https://faithfactsandfiction.blogspot.com/2022/06/interview-with-maggie-english.html

Yes, another band I discovered as a member of Female Christian Rock & Metal FB group. This group is the group known as Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh, or for short, GFM. I'm honored to interview Maggie English, the bass player and vocalist. The rest of the band is her sisters CJ on guitar and vocals and LuLu on drums.
JR: Welcome to the blog, Maggie. I'd like to start with asking how you to introduce yourselves. How did you all come to Christ, and did you get interested in music?

ME: Thank you for having us! We had the privilege of growing up in a Christian family, so we were introduced to Jesus at a very young age. Each of us had a time in our lives when we decided we wanted to figure this faith thing out and make sure we weren’t just believing it because our parents did. Obviously, we still are learning every day and trying to grow closer to God, but around middle childhood is when each of us really established our faith.

We were introduced to music by our parents, and our music teachers actually introduced us to the heavier style of music we play today. We got the chance to go to Welcome to Rockville in 2014, and seeing those bands that day helped us decide our music style!

JR: I believe you have a new EP coming out. Could you tell us about both the project and the title track, "Framing My Perception?"

CJ and Maggie
ME: We are very excited for everyone to hear the songs from "Framing My Perception." We always want to create songs that are raw and personal, and we were able to discuss issues of complacency in the church and root issues that tear relationships apart.
The song "Framing My Perception" is really a call to arms. It encourages people to take a step back in order to re-evaluate their current situation. If we view things as a way to learn and overcome, we become stronger and more resilient.

JR: As I looked at your web-page about your tours, there are
three venues/tours that I'm curious about your experiences there:

The Axes and Anchors cruise (what was it like performing on a boat)?
The festivals in Germany (both my wife and I went on Mission trips to Germany).
The current Save The World tour with Fozzy.
ME: The Axes and Anchors cruise was one of the first major events we performed at. It was strange playing while a boat was moving, and we had to make a conscious effort not to fall over on stage. But there was free ice cream!

The festivals in Germany are always a blast, and we’ve formed such a lovely family over there. The crowds are crazy, and it’s always fun to see them getting into the show. We’ve had moshing at acoustic shows, people backflipping into the crowd, and crowdsurfing! We also had the opportunity to lead worship in one of the churches there, and it was such a beautiful experience.

The Save The World tour with Fozzy was another surreal experience. We were met with packed out venues each night, and the road family we joined was so supportive. The boys in Fozzy and their manager Avery were such a blessing to travel with!

Lulu
JR: I've always believed that Christian musicians on the
cutting edge are on the front lines of spiritual warfare, since they are invading the enemy's territory. Where do you all find spiritual strength? What type of spiritual support do you have?
ME: Being sisters and family on the road, we have learned to become a unit. We’ve learned how to be open and communicate with each other and hold each other accountable. Because of the pandemic, our churches also provide online streams, so we’re able to attend church while on the road. We make it a goal of ours to stay involved with Bible reading as well.

JR: Related to the above, how has God worked in your ministry? What areas of growth have there been since you started working on "Identity Crisis" back in 2016? And how have you been able to encourage others during the pandemic as well as everyday life?

ME: Any progress that GFM has made is because of God intervening on our behalf. The opportunities we have received can only be explained in that way.

We’ve been able to speak with so many people and walk alongside them on their recovery journey, and it’s just been a blessing to be used by God in this way. We try to make sure we are always available at shows and online, so that people can have the chance to talk to us if they’d like.

JR: Thank you very much for your time, and may the Lord bless your ministry. I know you'll be at the Kingdom Come Festival in Kokomo this year (playing Friday, June 17th; unfortunately I won't be able to make that day). How can everybody keep up with what's new with you ladies?

ME: Make sure to follow us @thegfmband on all social media sites (such as our Facebook page)! Information goes there first, and we are very active! Our webpage is https://www.thegfmband.com. Let us know if you have any questions, and please don’t hesitate to reach out!

https://popternative.com/music/interview-gfm-talk-new-music-fozzy-tour/

We had the chance to chat with new rock/metal band Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh (GFM) about their upcoming EP, touring and much more. After being discovered by Pro Wrestler and Fozzy frontman Chris Jericho, the teenage girl group is currently on a nationwide tour with Fozzy.

Following the success of their EP, “Operation Take Over” last year, they are the most metal group of sisters you’ll ever meet, creating their own genre that they coined “Beautycore.” They’ve recently released a new single and music video for “Framing My Perception” (below) and have a brand new EP due out May 27. We asked the group all about their music, the genre of metal and the Fozzy tour. Check out our conversation below.

How excited are you to release new music?

We are so excited for everyone to hear our new music! This is like our little baby, and we can’t wait for the world to meet it.

What were some goals in mind when creating new music?

We always want our music to be personal and raw. We want to tell people our stories and show that there is a way to overcome them. When it comes to the instrumental side of things, we always want the music to match with the message behind the song.

Why do you think metal is so appealing in your opinion?

It is so appealing to us because it is such an outlet. We’re able to express our entire range of emotions, whether that’s anger, happiness, sadness, or anything else. We can be aggressive and have fun at the same time. It’s so high energy, and after performing, writing a song, or listening to a song, you feel better because you’ve channeled those restless emotions into music.

When people listen to your music, what are you hoping they get out of it?

We hope that our music is a safe space for our listeners. We want them to feel better after listening to it and to feel uplifted. We want to be that positive outlet, so they can release any emotions they’re holding onto. We also hope that our music helps them feel like they have someone in their corner and that they are not alone.

How would you describe the sound of your music?

We call ourselves beautycore. Someone recently told us we were the metal Spice Girls haha. Our music kinda sounds like if Avril Lavigne or Hayley Williams was the lead singer of Slipknot. It’s very in your face, but it’s still a lot of fun!

Who would you say are some of your musical influences?

Lacey Sturm/Flyleaf is the main reason we have screaming in our music actually. Someone said we reminded them of Flyleaf, and when we looked the band up, we knew we had to put screaming in our music. Skillet also influenced us a lot growing up, and bands like Bring Me the Horizon and Asking Alexandria helped us find our heavy side.

When it comes to stage presence, we really find inspiration from bands like Butcher Babies and Fever 333 because of how crazy they are!

Did you always know that music was something you wanted to pursue?

We started playing music and in the band with each other when we were really little, and our first real show was during one of our spring breaks. The second we got off stage, we told our parents that we wanted to do music for the rest of our lives. They were confused because we were 7, 11, and 12, but we told them that we were 100% sure!

How did the Fozzy tour come to be?

The Fozzy tour is actually a crazy story. We played Rock Fest in 2021, and their stage manager saw us and reached out to us on our Facebook page. We told him to bring the whole Fozzy crew to see us because we were playing another festival together called Brat Days 2021. We didn’t know if anything would come of it, but when we took the stage at Brat Days, we turned and saw the entire band watching us side stage!

We had to rush to get everything off stage because it was raining like crazy, and we were running to the merch table because we wanted to see all the fans before they got soaking wet. In the middle of signing and taking pictures, our mom comes to the merch table and is telling us she needs us backstage. We didn’t want to go at first because we were talking to everyone in line, but she was insistent, so we went with her.

On the way there, she told us Chris Jericho wanted to meet us, and when we got backstage, he was there with his manager Avery. We talked about the show, and he said he really liked our band and wanted to do something together. We were excited, but at the same time, we had had several people tell us the same thing and nothing ever happened, so we weren’t holding our breath. We went back to the table and finished out the merch line and had to run and pack everything up. There was a tornado coming, and Fozzy actually got rained out because of the severe thunder and lightning.

While we were driving away trying to outrun the storm, we were checking Instagram when Chris and the whole Fozzy band started following us, and a few weeks later, we got a call from their booking agent asking if we wanted to go on tour with them. We of course said yes, and we actually joined TKO Booking as well!

We’ve had such a great time on this tour with Fozzy, and we’re heading to the west coast with them now. Make sure to check www.thegfmband.com for all the tour dates, and pre-save our new EP that’s coming out May 27th!

_

Follow GFM: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

Check out their tour dates here

https://talk-toomey.simplecast.com/episodes/gfm-billy-grey-fozzy

EPISODE NOTES
Two great guests this week on the Talk Toomey podcast! First up we get a quick check in from Fozzy guitarist, Billy Grey. Billy discusses the writing process for the latest Fozzy record, Boombox. We also talk with him about his connection with Rich Ward, playing Chris Jericho to the ring and his project Tattoo the Scars.

Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh (GFM) then join Joshua and Chris to discuss being the Queens of Beautycore, their meeting Jericho and him wanting them for tour and their drive to succeed. The ladies also talk about their "momager" taking them to the Whisky A Go-Go for the after show party, missing out on normal teenage things and the metal community. They discuss making content for YouTube and Tik Tok as another avenue to gain fans. Maggie explains where her heavy scream voice comes from and what's next for the band.

https://rockthepigeon.com/2022/05/11/gfm-inspires-hope-and-reframes-perceptions/

Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh seem like they bursted into the rock scene out of nowhere. One moment they were a local band in Jacksonville, Florida and now they are the handpicked opening act on tour with Chris Jericho’s band FOZZY.

There’s a multitude of reasons why they stand out amongst the rest – their jaw-dropping musicianship and stage presence, vibrant personalities, matching cheerleading stage outfits, their dedication to throwing cupcakes on stage, the eye-catching makeup, and their wildly popular social media presence.

Put all of that aside, and the most noteworthy characteristic on their latest track “Framing My Perception” (the title track from their upcoming EP) is their uplifting message.

“With this video, We wanted to portray the raw, honest truth of addiction. It’s not so much about the battle with the substance itself, but it’s about a persons past and the pain that comes along with it. In the darkest moments, sometimes it seems like the best option to drown out the pain and the memories. However, that will only hurt more in the long run. There is hope, and your life is worth living to the fullest!”

GOLD, FRANKINCENSE, AND MYRRH
The video coincides with the song’s theme and will leave listeners feeling invincible.

https://www.antimusic.com/news/singled-out-gfm-framing-my-perceptions-050922/

GFM just released a rockin' new video for the title track to their forthcoming EP "Framing My Perceptions," and to celebrate we asked them to tell us about the track. Here is the story:

With "Framing My Perception," we wanted to work on growing our sound, specifically with this single, but also with the upcoming EP release as well. We wanted to push ourselves to write songs that were raw and personal. When we sat down to work on the final versions of the song, we actually recorded a lot in our home studio, and I think that added to the edge that these songs have.

This song specifically is a lot lighter than most of our music, but we intentionally wrote it that way. "Framing My Perception" talks about the importance of taking a step back and reevaluating your current situation. By doing that, we've learned how to see the positive side of things, and we've learned to approach these difficulties from a place of wanting to grow and learn. Because of the message behind the song, we thought it'd be a little weird to have super heavy instrumentals tied to a song that in layman's terms is about "taking a breather." So, we decided to make the instrumental side of the song lighter and more atmospheric in order to match its meaning better. We're really happy with how these songs have turned out, and we can't wait for everyone to hear them all on May 27th!

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen and watch for yourself below and pre-save the EP here

https://willtorock.com/fozzy-w-guests-gfm-krashkarma-at-the-whisky-a-go-go-5-5-2022/

Direct support for Fozzy came from 3 sisters hailing from St. John’s Florida called GFM (Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh).

Definitely not your average teenage girl band. Maggie (vocals, bass), CJ (guitar) and Lulu English (drums) consider themselves “Beautycore” which by my understanding after seeing them would be a fusion of punk, metal and thrash wrapped up with a big teenage girl fashioned bow.

Like the wolfsbane flower, this trio are cute and pack a deadly punch. Maggie has a mixture of growling and clean vocals that are at first shocking to hear from such a small package. But this is one hell of an entertaining act. Older sister Maggie chugged out heavy riff after riff and youngest, Lulu exudes personality behind the kit. Picture a young, female Tommy Lee.

