In this episode of Rock in a Hard Place, we are joined by singer Tommy Green from the band Holy Name. Tommy talks with Jon Micah and James about years of touring with his previous band, legendary Christian metal band Sleeping Giant, and the genesis of his new musical project, Holy Name. From a few songs recorded during the pandemic, then being approached by Facedown Records to make an album, the duo has released an epic heavy metal worship album. The guys discuss experiencing changes in relationship to the Church in general, and within a closer personal community after dealing with church hurt, moral failures in leadership, and other disappointments. Tommy talks about dealing with a deeply painful season of profound loss, after miscarriages and grieving the deaths of several family members, and how to give that sorrow to Jesus. We discuss feeling used, the power of lyrics, being patient with God, after feeling brokenhearted. Dealing with trauma, clinical depression, and anxiety while trying to figure out how to draw close to God again. When competition and growth for the sake of growth equals cancer for the Church. The next great step forward towards unity in the Church. Tommy describes his journey growing close to God again through the Orthodox Church.

James and Jon Micah welcome Dave Luetkenhoelter, former bass player of Kutless, to the show! On this episode of Rock In a Hard Place, we catch up with our good friend, and hear about his life with his family down in Texas! Dave tells us about his work in student ministry, and encouraging students to have healthy spiritual disciplines in their life. We talk about some of our favorite touring and recording memories from his time in the band, epic prank wars, recording at Abbey Road Studios, and we even get his point of view on some “fan-favorite” prank stories. Be warned, we also discuss one of the most bizarre and traumatic experiences of our career. How God used a young fan named Gabby to galvanize within our group a deep passion for preaching the Gospel and helping people find faith in the Lord Jesus Christ - a story that impacted us deeply, and how it all got wrapped up in lies and deception. An almost book. Healing after manipulation based trauma. What God showed us even amidst all the confusion. Join us, and our friend’s very squeaky chair for a very inspiring conversation. Thanks Lucky!

On this episode of Rock in a Hard Place, James and Jon Micah talk about AI and try to figure out if it’s going to take over the world! From how it’s affecting students in schools, to the impact AI is having on art and music. Chat GPT writes an action movie plot about the band fighting off an international group of terrorists, called ‘Kutless: Unshaken.’ Other prompts include, ‘The Unfunny King’ and a story about Tom Brady coming out of retirement from the NFL again to drive Formula 1 for team Red Bull. Jon Micah and James remember the Hearts of the Innocent era and making the music video for their song ‘Shut Me Out’ with a full Hollywood crew, on location at an abandoned warehouse in Los Angeles, and share some BTS stories. The story behind the song "Smile". Going on the Hearts of the Innocent Tour, sponsored by Suzuki. How do you talk to people that don’t believe the same as you? Why does the Church get wrapped up in “do’s and don’t s,” or being “right,” but misses people entirely? How do we create durability in discipleship? Jon Micah talks about the challenge in his life to be more relational, more loving, and more focused on the individual. James talks about how to have more compassion and empathy for the world around you.

On this episode of Rock in a Hard Place, James and Jon Micah welcome a dear friend, legendary rapper Jonah Sorrentino, also known as KJ-52! The Guinness World Record holder and winner of the “first” Dove Award by a Tooth & Nail Records artist (followed by Jeremy Camp about 15 minutes later) talks about his career, the comparisons to Eminem and his seminal song ‘Dear Slim’, and the challenges Christian Hip Hop faces from the Christian music industry. We talk with Jonah about going to church “in the Shire,” guess how many tours we’ve done together, the infamous “Concert For the Youth,” hashtag Florida Man headlines, and working with producer Aaron Sprinkle for the first time! Jonah shares what still excites him about Hip Hop and where the inspiration for his new record ‘Still Standing’ came from. We discuss the recording of KJ’s song ‘Are You Real?’, which features Jon Micah as a guest vocalist, and the guys even talk about mental-health and how pastors can help break down the stigmas around going to therapy.

