The Lads

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A radio DJ ... described the Lads music as being "so infectious, it’s like a disease… but the kind you actually want to get!".

The band which originally evolved out of a bunch of ‘mates who grew up together’ and ‘just became known as ‘(The) Lads’, now (over the last few years) performs each year to (easily more than) 100,000 people - including many high schools in both New Zealand and Australia - where they have a following normally only found in Top 20 regular charting bands.

What do they sound like? Lads have a gritty guitar foundation to their sound combined with swirling analogue keys and the kind of melody and lyrics that set’s itself up for the long haul in your front yard, it just won’t go away! On stage they are highly energetic and at times even electric in their performance, they also like to entertain and have fun with an audience creating unforgettable moments that stay with you long after that show is over and all the lights and turned down.

Their music from the outset is packed full of emotion and textures in sound which help to capture the listener and takes them on a journey through the honest and sometimes even vulnerable passages of the lives of these five Lads. Some of their music is very bright, some of it sad, some of it is of a spiritual nature (reflecting the bands Christian beliefs and background) but all of it is beginning to turn industry heads (first) in New Zealand (then Australia and now) in the USA (especially since the band relocated to Nashville in 2005).

Lads won the coveted rock award for (NZ's) 'Smelliest Mosh Pit' in 2001, and were nominated for the same award in 2002 - the first band ever to go for back to back honours.

Two songs from their album 'Lost At Sea' were used on the TV show 'Dawson's Creek'. They (in May/June 2001 became) the only New Zealand band to join with Australia's Powder Finger and Bardot to have a single on 'Best Of The Pacific', an in-flight radio show played on all Canadian Airlines and Air Canada flights.

Band Members...

Mark Millard (vocals)
Bjorn Bennett (guitar)
Steve King (drums, vocals)

( Bio credit to: http://www.muzic.net.nz )
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Having grown up in New Zealand, the band's first musical experiences were found in the back row of a Salvation Army brass band. Those formative years did much to cement a close friendship amongst the band which is something that they all see as a vital and fundamental part of the band's makeup.

Despite the initial stages of the band being all about having fun and making music together, they soon became aware that God had called them to offer people the opportunity to connect with Him through their music and especially during their concert experiences. They had a desire to see those who do not know God, have the opportunity to encounter Him.

Before long, The Lads were a household name in their homeland. They had a string of number one hits on Christian radio, and were invited to headline major Christian festivals throughout New Zealand and Australia. Their two most recent albums were both awarded "Gospel Album of the Year" at the New Zealand Music Awards.

Outside the studio, The Lads are especially known for their lively and energetic shows. The concert go-er will experience the onstage antics of lead singer Mark Millard, along with personal stories between songs, both of which have become a trademark of the band's concert experience, often inducing laughter and tears from their audiences (sometimes both at the same time!).

The Lads have always been full of surprises and each concert tends to have it's own unique flavor. But one thing they desire above everything else is that God remains the central focus of everything they do. The band is passionate about seeing God working in peoples lives.

For many people, the most memorable aspects of Lads music is more than the fun and energy, more than the quality and memorable tunes. But it is the worship inherent in their music that is capturing a great deal of attention.

Steve King comments -
"There are some moments when we play that it almost seems as if God suddenly walks into the concert. I know that God is always with us, but it is like God's presence becomes so obvious that people start to respond to that. Suddenly all over the place people will be making a connection with God. For some people that will mean new revelations and understandings. For some that will mean just experiencing God. For others that may be healing and even salvation".

For the band, this 'worship' aspect of their music is something they passionately love to see and is a vital part of their work in evangelism.

Mark Millard comments -
"We can do everything we can think of to try and convince people about the reality of God and their need for salvation - but when the power of God is there to see people saved, we don't need to say much sometimes we don't say anything at all.I sometimes imagine God saying "Good job Lads, but I'll take over from here" which is exciting because that's when things really start to happen, lives are transformed and changed." (read less)

.
A radio DJ ... described the Lads music as being "so infectious, it’s like a disease… but the kind you actually want to get!".

The band which originally evolved out of a bunch of ‘mates who grew up together’ and ‘just became known as ‘(The) Lads’, now (over the last few years) performs each year to (easily more than) 100,000 people - including many high schools in both New Zealand and Australia - where they have a following normally only found in Top 20 regular charting bands.

What do... (read more)