Flyleaf Appreciates Slow Rise

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The buzz surrounding Christian-inspired metal band Flyleaf only seems to increase with each day.

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(Photo: AP Images / Nekesa Mumbi Moody)

Christian-inspired metal band Flyleaf members Lacey Mosley, left, and Pat Seals are shown, Thursday, March 13, 2008, in Austin, Texas. Their self-titled debut CD recently went platinum, their mainstream appeal continues to grow and the Texas-based band, who played the South by Southwest music festival Thursday night, is embarking on yet another tour, this time with Seether, this spring.

Their self-titled debut CD recently went platinum, their mainstream appeal continues to grow and the Texas-based band, which played the South by Southwest music festival Thursday night, is embarking on yet another tour (this time with Seether) this spring.

All this success comes almost three years after "Flyleaf" was released — the band has yet to release a sophomore CD as interest in their debut continues to build. And the group is grateful for their gradual climb.

"I wouldn't trade the way it happened," bassist Pat Seals told The Associated Press with lead singer Lacey Mosley by his side, a bit weary after just returning from a charity trip to Rwanda. "We're in a van just touring around the country for two years, and then we got a buzz ... I think the slow build really helps you appreciate what you do get and what you have."

The hard-driving rock outfit has been compared to Evanescence, not only because of its makeup (a lone brunette female vocalist surrounded by a bunch of guys) but also because of their inspirational message. But Flyleaf is more clearly inspired by the divine: Mosley has discussed a previous addiction to drugs and alcohol and how Christ helped lift her out of depression and thoughts of suicide.

Mosley said she started the group with bandmates Sameer Bhattacharya, Jared Hartmann and James Culpepper (Seals joined later) as a way to musically express some of the thoughts she had written about her experience.

"We wanted to do whatever God wanted us to do with our lives, with our work, with our music, just every part of our lives and I guess the miracle of this we credit to that," said Mosley.

The group has a pastor that travels with them and study the Bible regularly, so they don't succumb to temptations while living the rock life. But while they are happy to share their beliefs, the are also quick to point out their music is not geared only for one audience.

"If you mean a band for Christians, no, we're for everybody," said Seals.

Mosley said debates that pop up about whether the band is a Christian act are "silly."

"We're not embarrassed ... We just want to be honest with who we are."

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