CONFIDE - "Shout The Truth" (Re-Release) - Biography 2009

With its assailing musical technicality intertwined with poetically-inclined lyrics, Shout The Truth has catapulted Los Angeles band Confide to the forefront of the independent rock scene. “The album has taken us way farther than we ever expected,” beams bassist Billy Pruden, since inking a deal with Tragic Hero Records. “Kids are latching onto our tours and know all the lyrics to all the songs. We’re already enjoying the level of success we’ve received, so we want to keep that momentum going.” Quite impressive for a record that has yet to hit retail and is gearing for a fall ’09 release.

The quintet, featuring Pruden, vocalist Ross Kenyon, drummer Joel Piper, guitarists Jeff Helberg and Joshua Paul, bonded over sincere adoration for music and Jesus Christ, officially forming the band on August 12th of 2004. “Confide has a birthday,” Kenyon proudly remembers.

Musically speaking, much of the lyrics revolve around the frontman’s life-changing transition from England to the U.S. “I felt God was calling me to be in Confide, so I moved to America,” says Kenyon, who, at that point, had already established a name for himself playing in local bands back home. “It was a huge culture change, and the biggest song dealing with that subject is ‘In Reply.’”

Another hard-hitting track is “Can’t See the Forest for the Trees,” which doubles as a metaphoric backdrop to Shout The Truth. “The two kids don’t have faces and behind them is a forest,” elaborates Pruden, on the album’s artistic direction. “Even in our personal lives, we’re not perfect people. We all fall short. A lot of times we miss the bigger picture – God’s plans for our lives. We get sidetracked by a few trees and miss the giant forest.”

“The kids with no faces mean how we get lost with things in the world,” adds Kenyon, analyzing society’s superficial values. “We get tagged by what clothes we wear or how we look. The kids represent how we’re all the same, and we all came from the same place.”

Faith plays a compelling role in Confide. Not only is it collectively rooted in their music, but also in their personal lives. “If you ask 10 people what Christianity means to them, you’re going to get 10 different answers. In that sense, we stray away from saying we’re a Christian band because the word ‘Christian’ has been so misused and abused,” explains Pruden. “Christ is a big part of everything we do, but we’re not out there selling Christianity or trying to push this gigantic religion on people. More or less, we’re trying to share the love and grace that God has given us through relationship.”

As a result of an established, aggressive touring ethic, Confide’s onstage demeanor and sound rapidly progressed. The exquisite craftsmanship will be evident on Shout The Truth, prompting the band to re-do vocals, in addition to releasing a cover song and two b-sides in preparation for the release. “We got back into the studio because we feel we’ve matured and gotten better,” Pruden excitedly explains.

Now aimed with a tighter, potent sound in conjunction to an enduring live set, what also distinguishes Confide is the band’s wholehearted connection with their loyal fan base. “We genuinely want to encourage people and let them know that there is love out there,” says Kenyon. “Not everything is negative and not everyone’s a bad person. We play shows to love on these kids and be their friends. That’s the only reason why I do this. I know that if it wasn’t for God, I wouldn’t be here right now.”

Expect a message from Shout The Truth fall 2009.