Nashville-born band Spoken was formed in Nashville, Tennesse by vocalist Matt Baird, guitarist Scoop Roberts, and drummer Isaiah Perez in 1996. The trio debuted with their 1997 album, “On Your Feet” which was released through metro 1 music.
Over 10 members had joined and left the band for different reasons and the only two members currently fronting the band are; vocalist Matt Baird and guitarist JR Bareis. Throughout their career, the band has been signed to various record labels and has released several creative pieces under the labels.
Spoken has been linked to various Christian record labels which have led fans to question the religious status of the band. Also, the band has explored an array of themes in their songs. One can easily come across themes of love, relationships, bitterness, fear, or breakups in their songs. The blend of these themes with Christian or religious themes in their songs has raised the question: Is Spoken a Christian band?
Is Spoken a Religious Band?
A religious band is a band whose songs portray the religious beliefs of a particular religious group. A religious band produces songs with religious influences that are based on the beliefs of a particular religious organization.
Spoken has openly admitted to being a religious band. The band talks so much about faith, spirituality, and religion in their songs and they also portray lifestyles that showcase their beliefs. Spoken has seized every opportunity to speak about God and how he(God) inspires their songs.
In a 2016 interview with Giant Sounds and the band’s frontman, Matt Baird, he made comments on how God speaks to him while he’s writing songs for the band, and how he pays apt attention to what going is saying and doing in his life, which is where he get inspirations for his songs. In his words:
“So this was a situation where I agreed with God. I was like, “I know I can screw this up, I can write twelve kinds of okay songs all day long, but these need to be good songs. So I’m out of the way, I’ll write about whatever you put on my heart, and whatever melodies are on this record. You bring them, whatever cadence of the melodies, that’s up to you.” That’s straight up, that’s just real. Our eighth record was not written by me, that’s for sure. I just tried to listen when it came to writing lyrics and melodies. I tried to listen to my heart and to what God was doing in my life. That’s truly how it came about.”
In the interview, the artist also reveals how he handles situations where some fans express their disbelief in God. According to him:
“Someone who’s like, “I don’t believe in the God that you say you serve,” and then saying “Okay, that’s cool, fine. You don’t have the same relationship that I do, where I’ve experienced God, that’s why I believe in God.”
What Kind of Music Band is Spoken?
Spoken is a Christian rock band. Christian rock music focuses on matters of Christianity, emphasizes Jesus Christ in the lyrics, and is performed by individuals who have publicly affirmed that they are Christians.
Christian rock bands are most times grouped into different categories because of the disparity in their use of Christian imagery. Some Christian rock bands explicitly express their Christian beliefs and faith and are categorized as contemporary Christian music. Other Christian rock bands employ Christian imagery, and are influenced by the Christian faith and beliefs but do not limit their songs to a Christian audience, meaning they employ other elements that make the songs appealing to diverse audiences.
Spoken has adopted other genres like; Christian hardcore, Christian metal, hard rock, rap rock, rapcore, and nu-metal. The band has been described as one of the first bands in the American music scene to combine Christian music with rapcore and screamo genres. Spoken’s music style is an amalgam of heavy guitar riffs, down-tuned guitar, rapping, clean singing, growling and screaming, the use of power chords, lurching beats, loud and aggressive vocals, and use of Christian lyrics and themes.
Apart from the prevalent Christian-related and spiritual themes in their songs, Spoken also explores themes like; bitterness, love and relationships, breakup, self-discovery, anxiety, emotions, lies, and betrayal amongst others.
Spoken has released a total of nine studio albums. The band’s first seven albums were released under E1, Tooth and Nail, and Metro 1 record labels. The band released the 8th album through Artery records and their last album was released independently. They’ve been recognized in the music scene for their soul-lifting and unique Christian music style.
Is Spoken a Christian Band?
Before concluding on if Spoken is a Christian band or not, it is important to consider what Christianity entails. Christianity is a religion based on the teachings and principles of Jesus Christ, the central figure of the religion.
True Christians believe in God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Bible, and other structures of the religion. Their lives are shaped according to the laws of Christianity. Similarly, Christian bands must uphold Christian practices and beliefs. Its members should be Christians who have publicly affirmed their faith in Christianity and their lifestyles reflect that of a true Christian.
Some Christian bands now appeal to diverse audiences and not just Christians because of the music styles and genres they have adopted. Those songs have evolved from the conventional hymns, praise, or worship styles Christian bands popularly used. They have now adopted contemporary Christian music styles and genres like; Christian hardcore, Christian metal, rap, screamo, folk, punk, or pop styles. Spoken is one of those Christian bands that have infused these varieties.
Their blend of screamo, rapcore, nu-metal, rap rock and other genres/styles have made the band well-appreciated by listeners from diverse backgrounds. Spoken is one of the first bands that has blended these styles, and undeniably these have produced some of the finest sounds and an amazing body of work.
Members of Spoken are Christians and have openly affirmed their Christian faith. They revealed that they started singing and playing in church shows, Christian festivals, bars, and on tours.
In an interview with Giants Sound, Matt Baird clearly stated that band members are Christians and shared how they’ve been preserving their status as a Christian band. In his words:
“We as Christians can’t afford to have an off day where we treat someone awful and then the next day we’re talking about “Don’t treat people awful.” Then it’s like “What? But yesterday I saw you…” So I think it’s crazy when we’re able to truly apply grace to our own lives and to know that we don’t deserve a single thing. I know that I don’t deserve to be in a band or be on a platform or be able to write music at all. But God allows me to do it, and I’ll embrace it.”
Spoken Christian Songs
As a Christian band, most of their songs contain pure Christian lyrics and have been listed on Christian music charts, sites, or forums as contemporary Christian music. The band has a lot of spirit-filled songs and faith-based messages and are expressions of other Christian beliefs. Some of their top and fans’ favorite Christian songs are:
Prepare To Meet Thy God
“Prepare to meet thy God is what I say to you
I can’t make you believe what I believe is true
All the power and glory of our father
For, I believe there is no other
I will tear off this cover of sin and shame
Look to the sky and fall to my knees
Fight for my God above, fight for the God of love
Fight hear the spirit sing, fight I hear the spirit calling me
So many faces”
Forevermore
“Break, these chains that bind me
Take this world inside me
Free me
Break, these chains that bind me
Take this world inside me, please
And I will follow you forever
And I will break these chains that bind my spirit
He’s been calling you forever
You would surrender if you could only hear it
Shackled by this hatred
Chains beneath your skin
Don’t you want to be free again?
Shackled by this hatred
Chains beneath my skin
All I want to be is free again
Here I am by your side forevermore “
The Way Back Home
“Save me, I’m lost in the shadows
Alone in the darkness, I’ve lost all control
Somehow I’ve lost my way
I couldn’t separate the darkness from the day
I believe that you are shining
Shining like the sun
Watching over the world
As we find our way back home
Shining like the sun
Watching over the world
As we find our way back home”
Is Spoken a Satanic Band?
A satanic band is one whose songs are characterized by demonic beliefs and practices. Members of a satanic band believe in satan who is the central figure of the religion and promote satanic practices in their songs.
Spoken has been open about their religious beliefs and has not shown affiliations with satanism. Their songs do not depict satanic beliefs and practices. As such we do not consider spoken a Satanic band.
Wrapping Up
After an in-depth analysis of Spoken’s songs and other elements, we’ve concluded that Spoken is a Christian band. The band has used its unique style of Christian music to reach out to Christians and even to secular audiences. They portray God in their songs and share positive Christian messages with believers.
Think we were wrong? Write your reasoning in the comments and prove us wrong!