Exclusive Yfriday Interview

September 2003

Top Christian band Yfriday are about to head off on an ambitious nationwide tour, and word-on-the-web are happy to be one of the sponsors. On 30th September, 2003, we sat down and had a telephone chat with Dez, the band's drummer, to find out more about Yfriday and what we can expect from the tour.

Dez, I read somewhere that you used to be a teacher.

Yes, I was a primary school teacher. I taught Year 4, which is 8-9 year-olds - all the general subjects. I did it for three years and loved it, but I left to join Yfriday full-time. The band thing was escalating beyond the place where we could all do our normal jobs. But as far as the God thing's concerned, when loads of kids were becoming Christians and getting healed through our ministry it was not a difficult decision to make! I thought, "I want to some of this." To be involved in something God is using, when there is evidence that he's using you, when loads of kids are responding, I think it's something worth pursuing.

I see that the four members of the band are from different church backgrounds. How does that work out?

I wish I could say it was by design, but it just happened like that. In practice, when we're doing things like seminars and interactive stuff it is quite helpful. Danny and Gav are Anglican, I go to something that grew from a house church, and Ken is Elim Pentencostal. Also, when we do have weekends when we're not doing Yfriday it's healthy to have a break from each other.

How do you think that the internet can be used in Christian ministry?

It is very important potentially. As far as our website is concerned, we mainly use it for advertising. But feeback-wise, the internet is fantastic. We go all over the place, and all the follow-up stuff happens with local churches. So we can find out what's going on with the kids - they give us lots of feedback.

When we're travelling around we hear all sorts of opinions about the internet. One preacher abroad said the internet was the Mark of the Beast, and that www stands for 666! To others it's like the saviour of the world and through it everyone will hear the gospel. I think the balanced view is it's becoming an integral part of our society. The potential is immense. The devil is using it, so let's roll up our sleeves and use it as well.

Do you see yourselves as a worship band or a rock band?

Ken always likes to refer to us as gig worship. I love Bon Jovi, and my ultimate night out would be to go to a Bon Jovi concert and be able to worship God. It's not worship in a standard way. Not all of the kids can naturally tune into God at your normal worship meeting, so we give an opportunity for loads of the kids who love rock and go to the rock clubs to worship God in a way that they can automatically.

What part does the Bible play in Yfriday's ministry?

Some of Ken's songs have been lifted directly from the Bible. Because we're singing from the heart about what God's done, it's an integral part of what we do and what we believe. One of the reasons we wanted you guys at word-on-the-web involved in the tour is that sometimes I can get frustrated when the Bible isn't enough to the forefront when we're doing youth stuff. Just to put everything into emotional worship all the time, yes that's wonderful, but in order for that to make an impact in my daily life I've got to know what the Bible says in my life. We've got to balance worship up with the Bible. It's nice running through the fields with Jesus, but it's more than that - being a Christian can be hard.

We travel in the van all the time, and we've got a Playstation 2, so we can spend hours sitting and playing. But sometimes we say, "Come on, guys, how much of the Bible have we read or studied together this time?" Sometimes it's nothing, and that's wrong. Sometimes it doesn't get any easier, even when you're in Christian ministry. So I really like what you guys are doing.

What can people expect from the upcoming Yfriday tour?

They can expect an absolutely great show. Great lighting. Massive visuals. The music's going to be fantastic. We've got two very good support bands: Steve, and thebandwithnoname. Really exciting. On a spiritual level, I would love it if the kids have been confident enough to bring their non-Christian friends along. Hopefully they'll think Christianity is cool. But also, the next morning after all the excitement, I hope that people will read their Bible and see that this is the same God as last night. We've called the tour and new album "Revolution". This is because a revolution will happen if we do what Jesus asked us to do in the first place - things like loving each other and loving your brother. When we do what Jesus told us to do, it's going to make a difference society-wise.

Dez, thank you very much. I look forward to seeing you at the concerts!

For the dates of what promises to be a great tour check out the tour page.
To find out more, please go to the band's website at www.yfriday.co.uk