You know how sometimes you get a song stuck in your head and you just can’t get it out? You know how sometimes you hear a song on the radio and it’s that song? Except it’s not that song; it’s a song you’ve never heard before, but you swear you’ve been singing along with it all your life. That’s the way you feel when you hear Julian Drive on the radio for the first time. Familiar. Comfortable. Like an old friend you can drive down the road with and not have to say a word because, well, because you just can.
Shane Bowers (vocals, guitar) and Shaun Bennett (keyboard) formed the nucleus of the band while leading youth worship at church in their small hometown in rural Clarke County, Georgia. Guitar wizard Jesse Triplett came along when he was barely out of his teens and immediately elevated the level of intensity from just another youth group worship band to a full fledged, no-holds-barred, ministry-oriented, Southern alt-rock band. Life got more complicated for the men as local buzz gave way to regional demand. When Julian Drive beat out 2000 contestants to win the 2004 Exalting Him talent search the natural progression to the national stage seemed simply inevitable.
But that doesn’t mean the decision to go full time in the music business was taken lightly. Playing on the weekends and during vacation days is all well and good, but like most folks the members of Julian Drive had a powerful need to eat on occasion, and playing in a traveling band, as glamorous as it may seem, doesn’t always pay the bills.
“I had worked at the same job ever since college,” Shane mused. “I liked my job. I liked my boss. I liked my co-workers and they liked me. The other guys in the band were in similar situations. Leaving a steady paycheck and benefits behind was a big step. You don’t want to give up everything you have worked for only to come home with your tail between your legs if God didn’t really call you.”
Even without a single on the radio, Julian Drive found itself constantly booked for every date the band could possibly play. And the number of calls that poured in after its performance for 20,000 screaming fans at Winterfest 2005 finally convinced the guys that it was now an all or nothing proposition.
“We had six months worth of events scheduled,” Shane explained. “After a lot of prayer it just became obvious that if we were going to do this thing we would have to go full time. We took the leap of faith in 2006 and have been on the road ever since. It has been a liberating experience.”
More than 260 events later, playing shows from coast to coast and sharing the stage with the likes of Rush of Fools, Big Daddy Weave, David Crowder Band, Day of Fire, Disciple, Israel Houghton, Building 429, David Phelps, Newsong, Superchick, and a host of others, Julian Drive is more focused, more dedicated, more determined than ever. Along the way they added bassist, James Nitz, to its lineup. They didn’t even bother to audition another player. It was apparent from the outset that beyond being an amazing musician, James had a heart for ministry and a sparkling sense of humor that fit the band like a high school softball mitt.
Snatching moments between gigs, primary songsmith Shane Bowers continued honing the intimate lyrical style that now defines Julian Drive. Many of the songs on the band’s Inpop Records debut, My Coming Day, including the title cut, were birthed from his morning devotional studies. Some, like “Always There” and “You Can,” were collaborative efforts with one band member riffing off of another until the end result just coalesced. Others, like Julian Drive’s debut single, “From Your Hands,” evolved from the difficult circumstances of life.
“We were sitting on the side of the road with our bus broken down,” Shane recalled. “Nobody knew what to do, and some of the guys just climbed into their bunks and went to sleep. Jesse started playing around on the guitar and came up with a very cool country-rock melody and chord progression. I started writing lyrics to match. We never realized it was going to be a song. Strange how things work out sometimes.”
In early 2007, the band’s songs caught the ear of noted producer, Lynn Nichols (Phil Keaggy, Switchfoot), who brought Julian Drive into the studio in Nashville and helped the group define its sound. Nichols declared, "Julian Drive's music represents the heartland of America in style, and the heart of God in spirit. The unique style of their music is a product of Julian Drive's blend of all their musical and spiritual influences."
While Nichols brought a calm and steady hand to the recording process, he was also sensitive to the musical influences that defined Julian Drive; musical influences as diverse as Shane’s country and Gospel background and Jesse’s rock ‘n’ roll roots. Instead of chiseling away at the band’s eclectic sound, Nichols molded and shaped it, allowing the music to intertwine and connect in unexpected ways, resulting in a project that is comfortably challenging, both musically and lyrically.
