The House of Hunt

So in an extremely bizarre and AWESOME turn of events, the much-heralded Nathan Rouse and I realized yesterday that our paths have crossed before. And by “before,” I mean before April and I moved to Charlotte and became a part of the Renovatus family. Indeed, this meeting transpired before April and I were even married.

In a serpentine twist of fate worthy of Lost, it would seem that Nathan and I met during the summer of 2003, at a little function known as Cornerstone North Carolina. The revelation dawned on us (mostly Nathan, as my recollection of that event is mostly centered around running the Relevant table and sleeping in the Beast, my first car) when Nathan called and we somehow started musing about Five Iron Frenzy and how much we miss them. Nathan then confessed that, despite his love for them, he only got to see them twice, once in 1998 and then again at said little event, Cornerstone North Carolina.

This is where things got interesting…I mentioned that I had seen them at Cstone NC as well. Matter of fact, all of the times when I saw them took place that summer, as I ended up visiting the Relevant offices in Florida and helping out with Cstone FL, then traveling to the main Cstone in Illinois to help out for the week. After these trips, I offered to run the Relevant table at Cstone NC, as they weren’t able to afford to have someone travel there for the festival. So we talked more about the festival and Nathan remembered exactly where the table was located (under the main tent directly across from the main stage). Then he realized that we actually had a conversation about Five Iron at the time, as I had just recently interviewed Reese about the end of the band, the beginning of his projects and other various topics.

Needless to say, at this point we were stunned and amazed at this realization and the next few minutes of the conversation involved lots of comments like “wow,” “cool,” “that’s so crazy,” and other equally profound thoughts. And so, dear reader, there you have it. The Nathan Rouse-Jeremy Hunt connection. It just goes to show that I need to make sure I’m nice to everyone I meet…because what if I had been an ass to him back then? Think how awkward our friendship would be now! My mind can barely fathom it!

The End.

Given my proclivity for humor and the making of other people laugh, I’m sure this post will seem rather out of character. But my buddy Blaine brought a powerful interview to my attention today and I had to pass it along.

The interview is a recent one with the gentleman whose mugshot is right up there. Those of you who had the blessing/curse to grow up ingrained in Christian culture during the 80’s/90’s will probably recognize him as John James, the former frontman for the Newsboys. Now I’m sure this will come as a shock to all of you who only know my hard-rockin’, ass-kickin’, indie band-interviewin’ side, but there remains within this tough exterior a tender love for bands like Newsboys, dc Talk, Audio Adrenaline…and yes, even early-to-mid Michael W. Smith.

Now that I’ve stomped on my credibility, ripped it to shreds, lit it on fire and scattered the ashes on the cruel streets of Charlotte, allow me to explain. My musical journey of discovery has been a long and convoluted one. I grew up with classical music, coupled with the magic of oldies. About the time that I started branching out and listening to heavier rock, I also stumbled upon albums like “Go West, Young Man,” “Some Kind Of Zombie,” “Jesus Freak,” and “Take Me To Your Leader.” These records (and others like them) were a big part of my teen year, on in to the time when we moved to France. So they had a big impact on me and as a result, they’ll always have a special place in my heart, indie snobbery be damned.

Which brings us full circle to John James. As someone who loved and followed the Newsboys during the height of their heyday (”Not Ashamed” though “Step Up To The Microphone”), it was a big deal when James left the band. He was a crazy, engaging frontman and yet, one day, out of nowhere (it seemed), he simply left the band. The long-standing explanation was that he had returned to Australia to pursue fulltime ministry. But the truth is actually a little darker and ultimately (thankfully) much more compelling and uplifting. Without getting too melodramatic (or giving too much away), James pretty much hit rock bottom in several areas of his life. And yet, as you’ll see in this interview, God’s grace grabbed him and didn’t let go.

As I read his story, I was struck once again at the beauty of the pure, raw, and unabashed love of God for us. I often get caught up in railing against various injustices and hypocrisies within Christian culture, but this is a story that is awesome in its transparency and honesty. And that’s why I’m posting about it…in the hopes that someone else who might need encouragement will read it and be lifted up. Check out the interview here.

Kids don’t play with 2 many knives!

So after a heated conversation yesterday, one of my faithful readers conveyed his extreme displeasure at the absence of his name on this hallowed blog. He whined and moaned, complained and whinged. In short, he broke down my defenses. I was like the Maginot Line to his German Panzers. And so, dear faithful, I present to you the House of Hunt’s ode to Nathan Rouse:

With acting skills diligent
and blazing eyes vigilant,
he casts his gaze to and fro
eyeing new roles to overthrow.

Teeth grinding and beard bristling,
he chews the scene like sinew and gristling.
Strawberry was good, Romeo is better,
His path won’t end without Oscar’s letter.

Hail Nathan Rouse!
Pastor of Community!
Hail Nathan Rouse!
Doorway to Divinity!
HAIL!

He bears a collection so spectacular
It humbles the same of his dear sweet pastor.
Of comics, movies, and mini toy games,
his love knows no bounds, no limit, no shame.

Lover of Shakespeare, laugher of jokes,
To other married men, he gives finger pokes.
His grin so radiant you surely cannot miss,
Your thoughts on Lost he’s quick to diss.

Hail Nathan Rouse!
Husband of Tracey!
Hail Nathan Rouse!
Eyes bold and spacey!
HAIL!

Much love Nathan.

HOT. DAMN.

MuteMath + Live Show = Musical Joy.

My japanese name is 藤原 Fujiwara (wisteria fields) 駿 Shun (fast person).
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Darkest of Kin 

All of you go about your day,
Never truly living.
Walking so close to death lets me know what it means to be alive.
It’s where I find my high.
Terror like this world has never seen.
Look in my eyes, see what I’ve done.
Always on the move, hell comes along.

STAND UP, FISTS OUT - I WOULDN’T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY
STAND UP, FISTS OUT - THIS IS THE REAL THING!

Been to the midwestern lights, fed on the fear in her eyes.
Family’s begging for their lives but, giving in’s no trait of mine.
Hit your knees and pray, pray you never see this face.
I’ve been called the hypocrite to bring down.

STAND UP, FISTS OUT - THIS IS THE REAL THING.
STAND UP, FISTS OUT - I WOULDN’T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY.

Baby I’m bad, I’m the fear in your eyes.
That hate in your heart has been branded with my name.

YOU OUGHTA BEEN WARNED
NOT TO CROSS THE TRACKS TO MY SIDE OF TOWN.
DARK CLOUDS WILL FOLLOW
GOD MAKE ME PAY LIKE THE DEVIL I AM!

This one’s for Jonathan. Enjoy buddy!

Then there are those days when the headline writes itself.

And then there’s this.