Barren Cross: Dean Kohn Interview

As some of you know, Barren Cross made a recent announcement of their new lead singer Dean Kohn. I asked Dean if he could answer some questions, so the fans could get to know him a little better. 


So we have heard that you have sang with bands such as ATTAKK, Loudness & Malice.
Yes I had the pleasure of singing with all these bands.

After the announcement of you joining the band, people posted this from youtube:

Yes, that is me on vocal. I wrote that song “Freedom” with my old guitarist from a former band and he decided to post that after I had joined Barren Cross.

Tell us a little about yourself

Well I came to the Lord at 25 years old, and I have always loved music and appreciate all styles and talents. I am active in my church in teaching, singing, and I oversee the Jail ministry. I am also heavily involved with the Evangelism Team. It’s all about reaching souls.

What brought you to the Lord?

To be honest, God Himself called me to Himself. It wasn’t easy either. I was in negotiation with Joe Holmes who had just left the David Lee Roth tour, and my friend who played with Judas Priest called me and said "hey call this guitarist". However during this time God’s love revealed to me, drew me to Him. The funny thing is Joe is now a Christian after going on to play for Ozzy.

What do you like to do (Besides singing with Barren Cross)? 

Spend time with my family. Watch UFC.

Who are your influences when it comes to singing? 

Elvis Presley, I used to copy him growing up for my relatives! Geoff Tate, Rob Halford, Dickinson, Harnell. There’s so many. I’m a sponge for the power vocalist.

Out of the past singers (Mike Lee, Vince Van Voltenburg, ) what do you bring (stylistically speaking) different to the table? 
That’s a good question. We'll just have to see! I may be more versatile?

How did you hook up with the band?
I actually got in touch with them through Jeff McClain at North Coast Agency through the internet. He’s helping with promoting the band.

Is Barren Cross going for any kind of particular sound (or feel) with it's next release, or just whatever comes about?
We are keeping the vintage Barren Cross sound and bringing in a new modern sound combined.

Can you give us any insight into the lyrical/topical subject matter?
All I can say is it’s relevant to our time.

Is the current Barren Cross lineup looking to do any gigs or maybe even a tour?
Yes we are. We are looking at many options as we speak. Until we settle on confirmed dates and countries, I can’t say at this time as of yet. We will post it on our site as soon as we know our 2010 schedule for the fans. Many people have been asking us to come to their country or part of the world. I tell them I really hope we can, let’s pray and ask God for revival in your country.

Any label talk a this moment?
No. Not at this time. You may be surprised who we recruit to do the recording though!

What are you personally looking to achieve with Barren Cross?
To bring people who do not know Christ an opportunity to come to know Him. And to restore the believer that has left the path and needs to know Christ said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” And embrace them with God’s restoring love.

What is Barren Cross looking to achieve with this phase the Lord has for them, especially after 14 years? 

You know that is a band question. I would say in a general way we want to be an extension of God’s Word through our music.

What do you think of the current music scene?
Secular? - It’s getting darker and darker and the spoken words in the songs are very damaging to the soul.  
Christian – its Growing leaps and bounds and God is moving in many groups like never before in our time. I mean look at the Christian rock/metal scene! It’s huge compared to just 10-12 years ago. God is building “His” army.

With Bands such as KISS and Heaven & Hell making critically acclaimed records, do you feel that there may be a "revival" in the metal scene towards the more traditional?
I hope so.

Do you feel that grunge killed metal, helped it get back to it's roots, or metal disintegrated on it's own?
Yea, grunge definitely came in and took over for awhile. Now I think metal is back! I mean we just got bombarded in the beginning of the 90’s from Seattle ya know?

Anything you would like to say to the fans?

Guys, I’m excited to be part of an awesome group in Barren Cross and I know God has placed me in this position for a reason and a time such as this! I really want to meet as many of you as possible and remember keep Rockin’ for the King!

