BC News|June 06, 2014 04:23 EDT
Audio Adrenaline's Will McGinnis Speaks on Kevin Max Departure, Hands and Feet Project, and the Future
Audio Adrenaline's last remaining member, bass player Will McGinniss, spoke to JesusFreakHideout about the departure of lead singer Kevin Max and the future of the band going forward.
McGinnis was first asked how he thought the last two years under Max went, and how he felt Audio A was able to make a comeback after disbanding. Most importantly, the bassist was able to look back and see the good work the band was able to do in the Hands and Feet Project, which helps children in Haiti.
"It was an incredible 2 years. God is a creative and redemptive God. So much was accomplished and there's so much to testify about God's goodness," said McGinnis. "The Hands and Feet Project has been immensely blessed from the return of AA and from us getting to tell that story, which is and has always has been so near and dear to our platform. It's been amazing."
The longtime AA member then explained the situation with Kevin, and felt the decision was "best for everyone" as the two sides came to a mutual agreement.
"I personally love that the guys in the current AudioA and Mark (Stuart) and I were able to walk alongside Kevin and really lock arms with him. He has always been a dear friend and is often misunderstood and I wanted to boldly let people know what a dear soul he is and that God wants to use him. I think his new record is gonna be incredible. I think these songs within the context of AA would not have come across the way they will with Kev having total freedom to be creative," he told JFH.
McGinnis said moving forward, the band will continue to focus on the Hands and Feet Project and create art that glorifies God and encourages his people. Audio A has been a rock band with a big missional focus and we have a fun quirky side to us. We just want to encourage the church and at the same time create music that will present the gospel to those who need to hear it in a musical vehicle that's true to us and modern," he said.
McGinnis then confirmed the band's move to work with Acquire the Fire as their house band for events, and said it was a wonderful opportunity for the organization to partner together with hands and Feet as well.
"There are also incredible opportunities for Hands and Feet in the process to have the ATF kids come on mission trips to Haiti and for Mark to potently speak on the subject of missions and the importance of it in our everyday Christian walk. We have always been a band that wanted to take our stage seriously and be incredible role models both as Christians and as musicians in a rock band," he said.
The new singer of Audio A is Josh Engler, who was previously in Abandon. McGinnis said the band had grown to know him the last few years and feel he is the real deal to takeover the lead of the band.
As of right now Audio Adrenaline is working to have a new album out by early 2015, and have already started as a band with Engler.