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 By Joel Kaplan
Staff Writer
right,/stand strong in the truth/No compromise. These lyrics come from a song called No Compromise by a local band named SLTL whose members attend PVCC. All four band members: Mark Pfister, Roger Willis, Dustin Cleary and James Allen are involved in the PVCC philosophy program. In particular, the classes of professor Surrendra Gangadean have had a profound influence upon their music. The band’s name, SLTL, stands for “Something Left To Learn.” The music that SLTL creates is a blend of pop and punk styles and lyrics with a reformed Christian overtone. “Our band name means that you can never know everything, and that we will always be growing in the knowledge of God because there is always something left to learn,” says Willis. The members of SLTL have been close fiends for several years, even before the band came into existence. Guitarist Pfister, bassist Willis and drummer Cleary were searching for the missing element to make them a complete band: a lead singer. The band found their front-man in Allen, who had been filling in with other bands around the Valley including his own, which had broken up because of disputes. Right away Allen’s chemistry with the new SLTL clicked, inspiring a devotion to perfection expressed in practice sessions up to 20 hours a week. “I think we’re tight as a band ,” says Cleary. “I think we have some cool stops, and when the timing of our performance is in tune, we sound really clean.” When the band is sitting down together over conversation, their chemistry does not always click like it does on stage as tensions and passions collide over the style, performance quality and future of the band . Although close friends, Pfister and Allen bicker even though both are thinking about what’s best for the band. Cleary just kicks back and jokes. He seems content to be in a band with his best friends and play the kind of music he enjoys. During the commotion, Willis seems to be in deep thought and concentration about the topic of Pfister and Allen’s argument. In the end, they all agree that their music is an outreach to people to get them to think about life, examine and question their beliefs and search for the truth. The band has now been together about a year and has produced a four track album self-titled SLTL. The album represents how the band feels toward life and addresses issues such as salvation, grace and the strength it takes to be able to stand up for what you believe in without compromise. Pfister and Allen have composed the lyrics for the album. Something Left to Learn has played a variety of venues ranging from the ska/punk and alternative club The Nile, to the popular Christian band haven The Fire Escape, to private parties and community events in public parks. “We don’t really care what kind of people attend our show because that’s what we’re playing for, is to reach people!” says Allen. “We’ll play clubs, churches, parties or any kind of event. We’ll play anywhere.” |
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Last updated: June 4, 2002 |
