The Lads

Infobox musical artist 2
Name = The Lads


Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Birth_name =
Alias =
Born =
Died =
Origin = New Zealand
Instrument =
Genre = Pop
Christian rock
Occupation =
Years_active = 1993-present
Label =
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.theladsband.com/ theladsband.com]
Current_members = Steve King
Mark Millard
Bjorn Bennett
Past_members = Paul Cotton
Bennett Knowles
Chris White
Matt Chapman
Kristian Bennett

The Lads are a New Zealand Christian rock/pop group that was formed in 1993. In early 2005 the band moved to Nashville, Tennessee.

History

The Lads made a large fan following in New Zealand during the late 1990s and Early 2000s. The band often spent a lot of time on the road touring around New Zealand in The Lads Bus. They played at many church services, youth events and camps. The Lads have played at every Parachute Music Festival except 2006, where they often played in front of one of the biggest crowds of the festival. On the Monday of Parachute 2003 the band tried to set the record for the largest mosh pit in the history of the festival while playing their hit song "Creator".

They were scheduled to play at AGMF 2007, but didn’t play as they had recently toured Queensland in November.Having grown up in New Zealand, the band's first musical experiences were found in the back row of a Salvation Army brass band. Although their music is now a far cry from those early days of marches and Christmas carols they have retained some of that "Sally Army" pioneering spirit in everything they do. And those formative years did much to cement a close friendship amongst the band, something they all see as a vital and fundamental part of the band's makeup.

Despite the initial stages of the band being all about having fun making music together, they soon became aware that God had called them to offer people the opportunity to connect with Him through their music and especially during their concert experiences. More especially, they had a desire to see those who do not know God, have the opportunity to encounter Him. Before long, The Lads were a household name in their homeland. They had a string of number one hits on Christian radio, and were invited to headline all of the major Christian festivals throughout New Zealand and Australia. Their two most recent albums were both awarded "Gospel Album of the Year" at the New Zealand Music Awards.

Outside the studio, The Lads are especially known for their lively and energetic shows. The concert goer will experience the onstage antics of lead singer Mark Millard, along with personal stories between songs, both of which have become a trademark of the band's concert experience, often inducing laughter and tears from their audiences (sometimes both at the same time!). The Lads have always been full of surprises and each concert tends to have its own unique flavor, but one thing they desire above everything else is that God remains the central focus of everything they do. The band is passionate about seeing God working in peoples lives.

For many people, the most memorable aspects of Lads music is more than the fun and energy, and more than the quality and memorable tunes. But it is the worship inherent in their music that is capturing a great deal of attention. Steve King (Drummer) comments "There are some moments when we play that it almost seems as if God suddenly walks into the concert. I know that God is always with us, but it is like God's presence becomes so obvious that people start to respond to that. Suddenly all over the place people will be making a connection with God. For some people that will mean new revelations and understandings, for some that will mean just experiencing God, for others that may be healing and even salvation".

For the band, this 'worship' aspect of their music is something they passionately love to see and is a vital part of their work in evangelism. Mark Millard (singer) comments "We can do everything we can think of to try and convince people about the reality of God and their need for salvation - but when the power of God is there to see people saved, we don't need to say much… sometimes we don't say anything at all… I sometimes imagine God saying "Good job Lads, but I'll take over from here" which is exciting because that's when things really start to happen, lives are transformed and changed

Band members

* Mark Millard
* Steve King
* Bjorn Bennett

Former members

* Paul Cotton
* Bennett Knowles
* Chris White
* Matt Chapman
* Kristian Bennett

Discography

§only 2000 tapes were made.

DVDs

In 2005, the band released a live DVD called Alive in Brisbane.

External links

* [http://www.theladsband.com Official Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/theladsband Official Myspace Profile]