INTERVIEW WITH NATHANIEL OF TOMORROWZ END

Tomorrowz End, l-r Justin, Hayley, Nathaniel, Tyler, Andrew

 

JEFF: Welcome to the blog, and let me start with the typical starting point: How and when did the band start? Who's all in the group? And how did you come up with your name? 

NATHANIEL: The band officially started in 2016.  However, this was a beta test version, so to speak.  We were blessed to go and perform and witness in 22 states.  We fine-tuned our songs along the way and went into the studio in 2018 and recorded our 40 song debut album that is divided in 4 parts: “Tetralogy Part I Volumes 1-4” that we just released in April of 2022.  

After the recording of the tracks, this brought us to 2020 and then the pandemic hit.  During this time we could not go out and perform, so we used the time we had to make final touches on the album. We then decided to diversify and work on our 21 Episode Video Serial and get started on our Comic Book “The Age of Tomorrowz End” along with getting other projects in production or pre-production.  

As for who is in the group, when we perform we go simply by the letters X, I, T, S, and ?(Q).  This is not to be strange or anything like that, it is simply because when we perform we want it to be 100 percent not about the people performing (as the people can always change but the characters and meanings within the project always stay the same).  Everything in Tomorrowz End has a meaning and is a parable for the Christian walk and message.  For full details you can check out our website.  On our website, you will find every character that appears under the umbrella of Tomorrowz End and what they mean.  However, if you are looking for names, as of this writing I portray the T character; my wife Hayley portrays the I character; my brother Andrew the ? character; my longest running friend Justin the X character; and my best friend Tyler the S character.  

As for where the Tomorrowz End name comes from, this dates back to 2004.  I was 17 years old and a senior in high school and was diagnosed with a very rare bone cancer called Osteosarcoma.  I was not saved and had not accepted Christ in my life up to this point, however, the very day I was diagnosed, while sitting on my parents’ couch with my Grandmother by my side, I accepted Christ into my heart, and I have been blessed to be 17 years cancer free as of this writing, Praise God!  When I was going through my Chemotherapies, I really felt I needed to use any gift I had to further give testimony and witness for Christ, so as a result, the very 1st version of Tomorrowz End the Christian rock band was formed.  However, I was not ready spiritually or even matured enough in the faith to do what would take me years to finally get to do.  Which is a lesson to anyone reading this.  It is always about God’s timing, not our own.  

Fast forward to 2022, I was about to undergo a 5 level spinal fusion surgery, and most of our projects were either completed or near completed. So with prayer and patience, we finally started releasing the 1st wave of our content starting with the 40 song album and Act 1 of our 21 Episode Video Serial.  We did this because my recovery was supposed to be extra long because of the 5 level fusion, however, a miracle transpired through this event and a 5 level fusion was turned into a 3 level fusion and all I or my doctor could do is give all Praise and Thanks to God! 

JEFF: Allow me to start with the music end. Am I correct that your most recent release is a four-way tie? Could you tell us about the project? Any singles out? 

NATHANIEL: That is correct. We released 40 songs on 4 albums recorded in various styles from Heavy Metal; to Hard Rock; to Southern Rock; to Electronica; to more Ballad Rock all the way to straight up Experimental Rock.  21 of these songs will be featured in our 21 Episode Video Serial that are in the vain of the old Republic Movie Serials from the 40’s and 50’s.  These videos give a visual representation of what each song is about, and put together they tell a much more grand and intriguing story with and overarching message found throughout and at the end.  

We also have songs being spun on the radio throughout the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, but all stations are playing various songs.  Each song is tailored to that specific station’s likes.  So yes, we have singles released but they spread throughout all 4 albums.  The songs getting most spins right now are: “Repent and be Baptized”, “Pouring Rain”, “Arkangel”, and “A Jesus Frankenstein.”

JEFF: I don't know if you're familiar with the singer/pastor Steve Camp. I had a friend who wore a Steve Camp T-shirt to a Bible study, and an older lady said, "Steve Camp. Where's that?" What does the word CAMP mean to you? How does that relate to your music?

 NATHANIEL: We actually describe ourselves as a C.A.M.P. a “Christian Art Music Project.”  We not only are a band and have released 40 songs, but are doing our best to get the message of Christ out in all forms of media through various forms of art, hence describing ourselves as a C.A.M.P.  

