Simplicity

by Mark Salomon

Provides a look into the life of an independent rock icon and a Christian who became at peace with himself only after he stopped trying to please others, and now answers only to God.

Genres: Biography, Music, Nonfiction, Christian, Memoir, Christian Living

222 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Youth Has No Age · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark is a friend of mine and I even wrote the foreward to this book. As close to an autobiography of myself as I have ever read.

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stavesacre was a formational band for me in my late teenage years, and lead singer Mark Salomon has been one of those people in my life who has really made me think at times, even though our entire relationship has been one-sided and mediated through his music. This book was on my list to read for well over a decade, and I was glad to finally have the opportunity to get more insight into his thoughts on life, music, and faith.

There was a wave of these kinds of confessional books in the early 00s - I remember enjoying Project 86 singer Andrew Schwab's It's All Downhill From Here at that time - but I kept missing this one for some reason, so I finally tracked down a copy after having a renewed interest in Stavesacre after they released an unexpected new album in September.

Simplicity is mostly about his life as an early Christian in his teens and twenties, and most of it takes place before his time in Stavesacre (though there are a few stories thrown in here and there). Most of the stories and reflections are about what it means to be a Christian and to be an artist and how he learned to navigate those seemingly conflicting worlds.

Salomon is unflinchingly (and at times uncomfortably) honest, but I really appreciated his perspective, his candor, and his discretion. He has a lot of very interesting thoughts, and although he admits that they are jumbled (and they certainly are), there are a lot of really valuable passages in this book, and not just for fans of his music. And mostly, I'm just hoping that Salomon writes another book soon that talks about the last twenty years, because I'm sure that he has a lot more to say.

[Raymond Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a longtime fan of Stavesacre. I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look at the band and the entire scene of that time.

Stavesacre were truly pioneers. They faced an emerging, legalistic Christian music industry and really fought the battles and took the knocks that opened the way for current Christian bands.

Mark is a poet. He conveys deep spiritual truth in ways that only someone who has wrestled all night with God can. He writes from his own spiritual experience. There is nothing cliché in his music. He is genuine.

The book is good. He is open, honest, and vulnerable.

[Jonathan Badgley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my first experiences that helped pull the veil back on what I would now call evangelicalism. I was in high school or maybe only just finished high school when I got my hands on this book. I was a huge Christian culture kid and I had even played in a Christian band myself (Spotify: Faded Me). I thought highly of artists like DC Talk which I now realize as an adult as an awful copy-cat style artist, rapping on one record and stealing Nirvana’s sound on another. The project to Christian music seemed to be off but I wasn’t worldly or wise enough to see why that was until this book.

In Simplicity, Mark Saloman outlines his honest experience as the front man of a Christian music group. The experience was a mixed bag at best. More than ten years on, memorably he describes a number of occasions when a pastor or other demanded he present the “gospel” as the paid artist playing the show. Maybe that should have been an expectation as an artist labeled Christian but the coercive nature of it even today colors my view of how money can corrupt our experience of one another as Christians.

I would be remiss to not share my experience of Stavesacre’s music. Speakeasy was one of the most important records I’ve ever heard based on how important it was, how much it affected me. A melodic record with heavy guitar and vague-ish Christian language heavy on metaphor. It was a perfect for me. On an additional side note, their drummer had natural dark circles around his eyes. I remember making eye contact with him during a show in Dayton and thinking maybe we’re having a connection, maybe he can see I’m embarrassed about the same thing.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't stop thinking about this book. Mark Salomon has written an honest memoir that challenges readers to rethink the expectations they place on Christians in bands. He isn't afraid to reveal his moral failures nor those of Christian promoters, including some church leaders. Yet in all of this there is a desire for Biblical evangelism, discipleship, and the teaching of sound doctrine. Salomon displays a mature faith and the heart of an artist with the poignant echoes of a punk-rock past.

This book is for those who want a deep look into the life of someone who was in a Christian punk band. It's a fascinating artifact of evangelicalism.

[David Wise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book about a musician's life in the Christian music industry in the 90's and the expectations and struggles that come with it.

[Taylor Hohulin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never got much into The Crucified, but I've been a big fan of Stavesacre since I first heard Keep Waiting on the radio. As a Christian music junkie, it was fun to see how Mark's story intersected with the start of Cornerstone Music Festival and with other Christian rock faves.

But what really grabbed me about the book was the theme that kept on popping up: quit putting Christian entertainers on pedestals. This is a message I feel like a lot of consumers of Christian art need to hear. It's easy to forget that so many bands in the Christian music industry aren't made up of people with several decades of experience living life as a Christian...more often than not, they're young guys working through their faith just like you and I are, and they happen to be pretty good at poetry and instruments.

Only reason it doesn't get five stars from me is because there were no robots or explosions.

I have STANDARDS, for crying out loud.

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

An honest look at the life of a musician who is a Christian and struggles with problems. Mr. Salomon argues that he isn't so different than any other Christian and he shouldn't be treated any differently just because he is on stage and in the public's eye. While making his case he treats us with humor as well as giving us the opportunity to pause and examine our own assumptions about musicians, Christians, and even God.

At some points the book takes on a depressing tone as the stories pile on and almost start to sound the same, but Mr. Salomon saves us from tedium by introducing fresh ideas and themes as the book progresses. Fans of Mr. Salomon's music will enjoy the insight into his life and the life of the bands he is/was in, but readers who have no idea about Mr. Salomon's music will still be able to pull something meaningful out of the stories and points that are made.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the band Stavesacre. I also enjoy every project Mark Salomon has been associated with.

I rated this book high, based on my personal feelings, and the joy that it was to learn what it was like for this man on the Christian music scene. Reading this brought some understanding to the lyrics of songs I have sung for over ten years.

I don't know if you will have a 5 star journey with this book, but it is worth your time.

[Jonathan Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like my books about the Christian life to be brutally honest and not pull their punches, and this is the most brutal it's gotten in a while. Props to Mark for being so upfront about his struggles, and for making me question the way I label music as "Christian" and "secular" despite past experiences that you'd think would've taught me to know better. Never really heard The Crucified or Stavesacre's music, but I'll be giving them a try after this.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be honest, I got about a third of the way through and didn't finish it. I'm not sure if it's because I never really got into Stavesacre or I just wasn't intrigued by the story, but it's currently sitting on the shelf with the bookmark still holding my place, should I ever decide to give it another shot.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was back when I was all about reading books by bands I loved. Stavesacre held the position of 'favorite band' for about four or five years, and they are still way up there. This is kind of an autobiography of the lead singer. Very insightful, and gives me a new perspective on many of his lyrics.

[Revsteve De ruiter · Rating 4 out of 5]

as someone who used to obsess over the spiritual life of christian rock stars, this was important to read. also, who would have thought the lead singer of the Crucified would write a really good book one day

[Mark Archibald · Rating 4 out of 5]

In sharing his memoir, Mark shares what is great about genuine faith while exposing what simply isn't good news. An honest, enjoyable read, especially for fans of Stavesacre or the Tooth and Nail music scene of the 90's.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book by the lead singer (I believe) of Stavesacre. It was very interesting, I enjoyed it. It was entertaining and in several places raised some very good questions.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this honest look into the sometimes awkward life of a Christian rocker. I was a big fan of the crucified so I enjoyed the back story.

[Damian Kinsella · Rating 3 out of 5]

an interesting story from the lead of one of Christian music's most under appreciated groups.