The Red and Black

Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Out & About

Media Credit: Allison Carter Ted (left), Brent and Josh comprise the Christian band, Marriage. The group will be playing a CD release show at Ciné on May 8. [Click to enlarge]

Though religion may play a considerable role in the life of many Americans, there still exists an odd and peculiar separation of theology from other significant daily activities.

Music, however, is a means of bringing spirituality into the light, and Athens-based Christian band Marriage will attempt to do just that Friday.

Singer Josh Wootton and drummer Brent Blalock left a secular, hard rock band to form Marriage, a band so diverse in musicality its members don't label themselves with a specific genre.

Because of the varied forms of Christian music, from traditional church hymns to metal, the musicians of Marriage avoid the tendency to be classified as a generic Christian band.

Wootton describes the music as off-kilter and hard rock with an unexpected bizarre twist.

"As far as a genre, Christian music doesn't fit in there," he said. "But we appreciate a Christian message."



Marriage refuses to adhere to the stereotypes associated with a typical Christian group so not to alienate themselves from a potential audience.

"Being in the South as a Christian band gets mixed reactions," said guitarist Ted Kuhn, who realizes that some non-Christians pass up the opportunity to listen to a band that spreads a theological message.

"Being in a liberal town, we are unapologetically Christian," said Wootton.

Marriage has faced a few obstacles because of the members' unapologetic attitude.

A few years ago, the band decided not to play at bars and missed out on some lucrative performance opportunities due to Athens notorious bar scene.

However, the band blends head-banging guitar solos and drum breaks with meaningful lyrics to reach a larger audience.

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