Adrian Darsee – Guitar & Vocals
Steve Gee - Drums & Vocals
Doug Harsch - Guitar & Vocals
“Four stand up guys on a
mission,” is how listen.com
describes the four self-professed followers of Christ that make up the band not
by sight, and that’s not too far from the truth, according to the members
of this South Bend, Indiana based outfit. “We definitely feel called to do
this,” relates vocalist/guitarist Doug Harsch, “God has definitely made it
clear that we have a path to follow…”
This year, that path will
be taking them out on the road in support of their CD into the light—which
features several of their self-penned alt/rock/folk/pop songs—proclaiming and
celebrating the Good News about Jesus Christ that is interwoven into their
songs and lives. It’s a path that’s not too unfamiliar for a band that has been
playing for the last three years all over the Midwest at such venues as
festivals, coffeehouses, clubs, retreats, charity events, worship gatherings
and churches. However, this year promises new excitement for the
band—especially with the addition of new member Adrian Darsee on guitars and vocals.
The
band, which also includes Steve Gee on drums and vocals, and Tim Smith on bass
and vocals, had originally recorded and performed as a trio, but now the band
is enjoying a happy renaissance with the addition of another vocalist and
instrumentalist in the lineup. “We definitely have grown and evolved with the
addition of Adrian,” states Doug, “…it has added a whole new dimension to our
live show.” It’s a dimension that brings with it a palpable dynamic of color
and drama into newer songs such as their CD’s title track “into the light” and
its story of discovery and joy, as well as non-stop, foot-stomping fun and
celebration to an older favorite such as “we are loved,” and its anthem of
salvation.
Another
recent addition to their show is a time of worship. Although a seemingly
natural extension for a band whose members are actively involved in the worship
programs at their churches, it actually took the band a while to make it a part
of their own shows. “We are well aware of the worship music phenomena that’s
been going on, and we didn’t want to just do it just because everybody else
was,” Doug asserts, “but after the first time we [played the worship songs], we
knew it was just the right thing.” The
right thing indeed, as audiences have seemed eager for the chance to
share their love for God with each other and participate in worship with the
band. As Doug attests, “It is truly amazing to see people seem so hungry to
worship God.”
What lies next on the path of not by sight? Obviously, many more passionate nights of proclamation and worship at venues stretching across the fruited plain, and with the demand for recordings of such crowd favorites as “able,” “I thought I’d seen it all,” and “my God,” a stop at the recording studio is not out of the question either. No matter what lies ahead on their path, the band knows they are on the right one when they remember the words that inspired their name—we walk by faith, and not by sight.