On this episode of Rock in a Hard Place, James and Jon Micah share fond memories and funny stories from their travels throughout Ukraine in 2015-2016. The guys from Kutless discovered a nation full of beautiful and amazing people that were passionate about their country, hopeful that the Church would continue to grow, and excited to go to a rock concert! Recounting stories from Kyiv to Kherson, from Mykolayiv to Khmelnytskyy, and Kamianets Podilskyi, Melitopol, Chernivtsi, Odesa, and a very “close call” in Vinnytsia. Follow along as James and Jon Micah tell stories about the impact of sharing the Gospel, the concerts and the huge crowds, impromptu singing in crowded restaurants, almost being arrested, and having forty Rambos for security! There are also a few amazing ministries that are doing a lot of work there in Ukraine to help the displaced refugees and those serving on the front lines: 

Please visit www.eem.org to learn more about funding Bible distribution all across Eastern Europe and caring for the daily needs of refugees through “Ukraine Aid.” 

Please visit www.ajesusmission.org to support their missionaries and learn more about their work delivering food and supplies in Ukraine. 

Please visit www.samaritanspurse.org to help them deliver shelter materials, resources, medical care, and food and water to the people of Ukraine.

Email us at [email protected]

Reflecting on the recording of their seminal album ‘Strong Tower’, Jon Micah and James dive deeper into issues within the band. Young men dealing with inter-relational conflict, competitiveness, ego, and the struggling with a deep-seated longing for affirmation and validation. On this episode of Rock in a Hard Place listeners will hear about frigid weather and Minneapolis memories. Another round of Hard Questions! The inside scoop on a new song called ‘Breakthrough’. Mental health and counseling. Being present in the process. Fearing “contingent hope,” and disappointment. Parenting teenagers. Subway gift cards life hack. 

Email us at [email protected]

kutless.com

On this episode of Rock in a Hard Place we welcome a very special guest (from our band), Nate Parrish! The other half of the “Guitar Department” joins us from his home in sunny California to talk about his life, his solo music, his experiences with Church, and losing his father to Cancer. Nate talks about learning guitar at 18 years old, learning how to pronounce “Epiphone,” and joining his first band after 6 months. Moving to Modesto to join a worship band but trying to make it hardcore with screaming. Nate uses his art skills to help make a drum skirt for a huge Kutless drum riser. We make a ‘The Office’ style video* about Nate stalking James since 2008. Nate “officially” joins Kutless in 2015, and we begin having adventures. Segway tours in Budapest vs. crying in a bathtub. Sketchy doctors in Ukraine. Meat platters. The difference between happiness and what joy is. Understanding how Churches can try to control people through a morphed “Prosperity Gospel.” Sometimes God blesses us with exactly the opposite of what we wanted. 

Shoot us an email at [email protected]

*Here is the funny video (Nate stalking Kutless) talked about on this podcast, watch on YouTube - “Replacing Kutless’ James Mead Creation Festival: The Tour”

https://youtu.be/Dgupvfw-y7E

Hanging at the mall, shopping on Amazon. American flags: Designed in the USA, Made in China. Impostor moms trying to come backstage. Getting certified for Ski Patrol. The challenges of following your calling. Finishing our second album, Sea of Faces. Going on tour with Audio Adrenaline and Mercy Me. Playing with RC cars on tour. Epic prank night shenanigans. On this episode of Rock in a Hard Place, James and Jon Micah recount the harrowing story of January, 2004 - “The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail Tour.” Tow trucks, rental cars, and sketchy kidnapper vans. Sometimes ministry feels like you keep getting punched in the face over and over. 

Welcome our friend, the super-talented Derek Minor. On this episode the guys play a new round of Best and Worst with Derek. James blows Derek’s mind with the life-hack of Sriracha on pizza and Derek prefers Miracle Whip over mayonnaise even though it’s made in a lab.  Derek talks about the early years of his rap career, selling CDs out of his trunk in Nashville, and meeting Lecrae when he moved to Memphis. We discuss the songwriting process and his musical influences from his early childhood. The evolution of recording equipment and producing. The dangers of the Crack epidemic and how it affected his family. Derek shares about the difficulties of being authentic about his life in Christian rap, and why he quit music… but now he’s back with a new album called “Nobody’s Perfect.”

Best and Worst, Holiday edition and the top 25 worst Christmas traditions according to the internet.  This abbreviated episode steps away from our normal in-depth discussions and storytelling and quickly recaps 2022 and discusses what to expect in 2023.  

Send us thoughts and questions at: [email protected]

www.kutless.com