Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!



At last. Since the release of Conspiracy No. 5 in 1997, we've been trying to score an interview with the cooled boys from Atlanta. But it wasn't until 2 years later that we got the chance to ask Third Day some questions about their amazing musical ministry. Bassist, Tai Anderson ever so kindly answered our call for a JfH exclusive.
This interview was completed on: 8/10/99.



  • Jesus freak Hideout: Understanding that it was inspired from scripture, what made you decide on the name, "Third Day?"
    Tai Anderson: Third Day has been a very uncontrived band. We basically picked the name very quickly thinking that we'd change it to something better after we gave it some thought. However, the name stuck. The third day is the day of resurrection which is really the most incredible day in all of history. It's not a bad occassion to reference.

  • JFH: How did the band get started?
    Tai: Mac and Mark went to high school together. David and I went to high school together. We hooked up at a show we were all playing at at Mark's church. Then, we added Brad about 2 years later. We are very proud of the fact that we've been the same band for 6+ years.

  • JFH: How would you describe your sound?
    Tai: American Music.
  • JFH: What bands have influenced your sound?
    Tai: Atlanta bands: the black crowes, REM, Drivin and Cryin'. Also U2, Tom Petty, the Prayer Chain and Rich Mullins.

  • JFH: Your new album, "Time," shows a distinct return to the southern rootsy sound of your self-titled debut with a matured, more confident sound. What inspired you guys to make the alteration?
    Tai: We got to the place where we realized we really didn't have anything to prove. This is the kind of music that we really enjoy. So, we made the kind of music that we like to listen to.

  • JFH: I know this is a little off the subject, but for a mini Conspiracy No. 5 interlude, could you tell a little about the meaning of your hit song "You Make Me Mad," still a personal favorite of mine.
    Tai: You Make me Mad discusses how music can have all kinds of affects on you. It is not a huge 'message' song except for the line that says, "I don't listen to the words, but I know them all by heart" We wanted to express that music really does affect us and as Christians it's a good idea to at least think about what we're listening to.

    Time

  • JFH: Back on the subject of your new album, Time... The opening song is "I've Always Loved You." It's unique in the sense that you guys decided to start off the album with a slower song as opposed to your 2 previous projects. What encouraged this change? Also, please feel free to tell a little about the story behind this really powerful song.
    Tai: We've always come out of the gate just totally rocking and were starting to feel like we were possibly scaring away potential fans. We love doing the rock songs and feel like it is a real strength. However, some of our best songs have been more mellow: "Love Song", "Thief", "My Hope Is In You." "I've Always Loved You" has a great Tom Petty, Wildflowers feel.. We love the way that record starts, and somewhat tipped our hat to a real hero. The song has a very simple but powerful message that we always try to remind ourselves and our audience of. No matter what we've done, God loves us. That should never become trite to us.

  • JFH: What is the song "Don't Say Goodbye" about?
    Tai: "Don't say Goodbye" is a song reaching out to a friend that has turned away from God. The key to the message of the song is the very last line of the counter melody of the song which states that 'Faith will bring you home again.' Don't say Goodbye.

  • JFH: What is your inspiration for penning the song "Never Bow Down"?
    Tai: "Never bow Down" is inspired by the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abbendago as well as the persecuted church throughout the world especially China and the Phillipines. Would we as Americans give all we have and our lives for the gospel if the time came? If we aren't living for Christ, we probably wouldn't die for Him.

  • JFH: What is favorite Third Day song?
    Tai: "Consuming Fire" still stands as our favorite song, but I love a song on our bonus cd called "Long Time Comin'."

  • JFH: What is your favorite movie?
    Tai: Waiting for Guffman

  • JFH: Do you prefer MounTain Dew or Pepsi?
    Tai: We only drink Coca Cola products... We're from Atlanta remember.

  • JFH: What does the future hold in store for Third Day?
    Tai: More touring and more cds. We hope to really challenge the body of Christ to unity and service. We have awesome jobs.

  • 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?
    Tai: We're huge Christian music fans. We love the music of Rich Mullins, DC Talk, and Steven Curtis Chapman. Our favorite new band is Switchfoot who will be touring with us again soon.

  • JFH: I really appreciate you taking out the time in your busy schedule to answer some questions for us. Are there any last comments you'd like to make?
    Tai: Thanks for bringing our music to the web. God bless you guys.
    Tai.

     

    go to main Interview page

     

  •                  
    Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

    Search JFH



    This Friday, July 25, 2025
    ALBUMS
    Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
    B. Tee Told You [Syntax]
    Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
    Empowered SALT - EP (independent)
    Homesick Prodigals Different Good (independent)
    KDNS After Eden [Syntax]
    Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
    Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
    Kevi Morse Kingston We Winning [Syntax]
    Pulpit Vomit Hospital Lens [Rottweiler]
    Anthony & Tiffany Salerno Dance for Jesus - EP (independent)
    Taylor & Co Worship Breakthrough - EP (independent)
    Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

    SINGLES
    abenezer i was lost - Single [Gotee]
    Joe L Barnes Good Shepherd (Studio Version) - Single [Provident]
    Sho Baraka Still Got Faith (ft. L3xdivine) - Single [Syntax]
    Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
    Katty Camargo Shine Upon Me - Single (independent)
    The CCC Collective Thankful - Single (independent)
    C4 Crotona Mr. Gritty - Single [Syntax]
    CXMMXNS Trust and Obey (feat. CAIN) - Single [Provident]
    EJ Swavv & Nickwit2Ks Growth - Single [Syntax]
    Forrest Frank GOD'S GOT MY BACK - Single [River House / 10K]
    Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
    Noah Paul Harrison Oh Lord My God (Live) - Single [Bethel]
    J.Solo All I Have (ft. Kaboose & MotionPlus) - Single [Syntax]
    Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
    Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
    Lecrae Bless You (feat. Torey D'Shaun) - Single [Reach]
    TobyMac God Did It (feat. Jamie MacDonald) - Single [Capitol CMG]
    Matt Maher Wait (Radio Version) - Single [Provident]
    Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
    QEW JOYXFIX (ft. Stevie Rizo) - Single [Syntax]
    Naomi Raine God Will Work It Out - Single [Tribl]
    Rave Jesus Runnin' - Single [Provident]
    Saints in Exile Bad Vibes - Single [Syntax]
    Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
    Silent Reflection Left Me for Dead - Single [Syntax]
    Michael W. Smith Your Love Is A Flood - Single [The Fuel]
    John Stratton The Body and the Blood - Single [Pure Mosaic Services]
    Regina Vandereijk You're the Light - Single (independent)
    Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
    Zach Williams Killed A Man - Single [Provident]
    Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

    VINYL
    Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

    DVD
    Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal DVD [Gaither]

    This Saturday, July 26, 2025
    SINGLES
    Anthony & Tiffany Salerno What Would You Do? - Single (independent)

    Next Friday, August 1, 2025
    ALBUMS
    Crash Rickshaw Big Sir - EP [Velvet Blue]
    McKamey Legacy Holding to Truth [Horizon]
    Ordained Thunder Roar [Girder]
    V1 Worship Archives [DREAM Worship]

    SINGLES
    Dan Bremnes Human - Single [Curb]
    Lauren Daigle Let It Be A Hallelujah - Single [Centricity]
    Sleeping At Last Believe - Single (independent)

    VINYL
    Disciple Attack! (Limited Run Vinyl) Vinyl [Girder]



    For all release dates, click here!
     

    Join honey and save on online purchases!
    Get all of JFH's indie compilation now totally free!
    Check out depositphotos for royalty free images