A few years ago I went through a challenging time spiritually. I heard people talking as if they knew God so well that they had Him all figured out. It was as if they could read his mind and know what He would say for any situation. They had, effectively and in my opinion, packaged God into a convenient travel-size package like a genie in a bottle – ready to do whatever they asked Him to. I was challenged by this approach because I did not agree with it. Had I missed something somehow? I thought, surely God’s thoughts are higher than mine, His ways are not ours… Continue reading »

Paul Evans is the envy of many a drummer as he was chosen to pick up where Stew Smith (Delirious?) left off. Bringing his energy and enthusiasm and wealth of drumming experience to the table, and the news that Delirious? are set to end their chapter in the book of music, Paul is a vital member of the band as they finish off probably one of the greatest chapters in their lives – but as the band have said, “The best is yet to come!”.

I had met Paul briefly at Heart to Drum ‘07 and saw him on stage bashing away. I was able to get hold of Paul and threw a few questions his way to gauge where he was at with his drumming in the band and his views on Christian drummers in the music business. Continue reading »

I enjoyed a few minutes of getting to show off a little bit of what the djembe can do at a Battle of the Bands contest at Jubilee Community Church on Saturday evening. It was a great evening and I am sure all enjoyed it. Peter Meade was taking photos and graciously gave me a copy of some pics he took of me warming up and performing. I did a djembe solo and a little bit of crowd vocal drumming facilitation. The photos are available on my Facebook page.

Photos are © 2008. Peter Meade Photography.
You can view Peter’s website here >> http://www.petermeadephotography.co.uk

Hi everyone

As I give the idea of providing drum tabs more thought. I thought it would be a good idea to start compiling a list of requests that other drummers would like to get the tabs for.

SO – here is your chance drummers! Comment below and let me know what songs you would like to see drum tabs for so it will be easier for other drummers to learn the songs for their worship teams.

FORMAT

Please provide the details as follows:

ARTIST :
ALBUM :
TRACK NAME :

Eg:

ARTIST : HILLSONG UNITED
ALBUM : ALL OF THE ABOVE
TRACK : POINT OF DIFFERENCE

The carnival drums beat out their rhythms
the joy and passion of the dance.
They call to the reveller
to enter their sacred trance.

Slaves to the beat they move
in an endless pattern of unending frenzy.
Louder, faster and pounding away
till they can stand no more.

Their hearts are lost,
their bodies tired.
Their heads are weary,
their blood begins to flow
as they realise they have given all
to the beat, the endless beat.

A different beat begins.
Different drums.
THE DRUMS OF WAR begin.

Increasing in volume,
increasing in glory,
increasing in power
they reverberate.

The air shakes
and the ground moves.
The dust is not allowed to settle
and is blown away by the force,
the sheer power of the beat.

THE DRUMS OF WAR conquer,
they overpower the evil,
they release the captives.
The slaves are free.

The war has begun.
The war has ended.
His Kingdom reigns forever.

Drummer,
strike your drum,
set the captives free.
Declare the name of Jesus
in every beat, rhythm and song.

The drums of war, let them be heard.

© 2008. Matthew Ian Hains.

Explanation:

This poem came to me rather quickly as the rock music blared in my headphones and I was so aware of the power of God and His awesomeness. So I wrote whatever came to mind. THE DRUMS OF WAR represent God, His message, His gospel, His power. The dance in the beginning is the world and its rhythm and symbolises how sin enslaves and traps people into thinking they’re having fun and a good time but it’s all meaningless and empty and then, when realise they gave the world everything, it’s too late. The air shakes is the message of the Gospel being preached to the people, it sets people free from the chaos. The best part is that the war actually was already over when the world was created…think about it. God has won, the victory is ours. But people are still fighting, struggling to find their place, their hope, their freedom in this world. Only the name of Jesus sets free. The end of the poem is an exhortation to the Christian drummer to beat their drums in faith and hope, in love and power in the name of Jesus.