In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) time, He spoke often in parables to convey certain messages and truths, and these parables were often of seed planting or of things people could relate to at the time.   In today’s culture and time most people don’t do the same activities or have the exact same lifestyle that they did in the 1st Century AD, so we are just trying to take the same message and the same truth Christ taught and walked out perfectly and put it into music, comic books, videos, card games, board games, stop motion, and every form of art or interactive entertainment we can put it into to get people to truly think about their relationship and walk with Jesus (Yeshua) Christ. 

JEFF: I know the ultimate hero of the believer is Christ, but God also has given us fellow believers to mentor, influence, encourage, and challenge us. What musicians, artists, authors, pastors/radio & TV ministers, etc. have served these roles in your life? 

NATHANIEL: This is a good question. I would like to say at the front that I am not trying to avoid or dodge the question, but instead see this as an opportunity to make a point.  After all our travels within the Christian Community, this is a point that needs to be made.  I have learned good things from people with bad theology and I have learned bad things from people with good theology.  My point of stating this is we as Christians need to be able to distinguish truth from lie, wrong from right, up from down.  So, I always try and remind people, just because you heard something true in a sermon from a preacher or teacher, continue to do as the Bible says and “test all things.”   

Anytime we are taught something or learn something from a specific teaching, we need to make sure what we have learned can be found within the pages of the Bible; God’s unerring word, which is 100% truth.  The reason I mention this is because through our travels we have seen too many instances of the blind leading the blind.  Just because someone quotes something that comes from the Bible that is true, does not necessarily indicate the next sentence coming from them is truth as well. So, test all things, test all teachings, and hold fast to what is truth.  Always remember, truth can stand up to as many questions as you throw at it where as a lie cannot.  So, read and get to know your Bible so you can do what Paul in the New Testament said to do.  “Search the scriptures daily to see what I am telling you is true.”  the Bible is the measuring stick for truth, so get to know what it says so you won’t be deceived. 

JEFF: I always ask the interviewee about their website, but I rarely ask them about somebody else's. I'm making an exception here. You mentioned Biblehub.com in your mission statement. How has this site impacted your life, ministry, and creativity? 

NATHANIEL: I would say Biblehub.com is a resource every Christian with access to the internet should take advantage of.  The reason I say this is because it has almost every translation and has the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek translations that all Bibles are transcribed from.  So, if you are ever curious which version is the correct version to read out of, you can look at the native language that specific scripture was wrote in and it clears up a lot of confusion on mistranslated words or ideas that have confused many people over the years.  It is an awesome resource and with a little bit of work on our part, we can more clearly understand what the words used in scripture truly mean and even which words are really used in certain instances. 

JEFF: Thank you for your time. What is on the agenda? Any concerts coming up? Do you have a web-site that we can keep up with you?

NATHANIEL: I am currently healing from my neck fusion surgery, but after I heal we will be doing live shows again and plan on providing a unique and full experience to make up for all the lost time.  In the meantime, people can check out all 40 songs on any  music streaming platform as well as on our website www.tomorrowzend.com 

We also have 3 issues of “The Age of Tomorrowz End” comic book ready for order on our website along with a card game.  People can also check out Act 1 and Act 2 of our 21 Episode Video Serial on our YouTube channel with Act 3 and 4 being released by the end of the year.  Speaking of the end of the year, we will be releasing our board game by the end of 2022 and by the 1st quarter of 2023 we will be releasing our stop motion project.  

Anyone interested can check out all news by finding us on facebook.  We have both a Friend and a Likes page.  For people who just want to be friends they can feel free to friend us.  For others who just want to like the page but not chat they can Follow and like our Likes page.  However, anyone who is interested can also do both!  

Also, within the next few months all of our content will be free on our website at tomorrowzend.com, as we are not in this for the money but truly want to provide art that makes you think about your relationship with Christ.  If you have never accepted Christ and are reading this, we ask you to take a 2nd look at Christ and HIs message and don’t let the hypocrisy you may have seen in flawed imperfect people turn you away from a perfect Christ.  And if you are a believer and already believe in Christ, we ask you to re-examine your life and make sure your life is reflecting Christ in all you do.  Remember, sometimes the only Jesus (Yeshua) people every see is the Jesus (Yeshua) that is present in the life that we lead.  Thank you so much for this interview, and thank you to everyone that took the time to read it.  As always, I will leave you with a question:  “Are you ready for Tomorrowz End?”