Shimmering Questions -- a search for truth, art, beauty, and wisdom. ( THE BENJAMIN GATE main)

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...about the best band of all time...

...lyrics... ... ...interviews... ... ...reviews... ... ...about the gasmask... ... ...how I fell in love...
...why I love their sound... ...why I love their lyrics... ... ...why I love the band members...
...Benjamin Gate links... ... ...concerts I've experienced...

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...meaning behind the Gasmask...	Why did the Benjamin Gate choose a gasmask as their logo? The gasmask represents Jesus. We live in a world that is both physical and spiritual, and what we cannot see can still harm us. Invisible like poisonous gases, the spirits of the world and the lies they tell will pollute us if we do not wear at all times the gasmask of Jesus. He is the only way we can be spiritually healthy as we live amongst and fight the lies of the enemy. As the scripture base for this, The Benjamin Gate chose Second Corinthians 10:2-5. "I hope it won't be necessary, but when I come I may have to be very bold with those who think we act from purely human motives. We are human, but we don't wage war with human plans and methods. We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds. With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ." (New Living Translation)
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...how I fell in love...	I wandered into a Christian bookstore and looked idly through the puny section of "alternative rock." Noticing a band with "benjamin"(my now-husband's name) in the name, I picked up the demo and popped it in the player. Amazed to discover a unique, well-balanced sound with a female vocalist that I LIKED, I hurried to buy it and take it home. That was summer of 2001, and the album was 'Untitled'. Though I professed TBG as my favorite band then, they didn't really become part of my life until May of 2002, when I saw my first TBG show and bought the album 'Contact'. 'Contact' was in my CD player that whole summer, and it got me through some incredibly hard times. I dealing with some very hostile people (one where I was living), I didn't have much contact with any Christians, and I wasn't able to go to church, so that CD was a very important link to God for me. The song "Need" in particular spoke to me Ц I needed God so desperately, and when I sang "Need" my trust in Him was strengthened. After 'Contact', TBG has been on a pedestal in the music corner of my heart.
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...why I love their sound...	The Benjamin Gate is so unique that they cannot be fit into a genre. I suppose you could describe them as industrial/techno/dance/alternative/emocore, but that doesn't tell you much. The vocal style is a little like the Cranberries in that Adrienne also uses her voice as an instrument, not just for lyrics, but Adrienne's voice is completely different than any I've heard, and she sings both alto and soprano with grit. Her voice can be melodic, and at the same time fierce. She is one of the most emotive of vocalists, very passionate and expressive in her tones. The heavy emphasis on guitar is another thing I love about the band Ц Costa and Mac and Chris all pour themselves into their music, and the blending of their guitars produces some of the most intricate rhythms I've heard. Nick's drumming is simple, not overpowering, which balances the heavy guitar and makes the sound seem so unified.
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...why I love their lyrics...	The lyrics could easily stand on their own as poetry. To me, this is the epitome of well-written lyrics. I think lyrics should have all the elements of good poetry Ц detail, metaphor, and a recognizable style. TBG's lyrics match this description.
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...why I love the band members...	(under construction)
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...Benjamin Gate links...	Forefront-sponsored message board official home site of TBG The Benjamin Gate on Yahoo Groups Benjamin Gate Videos
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...concerts I've experienced...	May 18, 2002 -- w/ Pillar and East West (Marietta, GA) September 14, 2002 -- Festival Con Dios (Atlanta, GA) March 23, 2003 -- w/ Seventh Day Slumber (Roswell, GA) June 8, 2003 -- Club Fathom show (Chattanooga, TN) June 28, 2003 -- Creation Fest (Hershey, PA) September 14, 2003 -- Last Show (Denison, TX)

May 18, 2002--- with Pillar and East West
      Experiencing this concert was a gift from God. I was living in PA when I read about it online, and found a contest where the winner won two tickets. I called the radio station in Georgia to enter the contest, and called again to find out who the winner was. I won, and four days after flying back to Georgia, Ben and I went to our first Benjamin Gate show! I was SO impressed with the band. Adrienne and all the guys were bursting with energy, and even though they only played a short while, they made enduring the opening band well worth it. I was especially impressed by the way Adrienne dressed -- rebel-ish and unique, but not racy in any way. I decided then that I wanted to dress like that when I perform. (except the hair -- mine is three feet long (and gonna stay that way), hers was 3 inches) There was a side benefit, as well -- we were introduced to Pillar, the final band playing that night, and thanks to the contest won a copy of their CD. We left before Pillar finished playing, though, because after jumping up and down on concrete for a while, your body starts to ache. As we left, I spotted Adrienne heading toward her van, and Ben prodded me to say hi, so I nervously went up and introduced myself and told her how much I respected her. I think I looked rather stupid, but she was nice to me even though she was tired.

