Elaine Bradly Of The Neon Trees On Being A Rock Star And Lds

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

How about my other question- is secular success and recognition for LDS artists (in all arts and entertainment) a good thing?

I am not so sure it matter much in the grand scheme of things.

[Duncan]

I usually don't wear my garments when I perform with my band, but I put them on shortly thereafter. I consider it the same as wearing shorts and a tank to play a game of basketball or go running etc. I knew Tal Bachman is no longer LDS, but is his dad, Randy Bachman (B.T.O.,The Guess Who)?

Randy isn't active anymore...mind you when he was he baptized our current Patriarch!!

[Calm]

One should wear the Garment whenever the clothing worn could correctly shield the Garment from profane view.

There are other reasons for not wearing garments, including health and safety. One could wear garments during swimming by wearing long shorts and a t shirt tucked in or those suits with sleeves and legs and yet no one expects one to wear garments underneath simply because they remain covered.

[Duncan]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705370694/Canadian-singer-wins-Best-New-Artist-Juno.html

How could we forget Meaghan Smith!!!!! She is LDS!

[cinepro]

Several come to mind. One of the most interesting LDS musicians is Arthur "Killer" Kane.

When I lived in west Los Angeles years ago, Arthur was my home teaching companion. He was the most quiet and unassuming guy, and it just threw me for a loop to find out about his rock-star past (especially considering the "costuming" he wore). He would bring his harmonica when we visited families and play hymns or primary songs, and as we drove around, he would tell me all sorts of stories about rock 'n roll in the 70's. He wanted more than anything to play again with his band mates but they were so totally estranged that it just looked like it was never going to happen. Then the amazing events shown in "New York Doll" occurred. To this day, that story is one of the most amazing miracles I have ever seen, and one of my regrets in life is that I didn't make the effort to go along.

[LeSellers]

There are other reasons for not wearing garments, including health and safety. One could wear garments during swimming by wearing long shorts and a t shirt tucked in or those suits with sleeves and legs and yet no one expects one to wear garments underneath simply because they remain covered.

I've worked in many a dangerous situation and have yet to even imagine a job where the Garment could pose a safety problem, absent one where clothing that would cover it would, per se.

Your swimming example is a stretch, although I know people who do hold such a view and honor their covenant so.

Lehi

Edited December 20, 2011 by LeSellers

[Peppermint Patty]

When I lived in west Los Angeles years ago, Arthur was my home teaching companion. He was the most quiet and unassuming guy, and it just threw me for a loop to find out about his rock-star past (especially considering the "costuming" he wore). He would bring his harmonica when we visited families and play hymns or primary songs, and as we drove around, he would tell me all sorts of stories about rock 'n roll in the 70's. He wanted more than anything to play again with his band mates but they were so totally estranged that it just looked like it was never going to happen. Then the amazing events shown in "New York Doll" occurred. To this day, that story is one of the most amazing miracles I have ever seen, and one of my regrets in life is that I didn't make the effort to go along.

That's pretty amazing. I would love to be able to tell my children/grandchildren that I used to drive around Arthur Killer Kane in my car while he played me primary songs on his harmonica.

I bet you heard some very interesting stories from Arthur. I'm jealous.

[cinepro]

That's pretty amazing. I would love to be able to tell my children/grandchildren that I used to drive around Arthur Killer Kane in my car while he played me primary songs on his harmonica.

I bet you heard some very interesting stories from Arthur. I'm jealous.

My kids were very young, but they knew Arthur quite well. He would come over for lunch after Church on the days we were home teaching, and my son had just got a guitar so Arthur would play it for him. He was long out of practice (and obviously a six-string was never his forte), but it was fun. We still have a few guitar picks he gave them.

Back in 2001, The New York Dolls were nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (but still haven't gotten in). That week, I was conducting Elder's Quorum, and Arthur was sitting in the back. I then told everyone that I wanted to take a moment "and congratulate the member of our quorum who just that week had been nominated for induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame..." Almost no one knew who I was talking about, and they looked around wondering until I told them all to be sure to shake Arthur's hand and wish him good luck. Those who didn't know Arthur were genuinely surprised to find out that the quiet, unassuming guy in the back row was a rock and roll legend!

Edited December 20, 2011 by cinepro

[Monster]

Good for her. She walks to the beat of her own drum so to speak

[LDSToronto]

I usually don't wear my garments when I perform with my band, but I put them on shortly thereafter. I consider it the same as wearing shorts and a tank to play a game of basketball or go running etc. I knew Tal Bachman is no longer LDS, but is his dad, Randy Bachman (B.T.O.,The Guess Who)?

