Susanne Martin tells how the Belonozhko brothers, as SONSOFDAY, carry the torch of faith lit by their grandfather

Sonsofday

With seemingly every week bringing a new USA-based rock band into Christian retail, it takes something special for a new aggregation to stand out from the crowd. But this is exactly what is happening with Sonsofday. Their album debut 'Fragile People', on Red Hammer Records, is strong enough - punchy anthems with chugging rhythms and gutsy vocals. But it's the extraordinary story behind the group's music which is every bit as interesting as their brand of celebratory rock. The Belonozhko brothers are now based in Portland, Oregon but their roots are in the Ukraine. Vlad, 21, on vocals and guitar; Roman, 24, on lead guitar; Bogdan, 19, on drums; and Scott, 17, on bass grew up in Cherkasy, Ukraine when communism in their homeland was still rife and all forms of religion were banned.

The Soviet Union survived for seven decades between the 1920s before collapsing in the early '90s, but within that time, three generations of the Belonozhko family have been believers. Ironically, it was within the 30 years of Stalin's terrible dictatorship, when communism was at its virulent worst, that the claims of Christ came and touched the Belonozhko family. Vlad explained the origins of his family's faith. "Our grandfather, Joseph, was an unbeliever when he was younger and actually worked for the KGB in a concentration camp for Christians. Inside this camp was a store that supplied the needs of the camp, and some of the prisoners worked in the store. At one point one of the employees quit, and they needed someone to fill in for that person. My grandfather began searching through inmate records to find a prisoner who had experience working in a store. Eventually he discovered an elderly woman in the camp with such experience and she was made to go to work." The boys' grandfather had searched the woman when she had arrived at the camp and confiscated all her belongings. One of the items taken was an old Bible. In the days and months that followed, the elderly lady repeatedly asked him if she could have her Bible back. But prisoners were not allowed to have religious materials, as that was their crime in the first place.

As time wore on, the lady became friends with Joseph's wife, and every now and then she would encourage her new friend to persuade Joseph to let her have the Bible back. She assured them that the Bible did not have anything in it against the Soviet Union. So Joseph read the Bible to make sure that she was telling the truth and there was nothing against the Soviet state or Stalin, and eventually, he conceded. Joseph lived close to the camp and it was arranged for the elderly lady to be allowed to come to their house from time to time to help his wife with housework. Little by little, the lady began to share the Bible with his wife and tell her about Jesus. His wife became a believer in Christ because of what the lady shared with her as they worked around the house. She began encouraging Joseph to listen to what the lady had to say. "When my grandfather listened to the story of Jesus, God touched him and softened his heart and he began to cry," explained Vlad. "He just felt so sorry for Jesus and all that he had to go through. My grandfather accepted Jesus into his heart on that day, and that's where it all began for us as well."

A couple of generations later, when the communist state finally fell, it became easier for people to immigrate and so the Belonozhkos took flight to the United States. Away from the oppression of communism the family were eager to take advantage of the freedom they now had in America. After settling in Portland their first project was helping to set up a charismatic church for Russian-speaking people. The new church, called the Christian Centre In Spirit And In Truth, was established as an alternative to the more legalistic Russian churches that were already set up in the area. With a desire to reach young people for Christ through music the brothers didn't stop there. In 2005 Roman decided to set up a band using the musical talents of his brothers to form Sonsofday. Their musical influence and inspiration ranges from U2 and Lifehouse to Johnny Cash. Vlad explained, "I watched the movie Walk The Line and I was so impressed with Johnny and all he had overcome. I enjoy his music, but his personal story and his testimony for Christ really inspired me." After a few years of performing their songs to live audiences the band caught the attention of Darren Bowls. In 2007 with Darren in the producer's chair Sonsofday recorded their first full length CD, 'Fragile People'. When asked the question of what impressed him about Sonsofday, Bowls stated, "Obviously, I liked their sound. Their sound is very unique and identifiable. The other aspect of the band that impressed me was their resourcefulness and work ethic. This stems from their Russian heritage where nothing comes easy and everything is hard to find or acquire, but can be if you are clever enough!

"Sonsofday have a great story to tell of a 'Cold War' finding of their Christian faith that an American cannot begin to relate to," added Bowls. "In this country Americans are unresponsive to the Gospel if it is told from the same perspective all the time. Sonsofday have a very different and real-world perspective of Christianity that is very intriguing. In America there is no sacrifice or cost for our Christian faith. My hope is that because of Sonsofday's family heritage and unique perspective of the Christian faith, the Gospel can be told through their story in a way that can not be ignored."

Sonsofday are just beginning a long journey down a road that will have its ups and downs. But they are committed to the long drives, lonely times away from friends and family and financial shortfalls. "I guess that is what they call paying your dues," said Roman. "Ministry is what it is all about, and all that really matters!" The band's album, released in the US on 16th October, is now picking up American Christian radio airplay while a music video of the song "This Place" is receiving exposure on US Christian TV. I've a feeling we'll be hearing considerably more from the Belonozhko brothers.