Reality Check 1998 Jesusfreakhideout.com Interview

Reality Check is a fairly new group to hit the music scene (although around for years before their discovery). Graduates of Liberty University, RC, in a short time after exposure, have gained popularity & acceptance pretty quickly. Chris Blaney, one of the vocalists of this fine group, took some time out on their Christmas vacation to answer some questions for the JfH.

Jesus freak Hideout: Why the name, "Reality Check?"

Chris Belaney: Here's a boring answer: A friend of ours came up with it because we got frustrated looking for a name. He said that since we were trying to cause a reality check why not call ourselves "Reality Check".

JFH: How did the band get started?

Chris: Rod, Nathan, and myself met in college at Liberty University in 1992 and decided to bring our talents together to try to reach youth.

JFH: How would you describe your sound?

Chris: Toughest question you could ask!! For lack of a better name we call it Alternafunk. There are elements of Rock, Rap, Funk and probably 20 influences in our sound.

JFH: What bands have influenced your sound?

Chris: I grew up listening to the Beastie Boys, Tribe Called Quest, and anything cool to listen to while on my skateboard. More recently I like such bands as Soul Coughing, Grits, and Stone Temple Pilots. Nathan has always enjoyed European rock and Rod enjoyes soul and hip-hop.

JFH: When Reality Check is over & done with, as a band, what would you like people to remember you for?

Chris: A band that fulfilled the Great Commission. It wouldn't hurt if people thought that we wrote a couple good songs!

JFH: You guys released your 1st album in June. Did you have any goals set while you were making it?

Chris: To avoid sounding like anybody else and make a record that is not just a good Christian album, but a good album, period.

JFH: Where do you get the ideas for your songs?

Chris: Most of the ideas come from God. We try to share our personal experiences and the things that God is dealing with right now. That way when we sing our songs they are real to us and sometimes they even convict us.

JFH: What is the song "Masquerade" all about?

Chris: Those times in our lives that we try to hide from God. It seems no matter how much I try, there are things that I feel uncomfortable giving to God. I know that He is in control, but yet I hide things from Him.

JFH: What inspired "Midnight Confessions" to be written?

Chris: Again, times in our lives where we've messed up. Sex is a major temptation to all of us. Society paints a picture that is clearly opposite of Scripture. Sometimes our "carnal desires" are put ahead of Christ and therefore become sin.

JFH: What experience(s) led to "Plastic"?

Chris: I think the major thing was seeing some things after moving to Nashville. We just really thought, man, people are different here. Not everybody, but a lot are here only to "make it" in the music business. Will they really be there when I need them or are they just "plastic friends?"

JFH: What is your favorite RC song?

Chris: I really like "The Way I Am" because I like what it says. There have been times when I've questioned God. "Can You really love me the way I am?" I'm here to say that yes, He loves each and every one of us the way we are!

JFH: What does the future hold in store for Reality Check?

Chris: We are writing for a new record which should be out sometime in the fall. We're doing just about every festival in the summer of '98. Check out our website, www.realcheck.com, for all of our tour info.

JFH: What's your favorite movie?

Chris: My favorite movie right now is Mr. Holland's Opus.

JFH: The Jesus freak Hideout site was started out of appreciation for good Christian music. We've set a goal to try to use the site to spread Christian music, as well as God's Word, & show others how great Christian music can be. Do you listen to Christian music? If so, what bands?

Chris: I really like Grits, Erace, Switchfoot, Sarah Jahn. I love the guys in Smalltown Poets and Big Tent Revival.

JFH: I really appreciate your taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer some questions for us. Are there any last comments you'd like to make?

Chris: We've just released "Plastic" to radio so call and request it. PLEASE!! Check out our website, www.realcheck.com for tour info. Remember that Jesus Christ loves you just the way you are!