Since the beginning of 2005, I have been working with a local metal band here in Lawton, Oklahoma called AGAINST SEVENTY-TWO. I am the band's manager. Basically that means I take care of a lot of logistics such as planning for shows, working with promoting the band, mailing out press kits, and so much more. Although I officially became band manager in May 2005, how I became a part of the AGAINST SEVENTY-TWO family had its precursive beginnings well before that time - and these precursive beginnings were also in turn influenced and affected by events in my life before I had even considered moving to the United States.
For me, in all honesty, the journey into becoming a part of AGAINST SEVENTY-TWO, began with my love of music from when I was a child. I mean this in a "cause-and-effect" manner - in other words, had I not developed a love for music, my life could be very different than what it is now - I might not even be living in the US, let alone working with a band. When I was still in elementary school (or primary school, as we refer to it in Australia), I stumbled into music, and found I loved it. At age 11, I discovered bands like KISS, Iron Maiden, and Black Sabbath, and music officially became a part of my life. It influenced my every move, my every waking moment, and the way I viewed life. It was my spinal cord. It was the blood that flowed through my veins. At such an early age, I began to understand the concept of the phrase, "music is my life".
I began writing lyrics at the same age. This practice of writing lyrical concepts continues to this day. It is as big a part of my life as music is. By the time I entered high school, I truly believed that performing in a band was my destiny in life, and set about working towards it. I tried being in a band as a vocalist, and even tried my hand at drums at one stage (for which I believe the world is thankful I stopped pretending I was a drummer). I am a firm believer of the phrase that "everything happens for a reason". The statement has pretty much been a clear and accurate assessment of major events in my life. I believe that my attempts to become involved in these bands as a vocalist was God's way of showing me that it wasn't actually my destiny at all.
Don't get me wrong. I don't think I suck as a singer. I'm not exactly the most talented either, but as I went through my teens and early twenties being involved in bands, something else was revealed to me to proved that there was something else I was destined for: working behind the scenes of bands. As I began transitioning through my college years, I began to learn that I was a lot more talented at, and felt much more comfortable with, being involved in the promotional aspects and logistical machinery of working with a band. While I had a little creative backbone in me, in the form of having been in bands and also being a writer of lyrical concepts, working with a band, as opposed to being a musician in one, felt more like destiny to me. Again, had I not discovered a love for music, I would not have written lyrics, therefore I would not have tried to be in bands, and therefore, would not have learned how much more comfortable I was with working behind the scenes.
The action of working-behind-the-scenes truly began for me when Corey Hodgetts, a long-term friend of mine, and fellow KISS fan, was preparing to release his solo album, CONTAGIOUS. It began with designing Corey's web site, but from there saw me begin to work with CRASHPIT, a band he would later form. While I was working with Corey and CRASHPIT, I was also preparing to move to the United States. Back in 1996, I met my future wife, Kara, online. We formed a close friendship that had evolved into a much more spiritual-connecting relationship. After feeling such emotional depth with each other for so long, we resolved in 2002 that I would work towards moving to the USA so that we could finally get married to each other. We went through the process of filling out all the right paper work for the INS. I travelled to the US Consulate in Sydney, where my fiancee visa was approved. Finally, in May of 2003, I made the big move from one side of the planet to the other.
Moving to the USA also saw me end my direct involvement with CRASHPIT, but a continuation of working with the SLAM organization in Perth (co-ordinated by Stevie D) and also with Corey in the development and maintenance of their web sites. However, two things happened after the move and after my marriage to Kara. First, the INS began screwing with me; and second, I began hungering to work with another band. My issues with the INS are another story, but basically, in a nutshell, they screwed with me (and my family) so much that it was well over a year before I could legally begin looking for employment in the USA. Our family struggled financially - but eventually came the day that my employment authorization was approved. Looking for work took a much longer time than I expected, but I viewed looking for work as a full-time job in itself - in other words, I get up, get dressed, and start applications for jobs all day until 5:00pm.
I finally came across an interesting position at Cameron University: Library Computer Specialist. Cameron Library was looking for someone with teaching experience to work in a computer lab and provide assistance to patrons and staff about computer-related issues. Furthermore, they wanted someone with web design experience. It seemed suitable for what I had experience with - but there was something about the job that screamed to me and sucked me in. To this day, I cannot tell what it was that attracted me to the job. It certainly wasn't the pay - in fact, I turned down a higher paying job elsewhere to get the job at Cameron.
