39 Stripes
39 Stripes is a 4-piece independent Hard Rock/Rock band that was formed by guitarist Steve Henderlong in 1997 in the Florida Tampa Bay area.
When it comes to how the band chose their moniker we find in 2 Corinthians 11:24 that it was perhaps a Roman standard punishment to administer 39 lashes as warnings or part of a convicts punishment. Guitarist-Steve Henderlong states: "2 Corinthians 11:24 39 Stripes was the amount of lashes allowed during punishment since 40 was the number that would supposedly kill a person. The 39 Stripes represent the stripes Jesus took for us."
While trying to survive as an independent band amidst an economic recession, 39 Stripes faced a slew of significant hardships including loved ones lost, betrayal by business associates, and the lingering question of where God was in the midst of it all. In the studio, things didn't get any easier for the band as guitarist-Steve Henderlong states: "While recording 'Beyond Broken' our tour manager, my sound man and best friend, and my grandfather all died while recording it. It was a very tough album to make but we made it through."
While some groups would understandably cave in and call it quits during such a dark season, the Stripesmen never questioned their purpose. If anything, the doom and gloom only reinforced their mission and jumpstarted the songwriting process. It wasn’t about being rock stars (it never was), but rather simply about being faithful in what God had called them to do.
“Really, when you think about it, faith doesn’t really matter if you don’t trust God when the hard times come,” says 39 Stripes lead singer Mike Wilson. “Everything we’ve gone through the last two years–every heartache, disappointment and loss–couldn’t help but bring us closer to Him. Ultimately, we didn’t really have a choice but to trust, and that’s a message that everybody needs to cling to.”
While some groups would understandably cave in and call it quits during such a dark season, the Stripesmen never questioned their purpose. If anything, the doom and gloom only reinforced their mission and jumpstarted the songwriting process. It wasn’t about being rock stars (it never was), but rather simply about being faithful in what God had called them to do.
“Really, when you think about it, faith doesn’t really matter if you don’t trust God when the hard times come,” says 39 Stripes lead singer Mike Wilson. “Everything we’ve gone through the last two years–every heartache, disappointment and loss–couldn’t help but bring us closer to Him. Ultimately, we didn’t really have a choice but to trust, and that’s a message that everybody needs to cling to.”
39 Stripes have been very active with four well-received independent projects which include: '39 Stripes' full-length(1997), 'Saving Me A Place' EP (2002), 'Burn' EP (2005), and 'Beyond Broken' full-length(2010).
The band has toured extensively, self-booking hundreds of shows and sharing the stage with top artists including Jars of Clay, Newsboys, Stryper, and Flyleaf. In addition to appearing on Petra’s 2005 “Farewell Tour,” 39 Stripes has showcased its talents at major festivals including 'Atlanta Fest' and 'Ichthus'.
The band has toured extensively, self-booking hundreds of shows and sharing the stage with top artists including Jars of Clay, Newsboys, Stryper, and Flyleaf. In addition to appearing on Petra’s 2005 “Farewell Tour,” 39 Stripes has showcased its talents at major festivals including 'Atlanta Fest' and 'Ichthus'.
In 2010, 39 Stripes released their fourth project which would be their second full-length album brilliantly titled 'Beyond Broken'. Due to previously mentioned hardships the production of 'Beyond Broken' took a whole 2 years to come to fruition. This 2010 album was produced by founding member Steve Henderlong and released on the Hollar Records label. 'Beyond Broken' falls more into the AOR category with its Radio friendly sound yet uncompromising hard hitting arrangements. Without question, this 2010 release represents the band's magnum opus with their best written material to date.
Vocalist Mike Wilson's steps up to the mic as the band's new vocalist on their 'Beyond Broken' release. Wilson's delivery falls mostly in the mid-range while there are moments when he takes it up a few notches to some higher levels. It's hard for one not to notice the passion that is reflected in Wilson's delivery coupled with a healthy dose of hooks to keep the listener coming back for more.
Guitars are managed by Steve Henderlong who shows his depth with the six string axe through many varying styles of play on this release. One track that showcase Steve's work is "Holding On" where the listener is quickly exposed to some bone crushing riffs. Then there's track 3 "Mustard Seed" where the guitar takes on a heavy Power Metal sound helping to further diversify this 2010 release. On track 10, Steve unplugs for those into acoustic guitar play. Track 10 is an acoustic version of track 5 - "Saving Me A Place".
On 'Beyond Broken' Joe Costa pounded the skins into submission for the band's recording. Shortly thereafter, Costa was replaced by Josh Daugherty who is now the current drummer for 39 Stripes.
Ray Schurr handles the percussion with his monstrous Bass lines giving the band a more fuller deeper wall of sound.
Lyrics are uplifting and full on for Christ as one can see in the following lyric:
"Saving Me A Place"
Everyday I think of you wondering what you’re up to
Are you taller
Do you look the same
Did you change your hair or your name
You’re now a member of the heavenly race, transcending time and space
We’ll be together again face to face
Until then you’ll be saving me a place
Did Jesus tell you I said hello
Do you know now all there is to know
What famous people did you get to meet
Are the sidewalks gold too or just the street
Everyday I think of you wondering what you’re up to
Are you taller
Do you look the same
Did you change your hair or your name
You’re now a member of the heavenly race, transcending time and space
We’ll be together again face to face
Until then you’ll be saving me a place
Did Jesus tell you I said hello
Do you know now all there is to know
What famous people did you get to meet
Are the sidewalks gold too or just the street
The band took some time off after the release of 'Beyond Broken' and is now preparing to enter the studio once more. "We were supposed to be in the studio the first week of December in Indiana, but a good friend of ours passed away unexpectedly and we had to reschedule due to the funeral."
With the release of 'Beyond Broken' 39 Stripes has proven themselves to be a power house contender in a market filled with plenty of big hitters. If your looking for more hard hitting music to add to your collection then look no further than 39 Stripes.
With the release of 'Beyond Broken' 39 Stripes has proven themselves to be a power house contender in a market filled with plenty of big hitters. If your looking for more hard hitting music to add to your collection then look no further than 39 Stripes.
Albums can be purchased via the following link:
Musicians:
Mike Wilson-Lead Vocals
Steve Henderlong-Guitars/Vocals
Ray Schurr-Bass Guitars
Joe Costa-Drums
Josh Daugherty-Replaced Joe Costa on Drums right after 'Beyond Broken' was released
Mike Wilson-Lead Vocals
Steve Henderlong-Guitars/Vocals
Ray Schurr-Bass Guitars
Joe Costa-Drums
Josh Daugherty-Replaced Joe Costa on Drums right after 'Beyond Broken' was released