what I found interesting is the news lady stating “Alleged Anti-Christian Bands”.. All it takes is a read of their lyrics to find out what they think and preach.
I went easy on Rocketown, believe me… I should have said what I was really thinking but they might have had to bleep me out.

Tony Dungy DO NOT GO TO THIS DEN OF VIPERS!!!
Where is Michael W. Smith in all of this? So deep in it himself he got lost a long time ago?
ReGina Newkirk is proud of being a “…very none traditional ministry”. Is that something to be proud about in and of itself? What is she proud of? That they do some sort of bible reading before, during and after a concert? Or that the children go out and buy the CD’s of the bands with lyrics such as this rather tame one with a message of despair:
“You thought you were living for is completely ****.
This is no place to be. If we don’t get out of here right now,
We’re just gonna end up ****, ****, and fighting and working machines.” Yes. Those are the verses I want my kids listening to.
The idea of allowing all sorts of ‘things’ to attract all sorts of people is a scripturaly broken idea along the lines of ‘meeting people where they are at’.
Jesus went and talked to the prostitute. He did not go to her place of work and preach to all the prostitutes and ‘customers’ in the whore house while they were about their ‘business’. Nor did He invite the prostitutes and their customers into the temple in order to meet them and their customers where they were at in life.
People come to God from all sorts of settings. But it is not the setting that is important. It is that they start looking towards God that is. Else we should bring back the trenches of WWI, the fox holes of WWII, Mao, Stalin, and all sorts of horrible people and settings in which Saved people were born out of just to get more people saved.
Read more about Rocketown, the bands, and the lovely lyrics from the URL I posted.

I understand that there are arguments on both sides, but seriously? Black Dahlia Murder at Rocketown?

Check out a video blog about the satanic concert at Rocketown. This guy is a pagan and gets it! http://tinyurl.com/yhkoxz8

Keith, you should have said what you’ve been saying on this blog. If you want to merely play the “concerned parent” role, then continue to play the “I just want to know what’s going on” role, but stop with the nasty harassment. You should have shown your true colors that everyone on this blog has seen. I really am having a hard time reading what you’re writing, touting your holier-than-thou flag, yet why aren’t you speaking with love? Why would they have had to “bleep you out”? Then according to your thoughts, you wouldn’t be allowed to play at Rocketown, and your son shouldn’t listen to you?
I just think there needs to be more love in your tone, in your words, and in your intentions.

It’s about time someone spoke up. It’s one thing to have an environment that is welcoming amongst all groups of people with different beliefs, but when you call yourself a “CHRISTIAN VENUE” YOU BY NO MEANS, SHOULD BE SUPPORTING OR PROMOTING DEMONIC MUSIC, OR HOSTING THE CONCERTS IN YOUR BUSINESS EXPOSING YOUNG KIDS TO IT. THAT IS VERY HYPOCRITICAL AND CONTRADICTING ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING YOU CLAIM TO BELIEVE IN AND STAND FOR.
WOULD YOU TELL YOUR KIDS NOT TO STEAL…AND THEN GO ASSIST A SHOP LIFTER RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM? I think not.
Why would you you claim to follow Christ, try to share his love with others, and then bring bands in with lyrics and MySpace pages that so CLEARLY conflict with everything in the Bible and everything you’ve said to astray from.
These people are SUPPORTING these bands…they are making them money and thereby promoting SATAN rather than Jesus. They are assisting in exposing more and more kids to this type of music and the hellish lyrics. Is this what we really want for our kids? To be exposed to this type of violent, hellish, music that has absolutely no uplifting influence on them what so ever?!
It may be a business, and these types of bands probably bring in a pretty large crowd, but money should not be one of the least concerns when attracting kids at this age.
If you believe in something you should always stand up for your beliefs no matter what the circumstance or situation may be.
Sure, RCTWN might lose a little money if they cut out these bands, but they’d still have plenty of business. Kids are going to go there no matter what.
I AM BY NO MEANS SAYING YOU SHOULDN’T WELCOME SOMEONE IN WITH DIFFERENT BELIEFS….AFTER ALL… HOW ELSE CAN SOMEONE FIND CHRIST IF THEY AREN’T EVER EXPOSED TO OTHER FOLLOWERS? IT IS YOUR JOB AS A CHRISTIAN TO PROVIDE A GOOD EXAMPLE AND SHOW THE LOVE OF JESUS TO NON-BELIEVERS. HOWEVER, PROMOTING AND ENCOURAGING THE MUSIC OF SATANIST AND VULGAR MUSIC IS BEING HYPOCRITICAL AND VERY DECEIVING TO EVERYONE.
Something really needs to be done about this. The more people complain, the more publicity we can get, and hopefully get a change.
Kids need a safe place where they can enjoy themselves under a good influence of Christian people…somewhere parents don’t have to worry about taking their kids.

