Stryper lead singer tells about the band's problems in the past. Coming Friday, the final installment of Fridays with Stryper

October 28, 2005 (PRLEAP.COM) Entertainment News
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (W.) — During a tour in the early 1990s, Christian metal band Stryper faced a moment of truth: It was saying one thing on stage and living another way on the bus.

"We had many temptations along the road and many opportunities we could have grabbed on to," said Michael Sweet, lead singer for the Platinum selling band which has regrouped after a decade and is back on tour.

He said there was one stumbling point at the band's peak.

"We went through a period in "Against the Law" when we started drinking, we started getting a little out of control," Sweet said. "The bad part in that is the fact that it was somewhat hypocritical because we were standing on stage telling people you don't need alcohol and then we'd go to the bus and drink."

Sweet said the band felt alone in the Christian music industry at the time. It had been a target of parents and churches.

"It was more of a rebellious time for us, kind of a lashing out at people in the church who had come against us for years and protested and bull-horned our concerts and said we were of the devil and all that kind of stuff," Sweet said. "And then you get to a breaking point. Many people do in life. You can take so much and take so much and then you break. And that was our breaking point."

But that period didn't last long.

"Thank God we didn’t completely disintegrate and have a meltdown and go the opposite — and continue on the opposite — path. We woke one morning and said, 'What are we doing?' and we halted and put a stop to everything and got back on path."

Sweet said the band wants to be an example to others.

"We try to speak less and let our actions be the example of Christ in our lives — who we are, how we treat people, what we say to people. Do we smile or growl to people? Are we pleasant and nice? Do we give grace? That's what's going to have an effect on people more than words. We try to live as examples and let that light shine through."