Sacred Stone is a rock band with a difference!
The band was founded in 1997 by Adrian Blenkinsop, with a structure that enables band members to change every 1-2 years. Since the band began there has been around 25 different members of Sacred Stone – in 6 different line-ups. It’s a pretty unique way for a band to operate, and it means that the style, sound and look of the band is constantly changing! It also gives different young Christian musicians the opportunity to be a part of this unique ministry.
The early years
In May of 1998 Sacred Stone played its first live gig to over 300 people at the launch of their debut CD titled ‘Fall’.
The band won the ‘Best Unsigned Band’ on the National Austereo Radio Network in 1998, and also performed live on the Adelaide television program ‘AM Adelaide’. (Channel 7 Adelaide)Throughout 1998 and 1999 the band spent over 4 months touring throughout South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. As well as this touring they performed regularly in Adelaide. This schedule saw them perform to over 30,000 people a year. Through their life-skills Christian seminars they ran programs in over 40 high schools on themes ranging from peer pressure, relationships, choices and self image.
IF YOU WERE A SUPERHERO WHAT WOULD YOUR POWER BE?
Batman cause he wears black and is a rich human without superpowers. I like black and I like humans without super powers.
WHAT ARE THE MOST LISTENED TO CD’S IN YOUR COLLECTION?
Underoath – Define the Great Line
Underoath – In the Sounds of Separation
Meatloaf – Bat Out of Hell 2
Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More
Lily Allen – It’s Not Me, It’s You
Copeland – Beneath Medicine Tree.
WHAT MAKES SOMEBODY A HERO?
A hero is someone that people believe in and look up to because of the extraordinary thing/things they do.
If you were a superhero, what would your power be?
I think it would be super cool to have the power of Metamorphosis so I could transform into anything!!
Favourite song at the moment and why?
One of my favourite songs at the moment is Katy Perry’s song ‘Firework’. I love the lyrics in the second verse were she says
‘…If you only knew what the future holds, after a hurricane comes a rainbow. Maybe you’re reason why all the doors are closed, so you can open one that leads you to the perfect road…’
I love these lyrics and their message of hope. They are also very applicable to me because God has taken me on a journey the past year in completing year 12, getting accepted into uni and opening up the opportunity to be a part of Sacred Stone.
I’m pumped to be playing this song in seminars too!
If you were a superhero what would you power be?
I think being able to fly would be awesome. The freedom of being able to just cruise around in the cloud sounds pretty good.
What are your most listened to albums?
I think my most listened to tunes would have to be Muse but lately I’ve been thrashing a band called YouMeAtSix out of the UK, and im also a huge fan of John Mayer. Anberlin, Underoath and Ivoryline are also regulars on the iPod on the train to Uni.
What make someone a hero?
I think it takes several outstanding characteristics to make someone a hero. These include courage, selflessness and humility plus being caring and genuine to everyone. I think the most important aspect is love. The way a person shows love, not like a guy/girl love, but a love that does not judge and is genuine.
If you were a superhero what would you power be?
Those shape shifters are pretty sweet. Say good bye to those identity issues! Ha!
Last book read?
I actually have a couple on the go. The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Martin Luther King’s Autobiography – what a fascinating guy, talk about a Hero!!
I just finished a book by a guy called Brian Mclaren called ‘Everything Must Change’, a pretty intense book that looks into what Jesus has to say about the global crises we are faced with today. How someone who lived so many years ago is still relevant to issues in today’s day and age.
Do you have a personal hero?
My personal Hero is the underdog of a group, the one who is the quiet achiever. Someone who will go against the flow, who has the guts to stand up for something – no matter how trivial or epic. Someone who has a belief and that guides their steps rather than fitting into the mould of society or media or culture. Anyone who fights for truth, justice and equality, they are my personal Hero!
Tell us where you’ve come from…
I grew up in a house full of girls, Dad and I are the only men in the family. Including Mum there are 7 girls in my household … It is interesting at times but also a lot of fun. I have become a master of annoying more than one sister at a time! I went to Aberfoyle Park High School (The Hub) finished there in 2009. I really enjoyed the musical side of school but that was about it. I was in all of the concert bands and also the percussion ensemble. I really enjoyed performing, but the rest of school really didn’t appeal to me.
Musical background?
I started playing music at a really young age, started out as a drummer when I was 7 and when I got to high school took up the bass and haven’t looked back. I can also play guitar and piano but drums and bass are the two I focus on.
How did you come to the decision to follow Jesus?
I have grown up in a Christian family and we have always gone to church (though most of the time we’re running very late). When I was about 12 my mum was diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis) and was always really tired and actually went blind in her left eye and then one day we went to a Christian seminar and that night God healed my mum of MS and she has been back at work ever since and it is from that moment I made my decision to become a Christian.