Amplified: David Bazan

[flightxcelledcg]

ALL MUSIC SUCKS

[tdwpkillz]

Blasphemy my ass. Think outside the box... Make one of the most amazing, heartfelt records of all time because of it? Please and thank you. I'll have seconds if you don't mind.

[leftyla]

Seems like a level-headed guy. He freed himself from the restraints of religion and finally started thinking bigger. I see nothing wrong with that.

[Nzeexruos]

@Freestoone You're a retard, stop speaking for atheism's behalf, because you obviously aren't one.

[kevinjjfr]

@Freestoone Atheism makes no such promise. 

[zkranz0]

It's sad to hear words like that come from a man who could have brought a lot of people to God.

[kkatrinamorenoo]

Christian or not, I will always be a fan of David Bazan. Pedro The Lion is a still a favorite band of mine and it certainly has been part of my life.

[tehrapeyturtle]

The brilliant always wake up eventually.

[rainman2242]

it's cool that he doesn't feel the need for a total 180 -- many ex-believers turn to orthodox rejectionism while he's comfortable saying just what he feels, "not necessarily" and "I don't think so" and etc.

[reclusivesage]

@rainman2242 I think he's hesitating to say "I reject it" because of the psychological scars he lives with from his upbringing. He doesn't sound like he's genuinely ambivalent or confused. I think he knows that he's rejected it already. He sounds like he doesn't want to publicly declare himself this or that because of what he might face as a result, be it ostracism from his parents or eternal damnation. It's just sad to me that it has to be this hard for so many people.

[illuminatijews]

It's alright Bazan, I still like your music, and im still a fan. I know hard times make one question their faith, but sometimes the Lord has ways of testing us. I was brought Catholic, but I do no follow the religion, I consider myself non-denominational.

[RiseAbove1001]

I feel sorry for him; putting himself through such a struggle.

[chumbucketable]

It is admirable what David is going through. Admirable because he had the courage of taking the beaten path and questioning why he believed what he believed. I can imagine even til today there must be some turmoil over his rejection of his childhood faith. Losing your faith is like losing someone your truly loved. It will always haunt you for the rest of your life.

[annabel7476]

I'm sad :(

[0gden]

I love this man immensely.

[spylok85]

The thing that impresses me most about bazan is his brutal honesty. Whether you agree with his theological views or not it's hard not to like the guy. Saw him tonight here in Omaha and it was amazing!

[eliyates2]

the beauty of pedro the lions music wasnt that he had doubt in his christianity at the time but while most christian bands were putting out music that just stated how great it was to be christian... he was putting out music about being a struggling christian and needing help to get through because it is hard to be a good christian. Me thinks.

[mamothmanX]

I myself am a Christian. I really admire his honesty and I think thats what makes his music so great even if you don't agree with it.  Atheists can still listen to older Pedro the lion albums and Christians can listen to Curse Your Branches

[bishop186]

When I listen to his old work with Pedro the Lion, I always thought it had a bit out doubt underlying in it and that's why I connected and still connect with it. Curse Your Branches just seems like a logical extension of it.

I guess I was wrong, Bazan says it himself, but that's how I still view it.

[dwdwdw]

David is my cousin and he's such a great guy. I have my own ideas of things as well,that my family doesn't

Agree with but hey it's LIFE.

[logwind]

Bazan is gifted musician, but his lyrics are particularly outstanding. PTL and his solo work are among the few records where I really enjoy listening to what the artist is saying.

[rmfloden]

watching this broke my heart a little.

[MrSharkattacksd]

The most unhappy years of my life were when I was a christian.

[TheElefaunt]

he tops the list for me,

music and thought

should not be separated.

namely today when music

is just mindless for the generation that

chooses to be ignorant to death.

[isaacwm72]

Quite heavy news for me to absorb. Back in the late 90's I was a huge Pedro fan, and a devout Christian. In the past couple of years I have become agnostic, and it's very interesting for me to see Bazan move towards a similar stance in life. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that many other Christian indie acts from that time period are now agnostic or atheist. It's been a while since I've listened to Bazan, but this philosophical change makes complete sense when you consider his lyrics.