The band are making waves and it’s easy to see why they were hand chosen for this tour. I look forward to seeing them again.

https://rockonpurpose.live/2022/04/07/gfm-signs-with-rockfest-records-release-new-single-framing-my-perception/

Fresh off announcing that they have signed with Rockfest Records and in the midst of kicking off their tour with Fozzy, Gold Frankincense & Myrrh (GFM) released their latest single, “Framing My Perception.”

In a surprise post on Facebook, GFM revealed that this is the title track from an upcoming Rockfest Records debut set to release on May 27.

“Framing My Perception” is a well-polished, made-for-radio song featuring harmonious vocals by Maggie and CJ, backed by the steady-handed Lulu on drums and topped off by a sweet guitar solo in the middle of the tune.

The theme of the song is about taking a chance on a new day by reframing perceptions from something negative to something positive.

GFM is known for their catchy hooks, heavy vocals and driving instrumentals, as well as their vibrant videos and engaging on stage performances (including the famous cupcake toss).

Find “Framing My Perception” on Spotify and Apple Music, and follow GFM on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

https://folknrock.com/news/gfm-release-new-single-and-video-for-framing-my-perception

Beautycore metal masters GFM has released a new video for their track “Framing My Perception.” The song is the title track to their upcoming EP set to release on May 27th via Rockfest Records, which the trio announced back in early April. You can presave here. The track takes on the issue of addiction, and how it is difficult struggling with it can be. But in the end, after battling those demons, those that overcome them end up becoming stronger.

Vocalist and bassist Maggie spoke to us a little bit about the song by saying:

Framing My Perception discusses how to take a step back and see the bigger picture. If we learn to change the way we view these difficulties in life, we will be able to see things from a positive view and are able to learn and grow.

And when talking about the creative music video, she adds:

When we filmed the music video for this song, we wanted to push that story of taking your power back. We got some help from our good friend Simone Beirne to create this sort of Jekyll and Hyde scenario. The video tackles issues of overcoming addiction and learning to stand up to your personal demons.

We actually got the chance to film a portion of the video in a rage room, so the shots of dishes being thrown and smashed were very real haha. We even had the chance to destroy an old piano and once we were done filming, we were allowed to break everything we didn’t use for the video.

The entire experience of filming was just fun and extremely visual, and we hope you guys enjoy it!

There’s nothing quite like playing heavy metal and being able to break stuff, especially on a track with a positive outlook.

The band is currently on tour with Fozzy, and have a few more dates remaining throughout the month of May, as well as a number of shows in June, and early fall with some festival dates. You can check out a list of dates below.

https://www.squatchinthepit.com/blogs/news/gfm-release-powerful-video-for-upcoming-ep-title-track-framing-my-perception

Watch the Music Video “Framing My Perception” HERE
Pre-Save the “Framing My Perception” EP HERE
Today one of the newest signings to Rockfest Records, the vibrant and talented metal female three piece GFM, release their new music video for “Framing My Perception.” The EP, named after the track, is set to release on May 27th. The single showcases the bands unique abilities to mix their heavy metal sound with clean, melodic vocals and an unforgettable chorus. The music video depicts the battle of struggling with addiction within yourself and letting it take over, but rising above it and becoming stronger in the end. You can catch GFM playing this song live on their last few remaining shows on tour with FOZZY:

“With this video, We wanted to portray the raw, honest truth of addiction. It’s not so much about the battle with the substance itself, but it’s about a persons past and the pain that comes along with it. In the darkest moments, sometimes it seems like the best option to drown out the pain and the memories. However, that will only hurt more in the long run. There is hope, and your life is worth living to the fullest!” - GFM

GFM (Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh) is not your average teenage girl band, these three metalhead sisters are heavy and loud, and triumphantly taking on the stage with a genre of their own, which they have penned BEAUTYCORE. Formed by the English sisters Maggie (Bass and Vocals), CJ (Guitar), and Lulu (Drums) in Jacksonville, FL, GFM is a band set to break boundaries. They’re bringing life back to rock and metal and giving heavy music fans of all ages a space to thrive.

The sisters’ musical journey began in 2016 when they worked on their first album Identity Crisis with producers Jake Jones and Justin Forshaw (We as Human). In 2017, the girls went on their first U.S. tour and the demand was so strong for GFM that they went out again the following year on another U.S. tour, finishing out the season with their first trip to Germany for the Loud & Proud Fest where the band was met with thousands of loving fans. GFM’s live show is unmatched as the trio comes alive through iconic wardrobe designs and unparalleled charisma. They have shared the stage with artists such as Motionless In White, Breaking Benjamin, Demon Hunter, A Day To Remember, Disturbed, Halestorm, Chelsea Grin, and more.

2020 marked the iconic release of their most beloved EP to date: “Operation Take Over” and the unveiling of their “Bones” live video. Throughout the last couple of years, word of mouth has created major buzz for their song, “Give Me A Sign,” which has reached 519k streams and they have a total of 2 million overall streams on Spotify.

As a band of faith, they hope to encourage listeners to keep fighting as they are not alone. GFM’s song “Taking Over” was #1 on the Christian Music Weekly Charts for 4 weeks in a row. Their song, “Graveyard of Identities” was #6 on Billboard Christian Rock Charts. Their song “On the Inside” was #9 on the Billboard Christian Rock Charts.

In 2022 the band was discovered by wrestling phenomenon and rock royalty Chris Jericho. This led GFM to their next chapter - a personal invitation from Jericho to join Fozzy on a nationwide tour. With new music on the way in May via Rockfest Records and a national tour in progress, “operation: take over” is in full effect.

https://www.ghostcultmag.com/concert-review-fozzy-gfm-krash-karma-the-nocturnal-affair-live-at-the-gramercy-theatre/

GFM or Gold Frankincense & Myrrh was up next, they are a teen aged group of cheerleader-dressed, Jesus-loving themed rock and rollers. You can hear the youthfulness in their music. Great energy, they will only get better as they grow.

https://www.restlessmusicmagazine.com/post/will-you-be-a-cupcake-war-survivor-with-gfm

GFM is not your average girl group. What comes to mind when you hear about a band of sisters? Pretty sure it isn't anything like these girls. They're a powerful mix of punk, metal, neon and glitter.

Their live shows are nothing short of a burst of energy and positivity. You'd be hard pressed to find a moment where CJ (guitar, vocal) and Maggie (bass, vocal) are standing still, or that Lulu isn't almost bouncing out of her seat behind the drums.

The music starts and they take the stage. Heavy music, cheerleading outfits and a neon green animal print guitar come at you before Maggie's growling voice explodes off of the stage. Their energy is contagious and the crowd is screaming and jumping along with them. Even the tiniest of fans in the front row; the two girls who couldn't be more than 8 years old. Their message of positivity is a refreshing view, and a great thing to shine a light on.

From bright guitars and heavy music to energy and flying cupcakes, this is a show you do not want to miss. Yes, flying cupcakes!

I had the opportunity to sit down with CJ before the show and get some insight into GFM.

She says that when they're in stage, the sixth sense and connection between the three of them give them a high like no other. Colorful instruments and fun tricks are trademarks of their shows. Want to call yourself a cupcake war survivor? Stick close to the stage and catch a cupcake as they're thrown into the audience.

The band stands on a platform of positivity that stems from having been told they have to be a certain way as females in the music industry. Good communication is one of their core values, along with their faith. The song Never Again is a tribute to not giving into hate and "putting your foot down" to be authentically yourself.

Beautycore is a term they've coined to essentially label their genre. What started as a joke became a way to describe the band's mesh of glitter and all things girly with the heavy music and warpaint they wear on stage. "Don't take yourself too seriously".

She told a story about the times they played in Germany, and the difference between how their music is received there versus the US. German concert goers live for music and take it very seriously. Apparently it is an honor if the audience starts to act as if they're rowing; it is a sign of respect for the artist. The people at their shows actually researched the band beforehand and even had play fights with inflatable weapons. Talk about a new experience.

They may be sisters and in a band together, but each of the girls bring their own strengths and skills to the group. Maggie is the leader of the group. She's the front-woman on stage, and handles more of the business stuff behind the scenes. Lulu is the tech whiz of the group, doing video edits and graphic design. CJ runs social media and is the "emotional center" between the sisters.

Check out some shots from their show at The Basement in Nashville, TN.

https://madindiemedia.com/gfm-mad-indie-media-indie-interview/

Mad Indie Media recently sat down… or …rather stood up with the all girl group of beautycore sisters, GFM, on their national tour supporting Fozzy for a discussion about their music.

We talked – music, youtube, faith, cooking (well sort of) and metal! The girls played a very lively set to a packed crowd at the Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg PA on 4.15.22 where we caught up with them. The band will be continuing their tour through mid-May.

The trio of sisters founded this band in the mid 2010’s and have been on a path toward success ever since. From humble beginnings booking shows via craigslist to playing festivals in Germany and now to nationally touring the U.S. the girls are excited to share their music and message with you all.

The 3 sisters have been making music together for nearly their entire lives and were recently discovered by former WWF Undisputed Champion and Fozzy frontman, Chris Jericho and invited on this tour.

Prior to their show at the Sherman Theater GFM played an intimate acoustic show for their VIP members. Patreon subscribers were able to enjoy a pre-event exclusive stripped down beautycore set before heading inside and heading into the pit.

GFM is electrifying in live performance! Their energetic shows and dynamic beautycore sound delight their growing fanbase and the larger metal community.

The show was loud, rowdy and full of friendly metal energy. GFM hyped up the crowd and got the pit all fired up.

Making good use of the wireless system and to show-goers delight, CJ would energetically run through the crowd mid show.

GFM combines pop sensibilities with hardcore beatdowns packaged in a signature style called beautycore.

Their latest song Honest Abe is streaming on all platforms. To see GFM live in a city near you please visit their website: https://www.thegfmband.com/shows. Watch their music video for their track Bones below.

To stay in contact with GFM and receive information about new shows, new music, tour updates and more join the GFM mailing list. Follow GFM on Spotify, Youtube, Instagram and more.

https://digitaltourbus.com/features/gold-frankincense-myrrh-gfm-tour-pranks-ep-475-video/#.YpVoTtPML0t

On this episode of DTB’s “Tour Pranks”, the rock band, Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh (GFM), reveal the pranks they’ve pulled on tour. Gold, Frankincense, & Myrrh (GFM) is currently supporting their newest single, Framing My Perception. You can watch the video, after the break.

https://www.asburyparkvibes.com/CONCERT-REVIEWS/Live-Music-2022/GFM-BAND-ROCKS-THE-STONE-PONY

Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh, better known as GFM, is a three-piece metal band of sisters from Jacksonville, FL currently on tour supporting Fozzy, on the "Save the World" Tour. Maggie (bass, keyboards, vocals), CJ (guitar, vocals) and LuLu (drums, vocals) are a new breed rising on the hardcore metal scene and also a faith-based band. These beautiful young women pack a powerhouse of energy and excitement on stage, while at the same time spreading love for their faith. Their confidence shines through their performance as they move around completely in synch with one another.

The term ‘beautycore’ came about several years ago after they were always being asked what genre of music GFM was. Metal or metalcore just didn’t seem to completely fit. After using the term amongst themselves, it quickly took off with others as well.

They are extremely talented musicians, and it is evident that these girls love their job and work well together. They are also strong role models for other young women.

Catch them out on tour with Fozzy!

https://allmusicmagazine.com/fozzy-and-friends-save-the-world-at-the-piazza-in-aurora-il-4-2-2022/?fbclid=IwAR0ujbY0mFFShfaBGWWyg5I2SIvLDZ_luUwHzbgbZhl7FYTbK5s0pYMl07w

GFM,or Gold, Frankincense, & Myrrh were the three gifts of the Magi, or the “three wisemen” as they are commonly referred to in the Biblical tale. To witness the power and might of the three sisters of GFM, you just might call them the heavy metal Magi. Their set brought the gifts of beauty, spirituality, and metal to everyone in the venue.