September 14, 2002--- Festival Con Dios
      This concert was VERY prayed over. (Thinking back, I am sure that is why they played) When we (Ben, Rebecca, and I) arrived at the site, it was very stormy, almost tornadoish. Ben was confident that if we prayed, the weather would calm -- so we prayed, and it did, although it still sprinkled every now and then. Before we arrived, they had had to delay all acts because of the storminess. Whne we got there, they apologized that some bands wouldn't get to play, and some band went onstage, relieving me because I knew the Benjamin Gate played two bands after them.
      When the Benjamin Gate came onstage, I of course screamed with excitement. Then Adrienne was CARRIED onstage. (Panic!) She told us all that she had sprained her ankle, so she wouldn't be as jumpy as usual, but the band was still gonna rock. They proceeded to do exactly that, but she lied about the not-jumping -- she jumped every bit as much as usual, just staying in the same spot and only jumping on one leg. Somehow she didn't look silly. I was blown away. I want to be the kind of singer that still performs passionately with a sprained ankle!
      After they played, Adrienne was carried to the merch table, where she stayed for a while. I wanted to talk to her, but I feel guilty asking for her time, and I'm very cowardly about my role models. But again, Ben saw my heart and pushed me to approach her. I asked her if she remembered me, and she said oh yes. I told her that as much as I liked the first album, the second meant more to me because it was so much deeper lyrically. She thanked me and said she thought so too... then another girl started talking to her so I slinked away.
      They threw a free shirt, and I caught it. But it was pink, so pink-hater me traded it for a red one in my size. I got everyone to sign it. I LOVE that shirt.

March 23, 2003--- with Seventh Day Slumber (headlining!)
      (not typed up yet)

June 8, 2003--- Club Fathom (headlining!)
      My favorite concert ever!!! The opening bands didn't interest me (the first one was talented but desperately needed a soundman Ц the second one, Believe, had a lot of good music but the lead singer's vocal style was 80's glam, so I didn't like them much) but the Benjamin Gate was AWESOME. And I don't use caps lock or the word "awesome" lightly.
      Club Fathom is a great venue, and the crowd was full of Benjamin Gate fans (since they were headlining!) But there were some moshersЕЕ. I don't approve of moshing. That is not enjoying the music Ц that's taking out aggression. Do it somewhere else and stop banging into people who really love the music and are trying to lose themselves in it. Anyway, I refused to get distracted, and backed away to a fairly clear spot and totally lost myself in the music and the passionЕ the colored lights and resonant atmosphere were perfect Ц it was right at the edge of night, with a warm, clear breeze blowing in through the open windows.
      And they played "Rush"!!! They rarely play this one Ц a chant got started and they obliged. "Rush" is one of their most powerful songs Ц it talks about the power of God and how life changing experiences with him are, and near the end of the song Adrienne chants Psalm 1, emphasizing how meditating on God brings power.
      While they were performing, Adrienne spotted me in the audience and grinned, pointing at me and winking. Then, during "This is Not," I was being especially passionate in singing and dancing, and she waved at me. I was sure that meant that she had received the package and accepted my offer of friendship.
      Afterward, I let the crowd die down and then went up to her, but she was so preoccupied (and exhausted) that she looked right over me. She started to walk by, but I reached out and touched her arm and said hey, and she stopped, smiling so happily I was even more sure that she had gotten the package. She put her hand on my shoulder and asked how I was, and really meant it. (Most people ask that to be polite, but she wanted to know.) I said "good," asked how she was and got the same response, and then asked if she had gotten the necklace yet. She looked a little confused and asked if I had sent it "in the post." (her un-american phraseology sounded amusing to me) When I said yes, she told me that she hadn't been "home" (to Franklin, TN) in three or four weeks (what a schedule!), so hadn't gotten her mail. I asked when she would be going home, and she said probably next week, and added "thank you in advance!" I was amazed that she had been so interested in me Ц the only reason I could see for it was that she was impressed that I'd gone out of state for one of their concerts. It was only two hours from home, but it was over the border.