[ateox]

christianity is stupid. smart man to drop the cult.

[Zammbrunt]

@ateox , what's your definition of a cult? If Jesus' presence and the history surrounding His story are found to be true by all reliable accounts, what then?

[thisisverona]

so sad this dude isnt a christian anymore.... im sure he has felt god in his lifetime. i dont think you can really stop believing after that. he'll find his way eventually.

[neji021]

@thisisverona or when you realize that random events can make you jump to crazy conclusions

[MitchBishOK]

Bazan - Glad you are still open to seeking out Truth. Keep making your music - your honesty is brutal, uncomfortable... and your experiences inspire great tunes.

[MishaVargas]

I think there's a lot of denial coming from David's christian fans, but it's great that they appreciate this latest album.

[thisisfunah]

as an ex-christian, it's easy to get an angry tone when talking about christianity... but it's so amazing to see how humbly david talks about the journey of the breakdown of faith.

he's really a bridge between my present and past... a true poet

[jolu42]

I feel connected to you....like we're brothers or something....

[PollenJesus]

I really enjoy and admire David's honesty through his life journey that he expresses though his music. I am a christian and I know that those who truly want to explore themselves and their place in the world struggle with faith. I am one of those who struggle, I enjoy Davids music no matter what he believes... he is a voice of truth and honesry about how he sees and feels things. He is an inspiration for me.

[thecomfortisnow]

i liked pedro alot.The acoustic versions he did later where more personal.Even up to now.Fewer moving parts was o.k....His music is still good.But you'lll come back.....i know it.

[stephen732]

many feel the same way as he does, regardless whoever was their god of choice is. since all religions claim their god is the ultimate god, how can we experience equal doses of all of them and then make an educated decision? you can't. hence we have doubters amongst us... may god bless you, AND EVERYONE ELSE TOO

now if leaders were made accountable for their self pursuits, then count me in as a believer! may god bless you and

hence we have doubters amongst us...

[jadanzzy]

as a christian myself, his music from PTL to his solo stuff now has had such a profound effect on my life.

and when i fully ingested curse your branches, i was so thankful and even proud of his honesty and experience. doubt is not incongruous with faith. it is faith. and whether one falls from practicing a faith or not, to express one's journey like david has is a massive blessing and a gift.

never stop making your music, david.

[peyoteugly]

@jadanzzy

your comment was great and really mirrors my own feeling about PTL, although from the opposite end of the spectrum.  i'm not at all religious, but i've always liked PTL cuz even the most explicitly christian songs didn't come off as preachy or judgemental. just a man singing about things that are important to him, and always looking for some kind of 'truth'. it's a very universal feeling, regardless of your own faith (or lack thereof). anyways, good songs are good songs. period.

[daughter24]

I love his honesty- hooray for the courage to be honest. While he grew up culturally Christian, he hasn't known God and is closer to knowing him now than faking it through life. I have a huge respect for that.

i'm not sure what's not to like about his music- if you don't like it i wonder what you expect music to be? It's genuine and creative, and I guess that's what I value most.

[IronGrommit]

AoG,etc, imho, make atheists of their youth. 'You are going to Hell', fear based mind control, rather than compassion and service to ALL humanity. Hell is life people suffer through daily. There is no such place below us. Shant I judge, but,his stoner indie bs=CRAP!. Negative, depressing, beard, slacker.Lay off pot, get a therapist! Shower.Stop with the melodramatic stage act. Mabye along the way learn how to play guitar worth a sh*t. I'd think his music would cause people to slit their wrists.

[thisisfunah]

@IronGrommit

i agree basically about how the Assemblies of God either make hardcore believers or hardcore atheists... im an ex AoG member as a child and now atheist, and Bazan's lyrics illustrate the unraveling of these beliefs and why it's so complex. but at no point does he ever talk about pot in his lyrics, his vice is clearly alcohol, and that can be learned in one listen.