Wise beyond their years, CJ (22), Maggie (20), and LuLu (17) make up this juggernaut of hardcore metal, business savvy, do-it-yourselfers. The Jacksonville, Florida sisters, with the help and support of both parents, have carefully pieced together a business model that delivers not only on their musical promise but their message of faith as well. These devout Christians are legitimate musicians that also come armed with level heads and formal college degrees. They have created their sound, created their fashion, and even created their own genre with “.”

Before CJ, Maggie, and LuLu took the stage to pummel the general admission crowd, they treated their VIP ticketholders to a special acoustic performance that I was invited to attend. As the VIPs were escorted to the band’s tour bus I started to think about other VIP sessions I’ve witnessed. Almost all of them take place in a back room of the venue or in a common area. To be on the band’s bus, where they basically live their lives for several weeks on the road, held a certain charm and intimacy. With twelve of us in the lounge area of the bus, it felt like friends around a campfire. CJ played an acoustic guitar, while Maggie and LuLu sang, and it was exceptional. The band talked about their inspiration, their spirituality, and what makes their songs tick. With a goodie bag of stickers, a pick, a photo, a drawstring bag, and a VIP-only CD of an acoustic set, the VIPs were able to chat individually with the members of the band and take any kind of photos they’d like.

I had a chance to talk to the band about their makeup, and took the opportunity to get a close-up photo to show the details of their efforts. I also had a chance to talk with drummer LuLu about any anxiety she might have. Watching how cool, calm, and confident they were with the rock and roll lifestyle spinning quickly around them, I wondered if they ever got nervous or rattled by all of it. LuLu told me that there is always some concern that your electronics and your sound is going to be in working order, but as for the “butterflies in the stomach” thing, she puts herself in God’s hands. She told me that it is not about the drums for her, it’s about reaching people and impacting them in a positive way. I would imagine that with that mission in mind, the pressure of performing is minimized.

As the time came for GFM to plug in and release their message they attacked the stage with a power and fury not unlike the heaviest of metal bands. I think it has always been a common misconception that faith-based bands lack some of the muscle and heaviness of their counterparts within the metal genre. GFM obliterate that fallacy and hit you square in the face with each of those gifts I spoke of earlier – beauty, spirituality, and metal. Just like the acoustic set for the VIPs, these young ladies work tirelessly to bring a feeling of community and worship of a higher power without sacrificing the brutality of the pure metal music that they play.

There were two small square platforms on each side of the stage that were used like springboards for CJ and Maggie as they ran and vaulted themselves tirelessly during the entire set. The chaotic stage setting was a pulpit for these purveyors of power. About three songs into the set, Maggie let everyone in the venue know about the band’s mission and their faith in God. A hush fell over the crowd as the band’s faith was professed and proper thanks was given to their higher power. It was a beautiful moment of poise and tenderness that took place amidst a pandemonium infused sonic landscape. There was playful banter between the girls in between songs that added even more charm to their set. Another moment that put the sweet personality of this band on display was when they offered cupcakes to the crowd. Drummer LuLu’s kit is painted to look like cupcakes and the tossing of cupcakes from a member of the road crew, much like their cheerleader costumes, fit their aesthetic perfectly.

Each member of GFM is exciting to watch on their own. CJ grooves and thrashes to every riff and rhythm, Maggie cranks on her low-hanging bass while providing the growls and screams, and LuLu is the booming backbone of it all with a bottom heavy blast of drums and a smile that just never quits. When you put these three young ladies together, you understand why Chris Jericho handpicked them for this tour.

After the show, CJ, Maggie, and LuLu come out to their merch booth and make themselves available to fans. Never have I seen such a hands-on approach to appreciating fans and embracing people. The band made sure that everyone that approached them was in a safe place mentally. They find great importance in being a hand to hold on to or being there to pray with someone. To see a group of young people helping and supporting each other so passionately was something that restored my faith in humanity. A band that storms stages and puts fists in the air that can also put hands together in prayer, is something this world desperately needs.

The world desperately needs the gifts of GFM.

BAND

: Vocals, guitar

Maggie English: Vocals, bass

LuLu English: Drums

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upbAujXIiio

'The Interview Queen' Alicia Atout talks to self-proclaimed 'beautycore' sister trio GFM about the origin of that term, their upcoming EP and tour with Fozzy, having a team behind them and their tastes blending to create their own unique sound

https://www.thegfmband.com/

https://voyagejacksonville.com/interview/conversations-with-gfm-thegfmband/

Today we’d like to introduce you to GFM.

Hi GFM, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Our parents enrolled us in music lessons when we each turned 5, and we all ended up falling in love with different instruments. Our dad suggested we start a band just to play songs at the house, and after we became comfortable playing together, we started writing our own music.

We started playing shows during spring break or breaks from school, and then in 2017, we were invited to go on our first tour. After that, our fanbase grew exponentially, and we started touring more consistently around the U.S. In 2018, we received our first opportunity to play in Germany, and we were invited back the next several years. Covid put a damper on things in 2020, but we pushed through and performed for virtual tours and Livestream events.

Last year, we toured as much as possible once events opened back up. We’ve released 4 EPs and 1 album, as well as several singles. We’ve attracted several premieres and features from Alternative Press and front-page features in several magazines and newspapers across the nation.

We’ve shared the stage with artists such as Motionless In White, Breaking Benjamin, Thousand Foot Krutch, Demon Hunter, A Day To Remember, Disturbed, Halestorm, Chelsea Grin, All That Remains, and Drowning Pool. Our song “Taking Over” was #1 on the CMW Charts for 4 weeks in a row; “Graveyard of Identities” was #6 on Billboard CHR Charts, and “On the Inside” was #9 on the Billboard CHR Charts.

We also just hit 2 million streams on Spotify.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The music industry is definitely a rollercoaster.

We’ve had issues with song releases, stage equipment, and our van, and that’s not even discussing the Covid pandemic. Even though some of those were tough lessons, they taught us to work together and how to do things the right way.

The pandemic also challenged us to be more creative with how we interacted with our fans and how we released music. While they may have been difficult at the moment, we appreciate the band those challenges have made us.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
GFM is a new breed of rock bands.

We created our own genre of beauty core as a way to bring more women into the rock world. We’re all sisters and while we love adding pop melodies to our songs, we also love the brutal breakdowns and screaming. We’ve branded ourselves as the metal cheerleaders because of our stage attire. Our stage performance is crazy energetic and in your face, and we love bringing laughter and fun back to the rock world.

On top of that, we are a faith-based band, and we do GFM to help people. We love sharing our Christian faith and also just creating a safe space for anyone to be a part of. Our fanbase is more than just listeners, we’re a community and a family that’s made up of all different kinds of beliefs and backgrounds.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
We started GFM with the mindset of not caring if people know who we are.

We aren’t doing this to become famous or to get rich. We perform and write music to help people because it’s what we love doing. The second we stop being able to help people is the second GFM will stop.

To us, that is the most important aspect of how well we are doing. We genuinely care about our fanbase, and we take the time to get to know them all.

Pricing:

CDs – $15
Patreon – $25 a month
VIPs – $50
Various ticket pricing
Contact Info:

Website: https://www.thegfmband.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thegfmband
Facebook: https://facebook.com/thegfmband
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegfmband
Youtube: https://youtube.com/thegfmband
Other: https://linktr.ee/Thegfmband

https://100percentrock.com/2022/03/a-dirty-dozen-with-gfm-march-2022/

According to a recent press release: “Today metal girl group GFM (Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh) announce their upcoming Spring tour with metal heavy-hitters Fozzy. Powerhouse Chris Jericho personally became a fan of the band before inviting them to hit the road alongside his beloved metal group. GFM are thrilled to play fan favorites from the Operation Take Over EP and to build anticipation as they gear up for their next release: “This tour with Fozzy is going to be a game changer for GFM. We’re finally getting to play in cities that fans have been asking for for years, and we’re able to do it alongside a powerhouse like Chris Jericho. We’re excited to learn and grow and meet tons of new people.” – Maggie, Vocals and Bass for GFM. GFM (Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh) is not your average teenage girl band, these three metalhead sisters are heavy and loud, and triumphantly taking on the stage with a genre of their own, which they have penned BEAUTYCORE. Formed by the English sisters Maggie (Bass and Vocals), CJ (Guitar), and Lulu (Drums) in Jacksonville, FL, GFM is a band set to break boundaries. They’re bringing life back to rock and metal and giving heavy music fans of all ages a space to thrive.” We get the sisters to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Our latest release was our song “Where Were You.” It’s a song that pleads people to reach out to their loved ones before it’s too late. There isn’t anything hidden in the music, but there is an Easter egg in the music video. We started a storyline two projects ago, and in this series, we are being hunted down by an evil corporation that has been experimenting on us. Since then, each music video has an “end credits” scene similar to a Marvel movie. There are short clips that explain where we are currently in our “comic book world” that allow us to build on to the story. There is one at the end of the “Where Were You” music video.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

We actually all grew up taking music lessons together. After a few years, we were all playing different instruments, and our dad suggested that we learn cover songs to play together. Once we had a bit of practice playing together, we started performing at open mic nights and talent shows, and we started to write our own music. When we were off school for spring break, we were invited to play a show in Georgia with a band we had met in town. This was our first real show, and on the way home, we told our parents that we wanted to do this for the rest of our lives.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

We had the chance to go to Welcome to Rockville in 2014, and we saw bands like Asking Alexandria and Bring Me the Horizon. When we saw the way the crowd interacted with them, we knew we wanted to perform the same way they did. After that, our music got heavier, and our crowd interaction became stronger.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Right now, we’d love to collaborate with Iann Dior. We love the melodies in his songs and how he’s used social media to promote himself!

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

We all are big gamers! We also love watching anime and reading and even cooking. We’re lucky to all have pretty similar interests on top of being sisters because we can hang out whenever we want and actually enjoy each other’s company haha!

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Our music sounds kind of like if Slipknot and Paramore had a baby. There’s heaviness, but there’s also poppy choruses that will get stuck in your head. We’re not sure that we’ve ever disagreed or cringed to anyone’s comparison of us to another artist before. Usually everyone is really spot on!

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Maggie or LuLu are usually the ones cooking, while ordering food or boba is CJ’s job. She’s the only one that isn’t indecisive when it comes to food, and we trust her to order something good haha. All of us consistently start random singalongs, but they’re usually acapella and the result of a sugar rush. When it comes to bringing out the acoustic guitar though, CJ is your girl.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

We honestly don’t really get starstruck. We grew up in the music industry, so we’ve learned that celebrities are normal people too.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

We’ve found that the best part of being a musician is the people that we’ve met. We love our listeners and the community that we have created. We started GFM as a way to help people, and the family that has formed by meeting so many people is so heartwarming. That’s a tough question because music is such a big part of our lives. CJ would probably become a full-time gardener, Maggie would probably try her hand at being an author, and LuLu would most likely try Twitch streaming!

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

We’ve been asked a ton of questions, so we don’t think there’s anything left that we haven’t answered haha! We are asked a lot of times which one of us is Gold, which is Frankincense, and which is Myrrh. We always have to tell people that those are not our names!

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

We don’t think so. Everything we’ve done has taught us something valuable. Even when equipment doesn’t work properly or something wasn’t plugged in right, we learn how to work together or how to do things the right way.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Maybe That’s the Spirit by Bring Me the Horizon. That album had just come out when we saw them live at Rockville, and we listened to that album the entirety of our first tour. Every time we hear any of the songs on it, we’re taken back to being in that van in the heat of summer.

