"I don't want attention, so I'm humble."

The above sounds sweet, doesn't it? A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity of playing drums in a large arena where a major prayer event was held. It was interesting that after the event, I heard some comments from key leaders of the event about how the band exhibited a lack of showmanship and how this lack of attention and 'invisibility' really exalted God. Those key leaders took great pride in this approach. I was rather puzzled when I heard it but then I began to understand why things were done in a certain way- like how the band had an 'all black' dress code, certain songs were not allowed to be sung and we must not stand out but give God the glory.

Without a doubt, it's rather strange to think this way. The idea that getting attention is taking away glory from God is flawed. It's like saying a guy wears a ear ring, gets attention and therefore he's gay, or a tattooed person is a criminal. The point is if you don't want attention, don't even be on stage (see my other blog on Solos in Worship in 2009). Being on stage, you're going to get attention whether you like it or not.

You see, getting attention is not the problem. It's why you get the attention that matters. If we want people to respond to the gospel, we need to get their attention. If we want people to worship, we need to get their attention. Jesus got plenty of attention during His time on earth. When He healed the sick, rode on a donkey and got praises from His people, not all were too happy about what He did. The religious leaders felt He was getting too much attention and He was taking the glory away from God. Yet, Jesus always said He only glorifies the Father.

The problem with some Christians today who are stuck in their religious mindset is that when musicians/worshippers express themselves wholeheartedly to God (See some Hillsongs Youtube videos to have an idea), they are not being humble. So they better wear black, play softer so as to not stand out from the crowd. Does that really help being humble? I don't think you can find a single verse in the bible that talks about humility this way!

On the contrary, the bible is full of stories of individuals who stood out. More importantly, they stood out for the right reasons. David got all the attention in the world when he took on Goliath. I'm sure David could have proposed, "Guys, let me fight Goliath in private. Don't look at me fight, ok? If I get the attention, Jehovah God will not get the glory. Instead, it will be me. So let's have a private battle with a few referees to determine the winner." Sounds absurd, isn't it? But that's exactly how religious leaders sound like when they talk about being humble by not getting attention!

What did David do? He fought Goliath in full view of the helpless Israelites and the Philistines. And with faith and God on his side, he slew the mighty Goliath. Boy, he was the hero! He had all the attention! But this was the same guy who also said that God will deliver Israel from their enemies.

As you can see, being humble has nothing to do with avoiding attention. If anything, avoiding attention can be a form of pride. Remember Jonah who avoided attention as he did not want to reach out to the Ninevites? The point is- the reasons for getting attention is what matters. In my situation, two instruments always get crucified because these two instruments get a lot of attention. It's no coincidence that Psalms 150 talks about cymbals and stringed instruments! They are none other than the drums and electric guitar. These are on the hit list of most traditional churches so much so these churches get sophisticated cages and sound systems just to turn them down. But these instruments are not meant to be played soft only. They're meant to get a lot of attention and tear the house down! Now, that obviously doesn't go well with religious leaders who claim to be humble.

You're Too Loud, Again!

Yes, can you believe it? This is the third time someone has told me I was too loud on the drums. I had written two previous posts on this issue in a more obvious networking site, got censured and just have to write underground here.

Basically, it all started with Cherry & Durian (not their real names) turning off my drum sound midway through my practice session. I was quite shocked as with a nice roof drum shield and half a dozen mics, they still thought it was too loud. I shouted across the hall,"If you're going to turn off the drums, why not just remove the mics as well!" By this time, I was not fully angry yet. But what happened next made me lose it. I walked towards where Cherry was and asked him if there was a need to turn the drums off. He said even if he reduced the drum volume to zero, he could still hear the drums or the drums were overpowering the other instruments. He tried to explain the technicalities of mixing to me, of which I wasn't interested as it doesn't really solve the problem.

Our conversation developed this way-

Oli: Is what you're doing based on industry standards?

