Mike Rimmer quizzed the band from Bradford, CARPE DIEM

Carpe Diem

Mike: Tell me about the group.

Mark: The band met at Bradford University in 1997. Jock James (a cheeky Geordie) is the main songwriter. Kevin Pease (Robbie eat your heart out!) is the frontman and lead singer. Nick Davies is the bass man and if anyone is trying to flog a gadget that they do not want, he will buy it! The original "techy". Me, Mark Pease, on drums. I write a bit with Jock and arrange the vocals. I am also known as Radio 2 man! It's not my fault all the best music is now on there!

Mike: How would you describe the heart of the band, in terms of what you're trying to do?

Mark: To see God glorified and his message proclaimed and put across correctly. We do this in an indie/Brit pop style with songs that talk about various circumstances as well as songs that just love him and exalt him. Even if I say so myself, our live performances are explosive!

Mike: Which song is going down best in live performances? What's happening?

Mark: "Braindead" and a new one called "Trust" (not on the EP). "Braindead" just grunges along and goes down really well. We also do a Lenny Kravitz version of "I Walk By Faith" which really goes down well at youth/celebrations.

Mike: What kind of gigs are you doing?

Mark: Mixture of Christian venues (celebrations, etc). Recently we did the Rob Frost outreach gig in London. Also doing pub gigs around West Yorkshire and recently played at the Colne Rhythms & Blues festival in front of 1,200 people.

Mike: Go on, hard sell the CD. Why should people buy it?

Mark: a) It's musically relevant. The amount of feedback we have got from non-Christians who say they like the sound;
b) The message is clear and the songs are easy to identify with;
c) It just plain rocks.