GFM LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAMAccording to a recent press release: “Today metal girl group GFM (Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh) announce their upcoming Spring tour with metal heavy-hitters Fozzy. Powerhouse Chris Jericho personally became a fan of the band before inviting them to hit the road alongside his beloved metal group. GFM are thrilled to play fan favorites from the Operation Take Over EP and to build anticipation as they gear up for their next release: “This tour with Fozzy is going to be a game changer for GFM. We’re finally getting to play in cities that fans have been asking for for years, and we’re able to do it alongside a powerhouse like Chris Jericho. We’re excited to learn and grow and meet tons of new people.” – Maggie, Vocals and Bass for GFM. GFM (Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh) is not your average teenage girl band, these three metalhead sisters are heavy and loud, and triumphantly taking on the stage with a genre of their own, which they have penned BEAUTYCORE. Formed by the English sisters Maggie (Bass and Vocals), CJ (Guitar), and Lulu (Drums) in Jacksonville, FL, GFM is a band set to break boundaries. They’re bringing life back to rock and metal and giving heavy music fans of all ages a space to thrive.” We get the sisters to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Our latest release was our song “Where Were You.” It’s a song that pleads people to reach out to their loved ones before it’s too late. There isn’t anything hidden in the music, but there is an Easter egg in the music video. We started a storyline two projects ago, and in this series, we are being hunted down by an evil corporation that has been experimenting on us. Since then, each music video has an “end credits” scene similar to a Marvel movie. There are short clips that explain where we are currently in our “comic book world” that allow us to build on to the story. There is one at the end of the “Where Were You” music video.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

We actually all grew up taking music lessons together. After a few years, we were all playing different instruments, and our dad suggested that we learn cover songs to play together. Once we had a bit of practice playing together, we started performing at open mic nights and talent shows, and we started to write our own music. When we were off school for spring break, we were invited to play a show in Georgia with a band we had met in town. This was our first real show, and on the way home, we told our parents that we wanted to do this for the rest of our lives.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

We had the chance to go to Welcome to Rockville in 2014, and we saw bands like Asking Alexandria and Bring Me the Horizon. When we saw the way the crowd interacted with them, we knew we wanted to perform the same way they did. After that, our music got heavier, and our crowd interaction became stronger.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Right now, we’d love to collaborate with Iann Dior. We love the melodies in his songs and how he’s used social media to promote himself!

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

We all are big gamers! We also love watching anime and reading and even cooking. We’re lucky to all have pretty similar interests on top of being sisters because we can hang out whenever we want and actually enjoy each other’s company haha!

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Our music sounds kind of like if Slipknot and Paramore had a baby. There’s heaviness, but there’s also poppy choruses that will get stuck in your head. We’re not sure that we’ve ever disagreed or cringed to anyone’s comparison of us to another artist before. Usually everyone is really spot on!

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Maggie or LuLu are usually the ones cooking, while ordering food or boba is CJ’s job. She’s the only one that isn’t indecisive when it comes to food, and we trust her to order something good haha. All of us consistently start random singalongs, but they’re usually acapella and the result of a sugar rush. When it comes to bringing out the acoustic guitar though, CJ is your girl.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

We honestly don’t really get starstruck. We grew up in the music industry, so we’ve learned that celebrities are normal people too.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

We’ve found that the best part of being a musician is the people that we’ve met. We love our listeners and the community that we have created. We started GFM as a way to help people, and the family that has formed by meeting so many people is so heartwarming. That’s a tough question because music is such a big part of our lives. CJ would probably become a full-time gardener, Maggie would probably try her hand at being an author, and LuLu would most likely try Twitch streaming!

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

We’ve been asked a ton of questions, so we don’t think there’s anything left that we haven’t answered haha! We are asked a lot of times which one of us is Gold, which is Frankincense, and which is Myrrh. We always have to tell people that those are not our names!

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

We don’t think so. Everything we’ve done has taught us something valuable. Even when equipment doesn’t work properly or something wasn’t plugged in right, we learn how to work together or how to do things the right way.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Maybe That’s the Spirit by Bring Me the Horizon. That album had just come out when we saw them live at Rockville, and we listened to that album the entirety of our first tour. Every time we hear any of the songs on it, we’re taken back to being in that van in the heat of summer.

GFM LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

https://im-musicmagazine.com/f/metal-girl-band-gfm-announce-national-tour-dates-supporting-fozzy

Today metal girl group GFM (Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh) announce their upcoming Spring tour with metal heavy-hitters Fozzy. Powerhouse Chris Jericho personally became a fan of the band before inviting them to hit the road alongside his beloved metal group. GFM are thrilled to play fan favorites from the Operation Take Over EP and to build anticipation as they gear up for their next release:

“This tour with Fozzy is going to be a game changer for GFM. We’re finally getting to play in cities that fans have been asking for for years, and we’re able to do it alongside a powerhouse like Chris Jericho. We’re excited to learn and grow and meet tons of new people.” - Maggie, Vocals and Bass for GFM

GFM (Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh) is not your average teenage girl band, these three metalhead sisters are heavy and loud, and triumphantly taking on the stage with a genre of their own, which they have penned BEAUTYCORE. Formed by the English sisters Maggie (Bass and Vocals), CJ (Guitar), and Lulu (Drums) in Jacksonville, FL, GFM is a band set to break boundaries. They’re bringing life back to rock and metal and giving heavy music fans of all ages a space to thrive.

The sisters’ musical journey began in 2016 when they worked on their first album Identity Crisis with producers Jake Jones and Justin Forshaw (We as Human). In 2017, the girls went on their first U.S. tour and the demand was so strong for GFM that they went out again the following year on another U.S. tour, finishing out the season with their first trip to Germany for the Loud & Proud Fest where the band was met with thousands of loving fans. GFM’s live show is unmatched as the trio come alive through iconic wardrobe designs and unparalleled charisma. They have shared the stage with artists such as Motionless in White, Breaking Benjamin, Demon Hunter, A Day To Remember, Disturbed, Halestorm, Chelsea Grin, and more.

In 2019, GFM released their much-anticipated EP, Oh, The Horror!, after working with Eric Varnell and Billy Decker (Uncle Kracker, Sam Hunt) and headlined their own summer U.S. tour. 2020 contained their first acoustic tour along with the release of their first two singles off of their upcoming EP, Operation Take Over. At this time, GFM caught Joey Sturgis’ (Blessthefall, Asking Alexandria, Of Mice & Men) interest, and he got involved in the production process along with Varnell & Decker. Their song, “Give Me A Sign,” has reached 517k streams and they have a total of 2 Million overall streams on Spotify.

In 2022 the band was discovered by wrestling phenomenon and rock royalty Chris Jericho. This led GFM to their next chapter - a personal invitation from Jericho to join Fozzy on a nationwide tour.

As a band of faith, they hope to encourage listeners to keep fighting as they are not alone. GFM’s song “Taking Over” was #1 on the Christian Music Weekly Charts for 4 weeks in a row. Their song, “Graveyard of Identities” was #6 on Billboard Christian Rock Charts. Their song “On the Inside” was #9 on the Billboard Christian Rock Charts.

Stay up to date on GFM’s upcoming announcements HERE.

https://www.newreleasetoday.com/article.php?article_id=3063

7 New Christian Rock Christmas Songs
NRT's Ryan Adams highlights seven Christmas songs released by Christian-based artists in 2020

CHRISTMAS ROCK 2020, 7 New Christian Rock Christmas Songs

Posted: December 03, 2020 | By: RyanAdams_NRT
NRT Editorial RSS Feed
One of my favorite things about the holiday season is the covers and original Christmas songs that my favorite bands and artists create. I've collected seven Christmas covers that have been released in 2020 by various artists with genres ranging from instrumental, rock, punk rock, and alternative. Merry Christmas, or as Andrew Stanton would say, Merry Riffmas!

1. August Burns Red - All I Want For Christmas Is You (album)

The iconic mainstream Christmas song, "All I Want For Christmas Is You," popularized by Mariah Carey every Christmas season since 1994 sees covers every year. This cover is one of my favorites. August Burns Red is a metal band who has consistently given to the Christmas scene widely since 2012. Often, their covers are instrumental, as is this one. Although the lead singer, Jake Luhrs, also covered it visually (look at that cover art!). This cover was accompanied by a compilation of their past few covers and Christmas-related songs.

2. Anchor And Braille - "All I Want For Christmas Is You"

Adding his soothing, charming voice to our Christmas song scene this year is Stephen Christian. The lead singer of Anberlin, and the lead altogether for Anchor and Braille (who released a new album this year), covers the same song that August Burns Red did, "All I Want For Christmas Is You." This cover captures the Anchor and Braille sound well, and Stephen's voice is accompanied by a ladies' voice in the background as well. Stephen shares, "My daughter Nola listened to the original version on repeat last Christmas. As one of her presents for Christmas this year, I am going to give her this song. Hopefully, some other family or friends can make lifelong memories of my version of this song, as we did."

3. Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh - "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas"

https://youtu.be/HONgIah4Rks

Getting a bit heavier this time, Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh (GFM) cover a Christmas classic for the second year in a row. Last year, it was "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" and this time, it is "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas." The beautycore band of three passionate sisters brings some screams, riffs, and a mini-breakdown to the song. If you need a high-energy cover of a Christmas song, GFM has you covered.

4. Jenna Parr - "Mary, Did You Know?"

Jenna Parr is a newer Christian rock artist. Her single, "Break Me," reached #11 on the national Christian Music Weekly chart and was #1 for 8 weeks straight on ChristianRock.net. Fans are liking what they hear from this new female-fronted rock band. She brings her talents to this cover of "Mary, Did You Know?" I really like the arrangement and the guitar-driven sound. She also has a cover of "O Holy Night" (from 2018) if you want more of her style.

5. Andrew Stanton - Merry Riffmas (EP)

Andrew Stanton is a former member of the Christian rock band Disciple. His guitar skills are incredible and he's been flexing this year. He has released four instrumental rock albums throughout 2020. He also released a three-song Christmas covers EP titled Merry Riffmas. He covers "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "We Three Kings," and "Angels We Have Heard On High." Each song, as the title suggests, is heavy on the guitar riffage and each one sounds really cool. Maybe we can have an August Burns Red/Andrew Stanton collab on an instrumental? Just an idea.

6. Mawcore - "O Come, Emmanuel"

The alternative rock band Mawcore aims to bring hope this Christmas with their style of a cover of "O Come Emmanuel." About their cover, they share "This holiday season may be a little dark as families have divided over temporal issues, even making it harder for reconciliation," guitarist Jeff Redding says. "Music can be a great tool of the Spirit to unify hearts." They took special care in creating a visual message also in their lyric video for this song too. Both the song and video are good.

7. NEEDTOBREATHE - "Silent Night"

This one might be one of the softest covers on here musically, but it deserves its place. NEEDTOBREATHE has always been a supporter of the rock scene and their cover of "Silent Night" is beautiful. Bear Rinehart showcases great vocal range and the music is captivating. Don't let this one pass you by just because it doesn't have a lot of big drums or guitar riffs.

Ryan Adams lives in Ohio but grew up in Boise, Idaho. He graduated Boise Bible College in 2018. He fell in love with the heavy music scene through a best friend and enjoys sharing his love for it through NRT.

https://glitter2gutter.blogspot.com/2020/09/gold-frankincense-myrrh-operation-take.html

Sunday, September 27, 2020
GOLD, FRANKINCENSE & MYRRH "Operation Take Over"

(c) 2020 Independent Release

Bones
Selfish
I Don't Wanna Lose My Friends
S M I L E
Taking Over
I Don't Need Your Fantasy
Maggie English--Clean & Harsh Vocals, Bass
CJ English--Clean Vocals, Guitars
Lulu English--Drums, Backing Vocals

The favorite sister act of modern hard music, Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh (commonly referred to as GFM or GFM Band) return with their third EP in the past two years. Appropriately titled Operation Take Over, the English sisters continue on their self-appointed mission to do just that, take over, as they unleash six new "Beautycore" songs on their rapid...and rapidly expanding...fan base. Blending both clean and harsh vocals, huge drums, pulsating bass lines, and aggressive guitars, the sisters continue to carve out a space for themselves in the hard music industry and command more and more attention for themselves not as a novelty sister act, but as a legitimate musical force.