I think that one of the main points Keith might be trying to make is getting lost in myriad discussions about parenting and other things.
Let me see if I can give you an analogy that might help:
Let’s say you support your local Democratic party, and you donated money to their fundraising campaigns. Let’s say you maybe even volunteered for a fundraising event. Then you see that the local Democratic headquarters is hosting an event featuring Sarah Palin, and when you ask why the Democratic party is paying lost of money to bring in Sarah Palin, they tell you it’s because they hope the local Republicans will come to their facility, meet the Democrats, see that they’re not really that different and maybe change parties.
Does that argument make sense to you? And how would you feel about the money you donated or the time you gave to support your political party? Would you feel confused or betrayed by the Democrats? Would you question who made the decision and want to know more than just “it’ll bring in Republicans that we hope to switch parties”?
It’s kind of a simple analogy, but that’s kind of how Christians felt when they saw this line up on the bill. I for one am completely supportive of the welcoming environment Rocketown provides to kids. I love that they are able to reach them via culturally relevent music. And I’m not even opposed to mainstream/secular music there. But I think there is a lot of benign mainstream music that could reach the kids, rather than bringing in a satan-supporting band.
I think everyone who is questioning it has a right to, both as supporters of the ministry but also as Christians. I think the discussion has veered off a bit in different directions, which is fine, but at the core Christians have to be accountable to each other. Honest discussions about why we do what we do are not only fair but necessary. I would hope if I was doing something completely contrary to what is Christ-like someone would call me on it. In fact, that has happened, and while I don’t necessarily like being called out, I am always thankful for someone who makes me think about WHY I’m doing it and how I might be able to do it better. It’s being Berean, I guess, and it’s being accountable.
Anyway, I hope that helps maybe explain why this is such a hot issue.
Joanne
host of the GS blog

Thanks Joanne for chiming in and making sense.
Anonymous.. that is a strange first name..
I was being sarcastic with the comment of having to be bleeped out.. I see even you can get your feathers ruffled:)
Love of course is important, but you can love something and at the same time not condone the behavior or activity. Righteous anger has a place as well. Anger causes commotion, which brings an issue to light. Look at what Jesus did in the temple, when he overturned the tables of the moneychangers. I’m sure he was operating in love when His anger caused a change in the system. That’s all I am doing. Causing change through commotion. I am not after anyone’s approval, it means nothing to me.
Here is how Rocketown could solve this issue. On their Show page on the Rocketown Website, they could add this:
1- Attend our shows at your own risk
2- Content presented may not enrich your walk with Christ
3- Don’t blame us if the lead singer drops his drawers.
And add a Parental Advisory label next to shows that are like the show on Oct 27, so parents can scan the shows and decide which ones their kids can attend.
It’s THAT SIMPLE!

I think this whole issue is ridiculous. I’ve been to Rocketown hundreds of to see all different types of bands. I’ve been in the music scene here for 5 years playing all that “satanic” metal music. Yes, they allow non-christian bands that might have controversial content in their music, but one thing you will NOT find is the staff members and leaders of the venue promoting those bands’ actions. They promote all types of shows, for people with all different types of tastes and beliefs. So, if a parent doesn’t like a bands material, simply don’t let them go. Is it REALLY worth trying to ruin a perfectly safe, encouraging, and Christian-based organization?

Also, by jumping the gun and saying that “Rocketown supports satanic music,” that is jumping to a conclusion that should be VERY carefully considered. Christ spent time with sinners. He talked with them, and even ate with them.
There IS a firm line that they stand by when it comes to excessive vulgarity and profanity. They will cut the sound. I just dont feel that it is right to try to cause them this much trouble.

OK, you win.
Have fun
Rock hard

Keith Mohr…
your dumb i talked to a guy at the show tonight we talked about the bands and we talked about why we like them its not that they’re satanic
rather they probably just dont belief theres no reason to go nuts and freak out about it or forbid your child to listen to this kind of music… the more you say they cant they will just want to listen to it more..me personally i like “The Black Dahlia Murder” reason why the guitars are awesome, the drummer in my eyes is the best!, some of us dont know the lyrics nor do we care they’re not spreading a message like Kiss or Iron Maiden those old bands…and why cry about it now it’s been going on probably since you were a kid…with those bands i just named…for real you let your kid play games? (rock band 2) has a mayhem festival pack you can download it has bands you would consider satanic… for real if you checked it out and you looked at some of the lyrics why did you say he can go to this show…its morons like you that make this world screwed up here im quoting Toxic Holocaust.
“To clear a few things up, there was a news clip that showed our video ‘Nuke the Cross’ and then directly cut to lyrics for a song called ‘Hang the Pope’. Even though we did record a cover of that song on our first demo, that song is actually by NUCLEAR ASSAULT. I think that was done intentionally to make the story have more impact and more shock value.
“Secondly, I want to thank the people running Rocketown for allowing this show to go on despite the protests. It just proves that being Christian and being closed minded doesn’t have to be synonymous with each other.
“Everyone has a right to believe in whatever they want. If it empowers you and doesn’t infringe on anyone else, then I’m all for it. Sadly the herd mentality of organized religion doesn’t work like that. It’s too much of a threat to the very foundation on which it’s based. Let’s end organized religion and stop the real evil in this world.”
That makes sense its people like you and your religion that keeps this world F***ed up maybe you should think hmm the guy in this band it freaking right! ahh people like you make me angry!

