Omega Rage

Composed of four all-stars from the pizza-delivery industry, Maryville band Omega Rage is a group centered on core values. While the music certainly has a spiritual side, the band stresses its lack of preaching or finger-shaking. The group's goal is to maintain enough integrity through its brand of melodic grunge metal to be appreciated for the music and not have the attention sidetracked by other aspects of the band.

Omega Rage has existed for more than eight years. The act made a brief name change that the band members now say was a mistake: Under the pseudonym Nebo, the group assembled an album that veered away from its original style, venturing into the world of punk/grunge.

The bandmates attribute their longevity as a group to their delegation of responsibilities. Along with their typical roles in songwriting and perfoming, each band member is assigned a physical task. These "chores" include Web site upkeep, driving, unloading and public relations. Additionally, the members of Omega Rage vote on every major decision they make.

"We almost never argue, which is ridiculous," says guitarist/vocalist and spokesperson Joshua Jordan. "Bands always fight, but we don't."

Omega Rage is currently working on an album, titled "Nature of the Beast," to be released next summer. The band explains that this work is relatively dark compared to previous albums, but also more melodic. Omega Rage thrives on its three-part vocal harmonies, incorporating other genres into its heavier tendencies. This time around, the band is passionate about making music that can be re-created live and does not rely on teenage moshing for its atmosphere.

"The sound is a little more dark and menacing," says Jordan. "As far as lyrics go, I try my best not to be angry. That's the easiest and most overused emotion you could put into a rock song. Everyone's had their feelings hurt, but life isn't about revenge, and it's not necessary to express those emotions in a negative way.

"It's turned into a thing kids and even adults can appreciate musically," he says. "It's not just a stage show, which I think is a big problem in the rock scene, especially in the Southeast. Kids go to shows just to beat each other up, and they don't even care about the bands. The band should be good enough that kids don't have to create their own show."

One problem Omega Rage perceives is the perception some have because the band consists of Christians. Although the band claims its music is for everyone, some expect to be preached to or made to feel uncomfortable at their shows, even though Jordan says his band's duty is to entertain first and foremost.

"Since we're Christians, people think coming to our shows is going to be like going to church, and it's not," says Jordan, who is also a licensed minister. "We're Christians, yes, but we're also a band. My lyrics are spiritual because I only write about what I know. It's hard to convince people we're not going to throw Bibles at them. We're really just four dudes."

Tonight, Omega Rage plays Joshua's Place, a new music venue in Maryville. Joshua's Place is an all-ages cafe that typically hosts Christian acts. At this show, Omega Rage will not be playing its original material but instead will pay tribute to the glory of 1990s grunge icon Nirvana. Through playing an entire set of Nirvana covers, Omega Rage will pay homage to one of its major influences and celebrate the release of the Seattle band's recently released boxed set.

Tonight's show starts at 7 p.m. and will also feature Radio Dead Space. Admission is $5. For information on upcoming shows, visit www.omegarageonline.com.

- Knoxville News Sentinel

By Doug Janz
Press Tempo Writer
djanz@johnsoncitypress.com

Music heads are no longer surprised to find metal or grunge groups who play what’s known as “Christian rock.” The novelty has worn off, to the point where there may even be a stereotype to the sub-genre.

Omega Rage’s approach is a little different. This may be the anti-Christian rock Christian rock band.

“We’re a Christian band because we’re all Christians and we’re in a band,” lead singer, songwriter and guitarist Joshua Jackson said, “but you don’t have to be Christian to enjoy our music. I think we’ve got a sound that’s heavy, it’s original and it’s relatable to everybody.

“We try to be as inclusive as possible, and I try to write lyrics that aren’t hard to access, that aren’t really the cheesy Christian rock. I struggle with any of the same problems anybody could struggle with, and I write what I feel in my heart.”

The group is one of several on the bill at The Hideaway, 235 E. Main St., Johnson City’s answer to the underground music scene. Nowhere else in town will people find such an unorthodox, anti-mainstream audience as at Hideaway shows, but part of that underground philosophy is grounded in the belief that people can be how they want to be, look like they want to look and not be judged by anyone for it.

Omega Rage fits right in. The band’s sound is dark, loud and bludgeons the listener with crunching guitar, but there’s a melody there. The songs are original, the look is basic. They want to be judged by their music, and their version of witnessing comes in a subtle but ever-present form.

“What people do, that’s their own deal,” Jackson said. “We play our show and we try to be friends with everybody else. The best way for me to minister to someone is not to tell them they’re doing something bad; it’s to be a friend to them. Jesus was not about getting onto people, he was about loving people.”

The band consists of Jackson, Paul DeLozier on vocals and guitar, Steve Marr on vocals and bass, and Jared Everett on drums. Influences include Nirvana, Sevendust, King’s X and Alice In Chains. The group’s various lineups have shared the stage with Skys of Fire, Skillet, Living Sacrifice, Staple, Spoken and Disciple.

Omega Rage doesn’t want to be trendy, Jackson said.

“As far as our music is concerned,” he said, “we’re trying to be as original as possible, keep it raw, powerful and real and kind of garage-band inspired instead of being cookie-cutter, MTV-inspired. There’s a problem with today’s music where the stage show is way over the top but the music sounds like crap. We jump around onstage and give a good energetic stage show, but we want the music to be good. We have a rock, almost punk, attitude about it.”

Jackson is an ordained minister and a former youth minister at the Lord’s Disciples of Whosoever Will in Maryville, he said, and he fulfills his mission largely through the band. The reaction has been good, he added, and “the only people who give us a hard time with what we do are Christians. We had a church cast out a member for coming to see us play.

“Just because you’re in a band, it doesn’t mean you cast aside your morals.”

The four band members, ages 20 to 25, are, believe it or not, all pizza delivery guys. The group in its various forms has put out six albums. For more on their music, visit www.omegarageonline.com. - Johnson City Press