Whatever the attraction, my wish to work at Cameron saw me begin speaking to God again. I prayed every day and every night. I had not prayed for a couple of years. My belief system had become tarnished by harsh life experiences (that dealt with death and/or the desire for death) and the corrupted poisoning within the infrastructure of the organized church system. Something about this job told me that God wanted me to work there - and so I prayed to him constantly. After four long weeks of waiting for an answer, my prayers were answered when they offered me the job.
It was at this job at Cameron that I met Ryan Joyce, drummer of AGAINST SEVENTY-TWO. The funny thing about us meeting back in 2004 was that neither of us had mentioned our involvements in bands past or present - nor had either of us brought up a common tastes in music when we met - what happened was bizarre... we just seemed to have gravitated to each other and became close friends very quickly. It was only later that we learned that we shared common interests in music, and that he was in AGAINST SEVENTY-TWO.
By this stage, I had lived in Lawton for about a year and a half. I knew of the name AGAINST SEVENTY-TWO, and knew that they were popularly known amongst my stepson's high school friends. But I had never gotten the chance to see them play live. A chance soon presented itself when Joyce informed me that the band would be competing in Cameron University's Battle of the Bands. Kara and I went to the Battle, and we brought my step-daughter, Kalyn along also. We enjoyed the first couple of bands that played - and it felt awesome to be seeing a live performace again. Like I mentioned earlier - since having moved to the USA, I was hungering to work in the local music scene. And then, AGAINST SEVENTY-TWO hit the stage.
Two things happened as the band began their set. First, a rush of about 100 people went stampeding to the front of the stage to create one of the most intense pits I had seen. Secondly, I got that feeling about their music that felt like a baseball bat across the back of the head. There was something about these guys - something different, something unique, and something passionate. It showed with their stage presence and the execution of the songs onstage. It showed with the crowd reaction.
It was around the same time that Joyce began making noises to me about the band wanting a manager. He and I had gone through numerous conversations by this stage, so he knew that I had worked with CRASHPIT, and with Stevie D in the SLAM organization. One day we were discussing the band's need for a manager, and I (without thinking) was throwing ideas and suggestions at him. He replied laughingly with, "Hey man - YOU should be our manager". I wasn't laughing.
In fact, Joyce's comment saw me go home and have pretty much a sleepless night. I began thinking about such a possibility. Could this be my chance to become involved with a band again? Yet again, I found myself praying to God for guidance. His answer, I believe, came from my loved family members who all collectively agreed that I should pursue the possibility. The next time I ran across Joyce, we were in the middle of a bad Lawton winter's day. There was ice everywhere and it was freezing outside. He came up to my desk, and I asked him if he was joking about suggesting I should be manager. He wasn't.
From there, we set up a meeting with band during rehearsal sometime in January. We had a long discussion about what AGAINST SEVENTY-TWO was all about - the foundation upon which their music is built, and where I came from and what I was all about. To begin with, I was to be "Guy-who-hangs-out with AGAINST SEVENTY-TWO". It was basically a trial period for me, where I would be involved in making flyers to promote shows and helping with setting up at shows.
In April 2005, my family and I travelled to Australia, and returned in May. At that point, I was officially made the band's manager. Since that time, I've been fortunate to feel that I have become part of a new family - part of a brotherhood strengthened with the foundation of dedication, determination and a connection that is thicker than blood and stronger than steel. Since working with the band, there has been many changes and developments for AGAINST SEVENTY-TWO. The largest change has been the departure of vocalist Josh Cranston and bassist Caleb Marlin from the line-up. While it was devastating to hear their initial decisions to leave the band, AGAINST SEVENTY-TWO has moved forward with a new bassist, named Micah Turner, who is an awesome musician. He fits right into the brotherhood of 72. We are also working with a new vocalist named Pablo Rodriguez over the next month or so - we'll see how that pans out.
Looking back at how things developed over the last 12 months or so, again, I really believe that things happen for a reason. I believe God led me to the job in Cameron, which in turn led me to meeting Ryan Joyce, which in turn saw me become manager on AGAINST SEVENTY-TWO. And to think, how different my life would have been had I never gotten into music. I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm in this for the long run - AGAINST SEVENTY-TWO has become a significant and important part of my life. It is my lifestyle, and it is my life.
I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm with these guys at the front lines.
Thicker than blood, Stronger than steel...
The TrukstoP
Originally and proudly made in Perth, Australia
