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Upstanding Gents: (l-r in photo) Jeff Ward (bass), Jason Ward (guitar), Aaron Ward, Chris Ward (vocals), and Dustin Bailey (drums - see photo further down). All photos courtesy of Jeanette Yoder.
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When I saw the Saturday lineup for Kingdom Come Festival '22, I was excited! Two of the three groups I was most interested in - Forsaken Hero and Reclaim The Day - were on early, with one act between them. (The third group, Theody, was on a different stage mid-afternoon.) That group in the middle was Upstanding Gents.
I really enjoyed their music. Their songs reminded me of the punk/alternative music I listened to when I was younger, such as Undercover, Lifesavors, Altar Boys, Steve Taylor, Andy McCarroll, Ishmael United, and Mellowdramatic Wallflowers. I thoroughly enjoyed this interview.
JR: When and how did you guys get started? Who are the members of the group? What led you to your particular genre and your name?
Dustin: So, the band started as 13 Stripes with Chris Ward on drums/vox, his brother Jeff Ward on bass, and his brother Jason Ward on guitar. Eventually, the 3-piece became a 4-piece with the addition of Jeff’s son, Aaron Ward. Eventually, I was adopted into the Ward family clan as the 5th member and new permanent drummer, moving Chris out front to tackle vox on his own. I’ve always been a huge punk rock fan, and it’s super fun jamming with these fellas!
Chris: We started as a three piece with just me, Jeff, and Jason. I was playing drums and singing, but it never really worked out too well as it was hard to do both. We were about to call it quits then Dustin said he would play drums and we redid all the songs and pretty much started over. The name actually came from a cartoon my kids were watching. Then I started thinking about it and really fit with who we are. We have been into punk and oi music pretty much our whole lives. So just came naturally for us.
Jason: When the three of us started this band about 9 years ago, we had no idea what it would be like. We thought we would only be playing in punk rock bars, so our first tunes were songs about drinking, songs about never calling it quits, and songs about working. God had been taking us on an adventure. I guess He really has a plan for us. Now, we are playing events like the Kingdom Come Festival.
JR: I enjoy your songs, and especially "World Gone Mad." You aren't talking about our world, are you? Would you like to tell us about that song and your latest project?
Dustin: Honestly, 2020 has come and gone, and this world is facing new loads of problems from shortages, wars, rumors of wars, illnesses, poverty, etc. I think it’s great that everyone gets to share their opinions on various social media platforms, but in the sharing of opinions, the human race has forgotten that kindness is part of Christ’s commandments. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matthew 22:37-40.
Many of our songs recognize the need for unity, family, and friendship. We plan to continue that trend with any new material in the near future.
Jason: "World Gone Mad" wasn't just about 2020. It’s about every time I turn on the news, there’s some new disaster, hate crime, mass shooting, violence, and riots happening all over the world, and people are losing their minds and going crazy. This world needs Jesus more now than ever!
JR: I find your music upbeat, energetic, and fun. Would you say you feel your call as a band is to be an entertaining reprieve from the heaviness of the world (we need that), as using your music to be, as Mary Poppins put it, "a Spoonful of Sugar" to make some needed observations (we also need that), or some combination?
Chris: That's also the kind of people we are. A lot of our songs are true stories and represent people we know and are about our lives and who we are.
Dustin: You know, I have somehow managed to never watch that movie! *shakes head* (starts looking to see if there’s a punk cover of “A Spoonful of Sugar”) HAHA! I don’t think any of us actually said the words, “Hey, this song sounds like it could be upbeat, energetic, and fun.” I believe our music is a 180 degree turn away from the mess of the world and trying to focus on people that positively influence us. For example, "Toast to Johnny" is a direct representation about the safe return home of a soldier. "Gentleman John" is a song that represents not judging someone by their appearance, but by the quality of the heart of the man. Other songs follow a similar direction.
JR: I'm asking these questions two days after your Kingdom Come Festival (KCF) performance. What are the blessings of being a part of a festival, especially one as big as KCF? What ways does it stretch and challenge you?
Chris: It was so awesome to be a part of it. I think it stretched me to read some verses and to talk about God. It's easier to do in front of a Christian audience, and it's something I would like to work on more at any show we play.
Dustin: It is such a blessing and an honor to be asked to play the Kingdom Come Festival once, let alone twice. I think our particular genre of old-fashioned street punk makes us stand out from the others. We’re rugged, humble folk, and we bring this to the table of KCF. We want to represent the old school punk rockers in the crowd that tend to view the world differently; the rebels as you will. In His time, Jesus was Himself a rebel of the times. Jesus brought a welcoming heart, kindness, and creativity to various people of ALL stature that were downtrodden, forgotten, depressed, miserable, sick, wealthy, poor, etc. The challenge, to me anyway, is to find that central line where people can be who God called them to be without feeling the need to argue any points of disagreement. God created us all unique for a reason. If he wanted carbon copies, then he would have made drones, not humans. Remember, in Jesus’ parable of the great banquet, ALL are welcome at God’s table.
JR: You're aware that currently we're in a heat wave lasting two weeks here in Indiana. You also know we got a few days of milder weather where it's nice to be outside. And finally, I'm sure you noticed that those nice days were when KCF were scheduled. Of course, that's pure coincidence, right? In what ways have you seen things work out for the band that you knew God was up to something?
Chris: The weather was perfect! I believe it was a total gift from Jesus.
Dustin: Not only are we in a heat wave, but according to my Indiana Storm Chasers group on Facebook, we’re facing drought conditions from now until September! So absolutely, God was doing some amazingly merciful things with the weather over the course of the Kingdom Come Festival. At the same time, the fine people at Always One Ministries plus the multitudes of others were diligent in providing plenty of drinks for folks there. Matt Moore kept up on reminding folks to hydrate over the weekend. It was such a combination of God provision and true disciples sharing love to others.
JR: Thank you for your time. How do we keep up with your schedule and know about upcoming performances and new music?
Dustin: Anyone can go to our Facebook page and check out
upcoming events and new material. As a reminder, we do have merch available, and that is our livelihood, so please consider that option when visiting our page. Our existing music, of course, is available on all of the various streaming platforms and on CD if you’re into that new age technology (LOL!). Folks can feel free to leave us messages, ask for prayer, share show photos and vid with us; that sort of thing. We’re absolutely reachable. Thanks for taking to time to speak with us and for everyone checking this out! Have a totally blessed morning, afternoon, evening, or combination thereof. 😉
REMINDER: All photos courtesy of Jeanette Yoder.
