“Great” music message alive and well

WHAT: The Great Transparency (with Sirens and Satellites)
WHEN: 6 p.m. Jan. 14
WHERE: Ghostly Manor Thrill Center, 3319 Milan Road, Sandusky

The most disastrous recession in decades. Numerous wars. Continuous attacks on American soil. Political upheaval, natural disaster and high numbers of disgruntled masses. Is it any surprise then that Christian power pop, with its upbeat sound and uplifting message, has cemented itself as a hopeful cornerstone in the new America?

The Great Transparency, a four-piece out of Columbus, Ohio, hopes that listeners will look past catastrophe, hear their optimistic message – and get up to dance. So how does this affect you? The band is kicking off the first leg of its 2010 tour in Sandusky, playing with Sirens and Satellites at Ghostly Manor Thrill Center on January 14 at 6 p.m. 

“We’ve put a lot more time, effort and work into (the band) this past year,” drummer Jameson Leasure said. “We’re starting to see what happens when we put everything into it.”

The musical project began in 2006 as a way for Jeremiah Wagner (lead vocals) and Tommy Clingan (guitar, vocals) to jam in small venues throughout their hometown. But an overwhelming local response helped turn this two-man jam band into a full time ministry, resulting in the addition of Leasure and Ray Bertka (guitar, vocals). 

To simply designate The Great Transparency as one of the many Christian power pop bands that have sprouted within the last several years would be a disservice. Instead, they prefer the to be referred to as a “living testimony,” fusing their music with the message of salvation.

“I think we have a younger fan base,” said Leasure. “Kids nowadays are really impressionable, and we try to show them about loving God, loving other people, and that there’s hope in Jesus Christ.” 

Their catchy tunes have caught the ear of listeners, as well as the attention of radio stations across the US and Canada. Their single “Run For It,” off their first full-length album If Worse Comes to Worst, is currently streaming Christian airwaves – in just three months’ time, no less than 32 Christian rock stations have picked it up. 

The song currently sits at number 21 on Christian music website christianrock.net’s “Top 30 of the Week” chart. And from the looks of it, their 2010 is off to a great start – already, “Run for It” has snagged the number 17 spot on the website’s “Most Requested Songs of 2010” list, placing them beside genre heavyweights such as Flyleaf, Relient K, Switchfoot, Anberlin and Emery. 

Citing Jimmy Eat World, Switchfoot, U2 and the Foo Fighters as influences, the band has placed its own spin on the power pop and punk version of Christian rock. Their album ranges from peppy uppers such as “Don’t You Ever” to the more mellow beginning strains of “Run For It.” One thing that the songs have in common is the inspirational theme, with lyrics like “All of this within our reach, we’ve got to teach ourselves to run for it, run for it and never look back,” designed to motivate its listeners. 

As for a new album, fans can expect that to drop in late summer.

“We’ve got a lot of stuff written,” said Leasure. “We plan to start the pre-production once we get back from tour in late February, early March. We’ve dealt with a lot of lineup changes, which delayed things. We’re really trying to get every detail perfect on this CD.”

Despite the success of the first album, the band is striving to display a new level of musical maturity the second time around. 

“I feel like we’re spiritually grown together,” he said. “This (album) will be more intense, more spiritually driving than the last CD. I feel like it’s going to be a really good direction for us to head.”

In 2010 and beyond, the band’s major goal is at once lofty and simple: “We’re hoping to stop doing our side jobs and take this on full time,” Leasure said. “We want to make this ministry our main focus.”

Even if you don’t think you’re a fan of Christian music, The Great Transparency still provides plenty of sway-inducing tunes that make anyone want to cut a rug. As for its enduring positive message, well, that’s something that all of us can use more than ever.