The Answer to the Question

This article appeared in the September 2004 Lakeside Spire.

Tree63 is a Christian Rock band from Durban, South Africa. The cover they did of "Blessed be Your Name" (written by Matt Redman) inspired the Praise and Worship band to learn it and teach it to the congregation. But there is more to this band than just a great re-make of an already great song.

The members of Tree63 originally got together just to play a festival in their home town. But even though the performance was a success, main song writer, guitarist and lead singer John Ellis wasn't sure he could match his spiritual beliefs with a rock band. But the group continued rehearsing and released an album. A string of #1 chart singles ("Look What You've Done", "Joy", and "Treasure,"), mainstream radio exposure, industry awards (2001 Dove Award for "Rock Album of the Year.") and tours (including one with Rebecca St. James) that brought them to three different continents followed.

But success also came with a lot of internal turmoil and external stress. After their second album was released, the group experienced personnel changes, self doubt, and pressure from record companies to "back off on the Jesus content", promising that "massive success could be theirs" if they toned down the message and instead turned to writing mainstream hits.

The release of the latest Tree 63 album, "Answer to the Question" not only answered the question of whether the band would sell out, it also answered the critics claims that they couldn't continue writing rock driven Christ centered hits, and answered the big question of where Christ is in their lives. In an interview with the band, they confirm "their commitment to boldly proclaiming the Good News of Jesus is deeper than ever."

John Ellis admits that taking up the cross to follow Christ is often not easy. He points to the Psalmist David as his role model for honesty before God. "The Psalms are filled with more honesty and gritty reality than many Christians care to admit, but that's what the Bible does; it never pretends to be something it's not".

The latest album by Tree63 starts off with the anthemic "King" which boldy proclaims Christ to be the "king of kings" over driving guitar. Tree63's distinct vocals and intimate lyrics fill the disc with a current of spirituality, unwavering trust and complete surrender. They continue to draw musical influences from U2, the Police, Crowded House with out copying and meld them into a variety of styles and songs that is a stand out amongst the many other releases so far this year.

"We'd love to see this music excite people who didn't know that being a Christian is actually the most awesome thing one could possibly do with one's life," says Ellis. "Hopefully, Tree63's style makes our message palatable enough to make non-believers at least curious. We want to honor God with our talents and gifting, to be faithful in our calling and to celbrate as we see God's will for our lives - and for the lives of those we come into contact with - come to pass. That's all we can do."




Sources: interviews with Tree63 on CCMBuzz, Christianity Today, The Reality Zone