[thricex05]

i'm in the same boat as david. it's only human for us to question.

pedro the lion <3

[jaydug]

David is in the process of letting go of his "apron-string" faith. Without questions, there is no answers to be had, right?

[peetle89]

I think David's new position on things and the new record have actually brought me closer back to God. What he is singing about forces you to ask the questions. If you don't think he has talent, you should probably see him play at a house show. If you still think no after that, you might not actually be insane, but perhaps you don't know much about music and that's ok, not everyone understands how things work.

[freetoflyshawn]

@peetle89

agreed

[cats9900]

this hurts my heart. I'm praying for him.

[jjmklauwn]

i dont understand what people like about the dull voice of David B. its a bit quasi-indie to me.

[mackerall19]

you shouldnt like someones voice because it sounds indie or rock or punk or whatever, you should like it because it sounds good to you, your dull brah

[Maxmillionzucato]

I love this man. I hope he does well. It's fun to see his career grow throughout the years.

[abcxyz91291]

I have always really loved Dave's music too, and I even met him a couple times, saw him happy with his family, and I know he's a good guy. I like where he's at right now, he's not afraid to show his doubt and his frailty in faith. This is an honest man.

[sunballet1]

i love his music and he's the biggest inspiration for my own. even his current album. i love the way he approaches things, because i do think God intends for us as free-thinking individuals to ask about him. but i don't think that any of you get it. it's not a superstition. i'm not afraid that god is going to get me for something. i just realize that i'm not a bunch of cells that got pushed together without thought. i'm loved. and i think david needs to be reminded.

[monkeybird6]

Its sad to see the world take a toll on someone who believed in a certian kind of hope.

[MishaVargas]

Those who believed in leprechauns and pots o' gold may be disappointed to learn that rainbows have no end, but we who always saw them as they were, as a million falling prisms, splitting light as they go — we are never disappointed.

The world didn't hurt him. It was hope herself who did that.

I also wish him well.

[RandomTemple123]

@MishaVargas Crazy

[MishaVargas]

I disagree slightly, but it seems that ABCNews doesn't want you to hear my opinions.

Sorry monkeybird6.

[zeezeepimps]

everyone writes about their descent from faith, only when you are a part the the 'christian music scene' does it make you famous, and cover up your lack of talent...

[kirkndaleproductions]

if you this man is untalented...then you need to seriously check yourself into a mental hospital.

[DS6FILMS]

@kirkndaleproductions agreed.  He is truly a talented musician.

[liberatore40]

@kirkndaleproductions if you Think* this man is untalented...

[zeezeepimps]

everyone writes about their departure from religion, but only when you are apart of the 'christian music community' does your cynicism make you famous and cover up your lack of talent.. I've heard christian fan boys suck this overrated dude off for years. NEWs flash theres better talent out there no one cares about your fence riding world view, everyones got them, and a whole lot better music to boot.

[dkleinm]

I loved pedro when they were christians and now that he's a skeptic. Doesn't matter to me, this man has got talent.

I don't usually confront christians about their faith but I'd always wanted to discuss it with Bazan.

[redemption15]

yeah i would love a sit down talk with bazan and hear his view

[youguber1234]

Although I disagree with Bazan's current mindset, I can respect the fact that he approaches this issue in a manner which is far from the snobby, elitist air that I am often exposed to when interacting with athiests/agnostics. AND I still see beauty in his music and will continue to support him. Just my two cents...

[worldsworstjukebox]

"I guess some people might say 'that's blasphemy.' "

Blasphemy is a victimless crime.

[AustinLuck78]

It was Cornerstone Festival where he was drinking the vodka.

[thebetterhalf37]

one of the tags for this video is "headlights" not "headphones" haha

[worldsworstjukebox]

I'm glad to see he may finally be letting go of the superstition. He still seems a bit uncertain in this interview, but he's heading in the right direction.

[invisibleapes]

i helped bazan buy a van

[DiobloHunter]

@invisibleapes ...Lies

[theDM7]

dave bazan is the man