The EP kicks off with "Bones", an aggressive metalcore track that churns and snarls its way out of the gates and never relents! Maggie's harsh vocals continue to grow in depth and power as she masters control of her voice seemingly with every release. Complementing the eldest English sister's angry spit-and-snarl vocals are the (by comparison) angelically sweet vocals of CJ, accompanies by backing vocals from Lulu, as they sing their way through the chorus. To me, the distinctly different vocal styles really set GFM apart from a lot of other bands of the genre. Sure, most metalcore acts have clean and harsh vocalists, but in no other band do you have that harmonic quality that seems to come from siblings (check out the girls' acoustic EP for even further evidence of this vocal talent). The guitar riffs from CJ are plenty meaty here, and Lulu continues to be seriously impressive with her work on the kit, growing in leaps and bounds in her ability to create unique and aggressive fills and patterns, not settling on being just the tempo-keeper of the band. Harsh and aggressive, with a solid breakdown prior to the last runs through the chorus, "Bones" should make an impact at metal radio, both Christian and secular, before this EP runs its course, and it is an excellent table-setter for the rest of the EP.

"Selfish" backs off on the aggression...slightly...as Maggie backs off on her harsh growling for most of the song (she does drop it in in a few places, however), utilizing her slightly lower singing range in the verse portions before her sisters join in on the chorus parts. CJ's guitars are especially edgy here on this somewhat post-hardcore/modern metal track, maintaining a fuzzy aggression and sharp, snappy rhythms that really push the song. Maggie's bass has a full, loud voice throughout the track, and Lulu continues to wail away in impressive fashion. I'm not going to lie, however; I keep waiting for CJ to rip into a fret-running flourish of a solo of pretty much any length, just to add a new depth to the band's sound. It doesn't have to be some neo-classical, Yngwie Malmsteen fret melter, or an experimental Steve Vai proggy run, but just....something. I personally think something short and sweet would help the band make that next little jump musically. But who am I...???

"I Don't Wanna Lost My Friends" is my least favorite track here, but it isn't a bad song. It just isn't as catchy to my ear and comes off a bit more 90s pop-punk than the rest of the EP. Gone are Maggie's aggressive vocals, traded in for a poppy sing along chorus, complete with gang-shouted backing vocals, and even some "whoa-oh whoa-oh's" dropped into the mix for good measure. Again, a special shout out is warranted for Lulu, who really shows an ability to handle multiple types of song structures and percussion patterns, and even if it isn't my favorite track on the EP, the band is really tight here on this bouncy sub-three minute track.

The real treat of the record is up next with "S M I L E". To my mind, there is no track in the girls' ever-expanding catalog that will generate the excitement in the live setting in the way that this latest single will. Lulu's snappy drums set the cadence for CJ's saccharine-sweet vocals in a cheerleader chant to

call out "S...M...I.L.E...why won't you smile for me?!" the song kicks off with a crazy fun start before Maggie drops a harsh "GO!" and the guitars swarm to life with thick, chunky riffs and deep, chest-pulsing thuds from the bass as the song melts down into a swirling musical moshpit, even as CJ keeps up her super-cute chant. As fans know, the girls trademark style frequently utilizes a metal-tinged cheerleader style, and "S M I L E" is the perfect song to accompany that image. Maggie utilizes both clean singing and harsh snarling on the verse sections, with CJ tackling the majority of the chorus sections. After the second run through the chorus there's a vocal breakdown with CJ returning to her sugar-coated cheerleader role, this time calling out to ask if everyone is "read-ee" to sing along, only to be chased off by yet another guttural snarl from her older sister. Again, there is a perfect opportunity for CJ to rip on a quick little solo, but the band instead lays into a crunchy breakdown section, and GFM appears to have come up with their signature song at a relatively early stage in their career, as I don't foresee them being able to sneak out of a live show without dropping this uber-catchy cheerfest into the set!

All cuteness evaporates as "Taking Over" is unleashed next. Maggie is in full-on "shred my vocals" mode as she barks "One, two, three, four...get up and give me more!", and a big, bottom-heavy breakdown section crushes its way through the middle of the track, with Maggie hammering away on her bass and CJ chug-chug-chugging her rhythm lines in hyper aggressive fashion. Having already climbed to the peak of multiple hard music and metal charts, "Taking Over" shows as much about the heavy half of the GFM sound as "S M I L E" and closing track, "I Don't Need Your Fantasy" showcase the fun side. "Taking Over" is who GFM is for a good chunk of their catalog, showcasing aggressive musicality and a vocal duality that goes to great lengths to define who the band is.

On that previously mentioned closer, "I Don't Need Your Fantasy", the girls perfectly meld the fun, catchy sing-along style of "S M I L E"...even again bordering on cheering/chanting...but teamed up with Maggie using a higher-pitched, screaming-rather-than-barking style. The rhythm riffs from CJ are relentless throughout the track, and Lulu's drumming is tight, furious, and machine-gun rapid throughout. Truly an excellent way to close out a really strong, if too-short release from this very talented young band.

The band brought in some high-powered help on the production here, as Joey Sturgis (Of Mice and Men, Asking Alexandria, The Devil Wears Prada) was called on, along with Billy Decker (Uncle Kracker, Sam Hunt) and Eric Varnell, to fully capture the sound and style that is Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Thick bottom end work from the bass and drums really shine through on this record, and the guitars keep their aggressive tone without becoming muddied in the mix, and it is nearly impossible to say too much about how the vocals of the three girls are handled and combined on Operation Take Over.

As is typically the case with EPs, one of my main complaints here is the brevity of the project, with these six songs clocking in at not even 19 minutes. I was a bit surprised the band didn't include the parody track, "Susan", which they released as a stand-alone single earlier this summer, but it wouldn't have really fit the sound and style of the rest of the EP. And, with no opportunity to tour during this Covid-induced live music moratorium, the band likely had no new live tracks to tag onto the end, so these six new songs are what we were offered. Fortunately, all six are of high enough quality that many fans won't feel short-changed paying $15 for the physical CD, which they can also request to be signed if they order directly from the band at: www.theGMFBand.com
Rating: Definitely a crankable EP, rip the dial up to 7.5, with only the really small time run and the minor miss of "I Don't Wanna Lose My Friends" keeping Operation Take Over out of 8 to 8.5 territory. A very strong effort from three impressive young ladies!

https://hollywoodchicago.com/news/35275/interview-rockers-gold-frankincense-myrrh-keep-on-delivering

Interview: ‘Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh’ Keep on Delivering

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Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 2, 2020 - 3:25pm Beautycore CJ Sanders Derek English Evie Florida Frankincense & Myrrh GFM Gold HollywoodChicago.com Content Identity Crisis Interview Jacksonville Jeff Doles Lulu Maggie Oh The Horror Patrick McDonald Rose Songlinkr Susan


CHICAGO – The trio of teenage sisters that are “Gold Frankincense & Myrrh” (GFM) – CJ Sanders, Maggie “Rose” and Evie “Lulu” English – create their sound by blending the melodic pop-rock of Paramore with the power and aggressiveness of Slipknot. GFM wants to use their music as a vehicle to illustrate that women and young people can create positive, uplifting music that can still rock.

The Jacksonville (Florida)-based band has never been shy about delving into the unknown, and relished the chance to be creative with the people who understand them the most … their dedicated fans. The result is their new single (click title), ”Susan”, a comedic departure from GFM’s usual aggressive style.

GFM1
Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh (GRM)
Photo credit: TheGFMBand.com

GFM are breaking boundaries in the music industry and bringing life back to rock and metal with their encouraging and positive message. The sisters all began taking music lessons at just five years old, which sparked a love that would continue to grow. As they got older, the girls collectively decided that they wanted to pursue this passion for music professionally, and began putting in the “blood and sweat” that created GFM.

GFM’s first album, “Identity Crisis,” was released in 2016, followed by “Oh, The Horror” in April of 2019. After touring the US multiple times, the group headed overseas to Germany in 2018, where their energetic performances established GFM as a festival favorite. A new EP is scheduled for release this fall. Jeff Doles of HollywoodChicago.com recently got an opportunity to interview the band.

HollywoodChicago.com: You describe your sound as ‘Beautycore.’ What is that genre and how does GFM embody that description?

Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh: Beautycore is a genre that we created ourselves. It started off as a joke because we didn’t really know which genre we fit into, and we were tired of not “‘belonging’ to a certain genre, so we joked that we made up our own.

The more people heard it, the more they encouraged us to use it. We decided to brand ourselves as Beautycore because we love playing up to the fact that we’re girls playing metal. It’s now become a sort of movement with some female bands. We’re an all-girl band made up of sisters. It’s our way of saying girls can play metal too. We hope it encourages more women to join the music world.

HollywoodChicago.com: In that sense, what are the origins of the band?

GFM: GFM originated when we started playing music lessons at a young age. Growing up, our parents said we had to take music lessons for at least two years. We ended up falling in love with music and picked different instruments to play. We started playing covers after our dad suggested forming a band, and in 2015 we started to write our own music for the first time ever. The rest has just kind of snowballed from there.

HollywoodChicago.com: What type of music are your influences?

GFM: Our musical influences come from everywhere. We try to find inspiration from all genres of music, whether it’s from melodies, crowd interaction, stage performance, lyric writing or instrumental writing. We listen to artists like ‘Lights’ and ‘A Day to Remember,’ but we also take stage performance inspiration from ‘Butcher Babies’ and ‘Fever 333,’ as long as it fits in with our messaging.

HollywoodChicago.com: So recently, you used SONGLINKR, the new video conferencing platform built for musicians. How was collaborating with fans on that new platform to write the song ‘Susan?’

GFM: SONGLINKR was actually super easy to use. You just have to make an account, and when you’re ready to stream, you load in your stream key from either Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, or Mixer. We chose to do ours through Twitch, and the interaction with our fans was insane! Everyone was eager to throw out lyric ideas.

If you use it, you’re going to want to have the instrumental track already written and recorded, so those who interact can hear it and write along with it. There’s a notepad, so our fans were able to read the lyrics and see the progress that’s been made. There aren’t a million steps to go through in order to stream through SONGLINKR, which was phenomenal. Once you’re linked to your streaming sites, you’re good to go!

GFM2
Sister GFM: CJ Sanders, Maggie “Rose” and Evie “Lulu” English
Photo credit: TheGFMBand.com

HollywoodChicago.com: The song that was the result, ‘Susan,’ smacks of humor, sarcasm and dry wit. What inspired the band to go outside of their comfort zone and aggressive sound to create the song?

GFM: We thrive when we allow ourselves to make jokes … that’s how we stay sane. For example, we created the Derek, Kyle, and Chad skater characters to promote our new hats last year. Then, when we did a special Valentine’s Day broadcast, we introduced ‘Susan’ as Derek’s girlfriend, in a spoof skit. Our fans have become fond of these characters, and they treat them like TV show personalities.

The song was partially done in the first skit, and it kept getting added onto whenever Derek would appear on ‘radio shows’ and at ‘parties.’ As the characters became more popular, we realized we needed to give our fans what they wanted … the entire song that supposedly Derek wrote. All three of our senses of humor tend to fall somewhere in between dry/sarcasm and the sensibility of a 5 year old. When it’s all innocent, and you’re causing yourself to laugh through lines, that’s when you know it’s good. It helps you take a step back and just write about nonsense. Everyone should do it at least once in their lives.