Cherry: No. (can't remember what else he said here)

O: Have you been to a Paul Baloche concert in a small hall where Carl Albrecht did not even have a shield and still sounded great?

C: No.

O: Then you need to develop your understanding of drum mixing.

C: Fine, send me for training then.

O: Do I need to send you for training? Aren't you motivated to go yourself? Do I need to question your motivation?

C: Look here, I'm really upset with what you're saying. I'm a volunteer. I don't have to do this.

(Both of us tried to cool down at this point. We continued our argument but in a gentler manner.)

O: (My last question) Let me find out your musical taste. Do you listen to Hillsongs or Paul Baloche?

C: No.

O: Then, I think it's pointless talking to you. (Conversation ends.)

I walked to the drumkit, took my drumsticks and threw on the floor. ZP, my electric guitarist, asked me if things were ok. I shook my head in dismay. We resumed practice. I switched to Hot Rods to get a softer sound to please Cherry. As much as I was bewildered why Cherry would think the drums were too loud, I tried to be professional about it and go softer. After all, by right, he's supposed to be in the best position to gauge the sound.

In the midst of using rods, the worship leader felt there was no punch. I told him I had to do so as Cherry did not like me loud. He asked Cherry down to the stage and told him the problem. Cherry explained the situation and things got even uglier here. Another round of conversation transpired and this time, it was in full view of the musicians, singers etc.

Worship Leader: I need the punch. But if Oli has to use rods, it's not going to help.

Cherry: (Mumbles something to WL.)

Oli: Forget it. Cherry is just a conservative guy.

WL: No, it's not about that. I still need the punch on stage.

(Durian comes in during this heated moment and told us all to submit to the WL's wishes. I told Durian the console people have the best view of the sound, not the WL. The conversation continues a bit longer.)

O: He's just conservative, while I'm not. Look at my T-shirt. It says 'The Beatles'. Cherry, after using rods, can you now control the drum sound?

C: (smiles) and says No.

O: (raising my voice) Then what the hell you want? After giving you whatever the hell you want, you still don't want whatever the hell I give! What the hell you expect me to do? Play with my fingers??? (Cherry walks out of the hall)

At this point, everyone looked stumped. WL wanted to carry on practicing. I told him the first thing we needed to do was to get Cherry back. WL walked out of the hall to get Cherry back. After 5 minutes with no sign of Cherry, I walked out of the hall to get him. Once outside, I saw WL trying to convince Cherry it was necessary to use sticks. I told Cherry I was sorry, shook his hand, and said let's go back and finish the job. I told Cherry we're guys and let's hate each other for all we want but don't sacrifice what we needed to do. Cherry agreed and we proceeded. The practiced resumed and it ended peacefully, at least outwardly.

My personal reflection on this whole episode-

Why in the world are incompetent people doing sound? This is the first time in more than 17 years of drumming that someone told me my sound is still out of control with the rods! Is he nuts? How can you expect not to have acoustic drum sounds spilling out into the audience? More remarkably, the next day, during soundcheck, when Durian wanted to test the drums. I told him if he was going to turn it off, might as well not test it. Then he said he would at least want to test the other drums, but not the snare as it sounded too sharp during practice. What??? Aren't there low and high knobs which he can simply turn to reduce the sharpness?

Seriously, I give up. After more than 5 years of hanging around, it's rubbish here. If I can find a better place, I'll go. No one is freaking motivated here and worse, getting jokers to do the job. One leader told me his plans to start training the teams. I told him if people were motivated, they don't need you to tell them to train. He said not everyone was like me. I told him there are. You just need to get them.

But what I truly meant was why even bother choosing unmotivated people. He would probably say there isn't enough people. Biblical examples show it's never about quantity, but quality. David won battles with only 5 mighty men. Samson destroyed hundreds of Philistines. Joshua and Caleb conquered the promised land with their leadership. The 12 disciples shook the world for Christ. Need I say more?