Remedy: Nativity to host Christian rock band

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
March 24, 2005

Looking for a rocking time? You might find the Remedy at Nativity Parish in Sioux City on April 7. The parish's gymnasium will be the site of a concert featuring Remedy, a Christian rock band from Lincoln.

Angie and Les Lutter of Bronson are sponsoring the concert. These Immaculate Conception parishioners had their first real taste of Christian music last Labor Day Weekend at a huge Christian music festival called Life Flight held in Sioux Falls.

"That put the idea in our head that wow, there is some really good Christian music out there," noted Angie. "I didn't realize there were so many different styles of Christian music."

Although the group Remedy had gotten rained out last fall in Sioux Falls, since that time, the Lutters have become sold on Christian music. She began to listen to the group Remedy and has seen them perform at several venues in the area.

Angie also credited their 18-year-old daughter, Hayley, with putting them on to Christian music. The couple also has a 22-year-old daughter Lexi and an 11-year-old son, Tucker, who is a student at Mater Dei School.

"A lot of the popular music is either about sex, drugs, alcohol or it's depressing," noted Angie, who added that through the Christian music of Remedy, the group doesn't negate that life can hold tough times but they offer a positive spin on life and Christian perspective.

Four brothers comprise the group - David, lead singer; Daniel, drums; Philip, bass; and Paul Zach on lead guitar. David writes the majority of the songs.

Via a telephone interview, David said the group has an ability to harmonize and add color with improvisation.

He pointed out that they started to take their music seriously while they were in college at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. From the beginning they were a Christian band.

"In high school I saw a lot of my friends listening to different music and especially in high school when you are at such an impressionable time in your life, the style of music they listened to changed the way they dressed and even some of their morals. The music in the 1960s changed the whole nation," said David, who added that he believes throughout history some music has caused damage because it can be such a powerful force.

Remedy's lead singer said he wanted to do something to counter the negativity.

"I want to be a powerful force to change lives for the better - for the kingdom of heaven. When we saw the damage that was being done, that's what inspired us to write songs that have a message of truth. Hopefully the truth will cut through and change lives through God's word," said David.

Many of their songs take verses right out of the Bible. The songs are also centered on life experiences, including such things as struggling with full faith and trust in God.

He pointed out that soon the band will be adding a second name and will be known as Remedy Drive in order to avoid confusion with other bands.

"If people come to the concert they will not be disappointed," said David. "We are inspired by the God of the universe, the most creative being ever." Likewise, Remedy tries to offer "the most creative music. It will be a fun concert with good music."

Angie pointed out that at the various Remedy concerts she has attended, different members of the group have given inspirational witness talks sprinkled throughout their performance.

"They are also very open into staying after the concert and talking to people," she said.

In the short amount of time that Angie has become a true fan of Christian music, she said she has discovered that the other denominations are stronger listeners to this genre of music. That is one of the reasons why the Lutters wanted to bring it to a Catholic venue - to expose more Catholic youth to Christian music.

The concert is open to people of all faiths. She would love to see Catholic youth groups and parish religious education classes attend the show.

Doors of the Nativity gym will open at 6:15 p.m. on April 7. The local youth worship band called 24/7 from River Hills Church will open for Remedy, starting about 6:45 p.m. to about 7:30 p.m. when Remedy will take the stage. Cost is $3 per person. All proceeds above the cost of bringing in Remedy will go to Nativity Church.

You can check out Remedy's music on their Web site - www.oneremedy.net.