THE LYRICS TO THIS SONG WERE TAKEN FROM ONE WOMAN'S LETTER WRITTEN TO GOD ASKING FOR HELP WHILE IN A VERY ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP.
It was a cold January night in 2007 when I first had the opportunity to meet with Chris, the lead singer of Reckless Oversight. Though our conversation was somewhat brief, what immediately struck me was the transparency and honesty he conveyed about life and faith. I walked away from that first meeting quite aware that new ground was about to be broken.
Now it's early spring in 2008, and it's been nearly 15 months since that night. I'm not surprised that the name Reckless Oversight is beginning to gain momentum among listeners. You won't find a Cinderella story here. These guys are no strangers to the hard work, dedication and perseverance that are necessary parts of becoming who they are as a band.
The guys of Reckless Oversight will tell you that their name stems from the past --- the lives they were living and the places in which they found themselves. Not many years ago, it was an extremely painful time of personal tragedy that began to open the heart of founder, Chris, to real transformation and the redeeming grace of Jesus. The journey had begun and God was leading the way. In the battle of discovering new and foreign places to which God was calling Chris, the pull of music inside his heart was unmistakable.
"It was a battle," Chris recalls. "I fought worthlessness, addiction and self-esteem. I asked God, who am I to start a Christian band?"
This battle would take some time, but in early 2006, the door swung wide open. Reckless Oversight formed, and began writing and playing. The answers to the inner questions that Chris was wrestling with came in one word, standards. "Do we live to the standards we've created for ourselves, many times false and full of lies about who we are, or do we look for God's truths about who we are in His Word and strive to live by His will?" This was a question that was not only being applied in Chris' personal life but also in the music and the conversations with people connecting with the band.
As the songs developed, and Chris, Joe, Ed and Joey put together their first demo, the challenge to begin sharing their music became the next step. One by one, CD's made their way into the hands of friends, family and the church community.
"You either love us or hate us," says Chris of their music, "but we sing honestly about real life." The response was an overwhelming affirmation of what God was speaking to the band. There is a place for Reckless Oversight's music.
"We looked at our lives and experiences and the things happening around us and we asked God, 'Is there a problem with these issues in the world today?' and the answer continues to be yes," says Chris. "We believe what we stand for."
Their debut album, The Basement Year, is hard-hitting and raw. Reckless Oversight brings a fresh and unique sound to Christian rock, further enhanced by the vulnerability and honesty in their lyrics. The album opens with a mid-tempo song entitled "Never Be the Same", which deals with the life changing experience of getting help in a group setting. By the time you've listened to the second song, "Who I Am", it is unmistakable that there is a passion and intensity to be reckoned with. With a driving beat, defined guitar riffs and leads, and powerfully emotional vocals, this song takes a serious look at Proverbs 23:7 which says, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is."
The album, containing twelve songs, addresses real life issues and struggles with such things as addiction, self-identity and the dangerous repetitious cycles of depression, suicide and relationships. Bringing all of these things into the light of God's truth and love is no small feat when your hope is to bridge the gap between the mind and the heart of your listeners. These four guys have humbly succeeded in honoring God with their message of thankfulness and direction in "My Life" and "Follow Thee".
The album closes with two very different instrumentals. "Fall-n-Run" is a strong up-tempo rocker with a slick bass line and wickedly awesome guitar not unlike something you might find slightly Joe Satriani-ish. "Feeling" leaves you with three minutes and forty seven seconds of powerfully melodic guitar and the distinct feeling you've been on a bit of an inward journey; no pun intended.
Reckless Oversight may be the new guys on the block but you'll be glad they moved in. The neighborhood is set to get a little noisier as the band is already back in the studio working on new material for their second album. It's a sure thing that there is much more to come from these South Jersey rockers.
SPECIAL NOTE FROM THE BAND...
The name Reckless Oversight is based on the past. The person I used to be. A past full of drugs, drinking, getting wrecked every night as well as battling depression, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, no self esteem and so on. I was the poster child for the mental health and addictions industry. If you are or ever were a victim of addiction, we play for you. If you are or have ever battled depression and thoughts of suicide, we sing for you. If you're looking to find yourself, we hope the music can help you stand and find truth. If you find yourself wondering who we are, that not as important as to what we are about. To focus on us would mean you'll miss out on what's in the music. Transformation-!! Romans 12-!! To be transformed by the renewing of your mind. If you really want to know who we are...Reckless Oversight is a truck driver, a plumber, a construction worker and a school student. As for me, I'm just one voice in a sea of millions.
May the Son always shine on you and your family
Fight the Good Fight - Reckless Oversight
Above is a one hour radio/online interview with Reckless Oversight from Friday July 3, 2009.
Thank you to Lou for having us-!
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