Barren Cross' MySpace

Dean Kohn's MySpace

Barren Cross live at Metal Mardi Gras (1987)

"It's All Come True" & "Dying Day"


"Give Your Life" & "Just A Touch"

Barren Cross: Where Are They Now?

Barren Cross is a Christian metal band that was formed in Los Angeles, CA in 1983. Over the years they have released 5 albums (Rock for the King (Star Song,1986 ), Atomic Arena (Enigma Records,1988), State of Control (Enigma Records,1989), Hotter Than Hell Live! (Restless,1990) & Rattle Your Cage (Rugged Records,1994))

Recently they got back together and there was talk of another record. Unfortunately there was a split between the members and Mike Lee (Michael Drive) is no longer with them. They announced a few days ago that Dean Kohn would be filling Mike Lee's shoes as lead singer. Here are some links as to where to find them now:

Barren Cross Wikipedia entry

Mypace
Barren Cross - Myspace
Jim Laverde - Myspace
Dean Kohn - Myspace

Mike Lee - Myspace
Vince Van Voltenberg - Myspace - One time singer on tour - also can be found here

Twitter
Barren Cross - Twitter
Ray Parris - Twitter
Dean Kohn - Twitter

Facebook Page
Barren Cross - Facebook
 

Various Pages
No Life til Metal
Metal Archives
Firestream Vault

Barren Cross's Dean Kohn Youtube Audio Sample

Here is a youtube (audio) clip of Barren Cross's new lead singer Dean Kohn. Music By David Heydon Words By Dean Kohn & David Heydon



I don't think this is a Barren Cross song.

Barren Cross Find a New Singer - Dean Kohn

Introducing Dean Kohn (bio)

Dean Kohn had his first musical beginnings at a very early age. From playing the trumpet in grade school to Rock-n-Roll in high school, he loved to listen to bands like Cheap Trick and AC/DC.

In 1985, at the age of 20 years old, Dean began singing and excelled quickly to the point where in 1986 he decided to take up singing full-time. Over the next two years he took vocal lessons from Hollywood vocal coach Elizabeth Sabine, who has trained such vocalists as Michael Sweet of Stryper, Don Barnes of 38 Special and Dave Mustaine of Megadeth.

In 1988, Dean was singing lead vocals for the band ATTAKK, when friend and band mate, Hideo Inakuma, introduced him to the Japanese band Loudness. Upon recording and pre-releasing a demo in Japan for the band ATTAKK, the members of Loudness inquired if Dean would be willing to sing on their upcoming CD, Soldiers of Fortune. Munetaki Higuchi, the drummer for Loudness, and Hideo Inakuma contacted Dean and they all agreed to meet and set recording dates. Although Dean began cutting tracks, Executive Producer, Max Norman, determined it would be better to replace Dean with Mike Vescara, whose vocals resembled more the prior singer’s. Disappointed but not discourged, Dean kept pursuing his career.

In 1989, Dean met with guitarist Mick Zane and bassist Mark Behn, from the band Malice. Dean was invited to join the band as lead vocalist. However, due to Dean’s battle with drugs and alcohol he felt he had to leave the band.

In 1991, Dean was accepted Christ into his life; however, his desire was to still sing and pursue a career in music.

But God kept pursuing Dean and in 1992, he felt that he needed to surrender his whole life to Christ and he entered rehab at Victory Outreach Men’s Home (VOMH). Here Dean was able to get clean and develop a mature in Christ. Upon graduation, from VOMH, Dean laid his musical dream down and began working with the VOMH faculty, helping others discover a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Dean has been serving and helping to build this ministry for over 17 years now.

Dean’s desire to sing has never waned through the years, but as a fully committed Christian he realized that he needed to personally wait on God and His timing. Dean believes this is now the time. He contacted Barren Cross after noticing that they did not have a lead singer listed on the band’s MySpace. Dean initially contacted Ray Parris via email. He then had subsequent phone conversations with both Ray Parris and Steve Whitaker. Finally, Jim LaVerde, Steve, Ray and Dean met and, after much prayer, Dean was asked to become the new lead vocalist for Barren Cross