Exclusive TBC Interview

January 2005

Heads-up - tbc is a band to watch out for. We recently heard some demos from their latest album and were very impressed indeed. word-on-the-web wanted to find out more about tbc, so we emailed some questions to the band in February 2005. Shell from tbc was the one who got back to us, and we enjoyed reading her thoughts on music, ministry, the Bible and Girls Aloud!

Your new album sounds very contemporary. In fact, it reminds me of bands like Girls Aloud! Was this deliberate? Is this the sort of music you are into?

Well, funnily enough, everyone has said that we're like Girls Aloud, and it just so happens that we all really enjoy listening to their music! That wasn't planned, though! The great thing about our album is that it's current and pop-tastic and, at the same time, totally reflects what we believe God wants to say to this generation.

How long did it take to record the new album? Who wrote the songs? Do you have any plans for another album, or maybe even a DVD?

It has taken us quite a while to finish the album because of all the problems we had at the start with the line-up, but now that's sorted there's no stopping us! tbc is part of Innervation Trust in Manchester. Mark Pennells and Zarc Porter (who also put together Shine, Vienna, thebandwithnoname, and were part of The World Wide Message Tribe) write our songs and it works really well – it's a great team! In terms of a second album … I would pretty much guarantee it!

Did the four of you know each other before tbc was formed, or did you meet up as the result of auditions for the band?

Before we were in tbc, we were all part of the Innervation schools bands. Liz and Laura were in the East Anglia team, and Natalie and myself were in the Merseyside team! So we all knew each other a bit! Now we're really good friends! We have our ups and downs just like any team, but we are in it together and can't wait to see what God has planned for us!

You are part of the Innervation Trust, along with thebandwithnoname. What is the Innervation Trust, and how do you fit in with their ministry?

Innervation is an organisation that is dedicated to seeing young people's lives turned around by the gospel of Jesus Christ! There are two touring bands – tbc and thebandwithnoname. They are responsible for telling as many young people as possible about Jesus, raising the awareness of Innervation, fundraising and recruiting for the schools bands. Innervation's aim is to have 22 schools bands in 10 years' time – that's one in every county in the UK. tbc have the added responsibility of resourcing the schools bands with songs and dance routines.

tbc stands for to be confirmed, which is very similar to thebandwithnoname. Do you think you'll stick with tbc?

Well we have stuck with the name tbc, but now it stands for Touring Band Collective. You see … the schools bands are all called "Collective" followed by the name of their county. For example, the schools band in Kent is called "Collective Kent" and the schools band in Essex is called "Collective Essex". tbc is the touring band version, therefore we are Touring Band Collective, known as tbc! It's complicated, I know … but it kinda creates unity within Innervation!

word-on-the-word aims to promote Bible reading around the world. What part does the Bible play in both your ministry and your personal lives?

One of my favourite verses in the Bible is Psalm 119, and it says: "How can a young person live a pure life? By obeying your word. With all my heart I try to obey you. Don't let me break your commands" (Psalm 119 v 9-10). It's so true! The Bible is a manual to life! tbc released a single last year called "Mind Your Head" and it's a song all about keeping your head stuck in God's word and not being distracted by the things around us! Personally, I wouldn't be able to do what I'm doing if I didn't keep myself rooted in the word of God. Sometimes I find it quite difficult to read it every day, but I try to read it as much as possible!

Where can our subscribers see you performing in the coming months?

The best thing to do is check out our website: www.tbcmusic.com That will tell you everything you need to know about where we are performing on our 60-date tour, news, picture galleries, biographies, downloads … what more could you ask for?

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?

If there was one thing we could tell anyone it would be this: Know that God loves you more than anything else in the whole wide world and there is nothing that you will ever be able to do that will change that fact! Stay close to the One who loves you the most! X Shell

Thanks, Shell, for answering our questions!