The title of "Curious Fools" 1997 Gotee Records debut album, (read), offers dual pronunciation. Similarly, Curious Fools wants listeners to look beyond an ostensible interpretation of its message and be open to a deeper meaning. When it comes to style, however one perception is clear: Curious Fools, in the words of lead singer Murray, is a "straight ahead rock 'n roll band."
"We're not remotely alternative, even though we often get lumped into that category," he adds. "We're just a rock band. With a lot of bands, it's become popular to say, "We're not a Christian band, we're just Christians in a band." I don't want to be too contrived with that, but in the purest sense that's what we are. We are entertainers. We make music because we love it, because we are impassioned about it." Murray is joined by lead guitarist and co-Iyricist Troy Deaton, bassist Oscar Cary and drummer Michael Feighan. All reside in Nashville and all, "lived and breathed '70s rock growing up. That definitely comes out in our music."
The sources of that rock influence vary from band member to band member, although heavy metal pioneer Led Zeppelin is the most consistent musical mentor. Troy spent a lot of time checking out Charlie Daniels' country and blues offerings, while Murray has been strongly impacted by singer- songwriters such as Maria McKee (Lone Justice) and U2's Bono. Michael has modeled his style after the late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham and jazz drummers such as the late Buddy Rich.
Curious Fools began in 1991 as a songwriting team. The band released a self-titled debut album in 1993, and spent recent years playing in small venues across the country. The band members literally drew ideas for the band's name out of a hat, matching separate pieces of paper bearing the words "curious" and "fools", and leaving it to the rest of the world to contemplate the meaning.
Looking past the stereotypes is what (read) is all about. "There's nothing wrong with having to look beyond what is right there in front of you. What are parables? Why is symbolism so prevalent in the Bible? I almost want to ask people, "How would you have responded to Christ, when He spoke what had to have been seen as avante garde, beat-poet, doesn't-make-sense sort of garbage?" Most people were like, "What are you talking about?" " The band's messages focus on everyday issues of living a life of faith in a world that doesn't support or encourage faith, and is often completely opposed to it.
"I suppose if there is a ministry element to that, it is a ministry of association people can hear what we're saying as a band, and just feel some comfort in knowing that others struggle with the same thoughts and apprehension and same concerns and doubts. In the end, it always comes out that there is a hope, that there is a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel--that there's something that makes all of this struggle worthwhile."
Discography