“Lynn gave us the freedom to express our ideas,” Shane noted. “Then he helped tweak our music to make sure it was not only creative, but relevant to our culture.”
Originally intended as an independent project, Nichols was so jazzed with My Coming Day that he encouraged the band to seek a national platform for its release. Consequently, Inpop Records president Dale Bray got his hands on a copy of the project and was equally impressed with both Julian Drive and its music. “The band has a great work ethic as well as wonderful musical and spiritual depth,” said Bray. “It’s been a while since I’ve heard a new artist so suited to both our retail and radio markets.”
Partnering with a major label hasn’t changed the heart of the band, however. The spotlight was never its goal in the first place.
“We’re not interested in the rock star mentality,” Shane states. ”We are much more interested in how we connect with the audience. If you come to one of our shows you’ll likely find us hanging out with the kids. That’s where our heart is.”
you guys were awesome at youth convention in syracuse in april! thanks for being such a blessing. i pray God continues to direct you and shower you with his goodness.
Hey Julian Drive.... You guys need to come out to Douglasville, Ga. We would love to have you at Lithia Springs church of God. We will rock out for ya just like at Sonfest and that other church we saw you at.
you all did an awesome job tonight at new covenant. It was really good seeing you guys again...we'll have to try and find you some orange pants jesse. haha
We were at Sonfest 09 and yall were amazing...I am so excited because I just found out last night that you are going to be coming to our church in Glen Saint Mary on June 21st....We are so excited....cannot wait to see you guys again!!!!
hey you yall . yall are the most amazing christian band ever. well anywayz i go to First Baptist Church of Jonesboro il, and our youth dirctor Robbie Ralls said that yall are coming down here which we cant wait to see you yall again. were going to have a great bible study,and playing music and having prayer that gonna be good. And plus you yall are going to be staying at Robbies house four a couple of days thats going to be lots of fun. but anyways we cant wait to see you yall. Were prayin for you yall. travel safe, take care and GOD BLESS!
hey i was at youth convention. i know that u prob don't remember me but i was there. u guys are amayzing! my fav. song that u sang was the one that was about the rainbow. it was really good! <3 ya guys
Hey you guess were rockin bodociously amazingly cool.....hope to see you live again one day....that was a one of a kind experience.....can't wait till your next single.....thanks for the concert and mostly for inviting the holy spirit in......I'm one of those who headbangs down the highway also.....I remember your drummer sayinging that....how true how true....
youth conventtion was awesome thankyou for your music god is so good my friend asked god in his life their i pretty sure he said i wan t you lord in my life god bless you i had a great time you have all good hearts have a safe trip on the road brothers. thank s for drawing me more closse to god.
you guys are seriously amazing. i was at convention in NY. and it was so moving. you guys really opened up my eyes to god. and i love you for it. thank you sooo much.
this past weekend you guys played at our ny district youth convention and I gotta say thank you guys so much for leading us into worship for those three days you guys were awesome! I pray that God would have his hand upon you as you continue to perform and hope to see you next year... take care guys
DUDES. i was @ convention 09!! you guys are legit my favorite band that's ever been there. I bought ur cd and got a poster and i wanted u guys to sign it but i couldn't find you after worship =/ but i did drive pass jesse and was about to jump out the car to get him to sign it...but.. what're you gonna do. PLEASE COME BACK NEXT YEARR<33
oh my gosh! you guys are the most AMAZING christian band ever!!! My favorite song is From your hands! Well anyway...I go to First baptist church of Jonesboro in JOnesboro,Illinois and my youth pastor Robbie Ralls said that you guys are coming here and playing for us and staying at his house for a couple of days and we are gonna have a bible study too! I was at the Extreme Youth in Branson in december and it was awesome!!! lol well i cant wait to meet you guys!! c/b! Byeee
i cant wait for yall to come to killeeen!!!!!yall r gonna play at my church nd im so happpy to c yall since yall werent at winterfesty this year. but come saftley!!! God blesss
I have been listening to your cd's for over a week and I can't get enough! the Lyrics are amazing! you guys should come to Maine!!! well take care and God Bless ~Courtney
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