Parallax View Band

Ben Durbin is out to encourage youth to “get out of themselves” and focus on relationships. First and most importantly, he says, is their relationship with God.

Since 2003, he has been part of the band Parallax View that first included his brother, Seth Durbin and Mark Berry and now includes Matt Ellison and Kaleb Bales, as well. Ben plays acoustic guitar and sings. Seth plays lead guitar and their cousin Mark plays bass. Matt plays drums and Kaleb plays guitar - both are Fredericktown High School students who joined the group in 2005.

Seth, Mark and Ben spent several years living together in the Durbins' house writing and playing music. They come from a three-generation musical heritage of more than 50 years. Mark is part of the Southern Gospel singing Berry family. Seth and Ben's family sings Contemporary Christian music. Parallax View plays Christian rock.

“There isn't really such a thing as Christian music,” Ben explains. “It's just music about God.”

He likens their sound to the Dave Crowder Band, another Christian group that's his favorite. He's also fond of the Dave Matthews Band, which doesn't play music with a Christian theme. The name Parallax View refers to the meaning of the words.

“A parallax view is an obvious change in position that provides a new line of sight,” said Ben. “Obviously, we believe in Jesus Christ and put our faith in him for our lives and try to see our lives through him.”

In churches, they may add testimonies about God's presence in their lives. In concerts, they may let their music do the speaking. Music like the song, “Goodbye to Me,” with the lyrics, “Goodbye to me. I'm letting go. So the world can see. I'm better now.” Ben said it's their most requested song at their concerts and the one most listened to on their Myspace account. The lyrics have become a band slogan of sorts. To hear it and other music from the band and find out more, go to HYPERLINK "http://www.myspace.com/parallaxviewband" http://www.myspace.com/parallaxviewband.

“In the summer of 2006, the band began recording their first tracks for a CD at a studio in Seth's home,” Ben explained. “Before the tracks were completed to be shipped off for mastering and duplication for a full CD project, the studio and home was destroyed by a tornado. This was a devastating loss for the Durbin family and for the production of Parallax View's first CD. “

The band plans to begin recording again for a full-length debut album in mid-March - April, and currently sells a demo CD at their shows. Tickets are on sale at the Oasis Christian Bookstore in Farmington for their concert at 7 p.m. March 9 at St. Paul Lutheran School. It is a benefit for Craig Thomas, a St. Paul alumnus who has ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease. Tickets are $5 with all proceeds going to the fund. They can also be purchased at St. Paul School. The band will donate $1 to Thomas from the sale of every CD sold for $5. Matt Pratt, formerly with Canyon, will be performing solo for the first time as the opening act for the concert.

Parallax View has played at Six Flags Over Mid-America, Southeast Missouri State University, a Major/Minor League Umpire Retreat in Oklahoma, worship for Greg Stier and Ken Freeman, and will play at the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod national youth conference in Orlando, Fla. in July.

While their audiences often include people in their 20s and 30s, Ben, 24, admits they often play to reach youth.

“We want to say to them that if you are lucky, you get 80 years in this life and the relationships you build are what you leave behind,” Ben said. “The most important relationship is your relationship to God. That's where it all begins.”

Ben was raised going to church every Sunday -- both his grandfathers were ministers. But, he said it wasn't until he was 16 years old that he really began to work on developing his faith.

“I grew up thinking I need to do this. I need to go to church. God needs me to be that,” he said. “What I realized when I was 16 was that God didn't need me, that God wanted me and was offering a relationship. So it just made sense for the created (me) to begin a relationship with the creator.”

During his teen years, he credits his father, Roger, for helping to guide him.

“He was the most important influence in my life. When I made mistakes, he was loving. He was positive. He listened and then he offered his input.”

When Ben started focusing on God, he took action. He read the Bible. He started working with people. He went on mission trips and learned what a good family he had and how others coped when they didn't have that support. He wrote a song in his senior year at Farmington High School that he calls, “I Cry Out,” which has become an anthem for the time he felt far from God and cried out to be closer.

Ben, married and the father of a little girl, will complete his degree in sociology and psychology at Central Methodist University in May. Then, he'll begin seminary studies to become a minister. He's already the Teaching Pastor at the Bridge Community Church where he and Seth also play in the Praise Band.

One day, they hope to make a living with music - perhaps traveling on a national tour with another artist.

The band will be featured as the closing concert for the week-long Youth Fest March 12-16 at Calvary Temple in Fredericktown when speakers from throughout the Parkland will encourage youth to develop a deeper commitment to their faith. - Daily Journal