Its only fitting that the group made a terrific impact at the 2005 Rock Summit, an industry event drawing national attention and also featuring performances by Stryper, Casting Pearls and Sanctus Real. Though the guys had been refining their sound on the road since 1998, performing everything from covers in club settings (with a heavy leaning towards Hootie and the Blowfish) to worship selections in more ministry-focused environments, DecembeRadios sheer grit and passion absolutely entranced those gathered.
"We kind of went into the Rock Summit like everything else we do, mostly because we had not done much industry stuff other than a few showcases," explains the groups guitarist Eric Miker. "So that gave us the advantage of not being nervous and not really even knowing who was going to be there, but we got the attention of a lot of DJs and the industry in general to name us 'Buzz Band of the Year'."
Perhaps it was the groups incredibly entertaining live spectacle or maybe it was the members down to earth approach on stage that earned them this illustrious honor, along with a spot a few months later on BILLBOARDMagazines Faces to Watch cover story as the scales tipped towards 2006. Rather than going in with the intention to impress, the troupe tore into its regularly scheduled program of cutting edge musical expressions with a sincere and mature commitment to ministry not often found in a group of twentysomethings.
"There's definitely a lot in the set for musicians or any rock n roll fan to like- the energy, the guitar solos and the drum solos," notes lead guitarist Brian Bunn. "But we also try to react to the audience on a deeper level and with a more spiritual mindset. We have a set of worship that brings all that into focusone of the guys shares a message, and we have a time of prayer. Then we celebrate again at the end and really rock out."
Considering the players tightly sealed cohesion and unbreakable chemistry on stage, DecembeRadio never had a problem catching its ambitious sound in the studio through a string of independent releases. But its recent partnership with Slanted has opened the doors to an all-new method of recording - one that teams them with acclaimed producer Scotty Wilbanks (Third Day, Overflow, NewSong) and a trip to Southern Tracks in Atlanta (allowing them to use the same gear as many of their heroes).
The results have yielded a full-length record packed with a slew of single-ready, hook-heavy, infectious jams that unfold as a natural extension of the mind-blowing concert experience. Considering DecembeRadio has its influence pool rooted in the most lauded acts of yesterday while simultaneously keeping its pulse on the alternative sounds of today, the quartet has an obvious appeal to mainstream audiences and is likely to introduce the Christian marketplace to a whole new pedigree of power.
"That's kind of what were hoping for-to be attractive to the unsaved, along with believers who don't typically listen to Christian music," explains drummer Boone Daughdrill. "Sometimes Christian music cant satisfy the needs of someone in their late 20s or early 30s who grew up on the hard rockin' stuff and finds that attractive, but also experiences a spiritual level through the music. People always say to us you dont sound like what I usually hear in Christian music, and that's what were praying for- to have the Lord use what were creating to touch their hearts."
"We're not out to try to be rock stars, we're just a bunch of southern boys who want to hang out, have a good time and inspire others," sums up Bunn. "But were not trying to play it safe musically or spiritually. Were not interested in selling out to the industry to be famous and were passionate about being technically on top of our game. We realize each day that without God were nothing, and its our mission to spread His message through music. Without that, we'd be unhappy and lonely. You're never going to be happy, find peace or comfort without the fulfillment of Christ in your life."
Deeper Well
DecembeRadio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Burned so hot I thought I'd died
Thought I'd died and gone to hell
Lookin' for the water from a deeper well
I went to the river but the river was dry
I fell to my knees an I looked to the sky
I looked to the sky and the spring rain fell
Well, lookin' for the water from a deeper well
Well, lookin' for the water from a deeper well
I rocked with the cradle and I rolled with the rage
I shook those walls and I rattled that cage
I took my trouble down a deadened trail
Reachin' out a hand for a holier grail
Hey there mama, did you carry that load?
Did you tell your baby 'bout the bend in the road?
'Bout the rebel yell, 'bout the one that fell
Lookin' for the water from a deeper well
Well, lookin' for the water from a deeper well
Well, lookin' for the water from a deeper well
Well, lookin' for the water from a deeper well
Well, lookin' for the water, yeah
Well, lookin' for the water from a deeper well
Well, lookin' for the water
Well, lookin' for the water from a deeper well
Well, well, well, well
The lyrics of DecembeRadio's song, "Deeper Well" seem to be exploring a spiritual journey of searching for something deeper and more meaningful. The sun is burning hot and the singer is looking for water from a deeper well than what he has found before. The river is dry, so he falls to his knees and looks to the sky, where he sees the spring rain falling and finally finds the water he has been looking for.
The next verse seems to be addressing a mother figure, asking her if she has told her child about the "bend in the road" and the struggles that come along with life. The singer mentions the "rebel yell" and "the one that fell," perhaps referring to those who have gone before him on this spiritual journey and have either succeeded or failed in finding what they were looking for. The chorus continues to repeat the phrase "Looking for the water from a deeper well," emphasizing the importance of finding something more meaningful and deeper in life.
Overall, the song seems to be about a quest for something deeper and more meaningful. It could be interpreted as a spiritual journey, or simply a search for purpose and fulfillment in life. The lyrics create a vivid image of a parched land, where the sun is burning hot and the river is dry, but the singer keeps searching for something more, eventually finding what he has been looking for.
Line by Line Meaning
The sun burned hot, it burned my eyes
The heat of the sun was so intense that I felt like I was being blinded
Burned so hot I thought I'd died
The heat was overwhelming to the point that death felt imminent
Thought I'd died and gone to hell
The intensity of the heat made me question my own mortality and doubt the notion of an afterlife
Lookin' for the water from a deeper well
In spite of the harsh conditions, I was hopeful that there might be a hidden source of refreshment to alleviate the scorching heat
I went to the river but the river was dry
My first attempt to find relief was unsuccessful as there was no water in the river
I fell to my knees an I looked to the sky
In desperation, I prayed to the heavens for guidance and help
I looked to the sky and the spring rain fell
My prayer was answered and it started raining providing renewed hope for finding refreshment
I saw the water from a deeper well
The rain had helped to unveil a hidden source of refreshment that I had not anticipated before
I rocked with the cradle and I rolled with the rage
I have gone through different experiences in life, some pleasant while others were unpleasant, and have learned to adjust my mindset accordingly
I shook those walls and I rattled that cage
I have been trapped in difficult situations before but I always strive to overcome them by breaking free of confinement and finding new opportunities
I took my trouble down a deadened trail
I have had to confront the difficulties of life head-on and make difficult decisions
Reachin' out a hand for a holier grail
Despite facing hardships on my journey, I am always seeking higher truths and enlightenment
Hey there mama, did you carry that load?
Addressing my mother who has always been a figure of support, I wonder if she also had to weather hardships like me
Did you tell your baby 'bout the bend in the road?
I wonder if my mother had forewarned me of the difficulties I would face and had given me the tools to navigate unexpected challenges
'Bout the rebel yell, 'bout the one that fell
Reflecting on past experiences when I or someone I knew had to confront and overcome tumultuous situations
Well, lookin' for the water from a deeper well
Reiterating the central theme of the song, that in facing hardship there is always the hope of finding refreshment and renewal by seeking deeper truths and insights
Well, well, well, well
The refrain to the song underscores the importance of perseverance and hope as a means of navigating life's difficulties
Contributed by Annabelle V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.