Michael Sweet Interview: Uncovering The Covering

By: Rob Cavuoto

Christian rockers Stryper are offering fans a head-banging view of who their influences were early on, with the arrival of an almost entire album’s worth of cover songs titled The Covering. The album includes twelve rocking covers, as well as the all-new original tune, “God”.

And most significantly, the album marks the return of original bassist Tim Gaines back into the Stryper fold, setting up the first Stryper release in years to feature the definitive line-up of Michael Sweet (vocals/guitar), Oz Fox (guitar), Tim Gaines (bass), and Robert Sweet (drums).

To support The Covering, Stryper is planning a tour that begins in March. Robert Cavuoto caught up with Michael to talk about the new CD and what lies ahead for the band.

Michael Sweet from Stryper

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Rob Cavuoto: Tell me about the thinking process behind putting out a cover CD?

Michael Sweet: For a long time, we felt the pressured to do things a certain way because we’re a Christian band. With this release, we wanted to have some fun and share with people the music that we grew up on and influenced us. Even though some may think these songs are deemed bad or satanic, the words and lyrics are appropriate to what we believe in and really don’t comprised our beliefs.

Rob: Were there any songs that didn’t make it on the CD that you felt weren’t appropriate?

Michael Sweet: There were a few that we thought might be a little over the top like “Exciter” by Judas Priest. I don’t know too many bands that can cover that song to begin with, but we played around with in the studio and it sounded great. I think had we done it, it would’ve been controversial all round. Looking back maybe we should have put it on the record just to blow people away.

Rob: How did you go about with the song selection for The Covering?

Michael Sweet: It was very easy; we grew up on the Sunset Strip in LA as a cover band before forming Stryper. Robert and I were part of a trio that played many of these covers, as well as Oz and Tim in their bands. We all picked our different favorites. Tim threw out “Carry On,” I wanted “Breakin the Law” and Oz picked “Highway Star” and “Trooper.”

Rob: I noticed that you really stayed true to the integrity of these songs and didn’t stray too far from the original recordings, was that intentional?

Michael Sweet: Yeah, we wanted to stay true to the original versions so that people would recognize them versus using obscure songs that nobody knew and potentially make people think that they might be our originals. With no disrespect to other bands, I personally don’t like it when bands stray too far and butcher the song. We wanted to respect the songs, yet put our own little spin on them.

Rob: How did you come up with the title The Covering? I’m sure there is a double meaning.

Michael Sweet: It does. In a doing a cover CD as a Christian band, we’re faced with people who are going to confuse or misinterpret us doing secular covers as we’re no longer Christians. So, we wanted to get in a message with the artwork about the covering of God, that he can transform someone who is evil or has had a sinful life through the power of God and Christ.

That the guy on the cover is a fallen character, with the black wings, the battle scars. That he has been doing things his way, in a nasty way and maybe through the four angels of Stryper he begins to see the light which is the “Covering of God.”

Oz of Stryper

Rob: Was it difficult being a Christian band back in the 80’s in LA with all the trapping of drugs, alcohol and women?

Michael Sweet: Prior to Stryper we weren’t living up to those Christian values. I became a Christian when I was 12 and later in life walked away from the church. We got into the club scene and drinking, just like everyone else. Then one day Robert and I met a friend who was in the same scene and he told us that if we gave our band to God, that God would do some incredible things with it. So we made a decision to do just that and there was no looking back. We became Stryper! We then signed the deal with Enigma and made the choice to deliver the message of God.

Rob: How does it feel to have Tim back in the band?

Michael Sweet: It’s awesome. Tim is an original member and brings a lot to the table. He’s a quarter piece of the pie and it takes the four of us to make up that chemistry. If anyone is missing it’s just not the same. He’s an important part of who we are and what we stand for.

Rob: You produced most of the Stryper CDs including this one. What was the catalyst for putting on the producer’s hat?

Michael Sweet: To be honest, I just got tired of the tricks producers would pull. I’ll leave out their names, when they would be so-called “producing the record.” I don’t consider producing the record sticking your head in the control room every two or three hours and saying it sounds good. I’ve seen that and worked with a number of producers who did that, not just with Stryper.

They get paid, they get an advance, they get points, and they really aren’t doing much. They’re the last one in and first one out at the end of the day and just kind of doing their own thing the rest of the time. You find yourself scratching your head wondering why did we hire this guy?

You start to realize that you are capable of delivering the parts on our own. This can be done if you have a great engineer. This way we are also able to get it done for a very fair price. I think The Covering cost us $23,000 in recording costs.

Sryper The Covering

Rob: Was it difficult to learn how to produce?

Michael Sweet: I learned as I went, but you have to have a knack for it. It’s not only about getting the sonic quality but putting everything together from booking the studio, working the budget, and handling all the operation and logistical aspects. I’m a go-getter and some days I’m on the phone so much that I have a headache working out all the details.

Rob: How does the band feel about you at the helm and having to give directions that they may not what to hear?

Michael Sweet: Sometimes they need direction and sometimes I need direction when it comes to recording the CDs. In the end it comes down to putting on the boxing gloves and I kick everyone’s butts. [Laughing]

Rob: What was the impetus for doing a new record? I’m asking because nowadays, a lot of people are simply not interested in new music from their favorite band and just want them to remain in the past and be a nostalgia act. Stryper has effectively ignored all of that and plowed ahead.

Michael Sweet: I think it’s important and vital in a bands career. If you want stay on top you need to work hard and can’t stop. You keep the talk going and keep the buzz going. If you go way for too long people will forget about you. The attention span of people nowadays is very short and you can be forgotten very quickly like the flavor of the month. It’s important to put new music out for that very reason. We’re already starting to talk about putting out a new original CD later this year.

Rob: You’ve seen the heydays of metal and hard rock and its downturns, how does that affect your ability to go out and make new music?

Michael Sweet: My mindset is always wanting to reach the old fans that have supported us from day one. We wouldn’t be here without them and in the same turn you want to reach new fans. Ten years ago you wouldn’t have done that making an ‘80’s sounding record. You would’ve turned people off. Nowadays, you’re hearing more of the quality of the old school music more than ever. Even in the new bands, you’re hearing harmony guitars, vocals and singers who can sing!

Rob: If you could replay any musical moment in your career, what would it be?

Michael Sweet: I would replay the 1985 era, that’s when things really started taking off. We were naive and young, but in a good way. We weren’t jaded by the business. It was a cool and magically time.

Rob: What do you want Stryper to be remembers for?

Michael Sweet: I want to be remembered for our message which we never swayed from in our music. I’m one of those guys, where it means a lot to me when fans say they listened to the band and gave us a chance and they we played some good music. That it doesn’t matter that we’re Christian influenced or wear bumble bee outfits, but that we can play and write great songs. That’s what I’m hoping for!