HollywoodChicago.com: We all had to adjust summer plans … what is GFM planning for this unusual summer of 2020, especially in touring and new singles?

GFM: Tentatively, we have lots of touring plans this summer. We’ve got fans chomping at the bit to see us, and they’ve created a ‘Mini Woodstock’ at our first scheduled show … they’re flying in from all over the United States to come see us. We plan to be gone all of July and August, as well as part of September. Of course, we always want to put Team GFM’s safety first, so we’ll be following all the needed protocols to keep everyone healthy.

As for new singles, we may have a few tricks up our sleeves … if we had sleeves. The GFM cheerleading uniforms are lacking in that area. [laughs]

HollywoodChicago.com: How can fans and potential fans learn more about GFM and keep supporting your band’s journey?

GFM: Fans can support us in SO many ways! Following us on all of our social media sites [see below], but @thegfmband is super helpful … that includes watching our YouTube videos every day – we come out with new videos every Monday and sometimes Thursdays – watching our Friday night Instagram livestreams, watching our Twitch livestreams, and pretty much any livestream really helps!

Any picture we post NEEDS comments … we interact with all of our accounts, and we love being able to talk to you guys in the comment section. Make sure to like our posts, watch our TikToks, and share them with your friends! Stream our music every day … we’ve heard it makes us live forever … [laughs] and add us to your playlists on Spotify, iTunes, Google Play, anywhere you listen to music. Just remember your online actions, to follow, like, share and stream.

We also have tons of merch options to choose from on our website (click here), and we have a Patreon platform that gets you exclusive GFM information and items. Finally, coming to shows is extremely helpful as well, so if we’re in your area, DON’T HESITATE TO SHOW UP! Keep requesting our songs on your favorite radio stations and tell your favorite news outlets to interview us. Tag or message your favorite festivals and venues to bring GFM to their show … all of this stuff helps us spread the word on GFM!

Join Team GFM now! We can’t wait to meet everyone and get to know them!

Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh (GFM) are CJ Sanders English, Magdalene “Maggie” Rose English and Evie “Lulu” Louise English.
Follow Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh (GFM):
Website: Click here
YouTube: Click here
Facebook: Click here
Instagram: Click here
Twitter: Click here
Patreon: Click here
Twitch: Click here

Interview by: Jeff Doles

Published by: Patrick McDonald, Editor, HollywoodChicago.com

https://www.altpress.com/features/new-songs-june-26/

AP&R PLAYLIST: PARODY PUNK, CAREFREE SURF ROCK AND EMO RAP
Here are 10 brand-new releases to put on your radar.

By Alyssa Quiles -June 27, 2020

You’re welcome: We’ve made finding new songs by rising bands easy. Each week, we’re gathering the best from the underground and offering it to you in one concise list. Scroll below and check out our Spotify Discover playlist, featuring these tracks and more!

In return, we want to hear your favorite. Let us know which track you’ll be spinning for the rest of the weekend in the comments!

Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh – “Susan”

https://youtu.be/tL_dA_DU01s

For fans of: Wolves At The Gate, Fight The Fade, Glasslands

Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh are taking a break from metal and rock to share “Susan,” a hilarious punk parody. The track is a collaboration with their listeners. As the first band to use SONGLINKR, the trio worked with fans to write lyrics for the song. The words are based on the characters in the music video, Derek, Chad, Kyle and Susan. The outcome is a catchy tune about how one skater boy’s girlfriend means more to him than his beloved skateboard.

Friday Pilots Club – “Breaking My Bones”

For fans of: The Wrecks, Cemetery Sun, SAINT PHNX
Focusing on the pressures of social media, Friday Pilots Club tackle the struggles of public image with “Breaking My Bones.” With captivating synths, meaningful lyrics and a bone-shaking bass drop, the track is an explosion of melody and emotion. “As we spend more time online, it is increasingly easy to lose track of the version of ourselves that we choose to present,” multi-instrumentalist Drew Polovick says. “As well as it is easy to lose ourselves in the false realities and personalities presented by others.” The song will be featured on the duo’s upcoming EP via Big Machine/John Varvatos Records.

boyband – “tattoo”

For fans of: Lil Peep, nothing,nowhere., Juice WRLD
Grammy-nominated creator boyband mixes Midwestern emo and contemporary rap in his genre-defying release, “tattoo.” Combining slow punk vibes and hip-hop beats, the rapper doles out a short yet ear-catching song about getting over an ex-girlfriend. The track will be included on his debut album, alone in a boyband, out July 17 via Dirty Hit. Other singles include “Death Note” featuring Good Charlotte’s Billy Martin and the unreleased “big face” with American Football’s Mike Kinsella.

Read more: Hear the first track from Black Veil Brides’ reimagined debut album
Am Taylor – “Bright Yellow Sun”

For fans of: Deafheaven, My Bloody Valentine, Radiohead
Surrounded by echoing progressions and relaxing ambiance, Am Taylor shares “Bright Yellow Sun” as their second solo track. Utilizing psych reverb and catchy riffs, the vocalist sings of rebirth in front of a full rock backtrack. “We’re born with this newness, and we live our lives, and everything is awesome and great,” they say. “And then something comes along and completely destroys and crushes us.”

ARI – “Cold War”

For fans of: FLETCHER, Joji, Halsey
Rising alt-pop singer ARI fuses dark tones and bright beats in “Cold War.” Deeply personal, the vocalist sings of her fears of what would happen if her “normal” and music-centered lives were to ever collide. “I’ve always been scared that these worlds, while coexistent, wouldn’t mix,” she shares. “I have a small circle of friends to begin with, so the thought that the people I love may not get along is a fear of mine.” The track is the second single off her forthcoming EP, IDIOTGRL, due out in July.

Read more: Watch Angels & Airwaves’ atmospheric “All That’s Left Is Love” video
SAIAH – “HEART(BREAK)”

For fans of: guccihighwaters, guardin, Lil Lotus
SAIAH delivers highly emotional lyrics and powerful instrumentals in “HEART(BREAK).” The song begins with a single guitar and stays easy through the middle of the track. At the chorus, the vocalist gets right in your face as he screams of a lost love. SAIAH recently signed to InVogue Records, and “HEART(BREAK)” will be featured on his upcoming EP, Honest Red. The album is to be released in collaboration with No Name Records and Black17.

Jutes – “When You’re Around”

For fans of: YUNGBLUD, Machine Gun Kelly, dying in designer
Light pop-punk rhythms and heartfelt lyrics encompass Jutes’ latest single, “When You’re Around.” Singing of two souls who find comfort in one another, the musician reveals he wrote the track in just 20 minutes for his partner. Penned as the result of missing her, Jutes says he wanted to “make her some 2000s sounding cheesy movie soundtrack type song.” Working with producers Mitch Allen (Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers) and M-Phazes (Eminem, Demi Lovato), Jutes admits it isn’t always as easy. “Sometimes it’s easy like that, and sometimes I bang my head against a wall for 8 hours,” he says. “I like the simplicity of this one though—just raw emotions, nothing too fancy.” The track contains a couple of references to other artists, such as Sugar Ray and Mark McGrath. The vocalist also nods to blink-182’s “What’s My Age Again?” with a conveniently placed guitar as he strums in his living room. Working Jake Dofo to edit, Jutes filmed the entire thing in his living room and added the writing on the wall with his iPad. “I had to keep all my blinds open to let sunlight in, and I can’t even imagine what my neighbors or people walking by thought when they looked in. [It] probably looked like a serious cry for help,” he explains. “I love being hands-on with my stuff because I’m a weirdo, and it keeps me different.”

Read more: Halsey is offering a look inside of her mind with a new poetry book
TOLEDO – “FOMO”

For fans of: Surf Rock Is Dead, Golden Daze, Wallows
Sharing infectious grooves and relaxing guitar riffs, TOLEDO’s “FOMO” is a track fit for a day out at the beach. The song was created in the wake of the coronavirus and is the band’s response to having to stay inside. “‘FOMO’ pokes fun at this quarantine lifestyle,” the duo say, “but at the end of the day gives voice to a genuine desire to be more present.”

HONNE – “no song without you”

For fans of: LANY, keshi, the Japanese House
HONNE get dreamy and reminiscent in their new track, “no song without you.” As their latest release since 2018’s Love Me / Love Me Not, the duo strip down instrumentally to create the romantic, easygoing track. The song also serves as the title track to the group’s upcoming mixtape, which drops July 3 via Tatemae Recordings/Atlantic Records.

Girl Friday – “This Is Not The Indie Rock I Signed Up For”

For fans of: Diet Cig, Snarls, Girlpool
Girl Friday boast sweet harmonies and tight rhythms with “This Is Not The Indie Rock I Signed Up For.” The track is born out of years of “mental crisis.” “In the moments of wicked darkness and what felt like hell, real love and community was presented to us on a plate ready to be eaten,” the band state. “We are extremely grateful to have received that.” The song will be featured on the group’s upcoming debut LP, Androgynous Mary, which drops Aug. 21 and is available to preorder here.

June 25, 2020

GFM (GOLD FRANKINCENSE & MYRRH) Release First-Ever Song Written Using SONGLINKR Platform

New Single, “Susan,” Available Exclusively via Bandcamp

Watch the Video For “Susan” Today on YouTube

When SONGLINKR, the new video conferencing platform built for musicians, asked Florida-based “beautycore” band GFM (GOLD FRANKINCENSE & MYRRH) to be the very first band to test their new program, the trio ecstatically jumped at the opportunity.

Never a band to shy away from delving into the unknown, GFM relished the chance to be creative with the people who understand them the most - their dedicated fans. The result is “Susan,” a comedic departure from GFM’s usual aggressive style, which balances a Paramore style of melodicism with a Slipknot-like ferocity.

“‘Susan’ is the parody song you didn’t know you needed,” says bassist, vocalist and producer Maggie English. “It’s both THE summer anthem and the comedic relief needed in the world. You won’t be able to get this song out of your head.”

This opportunity came at the best possible time for the band, as the COVID-19 quarantine allowed GFM to busy themselves by setting up their own home studio. The new studio, complete with Joey Sturgis Tones plugins, begged for an avenue to try out the band’s new creative abilities to record and produce music.

“This program connects up-and-coming artists to established writers and producers,” says Damien Starkey, co-founder of SONGLINKR. “Its interface allows musicians to write together from anywhere via video conference and several writer specific tools. You can also stream to all major social media platforms while you are in a writing session and invite your fans to join in. GFM will be the first ever band to write a song with their fans through SONGLINKR and social media.”

GFM used SONGLINKR to write “Susan” along with their devoted fans while streaming to Twitch. GFM wanted the first fanbase writing session to be fresh, fun and familiar to their fans. The ladies employed a character named Derek, whom fans are already familiar with from previous livestreams skits, along with his girlfriend and song namesake, Susan, and skater friends Kyle and Chad. The fans embraced this funny song and wrote lyrics that fit the personalities of the characters.

For the video, Maggie reprised her role as Derek, while drummer LuLu English took on the dual roles of Susan and Kyle, with CJ acting as Chad. GFM went one step further and illustrated this song by producing, directing and filming at the iconic KONA Skatepark, owned by Martin Ramos, the longest surviving privately owned skatepark in the world.

“If you love our YouTube videos, you’ll love this new parody song ‘Susan,’” LuLu, who served as editor and videographer, says.

The video for “Susan” is available today at https://youtu.be/tL_dA_DU01s. The single is also available now via Bandcamp at https://thegfmband.bandcamp.com/.

GFM are breaking boundaries in the music industry and bringing life back to rock and metal with their encouraging and positive message. The sisters all began taking music lessons at just five years old, which sparked a love of music that would continue to grow. As they grew up, the girls collectively decided that they wanted to pursue this love for music professionally and began putting blood and sweat into creating GFM.

