
DATE: Friday, November 28, 1997             TAG: 9711270057

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: HATTIE BROWN, HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:   80 lines

POCKET CHANGE PUTS A LITTLE PUNK IN THER CHRISTIAN SONGS

FAST-PACED GUITARS, searing vocals and aggression describe the punk band Pocket Change. Yet, the group's music has a Christian message.

``Our society is so degrading. Our form of secular media bring people down. But our music appeals to all kinds of emotions,'' said lead singer Timme Asimos.

Pocket Change has been labeled ``punk with a purpose.'' Their purpose is to share their belief in Jesus Christ through music that speaks on a teen-ager's level.

Timme, the singer, songwriter, and guitarist, is a senior at Portsmouth Christian School. He brings seriousness and sincerity to the group. The bassist, 17-year-old Charlie Arnold, also attends Portsmouth Christian and is known for his on-stage jokes. Brian, better known as ``Grovrrr,'' is the drummer. He is a student at James Madison University and is outright goofy. Their personalities come together to form Pocket Change.

Pocket Change has been together for three years and has a lot to show for it. The band was ``discovered'' in July 1996 after sending a demo tape to a recording company. The group currently has a CD out ``Steadfast,'' and has toured nationally.

It's hard work being popular, though, band members said. Every weekend they pack up their van and drive to various concert venues. They spent this past summer traveling across the country.

``It's a definite commitment, but it's awesome. We're on our own,'' Charlie said.

The guys didn't start out as a Christian band. After attending a concert by the Christian band Strongarm, they knew that, too, was their purpose. Their success has not drained their energy or money supply.

``We haven't had to invest any personal money, God's provided for us,'' Timme said. ``It's cool to see how God's blessed us. We fully feel he's behind what we do.''

Pocket Change wants people to know that what the group writes isn't ``fluff.'' Band members talk about their experiences and important issues in their lives and the lives of other teens.

Said Timme: ``Our music is real. Everything I write has to mean something to me.''

Pocket Change isn't trying to force adults to like the music. The group's not trying to push it on the church, either. They do want some credibility, though.

``Adults that know us respect our music,'' Charlie said.

That's because those adults have taken time to listen to the message in the lyrics. The message is sincere. Pocket Change just wants to make music that teens like, and punk happens to be the music of their choice.

Pocket Change hopes to have a new album out next year. It will be even more aggressive and definitely more mature, Timme said.

``(Christian punk) is a small kind of genre, but God gave me this passion for a reason,'' says Grovrrr.

``This is our way of expressing ourselves and our message. We'll go far as the Lord wants to take us,'' adds Timme.

Pocket Change is a group with a message. If you get a chance, go see one of the group's fun, power-packed shows. You may want to pick up ``Steadfast'' and listen to tunes, such as ``Good Feeling,'' a catchy song that will keep you jumping, or ``Once a Week,'' an energy-filled blast of emotions. The music truly will make you think.

Says Timme: ``We're Christians before we're punks. Punk is just our way of expressing it.'' MEMO: Know of an interesting group you'd like to see in Teenology? Send

your tips or suggestions to: Spotlight Crew, 4565 Virginia Beach Blvd.,

Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Include your name, phone number and your

suggestions. The Spotlight Crew includes: Hattie Brown, Indian River

High, Chesapeake; Angie D'Antonio, Catholic High, Virginia Beach;

Lamont-DeAngelo Ferebee, Norfolk State University, and Thysha Shabazz,

Indian River High, Chesapeake. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo courtesy of Pocket Change

Graphic

WANT TO GO?

Pocket Change is scheduled to perform at Rocky's Cafe in Franklin

on Dec. 6.

For more information about Pocket Change, write to Pocket Change,

1441 Cypress Chapel Road, Suffolk, VA 23434