I have it stored in the dark recesses of my mind that Randy Bachman is no longer LDS. I'm sure a little googling will confirm. I thought he was LDS, but something within the past two years, either a blogpost, or an article that I read, has confirmed otherwise.

[Duncan]

I have it stored in the dark recesses of my mind that Randy Bachman is no longer LDS. I'm sure a little googling will confirm. I thought he was LDS, but something within the past two years, either a blogpost, or an article that I read, has confirmed otherwise.

he isn't active

[Calm]

I've worked in many a danngerous situation and haabve yet to even imagine a job where the Garment could pose a safety poblem, absent one where clothing that would cover it would, per se.

Your swiming example is a stretch, although I know people who do hold such a view and honor thwir covenant so.

Lehiq

There is a reason why there are special garments available for certain military situations.

[Stargazer]

There is a reason why there are special garments available for certain military situations.

Probably the reason why two-piece garments came into common use for everyone is because the Church first responded to requirements that combat troops wear only olive drab in tactical clothing -- including underclothing -- for reduced visibility, and day-to-day utility clothing as well, by authorizing special two-piece olive-drab garments. I was in the US Army at the time when such garments became available, and as I recall there was only single-piece garments generally available (and authorized) for civilian and military wear. It wasn't until later that two-piece garments became authorized for general wear.

[LeSellers]

There is a reason why there are special garments available for certain military situations.

Probably the reason why two-piece garments came into common use for everyone is because the Church first responded to requirements that combat troops wear only olive drab in tactical clothing -- including underclothing -- for reduced visibility, and day-to-day utility clothing as well, by authorizing special two-piece olive-drab garments. I was in the US Army at the time when such garments became available, and as I recall there was only single-piece garments generally available (and authorized) for civilian and military wear. It wasn't until later that two-piece garments became authorized for general wear.

I was in the Army when the brown Garment was introduced. I never got any because I was within months of retiring, and my position rarely required I go into the field at that point. Besides, I could (and did) wear a standard military T-shirt over my Garment), so it was not visible to other soldiers.

Nonetheless, it was not a safety issue, but to permit soldier/Saints to wear a single upper body covering inside the BDU jacket. Neither safety nor health was the reason. Mine was the only company at Beale Air Force Base in the 110° heat of the summer of 1989 that lost not a single soldier to heat injuries. I wore the Garment that day, and was not affected. (Of course, I made my First Sergeant carry four canteens, as I did myself, and forced our soldiers to drink one canteen in front of us every hour—then we swapped canteens with them. No one else did that, or anything like it.)

Lehi

[Judd]

I drummed for a hardcore band and don't see why it would be necessary to remove garments. Not any more so than when I did construction, or demolition, or worked in a steel warehouse / steel yard. I really couldn't care less about whether or not people have activities where they choose not to wear them -- that's their choice -- but it's kind of funny for people to step out give some reasoning, albeit silly, of why they can't wear them. It starts to bring questions to my mind if they feel the necessity to defend it.

[altersteve]

edit: wrong thread

Edited December 20, 2011 by altersteve

[Ron Beron]

You and me both, buddy! You and me both!

I have the hair...if I comb it the right way.

[Rock_N_Roll]

One should wear the Garment whenever the clothing worn could correctly shield the Garment from profane view. There is no required clothing for a rock band that could not provide the necessary protection.

By this standard we should all be wearing our Garments when we play basketball. The new "extra long" style of basketball shorts and a baggy t-shirt would more than cover adequately. Especially if you get those new, spandex type, athletic garments. Come to think of it, you could easily wear those under a swimsuit. And to the drummer...we all know no one sees the drummer anyway...ha! Just messin' with ya.

[Kenngo1969]

I have the hair...if I comb it the right way.

I had permed, shoulder-length hair as a freshman/sophomore in high school. Ahhh, them was the days!

[LDSToronto]

Brandon Flowers (singer for the band "The Killers")

Brandon Flowers is problematic. After he created his "I am a Mormon" video, I looked into his public past. Not exactly the greatest role model for LDS youth - drinking, smoking, immodest lyrics, immodest dress, swearing, didn't serve a mission.

I wonder what message this sends to the youth (or anyone for that matter)? How does one answer the question, "Well, Brandon Flowers drank/smoke/swore/dressed this way/etc, why can't I?"

One can say, "Well, Brandon has repented", to which a rebuttal is easy, "So will I". One can also say, "Brandon is a bad example", to which a rebuttal is easy, "Then why is the Church holding him up?"