GFM’s first album, Identity Crisis, was released in 2016, followed by Oh, The Horror! in April 2019. After touring the US multiple times, the group headed overseas to Germany in 2018, where their energetic performances established GFM as a festival favorite. A new EP is scheduled for release this fall.

Members of GFM are endorsed by PRS Guitars, Sinister Guitar Picks, Schecter Guitars, SJC Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Ernie Ball Strings, 64 Audio, Orange Amps, Gator Cases, Enki USA, Pig Hog Cables, Coffin Cases, TUK Footwear, Cheerleading Company and Boathouse Sports.

GFM is:
CJ Sanders English – Guitar, Vocals
Magdalene “Maggie” Rose English – Bass, Vocals
Evie “LuLu” Louise English – Drums, Background Vocals

GFM online:
www.instagram.com/thegfmband
www.facebook.com/thegfmband
www.twitter.com/thegfmband
www.youtube.com/thegfmband
www.patreon.com/thegfmband
www.bandsintown.com/gold,frankincense,andmyrrh
www.thegfmband.com

*If you are viewing this email with a Firefox web browser and cannot see any press release content, please try viewing in a different browser.

For press inquiries and additional information, please contact Adrenaline PR:
Maria Ferrero, 732-462-4262, maria@adrenalinepr.com

ABOUT US:
Adrenaline PR is a boutique independent public relations firm founded in 2003 by acclaimed PR and music industry professional Maria Ferrero. Adrenaline PR utilizes decades' worth of effective PR techniques to execute a project's targeted focus, all the while enhancing the potency of a campaign by extending outside the realms of traditional promotions and applying beneficial marketing and branding methods to reach various new media territories. Although Adrenaline PR's longstanding credibility is rooted in their successful representation of notable brands, festivals, artists, and beyond, the firm also specializes in securing noteworthy placements and creating a high-profile buzz for up-and-coming talent and brands.

The team at Adrenaline PR has represented wide range of projects - ranging from bands, fine artists, films and books, to labels, tours, festivals, award shows, conventions, photographers, and tattoo artists. Adrenaline PR has represented notable artists such as, but not limited to: American Idol winner Lee DeWyze, All That Remains, Anthrax, As I Lay Dying, Atreyu, Dethklok/Brendon Small's Galaktikon, DevilDriver, Drowning Pool, Down, Europe, Every Time I Die, Five Finger Death Punch, GWAR, Hank3, Harley Flanagan, Hatebreed, John 5, KMFDM, Lamb of God, Mac Sabbath, Machine Head, Motorhead, Mudvayne, Norma Jean, Otep, Pentakill, Peter Murphy, Sevendust, Suicidal Tendencies, Superjoint Ritual, Tech N9ne, Testament, The Aristocrats, Twiztid, Uli Jon Roth and more. Adrenaline PR has had the pleasure of supporting press campaigns for Good Fight Music, InsideOut Music, Metal Blade Records, Minus Head Records, Napalm Records, Nuclear Blast Records, Prosthetic Records, Razor & Tie, and others. Adrenaline PR has promoted films, soundtracks and compilations including As The Palaces Burn (Lamb of God documentary), Hesher, REPO! The Genetic Opera, Super Duper Alice Cooper, the Ronnie James Dio: This Is Your Life tribute compilation (2014 Best Metal Performance Grammy winner for Tenacious D's "The Last In Line"), Dimebag Darrell's Dimevision, and The Punisher (soundtrack), and books such as Louder Than Hell; The Oral History Of Heavy Metal and The Merciless Book of Metal Lists. Artists represented include Paul Booth - The King of Rock and Roll Tattoo, Vincent Castiglia (tattoo artist and surrealist) and Derek Hess. Adrenaline PR is recognized for publicizing various events such as the "Astronomicon" Pop Culture Convention, the Journeys Alternative Press Music Awards and the Alternative Press Magazine 20th Anniversary (My Chemical Romance, The Used and Say Anything), MTV2 Headbanger's Ball Tours I and II, REPO! The Genetic Opera Film and Road Tour, Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, Ronnie James Dio: Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund charity events, Scott Ian's "Speaking Words" tour, Sounds of the Underground, various Live Nation NYC club events, and many more. Adrenaline PR has also booked guest judges for BRAVO's Top Chef and assisted with Grammy Award/The Recording Academy events.
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https://songandverseministries.com/2020/06/29/i-wont-give-up/

On The Inside
[CJ Sanders English / Eric Varnell / Evie Louise English / Magdalene Rose English]

Band: Gold, Frankincese, & Myrrh (GFM) EP: Oh, The Horror! (2019)
Podcast Guests: CJ, Maggie, and LuLu, GFM

Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh (aka GFM) is a trio of sisters known for their hard-hitting style and genre, “Beautycore.” But don’t be fooled by the pink, glitter, and pigtails. These young women pack a punch and bring a well-thought-out message & purpose to their music.

From a very young age, each of them ended up falling in love with music. While pursuing their dreams of a professional music career, their goal is “to use their gifts to reach people for God and always to spread a positive message” – something at which they excel.

It’s difficult to leave a GFM concert or listen to their music without being left with an uplifting mood and mindset. These ladies have mastered their craft, and we expect to see their career blossom and flourish for many years to come.

Episode Guests:
CJ, Maggie, and LuLu
Gold, Frankincense, & Myrrh (GFM)
If you enjoy the melodic content of Paramore, and the character themes of Slipknot, then you have found the perfect matchup in GFM.

The three sisters of GFM basically came out of the womb playing music; they really had the screaming perfected back then. They started taking music lessons around the age of five, and all three ended up falling in love with music. As they grew up, they decided that they wanted to pursue this love for music professionally, and have been putting blood and sweat into creating a business and career out of GFM.

The most important goal of GFM is to use their gifts to reach people for God and to always spread a positive message. The stage is their home, and they want to share their home with their fans.

“On The Inside” was released on September 28, 2018, and is the 5th track found on the Oh The Horror EP, released in 2019. The song spent multiple weeks on the Billboard Christian Rock National Airplay charts and peaked at #9.

The premise of “On The Inside” declares that there is nothing more powerful than Christ. When we profess Him as Lord, there’s nothing in life that can separate us from His Love (Romans 8:38-39).

“No matter how deep, down, or low, you may feel nothing can take away the love that God has for you or the strength that He’s given you. Keep going, keep fighting because no one can take that away from you.” – Maggie, GFM vocalist/bassist

Where do we start? This song is powerful. It’s incredible.

Life is a battlefield. It seems we are always in one of three phases: before the storm, in the storm, or after the storm. How we navigate those battles significantly depends upon where we draw our strength and our purpose.

“What (or Who’s) on the inside?” Is it Him? Is it His Love? His Strength? His Will?

Always hiding, always fighting my insecurities
But building strength means falling harder and getting off your knees
There’s so much more left to the story
More than the scars on our bodies

No, I will not run
And I won’t give up
Cause I know that I am strong enough
Now I take back my life
And I will survive
You’ll never take what’s on the inside

Dancing with all of my demons has my soul wearing thin
They left behind a wreck of memories these marks on my skin
You’re not alone in the story
We all have scars on our bodies

These lines tell a story of pain, weariness, and loneliness, but with an important message attached.

We’ve all been there. We’ve all had to push through and weather life’s storms. However, we aren’t defined by those things. We are defined by something much grander. We are identified by “what’s on the inside.”

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly, we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

The song is not only a declaration of faith and assurance, but it also asks the listener to think twice as well. As if to say, “search your heart, who are you, what do you believe?” What may seem cliché and just a cleverly written lyric is actually a much deeper call to examine your heart.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First, clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous, but on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started! – Matthew 23:23-32

In these verses, we find Christ challenging the motives and hearts of those acting self-righteous and holier than thou (the Pharisees). Christ is essentially saying, “it doesn’t matter what your outward actions and appearance look like.” What truly matters is “what’s on the inside.”

In essence, the more of His Word and Will we derive from His Spirit (living within all who declare Him as Lord), the more our outward lives represent His Grace, Mercy, and Love.

Questions:
Have you allowed the darker moments in life to define you?
Have you invited Jesus Christ “on the inside” of your heart?
Do you feel alone?

Challenge:
Take time today to pray and ask our Heavenly Father to strengthen you. Ask Him to remove and replace those darker moments with the fruit of His Spirit. Thank Him for your “scars” and allow His Wisdom to give you the strength to “take back your life.” Earnestly work towards knowing Him more and focusing less on what others say and think about you.

Oh ,The Horror! EP was released on April 12, 2019 by Gold, Frankincense, & Myrrh (GFM). The songs found on that EP further define “Beautycore” and catapulted GFM into a category all their own. Gold, Frankincense, & Myrrh.

On The Inside was released on September 28, 2018, and is the 5th track found on the Oh, The Horror! EP. The song spent multiple weeks on the Billboard Christian Rock National Airplay charts and peaked at #9.

In conclusion, GFM is a force to be reckoned with. Their career is just beginning, and their unabashed stance and style is a breath of fresh air. Their music inspires all generations and brings a positive message to those searching for more.

They have paved the way for “Beautycore.” A new genre ready to take the world of Metal music by force. Aggressive yet uplifting, their battle cry can be heard loud and clear. “On The Inside” is an example of that message – an affirmation of faith and a declaration of His Love.

Have you accepted Christ as your Savior?

https://www.altpress.com/features/premiere/gfm-taking-over-video-premiere/

The Florida sister trio are kicking it hard on this new Joey Sturgis-produced single we’re premiering today.

By Alternative Press Magazine -April 10, 2020

Say hey to GFM, three hard-rocking young women from Jacksonville, Florida, who are going to raise some cane and (in the process) your spirits. Today AltPress is premiering the video for their new single, “Taking Over.” Talk about truth in advertising. Maggie, CJ and Lulu English bring some slamming piston-engine riffs against cool pop melodies to shake things up so your eyes roll in a good way.

Play Taking Over

“‘Taking Over’ is a song about standing up for yourself and for others,” the English sisters write in an email to AltPress. “We’re not taking no for an answer, and nothing is going to stand in our way. The time to join Team GFM is now before it’s too late.”

GFM (short for Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh) have been plying their rocking trade for five years now. They call it “beautycore.” We call it a mashup of modern rock where genres mean nothing and energy and emotion are everything. That vibe is in full bloom all over their 2016 debut album, Identity Crisis.

“Prepare to hear GFM at their heaviest,” producer Joey Sturgis says. “Working on this song was all about capturing the girls at their heaviest moment [and] shattering your ears while allowing their melodic ability to continue to shine through the rubble.” Sturgis’ resume (Asking Alexandria, the Devil Wears Prada, Of Mice & Men) is practically the rulebook of American metalcore. He sees the same kind of fire in GFM. And so do the fans who discovered them: GFM have shared festival stages with bands as diverse as A Day To Remember, Motionless In White, Halestorm and All That Remains.

GFM’s positive mental attitude has allowed them to flourish in these uncertain times. The trio are doing a “virtual tour” of various social media platforms. The first set of “tour” dates were announced on the band’s Instagram feed. (Check it out: The first date is today, April 10.) They will be adding an acoustic version of “Taking Over,” along with a Q&A session.

Check out GFM now so you can say you were on the ground floor when it started. Remember all those times you were “too busy” to read, discover music or get excited about something? You’ve got no excuse now, but it’s cool. GFM are bringing all the noise to the yard.

https://www.newreleasetoday.com/article.php?article_id=2741

The final entry in our 2019 Christmas music series! NRT's J.J. Francesco takes a look at even more new Christmas music releasing this year!

