As more Christian-rock bands make their way into the mainstream there is no doubt Georgia native’s Family Force 5 (FF5) are dancing its way into everyone’s hearts. Its style of “crunk-rock” (in the band member’s own words) is praised by both religious and mainstream media for its upbeat and genre-bending style.
Two successful albums deep FF5 recently passed through Los Angeles co-headlining the Alternative Press Tour with fellow rap-rockers 3OH!3. Guitarist Chap Stique (Derek Mount) took some time between shows to talk with the Graphic about its unique sound and even more distinctive nicknames.
Q: What has it been like starting out as a small Christian band to now being on your own label and headlining tours?
A: “We were signed to the major labels and corporate sponsorships for a while and finally decided ‘Hey we’re doing all the work why not own it?’ It made too much sense. So we created Transparent Media Group and now we have to just wake up a little bit earlier to discuss the business side of things instead of others making all the decisions.”
Q: To someone that hasn’t heard of FF5 before how would you describe your music and how it has progressed and evolved over two albums and four years?
A: “Originally FF5 sounded like this big southern robot made up of five dudes slaying monsters. And now it sounds like that but fast forwarded 200 years into the future. Real dancy sweaty rock music. Like ‘Voltron’ meets ‘Transformers.'”
Q: Your latest album “Dance or Die debuted at No.-30 on the charts and sold extremely well for a do-it-yourself band. What do you think was the reason for the jump in success?
A: “I think our sound was a lot more polished; a lot more work behind the soundboards. But we also put in a ridiculous amount of shows over the past three years (around 200-250 a year). We have built this incredible connection with our fans (roller coaster rides private shows taking them out to lunch etc.) to build up a diehard mentality. Our dancer Xanadu also has a lot to do with our success and building our relationships with the fans.”
Q: What has been the most “off the wall” place you have played recently?
A: “We actually just got back from New Zealand and Australia. We had no clue what to expect: if our music was being played on the radio being distributed down under etc. Then we played in New Zealand and there was 20000 people going nuts. Singing every song dancing crowd surfing and dressing up like chickens; it was one of the most incredible experiences we have had as a band. One of those “how did this happen to us?” kind of moments. Then the next night we played at a club in Australia and there were maybe 30 people there. Humbling to say the least.”
Q: How did the nicknames come about?
A: “We all grew up in Atlanta and when the band was forming the crunk-rap movement was huge. It helped shape our sound. Everyone had cool nicknames such as Lil’ John or Andre 30 so we decided to play around with that idea. There is a reason behind everyone’s names. Phatty for example was a porky young lad but like I said he now looks like Conan the Barbarian. I kept losing my chap stick and purchasing new ones hence my nickname. It was a joke at first. We got to get you a gangster name too you know? Pepperdine is a pretty gangster name.”
Q: Despite being such a positive and energetic band have you ever been booed off stage?
A: “No but we have played several extremely awkward shows. FF5 has a little bit of a feminine fashion element to it so we walked in one time with all our pink and alligator boots and it was this total biker bar. Everyone was in black leather jackets smoking cigarettes and drinking Budweiser looking furious when we stepped in. We ran out and changed into all black and just played all our hard-rocking songs the ones with the huge guitar riff__s that aren’t hip-hop or dance at all. After the show they said ‘Man you guys rock. Y’all sound like Metallica. Y’all are awesome!’ That wasn’t the case at all but it got us through the night and hey we’ll take it.”