Personally, I think it's great that Brandon made an, "I am a Mormon" video for the Church because it forces these types of discussions.

H.

[altersteve]

Brandon Flowers is problematic. After he created his "I am a Mormon" video, I looked into his public past. Not exactly the greatest role model for LDS youth - drinking, smoking, immodest lyrics, immodest dress, swearing, didn't serve a mission.

I wonder what message this sends to the youth (or anyone for that matter)? How does one answer the question, "Well, Brandon Flowers drank/smoke/swore/dressed this way/etc, why can't I?"

One can say, "Well, Brandon has repented", to which a rebuttal is easy, "So will I". One can also say, "Brandon is a bad example", to which a rebuttal is easy, "Then why is the Church holding him up?"

Personally, I think it's great that Brandon made an, "I am a Mormon" video for the Church because it forces these types of discussions.

H.

I think Brother Flowers is a great role model to the youth for this very reason. He did things he shouldn't have done, but has since expressed regret and seems to have repented and focused more on his faith and his family. That's why the Church is "holding him up." He's been through the crap that the youth of the Church seem to be drawn towards, and he's telling them, "Don't do it."

Brandon is one of my musical influences, and as a musician I'm a big fan. But I also have lots of respect for him. It's hard to be a famous rock star and be so open about your faith like that. That's another reason why he's such a great role model for the youth.

[LDSToronto]

I think Brother Flowers is a great role model to the youth for this very reason. He did things he shouldn't have done, but has since expressed regret and seems to have repented and focused more on his faith and his family. That's why the Church is "holding him up." He's been through the crap that the youth of the Church seem to be drawn towards, and he's telling them, "Don't do it."

Brandon is one of my musical influences, and as a musician I'm a big fan. But I also have lots of respect for him. It's hard to be a famous rock star and be so open about your faith like that. That's another reason why he's such a great role model for the youth.

OK, I can understand that - but do you think that youth understand that? What is the more likely interpretation of Flowers' journey from a 16 year old's perspective:

1. Brandon Flowers overcame the sins of his youth, and because he's saying I shouldn't do it (btw, where does he say that?), I won't do those things

or

2. Brandon Flowers did a bunch of crap, and he repented, so I can do a bunch of crap and repent, too.

H.

[MosesStone1980]

OK, I can understand that - but do you think that youth understand that? What is the more likely interpretation of Flowers' journey from a 16 year old's perspective:

1. Brandon Flowers overcame the sins of his youth, and because he's saying I shouldn't do it (btw, where does he say that?), I won't do those things

or

2. Brandon Flowers did a bunch of crap, and he repented, so I can do a bunch of crap and repent, too.

H.

I submit that anyone who has done an "I am Mormon" video fits in with the "did a bunch of crap, and repented" category.

In fact, I would go so far as to say that anyone who has done a "I am Mormon" video will continue to do a bunch of crap and repent well into the future.

I'm actually planning to teach my kids how all of us fall short of God's glory and need the atonement to overcome those mistakes. Certainly we don't look for trouble, but none of us are above the need of the Savior.

You may have an argument if they did the video knowing Brandon was outwardly breaking many basic gospel principles.

Edited December 21, 2011 by MosesStone1980

[LDSToronto]

I submit that anyone who has done an "I am Mormon" video fits in with the "did a bunch of crap, and repented" category.

In fact, I would go so far as to say that anyone who has done a "I am Mormon" video will continue to do a bunch of crap and repent well into the future.

I'm actually planning to teach my kids how all of us fall short of God's glory and need the atonement to overcome those mistakes. Certainly we don't look for trouble, but none of us are above the need of the Savior.

You may have an argument if they did the video knowing Brandon was outwardly breaking many basic gospel principles.

Hmmmm.....

So, would you let your kids listen to Mr. Brightside?

H.

[Loran Blood]

Interesting article on Elaine Bradley, drummer of the Neon Trees. For those of you living on Mars the last couple of years, Neon Trees is a hugely successful and talented rock group whose members all happen to be returned missionaries and active members of the LDS faith.

It seems like more LDS than ever before are becoming mainstream, popular musicians.

Article:

http://www.mormonwom...o-her-own-drum/

Neon Trees video:

Actually fairly nice stuff. Very much a retro-80s New Wave/New Music sound reminiscent of Flock of Seagulls, Modern English, Psychodelic Furs etc.

At least its not the typical LDS/EV Christian contemporary stuff that all sounds like standardized, formatted top 40 pop soft rock (think anything done by the Church for their TV commercials or videos such as Our Heavenly Father's Plan).