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bobby bartling
columbia sc
doc miller
iplan
iplan christian rock
jerry miller
john edgeman
jonathan wilson
lexington sc
matt miller
testament
testament (the band)
:: artist infos
» member profile:
Testament
» genre:
Rock >
Christian Rock
» location:
» label: unsigned
» for fans of: Joan Jett, Tom Petty, Free, KISS, Chris Tomlin, Petra, Matt Redman, Passion UK
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Iplan
NEWS
NEWS ITEM #1: We are happy to announce that Jerry Miller has taken over on drums for Cayce Anda, and Bobby Bartling has taken over for Doc Miller on lead vocals. (Posted 21 July 2008)
NEWS ITEM #2: We are also looking for unsigned, adult, Christian bands in SC that would be interested in joining us for a summer concert series (hosted by each band's church). The idea is to have 3-4 bands perform at each concert location, and a 6-8 band total (so that you don't have to make a commitment to play at every venue). Concerts are scheduled for Saturday nights in the summer. Please contact me if you're interested.
(Bumped 25 February 2008).
NEWS ITEM #3: We have changed the name of the band from "Iplan Christian Rock" to "Testament" to better reflect the objectives of the entire band. (Posted 5 February 2008)
NEWS ITEM #2: We are also looking for unsigned, adult, Christian bands in SC that would be interested in joining us for a summer concert series (hosted by each band's church). The idea is to have 3-4 bands perform at each concert location, and a 6-8 band total (so that you don't have to make a commitment to play at every venue). Concerts are scheduled for Saturday nights in the summer. Please contact me if you're interested.
(Bumped 25 February 2008).
NEWS ITEM #3: We have changed the name of the band from "Iplan Christian Rock" to "Testament" to better reflect the objectives of the entire band. (Posted 5 February 2008)
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Jonathan speaking: Someone asked me to define the "Testament (the band)" formerly "Iplan Christian Rock" sound awhile back....
It was the first time anyone had ever asked me "that" question, and it had me stumped for awhile. That said, after giving the question a great deal of thought, I responded, "If you can picture KISS and Joan Jett meeting Third Day in an abandoned warehouse, for a knife fight you're on the right track."
Testament (the band) is mostly an electric guitar driven machine, featuring powerful vocals, and catchy lyrics . The songs are typically riff based, positive, and uplifting.
It was the first time anyone had ever asked me "that" question, and it had me stumped for awhile. That said, after giving the question a great deal of thought, I responded, "If you can picture KISS and Joan Jett meeting Third Day in an abandoned warehouse, for a knife fight you're on the right track."
Testament (the band) is mostly an electric guitar driven machine, featuring powerful vocals, and catchy lyrics . The songs are typically riff based, positive, and uplifting.
Why this name?
We've changed the band name to "Testament (the band)" - because it is a better reflection of what the entire band is trying to do. Doc's wife came up with the name, and my wife liked it as well - so that pretty much settled it - for now..... You know how picking a band name can be. Of course, someone pointed out recently that there is "already" a popular metal band out there called "Testament" (operating out of the U.K.). We're considering other band name options.
Do you play live?
Yes! In fact, we are planning a summer church tour in SC. The idea is to recruit 3 or 4 other unsigned SC Christian bands, and do a tour at each other's churches (please contact me if you're interested). If everything goes as planned, we should have 3 or 4 concerts at churches, and a few warmup gigs at some of the local venues around Columbia.
How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
It provides a great opportunity for everyone looking to express themselves musically.
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
If Sir Eaton Hogg of Polymer Records called, we'd certainly inquire about the hours. Note Spinal Tap reference.
Band History:
Bobby Bartling: Songwriting, Vocals
John Edgeman: Bass, Sound Reinforcement
Jerry Miller: Drums
Matt Miller: Guitar
Jonathan Wilson: Songwriting, Guitar, (on CD also: Rhythm Guitar, & Bass)
We have 2 guys in the band with the last name of "Miller" - but they are not related.
John Edgeman: Bass, Sound Reinforcement
Jerry Miller: Drums
Matt Miller: Guitar
Jonathan Wilson: Songwriting, Guitar, (on CD also: Rhythm Guitar, & Bass)
We have 2 guys in the band with the last name of "Miller" - but they are not related.
Your influences?
Influences:
Classic Rock to include: Joan Jett, Tom Petty, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Free, Black Crows, Ted Nuggent, Doobie Brothers, Eagles, KISS, Alice Cooper, Fleetwood Mac
Christian Rock: Third Day, Switchfoot, Johnny Key (Indie), Chris Tomlin, Stryper, Matt Redman, Passion UK, Russ Taff, Todd Agnew
Classic Rock to include: Joan Jett, Tom Petty, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Free, Black Crows, Ted Nuggent, Doobie Brothers, Eagles, KISS, Alice Cooper, Fleetwood Mac
Christian Rock: Third Day, Switchfoot, Johnny Key (Indie), Chris Tomlin, Stryper, Matt Redman, Passion UK, Russ Taff, Todd Agnew
Favorite spot?
Heaven. We haven't actually been there yet, but we have it on good authority that it's a pretty kickin' place. I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss it.
