Feature: Whitecross Interview

In Christian metal lore, there are few bands as iconic as Whitecross. Much in the music scene has changed over the years, but the quality of Whitecross’ music has remained constant. 2024’s Fear No Evil, the band’s eleventh album, is arguably one of their best yet. Rex Carroll, guitarist and founding member, recently opened up about his musical and spiritual journey with Whitecross.

Whitecross’ debut on Pure Metal came out in 1987, when the metal scene (and world) was significantly different, yet your music and message has been consistent throughout. To what extent do you attribute this?

That seems like it should be an easy question, but it’s actually not so easy to answer. I guess the thing is, when I was 19 years old, I made a promise to the Lord that I would serve him with my music. On any given day of the week, I don’t always know what that means; it does mean that I am compelled by an inner voice to stay true to the commitment that I made so many years ago–that’s the spiritual aspect of it. As far as the musical aspect, I only know how to play guitar one way! Grip it and rip it. Shred till you’re dead. Say it loud, say it proud. Spread the message far and near, the love of God drives out all fear.

Looking back, what came first–the music or the message? Is the answer still the same today?

Which came first–the chicken or the egg? Speaking for myself, I am always coming up with new riffs on the guitar. As I am maturing, I am also a lot more involved with lyrics than I used to be.

The message hasn’t changed much from day one; namely, God is still on the throne, and you can actually know Him through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Has the approach to your faith changed over time? How so?

Only maybe to the extent that I don’t care as much as I used to about what other people think of me as a Christian. If God can deal with me and forgive my sin, then I guess He can save anybody!

What has been the biggest surprise and disappointment during your musical career?

I’ve kind of stopped thinking of music as a career. I just think of it as who I am and what I do. Nothing much surprises me anymore in the Music business but I’m always happy when I discover that somebody thinks highly enough of the band to purchase an album or a ticket to one of our shows. That’s always a wonderful thing.

Does it ever seem unusual to continue as Whitecross while being the only original member of the band?

Over the years, people have come and gone for various reasons of their own, and I’ve never had much control over deciding who’s in or who’s out. However, at this time in the history of the band, I would venture to say that we are having more fun as brothers together in a musical venture than we ever used to. Don’t forget that I was out of the band for six years; from 1994 to 2000 Scotty was the only original member and then I came back so we could play Cornerstone 2000.

How do you keep Whitecross relevant while musical tastes have changed so much?

I almost laugh when you say “relevant” because Whitecross‘ music is hopelessly irrelevant in terms of modern rock or pop music or anything that’s possibly happening today in the world of music. We’re a bunch of dinosaurs who like to play our music the way we like to play it, and that’s pedal to the metal, 80s style rock ‘n’ roll with classy guitars, bigger than life drums, and big, beautiful melodic vocals courtesy of Dave Roberts.

Is it true that you and Scott Wenzel came to blows a couple times because you insisted on having a guitar solo on every album and during every concert? (joke)

No, we never came to blows about a guitar solo, but possibly over 1,000 other things! As far as the guitar solo on every album thing, that’s my personal homage to the late great Edward Van Halen, who inspired me from his first Van Halen album with his jaw dropping guitar. After I heard that album, I figured it was the gold standard, and if it’s good enough for Eddie, it has to be good enough for the rest of us, right?! Over time it has become kind of a cool thing for me, sort of a “branding” type thing if you will. So, I will keep doing it as long as I don’t run out of ideas (smiles).

Putting you on the spot with a few quick questions:

-Favorite Whitecross album and why?

The next one! Because it gives me a goal to work towards.

-Favorite Whitecross song and why?

Let me turn that around and ask you, “which of your children is your favorite and why?” Every single song during the moment when you are writing it is your favorite. But I’ll tell you what, we have songs that we still play today going all the way back to the first album in 1987 and I still find new ways to interpret the songs and they still inspire me.

-Which album do you look back on and wish you would have done something different?

Most of them! In my life, I’ve done everything the hard way, especially as that relates to learning how to make albums. Every mistake I’ve ever made in the studio goes into a little black book entitled “Things not to do the next time”. As time has gone along, we as a band have gotten better at recording and even though there’s always a new variable factor that you haven’t seen before, it’s true that you do learn and get better at your craft. 

What is your most memorable involvement with Heaven’s Metal Magazine?

When I first started making Christian rock albums, I never claimed to be completely original as a guitar player. But I think I received a lot of credit from the Christian audience simply by virtue of the fact that many of them had never heard a lot of the great rock guitar players so perhaps they were thinking at the time that I was creating a lot of things on the guitar that were brand new, which I never ever claimed to have done. However, Doug Van Pelt actually knows all the same records that I grew up on and he called me out on just about every guitar player that I ever ripped off! So, congratulations Doug, you know your guitar players! LOL. Also, I remember back in the day when Heaven’s Metal was doing their guitar hero awards, and they gave me a lot of them. I still have them on display on a shelf in my studio and I’m forever grateful for that honor whenever I look up and see them.

Fear No Evil, released just last year, is a very good album. How would you compare and contrast it with other Whitecross albums?

I hope that Fear No Evil will find its place right near the top of the catalog of Whitecross albums because I personally think there are some great songs on that album such as “Fear No Evil,” “Lion of Judah,” “The Way We Rock,” and “29,000.”

Lord willing, do you see yourself continuing to make new music and/or touring as Whitecross?

Yes! I’m an old fart and I play modified guitars through Marshall stacks. That’s what I do and that’s what I’ll keep doing until they lay me six feet in the ground and God calls me home.

Did you ever imagine playing almost 40 years as the band Whitecross? Are you satisfied with what you’ve accomplished?

I guess I would say I’m not unhappy with what we’ve done so far, but there are more chapters to be written in the book and more miles to go before the train is in the station, so we are by no means done yet.

Any messages for the readers of Heaven’s Metal and is there anything we can pray about for you?

Well, of course, we are all grateful for the many years of support we have received from our fans and friends and certainly from the magazine. My personal prayer is that we will all keep following the Lord and remain faithful to the various ministries He has entrusted to us. Please pray for us that we will continue in our mission without losing heart until the Lord says It’s time to call it a day. Thanks to everybody for supporting Heaven’s Metal Magazine and thanks for supporting Whitecross!

We hope you enjoyed this extended edition of the Whitecross interview (printed in the 40th Anniversary edition of Heaven’s Metal Magazine).

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