Christian Bands Playing Free Concerts in Kittanning Next Week

by Jonathan Weaver

They are only a few blocks apart, but the Kittanning Salvation Army and Radioactive Events Center will both host free musical events next week.

Singers and musicians in the regional bands “Mercies New” and “Promise Land” have two different styles of music, but have both chosen to return to Kittanning as site of their latest concerts.

The music starts playing Thursday evening at the Kittanning Salvation Army – on South Jefferson Street across from the Kittanning Hose Company #1 fire station – with New Kensington-based “Mercies New.”

The four-person band only formed about a year ago, bassist Anthony Celender said, but it will be their second performance in Kittanning (following their show at ChristStock at the beginning of October).

“We actually do a lot of ministry – that’s kind-of how we got together as a band,” Celender said. “We’re all either worship leaders or pastors. When we first got together, we were all in one church together – that’s how we all started playing together.

“We were actually all on the worship team when we started playing together. God’s just really anointed the work that we’re doing together.”

Lead Singer Alex Hollinger added that the band was actually formed to open for another concert – which ironically never happened.

“We weren’t able to do the concert, but we did come together as a band, worked through all our differences and we’re all really great friends,” Hollinger said. “God put us together and I think He has good and mighty plans for us as long as we stay focused on Him first.”

Celender – a senior pastor and founder of CityReach Church in New Kensington -, Hollinger – worship leader at Rolling Hills Church in Penn Hills -, guitarist Charlie McMunn and drummer James Hudson (who is also a Christian rapper) also have another similarity - all overcame drug and alcohol addictions.
“I went to rehabs and couldn’t get clean. I tried different things and the only thing that ever really worked was Jesus Christ,” Hollinger said. “He set me free from that addiction.”

Celender said the band hopes to continue spreading the Good News through their stories.

“We tend to carry ourselves more as a ministry than we do as a band, even though we do hope to make music and eventually be recognized. We really feel passionate about letting our music speak to what God’s done in our own lives to bring hope to other people,” Celender said.

Salvation Army Lieutenant Amber Imhoff was referred to “Mercies New” by Ford City Pastor Mark Crosby.

“We scheduled (“Mercies New”) before we heard them (at ChristStock) because we believe their stories can help others. There is power in our stories,” Lieutenant Amber said.

“Mercies New” is in the process of putting together its first original demo, and spectators should expect plenty of worship music Thursday. Doors will open at 5:30PM and refreshments will follow.

Next Saturday, music will continue at the Radioactive Events Center on Templeton Way (between First National Bank and Kittanning News) with “Promise Land.”

Band Founder (and last original member) David Michael formed the group in 1997, a year after graduating from Brashear High School in Pittsburgh. The band started as an acoustic rock duo while looking for members for a group to be called “Revelation,” but quickly changed into “Promise Land” after a show in McKees Rocks.

“We had an offer to play at this youth center and I was informed that all the kids there were Marilyn Manson and Slipknot fans and hardcore. So, I tell the guys I really feel we need to turn all our songs into hard rock metal,” Michael said.

Personnel changes led the band to focus on a symphonic metal sound –one with “punch” and “depth” that have turned the band into storytellers today and that has helped Michael and the band grow.

“There are tons of bumps just with being a musician in-and-of itself. With those added elements (of new and departing members, sickness and musical changes), you run into a lot more roadblocks and hurdles you have to overcome (but) in the end, you grow and you learn a lot. A lot – about people, about yourself, about everything really,” Michael said.

“But, we really believed in what we were doing and we knew that something like this could make an impact for people, so we pressed forward.”

The band actually produced their studio album, “Harmony in Ruins,” at Michael’s home studio and are working on their next album.

Michael’s wife, Janette, also sings some vocals with the band. The couple will also bring their two-year-old daughter, Isabelle, for her first performance.

The band actually performed a soft open at the Radioactive Events Center in July, and rented out the facility for next weekend, Center Owner Mark Gibson said.

“Promise Land”s rhythm guitarist and vocalist Rod Kosikowski, of New Kensington, played in Gibson’s band, “Pearl”, 30 years ago. Gibson enjoyed “Promise Land’s” sound and encourages local youth groups to attend next Saturday night.

“When I grew up, Christian music was very traditional – so hearing today’s Christian music is actually very refreshing,” Gibson said. “It’s energetic, it’s live, it’s rock – with a positive message.”

Gibson doesn’t remember Kosikowski singing much in “Pearl,” and Michael was also surprised at first.”

“He’s a phenomenal singer. It was originally intended to find a replacement for lead vocals and what we ended up finding out was there was a really cool vocal duo between (Kosikowski) and I, so it actually turned out to be two lead vocalists – I call (Kosikowski) Lead 1 and me Lead 2,” Michael said. “It’s kind-of cool because there’s harmony in both methods but it just gives variety – which is always something I wanted to do.”

Erie County-based Christian rock band “Still Waiting” will partner with “Promise Land” for the Radioactive Event Center show.

Doors for the Radioactive Events Center show open at 5:30PM as well.

All ages are invited to both concerts.

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