The history of rock music is full of controversies, especially regarding the social position and perception of the genre. Standing at a counterpoint by its very nature, rock has received heavy criticism from the circles and even genres it criticizes. Politics, family, religion, and other social institutions have been criticized through rock music, sometimes in a slightly aggressive manner.
Through the themes that its lyrics explored and the heaviness of the music, many social ‘values’ have been scrutinized, and some circles have demonstrated the problematic aspects of rock since the very moment it emerged. In fact, certain groups even tried to ban and censor the rockers and their music through various campaigns.
This counter-discourse was primarily brought forward and encouraged by religious people. If you do a short search for Christian war with rock music, you can see what dimensions this matter has reached. This war was mutual, as rock music has often criticized religion as an institution. Especially when it came to metal, satanic themes, occults, sex, and violence were more dominant topics, which was very disturbing for conservative religious circles.
However, the rock scene has also seen peace being made between these two, though not so often. Dave Mustaine, Brian ‘Head’ Welch, and Alice Cooper are some of the names who have combined their love for music and their religious devotion. When you look at their stories, you’ll see one thing in common: a long-lasting drug/alcohol addiction, the subsequent battle, and finding solace in religion. Flyleaf founder Lacey Sturm is also among those names.
Sturm was at such a bad point when she found Jesus as she was even considering ending her life. From a very young age, she had been trying to cope with self-esteem problems and depression. When she couldn’t take it anymore, she started looking for solace in drugs and taking substances when she was just 13 years old. She had problems with her mother, the quarrels had become physically violent, and she had to move in with his grandparents at the age of 16.
Her grandmother was a religious woman. She went to church regularly but didn’t force Lacey to do so. On the other hand, Lacey was an outspoken atheist, hating the religious establishment and its teachings and finding them problematic. One day, when she returned from school, she had made up her mind to end all these problems. But fortunately, her suicidal thoughts remained unrealized as her grandmother was at home. That day would become a turning point in Lacey’s life.
She and her grandmother got into a heated discussion, and she forced Lacey to go to church this time. Her life was profoundly changed during that night’s Wednesday worship service. The preacher was talking about messed up families; Lacey felt like he was describing her life and was feeling more and more uncomfortable.
When she couldn’t stand it and got up to leave, the preacher stopped her, said God could be her savior so she could get rid of her pain, and began to pray for her. Lacey describes that moment as the moment she closed her eyes, experienced life and God, and felt peace for the first time in her life.
Thus, Lacey Sturm gradually began to change her daily habits for the path she dedicated herself to; she quit using substances, alcohol, and smoking. She felt like she was reborn. She wanted to be a different person now. Lacey’s band, Flyleaf, was also partially shaped in this direction. Although the Flyleaf members, especially Lacey, don’t want to be classified as a Christian band, they revealed that their shared faith is inevitably reflected in their music.
Flyleaf makes a mixture of alternative and hard rock music, and it is possible to feel heavy metal and punk rock touches in some of their records. Many religious references can be spotted in their songs, especially personal struggle and faith, which are some of their most recurring themes.
