GOLD, FRANKINCENSE & MYRRH - Identity Crisis
https://www.facebook.com/thegfmband
LINK ON GRYPHON
Interview with The GFM Band - 2016
1. Beneath the Skin
2. Graveyard of Identities
3. Stuck in My Suicide
4. Twisted Humanity
5. Judas Kiss
6. Darkness
7. Chatter in the Room
8. Evil Lies Ft. Jonathan Chu and Andrew Piland
9. Death of Giants
10. Dimensions
The Mission is the Music.
'Beautycore.'
Gold, Frankincense, & Myrrh is an all-female Christian Beautycore band composed of a trio of sisters hailing from St. Johns, Florida, commonly referred to as GFM that infuses positive, youthful energy into traditional rock styling. They have introduced a new genre to the music world by the name of Beautycore which is a mix of hard rock and metalcore played exclusively by women. The group’s family ties inherently developed a tight musical bond, and began touring in 2014. Since then, GFM has been sought out for both Christian and general market events, playing festivals such as Rock the Tarmac, community events, traditional venues and the Axes and Anchors Cruise.
Seventeen-year-old CJ shines as the band’s lead guitarist and shares vocals with fifteen-year-old Maggie, who rocks dual instruments on bass and keys. The youngest of the group, twelve-year-old Lulu, anchors the band with an intensity on drums that is way beyond her years.
GFM’s edgy sound resonates in the familiar dark corners of its rock genre; but with influences like Skillet, Red, Memphis May Fire and Disciple, GFM’s lyrics shine with a universal light. Through their individual journeys, GFM manages to blur the lines of the Christian sub-culture, reaching both conservatives and listeners beyond the devout. Drawing its name from the original gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, GFM proves that while the guitar’s distorted, the message is clear – the mission is the music.
'They gave me a few names
of incredible bands.'
I first reviewed their concert a few months back at a venue they did in Sanford Florida, USA. I had no clue going in that they would even be good, let alone as good as they actually are. I am glad to have seen them live or due to their ages I honestly would have figured it was doctored up really well in the studio. But, they are actually that young and now on my Spotify playlists along with KoRn, Slipknot, Ozzy, and many others. My faith does not dictate my taste in music nor make me bias about this band simply because they are a Christian band. (The review of their Sanford, Florida show and an interview with the band is also on Gryphon and a link to Maggie’s interview with Metal Resource can be found in our FB feed.) When Gryphon asked about their influence I was thrilled to hear them say “Five Finger Death Punch” they gave me a few names of incredible bands both Christian and secular. Though they do maintain a sound that is unique to them their influences certainly give you an idea of their style.
'On a new level.'
Though I liked their first cd and the handful of YouTube video’s they had out at the time “IDENTITY CRISIS” cd hit October 3rd and the “Dimensions” of it is on a new level. They address issues that plague many of us today. Graveyard of Identities is by far my favorite track. The few songs on this disk that where on the first on where taken’ back to the studio with even some lyrical changes that certainly made for more depth. Identity Crisis means a period of uncertainty and confusion in which a person’s sense of identity becomes insecure, typically due to a change in their expected aims or roles in society.
“IDENTITY CRISIS” Can be found on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and Spotify. Or you can order a hardcopy from their site directly www.thegfmband.com and they will send you an autographed copy. They do ship world wide. The cd is $10 with a $5 dollar shipping fee inside the US and $7 for anywhere outside the US. (Orders go though a PayPal link from their site.)
'The Whosoevers
Movement.'
The GFM band are also proud supporters of The Whosoever Movement. A Movement founded by Brian “Head” Welch from KoRn, Anne Lobert, Sonny Sandoval from POD, Ryan Ries, and Ronnie Faisst. A Movement, “Hellbent on Empowering the Youth.” GMF was also on with Tank Thornbridgeton from our hometown alternative station and actually considered “TO HARD” for their format. They did have a blast doing the show with Tank though. Photo’s where done by Adrienne Beacco www.adriennebeacco.com She has done photo’s for many of my favorite bands including “Stitched up heart” and many others.
Along with the many shows that they have preformed they also often play The Murray Hill Theatre here in Jacksonville, USA. A venue that has recently had many legendary bands such as Stryper, Wage War, For Today’s farewell tour and also Lacey Sturm’s solo cd from former platinum reaching band Flyleaf. Lacey Sturm also being a huge supporter of “The Whosoever Movement!”
review by Stephanie McKenzie