June 28, 2003--- CreationFest

      Another testimony to the passion of the Benjamin Gate Ц they had done a show the day before and then driven all night, to arrive just before they were set to play at 11:00 am. Even at that terribly early hour, they rocked out, and even responded to the call for an encore.
      The crowd was the worst I've experienced, mostly teens who came with their youth group to have fun fighting to see who could get closest to the stage, not Benjamin Gate fans Ц but there were some fans who started singing the wedding march, and then when she caught on they hollered out, "Congratulations!" It was fun. Chris caught my eye from the stage and shook his head at me Ц "crazy girl." Adrienne saw me and gave a thumbs-up.
      Afterwards I waited in line, ostensibly to get them to sign a photo, but really to talk. Nick seemed a little sullen about signing the photo, since it had the old drummer and not him Ц but it was just such an awesome photo! I felt a little bad getting him to sign it though. That must have rankled him the whole time Ц so many of the promotional photos don't have him in them. Costa didn't look up. Then I got to Adrienne and asked if she'd received my letter, she said yes and thank you and Mac and Chris also thanked me (I hope it was encouraging to all of them, though it was written to Adrienne Ц I just didn't feel comfortable writing to guys, and I didn't feel like I had anything in common with them). They added teasingly that they hadn't gotten any letters, ever. By now they were finished signing, but I wanted to talk a little more than that, so I stood there, regardless of the line (fortunately the guy next to me was talking to Costa) and asked Adrienne if she remembered that I was from Georgia. She did, and I explained that I had timed my visit to my family so I could see them play. She said that was cool and asked if I had visited the Hershey Factory yet, adding that she wanted to. The line was getting impatient by then, so I said bye and left.
      After seeing Kutless and Tree 63, I went back, and they were packing up. When Adrienne wasn't doing anything at the moment, I asked what she thought of the necklace; she said it was beautiful, but she hadn't had a chance to wear it, as she didn't really have any free time. She said something about the letter that gave me the impression that it was an answer to prayer, and she hadn't yet responded to it because she had only gotten it a week ago.
      I worried a lot that I had stressed her out, making her think that she owed me a response or somethingЕ but in the letters afterward I tried to show her I didn't expect anything from her, that I was just hoping to bless and encourage her.

September 14, 2003--- The Last Show

      My first real roadtrip! Thirteen hours! Ben and I carpooled with another Kristen and another Ben whom we met on the Benjamin Gate forum. (God's hand was pretty obvious there-- he didn't want me to miss this show!) Kristen brought a vidcam and had my Ben film the show. We discovered a powerful talent in Ben! He did a phenominal job.
      Oh, the show was awesome. Adrienne was crying most of the time, but kept perfect control over her voice, and the band really rocked out. When they played "Need," I broke down and cried, which I didn't expect to do. ("Need" is my theme song, it encompasses all my struggles and desires from birth to now) But they picked it up again afterwards, and ended with jumpy songs. I'd have to say it was the most perfect set ever.
      Afterwards, I was getting the band to sign stuff for Kristen Brownlow, my evil twin who didn't go with us, and Nick (the drummer) told me that he had a feeling they might see me there. I was flattered that he thought of me, since I never even talked to him before. I talked to Mac and Chris and of course Adrienne, but not Nick. So yeah. Afterward Kristen and I waited for the flood of "sign this" people around Adrienne to die down, and talked to her a little. She said she was surprised to see us and hugged us. I asked if she'd gotten my letters and she said she hadn't been home since the first 2 (which I sent together). So I told her she had 4 waiting. Kristen gave her her band's CD (She's in the band "Ruckus"). Adrienne told us she was gonna get food and if we wanted we could hang around and talk to her later. So we hung around, and eventually I talked to her (Kristen felt too awkward). I just congratulated her on her wedding and told her about mine, and she congratulated me on mine... I told her I was going to miss seeing them play and she said they were sad about it too... and I told her that when I asked God for verses for her He kept giving me "I'm going to restore you to your homeland" verses... and she asked me some question that I can't remember. There was more but I don't remember. Then I said something about leaving, which surprised her for some reason, and she hugged me bye.