Four Star Revival Interview
Ohio based outfit Four Star Revial are bringing their mix of hard rock and metal to the masses with their new album Knights of the Revival. By the Barricade talked to guitarist Benny Bodine about the band’s new album, the band’s hometown, and their future plans. Check out the full interview below:
By the Barricade: Can you describe Four Star Revival in four words or less?
Benny Bodine: Modern old school.
By the Barricade: It seems like you’re reviving a lot of 80s influences in your music with a modern hard rock twist. How do you find the right balance between hard rock and metal?
Benny Bodine: Honestly we don’t think too much about it. We never really set out to write a certain way, or in a certain style. We just try to write as good of a song as we possibly can and whatever mix of styles and influences that come out will determine where it leads. We don’t like to write the same song over and over again, so we do tend to cover a lot of ground between hard rock and metal within the framework of the band. We like the fact that there are a mix of styles and sounds in our songs.
By the Barricade: Would you consider any artists your “guilty pleasures” who might not be reflected in your music?
Benny Bodine: I’m sure we have plenty of those! We all listen to a pretty wide variety of different styles of music. It’s certainly possible to draw influence from any of that, even though it may not be something that’s immediately discernible in our music.
By the Barricade: Has life for Four Star Revival changed after releasing your first album Knights of the Revival?
Benny Bodine: It has certainly helped more people hear about the band. We’ve received messages from fans from all over the world that have had their lives touched by songs from the album. It really seems to have struck a chord with a lot of people. Especially in Europe. We’ve actually shipped more CD’s to Europe than we have here in the US.
By the Barricade: Can you describe the metal scene in Four Star Revival’s hometown of Ohio?
Benny Bodine: Dayton, Ohio certainly has a thriving metal scene. There is actually more of a scene here now than there has been in the past. In the past, it was the bigger Ohio cities like Columbus and Cincinnati that always had the happening scenes, but the metal scene in Dayton is not only thriving, but growing as well.
By the Barricade: Our site is based in California. Are there any other Ohio local bands that you would recommend to our readers?
Benny Bodine: Engine of Chaos, Letters to the Blind, Beauty From Ashes, Forces of Nature, War of Change, The Mighty Swine, and Mayfly are all good bands to check out. Those are some of the best bands Ohio has to offer.
By the Barricade: My favorite track off Knights of the Revival is “Perfect Life”. Can you expand on that song and its lyrics?
Benny Bodine: “Perfect Life” is almost a battle hymn. It’s about staying focused on what’s right, even when it seems like the world is waging war against you. Keeping your eyes on the prize and forging ahead no matter who or what may be trying to hold you back. I think that’s something we can all relate to in this day and age.
By the Barricade: Each member has come together from other projects. What musical aspects do you bring to Four Star Revival from your past musical endeavors?
Benny Bodine: In most of the other projects I’ve been involved with, I was the primary music writer. I don’t really like to repeat the things that I’ve done before, so I really strive to make each project different in some way. With this band, everybody has input into the songs and that helps to keep the ideas fresh.
By the Barricade: Has having religion as a backbone in your music presented any challenges or surprises fans may not be aware of?
Benny Bodine: The only challenge is that sometimes people see that we’re labeled as a Christian band and then don’t even give it a chance. This music is for everybody. You don’t have to be a Christian to listen to it. Our songs are about real life situations that we all go through every day. But it’s not just all doom and gloom. There is an underlying message of hope through all of it.
By the Barricade: Is there anything else you would like to say to the readers of By the Barricade?
Benny Bodine: If you always wished that there was a band out there today that mixed that early 80’s metal sound with a modern approach, with heavy guitars and a singer that actually sings, then Four Star Revival is for you!
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