They shouldnt have to put these
1- Attend our shows at your own risk
2- Content presented may not enrich your walk with Christ
3- Don’t blame us if the lead singer drops his drawers.
cause first of all i would call rocketown a family venue not really a christian venue…you people think you own everything!
also its the common sense that shows are at your own risk! they have 3 rules that you have to go by.
and the lead singer didnt drop his drawers your retarded.
and im sure everyone on earth has an ass so….uhhh yea nothing no one hasn’t seen before!

ahh, lets bring the family so we can watch satanic bands and the lead singer expose himself..
What fun we’ll have kids!
LOL..

You should have come down to the show Keith. All the bands wanted to meet you and have a conversion. Everyone and I do mean everyone wanted to chat with you about your comments on this blog.
But of course we can all see whats really going on here. Your a arm chair christian hiding behind a computer screen. Throwing words around. But I understand. Its easy.
Keith lets be honest about what you are here… your a shinning example of why Christianity is losing the religion race. Atheism is growing and growing fast here in the states. So keep it up man. Things like this just encourage people to move away from the fold. People seem to be growing ever more disinterested in Christianity. This is a great example of why.

This controversy started because of a 16 yr old asked his Dad if he could go to this concert. Obviously, THIS is the kind of music this boy listens to anyway. Dad had a problem with Rocketown only because the band was allowed to play there. Dad didn’t have a problem with his son listening to this kind of music at home. The solution to this problem would have been to just tell your kid he can go on another night if Dad was truly opposed to this type of music. Wonder why he had to make such a public scene? Wonder if the Dad has been allowing his 16 yr old to come prior to this? If he has, it’s probably because Rocketown offers so much more to our young people than just a place to hear music. Since Dad did so much research I wonder why he did not comment on all the wonderful things Rocketown does for our community and our young people. From after school programs like REACT, bible study, Skate Church, Girls Day Out, summer programs, and just the opportunity to hang out in a safe, smoke free, drug free, security filled, supervised environment FOR FREE 7 days a week, Rocketown does not deserve to be attacked because of this man’s inability to control his son’s choice of music. If he knew anything about teenage boys, then he would know that his son’s choice is temporary and will most likely change in the future. In the meantime, this 16 yr old like so many other young people, have Rocketown. A place to be socialable and also given an opportunity to learn about Jesus. This world is filled with satanic bands and until the end of time we will all deal with evil people, music, and situations but we don’t have many places like Rocketown for our kids who are lost in this world and trying to find their own way. Not Dad’s way, but their own way. Rocketown is filled with Christians and non, like any other place. This boy will learn that ulitmately his walk in life will be by his own choices.

Wow! That’s right. Check out the Video for Rocketown’s Fundraiser.
This kid is awesome and from a teens mouth the video sums up what Rocketown is truly about. To see a booked band, you have to pay. IF you don’t want to see them, don’t go. Rocketown loves and welcomes ANY PERSON that walks through their doors. Even you bashers!

Did you go to the show? Give me your recap here:
http://blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck/2009/10/rocketowns-black-dahlia-murder.html
Joanne
host of the Gospel Soundcheck blog

It is my hope that all of you who are reading this are as passionate about your relationship with Christ as you are about your defense of Rocketown, music, and freedom.

It is my understanding that a relationship with Christ is a personal relationship. Meaning, that it’s between you and Him. We will all stand before HIM one day and be judged for our words and deeds here on earth. This includes Black Dahlia, Rocketown, you, your son, and me. You should give this a break and spend the rest of the night just loving your family and thanking God for a very blessed day in the land of the living. Stop stirring up trouble for people especially if you really are a Christian. Alot of people appreciate what Rocketown stands for. Yes! What the Fundraising video! Just leave this alone. You are embarrassing your son. It’s gonna be alright, Mister.

Rocketown’s executive director is Regina Newkirk, not Newcastle. Ju Don Robert’s should have caught this from her time in DC. Newkirk used to work in DC at Whitman-Walker. Or does accuracy and fact checking not apply at a Web site like it did at the Washington Post?

DC Journalist, you are correct. My sincere apologies.
I stand corrected. Thanks! I’ll fix that.
Joanne
host of the Gospel Soundcheck blog