Disciple

Disciple Horseshoes & Handgrenades



Kevin Young– vocals, Israel Beachy- bass, Andrew Welch- guitar, Micah Sannan- guitar, Trent Reiff- drums



The growth between each Disciple album is instantly noticeable, but the evolution between their previous trio of projects for INO/Columbia Records and the brand new Horseshoes & Handgrenades is exponential. The Dove Award-winning band honed in on their heavy rock n’ roll roots for several of their most explosive offerings to date, while also exploring the more melodic side of the dial sure to attract the previously unfamiliar.



The group has spent a considerable time on tour between albums – both headlining runs with groups like Family Force 5, Project 86, Children 18:3, Fireflight and Decyfer Down, and opening for the likes of Kutless and Skillet. Their music has been featured on ESPN, NFL, WWE, Speed TV, CBS’ "CSI Miami” and "Criminal Minds” and has spun throughout Philadelphia’s Wachovia Center and New York’s Madison Square Garden – expanding Disciple’s audience.



"Every time we write a song, one of our goals is how it will affect somebody, not just the lost, but believers who also need to be encouraged, guided and shepherded,” continues Young. "I feel like it’s very important for us to be honest in everything that we say and to create art that’s true to who we are to reach people as clearly as possible.”



That very vision weaves its way into the assertive title for the new album, which was originally spotted on a tattoo bearing the saying "close ‘only’ counts in Horseshoes & Handgrenades.”



The group’s collective songwriting on this record is loaded with spiritual sentiments, spanning subjects such as hope, redemption, perseverance and self-esteem. Young in particular was inspired by a fan he met on the road in between albums who was so moved by hearing the band’s music on the radio that she actually ceased a suicide attempt as a result. A similar situation involving another concertgoer shaped the empowering song, "Invisible,” which was co-written with acclaimed tunesmith Ben Glover.



"I’d say every other night we meet at least someone who’s dealing with some sort of self-destructive behavior, and one guy in particular said to me ‘I cut myself because I feel like nobody listens to me or looks at me, so it’s basically my way of saying can you hear me now?’” explains an empathetic Young. "The guy’s feelings were real and he was feeling all alone, but the Word of God says He loves us beyond measure. The song talks about how He’s given us talents and we’re here for a reason to combat and fight those feelings of worthlessness, which are really nothing more than lies.”



The scalding lead single "Dear X” follows suit, coming from the perspective of a person writing an all-encompassing letter to pain, shame, hate and anger. "All of those negative things can chase us, this song says ‘you can chase me all you want, but I’ve moved on,’” says Young.



Additional electrification comes courtesy of "Shot Heard Around the World,” which is sure to fall in line with the sports fans Disciple’s attracted over the years. But even more meaningful than simply being a battle anthem during athletic competitions, the tale traces a friend of the band who’s fighting cancer for a third time.



"When I found out, I was just so crushed and aggravated,” admits Young. "I thought about what it would be like to be him and the types of emotions he would be feeling and wrote a song to basically encourage him and anyone else going through that type of situation. We call this the song to cancer and it basically says ‘you can’t have me and you’re not going to win this fight!’”



In keeping with Disciple’s tireless tradition, the guys are loading up their buses for a fall tour alongside Thousand Foot Krutch across America, followed by a European trek and a return to the States for a solo-headlining jaunt.



"We’ve been hammering away writing lyrics and songs to the point where we want to take a break from all that and perform these songs for people,” sums up Young. "It’s a fun season to reconnect and we can’t wait to see what everyone thinks of the new songs, plus we’ll play plenty of old ones too. We just want people to hear this record and we really feel like the sky’s the limit with wherever God could take it.”