana is still astounding to me.  

We try to journal and keep track of it all, but it’s really just too much! I think it’s safe to say that some of our best times have been together. Seeing new places, meeting new people, laughing till you cry is common, and leaning on each other is even more.  

What has been the biggest challenge (or resistance) you’ve faced so far? 

Being in a band can be very difficult. Being in a faith-based band is even harder in my opinion. Speaking HIS name from the stage isn’t always popular. Sometimes we are viewed as too “Christian” for some people, but too heavy for others (or not heavy enough lol). Being in a touring band also comes with its obvious challenges: leaving family at home, not making much money at all, breakdowns, comparison, setbacks, and disappointments.  

All that being said, we haven’t done this so long because it makes us money or comes with any frills. We have 6 members including our outstanding road crew, and each of us have had our lives changed by Jesus. We are honored to be a very small part in helping to further His kingdom. The reason behind what we do can be summed up in Scripture:  

“Everyone should use whatever gift they have been given to serve others and faithfully administer God’s grace in its various forms.”  – 1st Peter 4:10 

What are your hopes for the band moving forward? 

I think our motives have really changed over the years. I would be lying if I said we didn’t want to be Rockstars when we started. Our evolution is more of mindset and an iron will to continue trying to spread hope until He says otherwise. Until then we hope to continue releasing music and playing shows.  

What would you want someone to know who hasn’t yet heard The Protest? 

If they never hear a note we play, I hope they know that they are loved so deeply by the King of Kings. That they are not alone, they are more than conquerors, and nothing they have done can separate them from HIS love.  

If they come to a show our goal is to uplift and encourage. We want people leaving our shows feeling different than when they came in. 

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