Equipment used:
Jonathan's Preferred Axes:
1. 1992 Gibson Les Paul Standard
2. 1997 Gibson Les Paul Double Cut
Matt's Preferred Axes:
1. 1989 Gibson SG Special
2. Fernandez Sustainer
John's Bass:
Fender Squire Precision
Jonathan's Amplifier:
Laney LC-30 (Class A Tube) - "This one goes to 11"
Matt's Amp
Line 6 Modeling Amplifier
John plays his bass through a Behrninger Ultra-G (direct box)
Jerry only uses the best drums: Pearl (and anyone who says different can meet him out back for a prayer session).
Bobby can turn a "conch shell" into a Shure SM58 with a ball of twine and some duct tape. He's a keeper, and as a licensed EMT, he'll be there to revive any mosh pit dweller that goes overboard.
1. 1992 Gibson Les Paul Standard
2. 1997 Gibson Les Paul Double Cut
Matt's Preferred Axes:
1. 1989 Gibson SG Special
2. Fernandez Sustainer
John's Bass:
Fender Squire Precision
Jonathan's Amplifier:
Laney LC-30 (Class A Tube) - "This one goes to 11"
Matt's Amp
Line 6 Modeling Amplifier
John plays his bass through a Behrninger Ultra-G (direct box)
Jerry only uses the best drums: Pearl (and anyone who says different can meet him out back for a prayer session).
Bobby can turn a "conch shell" into a Shure SM58 with a ball of twine and some duct tape. He's a keeper, and as a licensed EMT, he'll be there to revive any mosh pit dweller that goes overboard.
Anything else...?
Jonathan speaking: The story of the band... well, believe it or not, I never really had a desire to form a band, or write my own songs, or perform them.
Filling in for the regular lead guitarist in our church band when he was sick was about the extent of my public aspirations as a musician.
Then one day I wrote a song - completely by accident (I Can See You). I planned to give it to a friend who had her own band, but she thought I should perform it. That may have been a nice way of saying "Thanks but no Thanks", but I didn't pick up on it at the time. A few months later, I wrote another song (While There's Still Time), and I was on my way.
A couple years later, I had a backlog of songs, but was completely stuck since I'm not really a singer. This being the case, things really didn't get going until I hooked up with singer/ chiropractor Matt "Doc" Miller - who was been so strong in the areas I was not. We were able to record 4 original tracks, but things didn't really get to serious until we decided to try and form a band. We added drummer Cayce Anda to the group to form the core of a real band. Before we'd had the first rehersal as a 3 peice, we added Matt "Guitar" Miller on electric guitar and John Edgeman on bass - and a 5 piece band was born.
After a few jam sessions, Cayce moved to Miami, Florida, and took his PA system with him. A month or two later Doc requested a leave of absence to spend more time with family. For a few weeks things didn't look so good from my vantage point, but within days of arriving in a "hopless" position, we had a new drummer and a new vocalist - so praise God.
I think we're going to make a great team, and look forward to putting out some great stuff together in 2008. Keep checking back for new songs - as we are working hard to finish out our debut album.
We hope to see you at one of our gigs this fall.
Anyway, that's how it all started, and I continually remind myself that God has a way of using the weak and unaspiring among us to do great things.
Someone once told me that Vincent van Gogh only sold one painting in his lifetime - which was bought by his brother, so maybe there's some hope. Of course, it turned out that van Gogh actually did have talent.
As for the band, whether God intends to do great things with these songs is really not the issue. We're having a good time praising Him the songs he's given us, and practicing for the day when we get to heaven. Commercial success has never been a primary goal - but we'd certainly latch on and take it if it came.
Filling in for the regular lead guitarist in our church band when he was sick was about the extent of my public aspirations as a musician.
Then one day I wrote a song - completely by accident (I Can See You). I planned to give it to a friend who had her own band, but she thought I should perform it. That may have been a nice way of saying "Thanks but no Thanks", but I didn't pick up on it at the time. A few months later, I wrote another song (While There's Still Time), and I was on my way.
A couple years later, I had a backlog of songs, but was completely stuck since I'm not really a singer. This being the case, things really didn't get going until I hooked up with singer/ chiropractor Matt "Doc" Miller - who was been so strong in the areas I was not. We were able to record 4 original tracks, but things didn't really get to serious until we decided to try and form a band. We added drummer Cayce Anda to the group to form the core of a real band. Before we'd had the first rehersal as a 3 peice, we added Matt "Guitar" Miller on electric guitar and John Edgeman on bass - and a 5 piece band was born.
After a few jam sessions, Cayce moved to Miami, Florida, and took his PA system with him. A month or two later Doc requested a leave of absence to spend more time with family. For a few weeks things didn't look so good from my vantage point, but within days of arriving in a "hopless" position, we had a new drummer and a new vocalist - so praise God.
I think we're going to make a great team, and look forward to putting out some great stuff together in 2008. Keep checking back for new songs - as we are working hard to finish out our debut album.
We hope to see you at one of our gigs this fall.
Anyway, that's how it all started, and I continually remind myself that God has a way of using the weak and unaspiring among us to do great things.
Someone once told me that Vincent van Gogh only sold one painting in his lifetime - which was bought by his brother, so maybe there's some hope. Of course, it turned out that van Gogh actually did have talent.
As for the band, whether God intends to do great things with these songs is really not the issue. We're having a good time praising Him the songs he's given us, and practicing for the day when we get to heaven. Commercial success has never been a primary goal - but we'd certainly latch on and take it if it came.