NRT LISTS, New Christmas Music for 2019 (Part 4)
 By: JJFrancesco_NRT
NRT Editorial RSS Feed

And we're back with our final entry in our overview of new Christmas music in 2019. If you missed them, check out Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

Jars of Clay (feat. Shel) A Family Christmas EP

It has been years since we’ve heard any new music from former CCM staples Jars of Clay. The band achieved a reputation for their Christmas output during their tenure before going quietly into an unofficial retirement. Their annual Christmas show, A Family Christmas, inspired an EP of the same name this year. The Catch? It’s done in partnership with the mainstream act, Shel. This isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker, but those expecting another continuation of their 2007 Christmas album may come away disappointed, as the vocals from Shel tend to dominate the project, with it feeling almost like it’s Hastletine lending guest vocals to their EP. That said, after such a long absence, any new recording with Hastletine’s legendary vocals is a welcome treat. And Jars fans should still find something to enjoy on this EP.

Planetshakers It’s Christmas

Plantershakers are definitely one of the Church bands with the most modern and accessible sound. They can do reflective, rap, electronic, and pretty much everything in-between. In fact, this album is full of such dynamics. After two years of new Christmas EPs, they’ve compiled them into a full-length Christmas romp that includes a little something for everyone this season.

Gold, Frankincense, & Myrrh "It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year"

https://youtu.be/h-x1hYvckPw

With a name right out of the Christmas story, it’s kind of surprising that these girl hard rockers haven’t become a staple of Christmas music. With a delicious punk rock romp, this cover of the classic is definitely a frenetic change of pace that should give rock heads a rare nugget in the holiday season.

Kevin Max & Michael Tait "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"

They’re two-thirds of the legendary dc Talk who have collaborated together a few times since the group went on an indefinite Intermission some 20 years ago. Despite both lending their vocals to Christmas projects over the years, this marks their first one together. This single is set to be a precursor to a full Christmas album set for release in 2020 (reserve a spot on your 2020 Christmas music playlist now).

The song itself plays it very reverent and traditional, utilizing the strengths of both classic artists. While fans looking for something more akin to the dc Talk sound might not quite find that here, those looking for some yuletide cheer with those famed vocals will find this a pleasant little stocking stuffer of a track.

Matthew West "Winter Wonderland"

Matthew West is becoming more and more of a Christmas music staple. He even has an Emmy nomination for one of his original Christmas songs. While we’re only a few years past his last Christmas project, this year West recorded his rendition of “Winter Wonderland.” It’s as fun as you’d expect given the song’s mass appeal and West’s love of holiday fun. Give it a listen to yourself into a wintry mood.

David & Nicole Binion - Dwell Christmas

Filled with worship anthems both reflective and “get up and raise your hands” worthy, the Binions have crafted an arena-ready Christmas project that engages, inspires, and points to the true meaning of the season.

Cloverton Come & Adore

Cloverton's last Christmas EP, We Sing Joy, produced the epic choral title track that is still a surprise holiday favorite of this author. Come & Adore is a worthy followup with another solid title track as well as the standout original “It Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas.” Check it out for a strong collection of holiday tunes to complement their last offering.

If you’ve followed these past 4 articles, you may already be overwhelmed with the sea of new Xmas releases. And these don’t even cover them all. There are new singles out there from acts big and small, from MercyMe to Mallary Hope, Ginny Owens to Matt Papa. And a lot of other artists you may not yet be familiar with. Whatever your musical taste, 2019 is sure to offer you something new to add to your Christmas music collection.

Check out our NRT Radio Christmas playlist for a complete collection of what's new along with old favorites.

https://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/gfm-drops-for-its-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year-video/?fbclid=IwAR0MFgBWS_nN6KSTUIFHS-DC9aGJ57TrwWoA3XNdJUNXV21S8sZ_H2186_I

GFM Drops ‘It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year’ Video

CCM News November 1, 2019
Nashville, TN (November 1, 2019)

All sister Christian hard rock “Glam Core” act GFM (Gold Gold Frankincense & Myrrh) has posted a fun Christmas song/video on their YouTube channel.

Check out GFM’s tale on “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-x1hYvckPw

#Christianhardrock #Christmas #GFM #GoldFrankincense&Myrrh

https://www.newreleasetoday.com/article.php?article_id=2701

THE ROCK REPORT WITH RYAN ADAMS
Woman Of Faith (Rock Edition)
Introducing eight female-fronted rock and metal bands who share a message of hope and faith in their music.

THE ROCK REPORT WITH RYAN ADAMS, Woman Of Faith (Rock Edition)
1
Posted: October 31, 2019 | By: RyanAdams_NRT
NRT Editorial RSS Feed
Women of Faith (Rock Edition) introduces you to eight female-fronted rock and metal bands. Whether you already know of them, or you're looking for new music to add to your library, I hope you find this article helpful! They all share one important thing–faith in Jesus. None of them are disbanded bands, at the time of publishing. Happy discovering!

1. Lacey Sturm (FORMERLY OF FLYLEAF)

Lacey Sturm (Mosley at the time) was the lead singer for the rock band Flyleaf which released their self-titled debut in 2005 to positive critical reception. Although they officially formed in 2002, amazingly, there were no band member changes until near the end, and that's with Lacey herself. Lacey left in 2012 to focus on her family. They brought in Kristen May and released one album with her, Between the Stars in 2014. She later left in 2016 and the band has been quiet since then.

Lacey Sturm returned to the music scene with her self-titled band, Lacey Sturm. In February of 2016, her first full-length album, Life Screams was released and made history on Billboard for Lacey Sturm being the first solo female to top the Hard Rock Charts. She also recently released a side-project called Reflect Love Back - Soundtrack Volume 1 in April of 2019. It is to accompany her third book.

2. Zahna

Zahna is the stage name of Suzy Martinez. She first found success through a melodic rock band called Ilia, who already had several singers and line-up changes. Ilia's last album, Reborn EP, spent over 20 weeks on the Billboard Christian Rock, with several weeks in the top 10, and spawned two highly-charting singles.

Suzy left the band for personal reasons. A few years later, she signed on with Rockfest Records and released Red for War as her debut in 2018. It was written out of a difficult chapter in her life. She explains, "I experienced a health crisis and was ultimately diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Medullary Kidney Disease. I was also out of a job when ILIA dissolved, so it was a devastating time. I was going to write my own album, begin a new journey as a solo artist, and come back with a vengeance. This album would be my reckoning, my anthem, my war cry against any force of evil that was trying to kill my spirit, body or mind."

Red for War has a hard industrial rock sound to most of it. Zahna has powerful screaming vocal power yet can sing out beautifully soft melodies too. This combination makes for a unique sound. The lyrics are true, honest, and hit hard. Maybe this album can be your war-cry, just as it is for Zahna.

3. Gold, Frankincense, and Myyrh (GFM)

Gold, Frankincense, and Myyrh, or commonly referred to as GFM, is comprised of three young sisters who hope to encourage their listeners, reminding them to keep fighting as they are not alone, and they wish to help others become more established in their faith.

GFM branded the unique genre, "Beautycore." At first, it was almost just for fun, but since then, many other bands, especially other female-fronted bands, have taken up this name of Beautycore. It is unifying for them. On their band name, they say, "Our mom suggested using Gold Frankincense & Myrrh because those were the gifts given to Jesus at His birth, and we were three gifts given to her."

GFM is also very active on all social media platforms and have a VLOG series on YouTube (along with music videos) that they update regularly, especially while on tour. They enjoy interacting with their fans through going live on Instagram, talking to fans before and after shows, and even praying for their fans when given the chance.

4. Fireflight

Fireflight has almost twenty years under their belt, and are currently producing their seventh studio album. Additionally, Fireflight has earned several Grammy Award nominations, twenty-six million views on Vevo, seven Dove Award nominations, nine number-one Christian rock hits, and more than 400,000 albums sold. Their influence in the Christian rock scene is undeniable.

They have been quieter in recent years. Dawn Michele, lead singer and solo artist, says they have been more devoted to family, recently adding a new member in October 2019. To make a strong comeback, they signed onto Rockfest Records in 2019, alongside Random Hero, Zahna, and others. Through the help of Rockfest Records and Josiah Prince (Disciple), they are expected to make a strong comeback soon.

5. The Letter Black

The Letter Black was originally formed as Breaking the Silence by wife and husband, Sarah and Mark Anthony. They released a self-titled EP under their old name in 2009 before changing their name due to a similarity to another band's name. The Letter Black has released three, progressively heavier albums. Sarah and Mark occasionally share vocals also, with nice harmonization. The first two albums were in partnership with Tooth and Nail Records, and the third was produced independently. Regarding their faith, they say, "We wouldn't be where we are without Him. The point of the band is to share the hope that we have to those who don't know about it." They have been quiet since their third album with no news for new music yet.

6. Ledger

Since around 2008, Skillet had a new fanbase rising up, separate from what they already started gathering after the successful release of Comatose. A new drummer who also provided angelic vocals, Jen Ledger, joined the band. Each Skillet album since her addition has seen spotlights for Jen to sing on. It was only a matter of time before she released music of her own. Ledger stated that she began writing for her own project with Korey Cooper's help in 2012. In 2018, Ledger was released with the debut, Not Dead Yet EP. She later released a separate single in early 2019, hitting contemporary radio stations with its sound. She has more music on the way, as live performances have proven, but no details on them yet.

7. Silversyde

"Surrounded by the storm clouds, we each cried out for H.E.L.P. and were able to find the silver lining in Hope, Eternity, Love and Purity. This symbolic metaphor for H.E.L.P. is the focus of our band and what our music is all about." Silversyde released its first album in 2011, Circus Circus and since then has been growing slowly but surely. The follow-up, Casting Shadows EP garnered well-deserved attention and rock radio singles. They signed on with Rockfest Records in 2019 to release their third and strongest release to date, In the Dark. It shows great growth in both thematic and musical content. Silversyde is passionate about helping the lost find hope in Christ and their music provides a powerful for them to share that hope.

8. Drive Thru Society

Drive Thru Society is a female-fronted hard rock band from Denton, TX. They truly know how to bring a crowd to their feet with catchy melodies and great riffs, while visually, audibly and lyrically bringing a show to life. Their passion entails people and music, with a desire to bring hope and mercy while addressing difficult issues within our culture. Their song "Amnesty" (produced by Travis Wyrick) received national airplay and spent 6 weeks on the Billboard Christian Rock charts while their song "Embers" off their sophomore EP spent 11 weeks on the charts.

On their hit single "Ghosts," "My best friend had struggled with undiagnosed depression for years, and after some time of building our relationship, she finally told me her story of her attempted suicide. While I was in the studio, she actually sent me some lyrics that made it into the song. I thought it was incredibly neat that it came straight from the source." They are a band who you definitely want to watch.

Ryan Adams grew up in Boise, Idaho for most of his life. He fell in love with rock and metal music through his high school best friend. He currently lives in Ohio and loves sharing with NewReleaseToday.

https://www.clantonadvertiser.com/2019/08/26/rock-the-pasture-en-fuego-returns-despite-threat-of-rain/

The Clanton Advertiser

Rock the pasture: En Fuego returns despite threat of rain

By Joyanna Love

Published 12:37 pm Monday, August 26, 2019

By JOYANNA LOVE/Senior Staff Writer

Overcast skies, some light rain and lightning in the distance could not stop the En Fuego Festival on Aug. 24.

The 2019 lineup saw the return of some familiar faces to the stage, including headliner Tenth Avenue North, Sanctus Real, Tori Parris and a surprise performance by Seventh Day Slumber.

Seventh Day Slumber lead singer Joseph Rojas said it was “a last-minute thing.”

“We’re honored to be here,” Rojas said. “Thanks to everyone at En Fuego for letting us come. We were actually going to be here anyway. We were coming to see GFM and watch them play. Also, we have a lot of other friends here.”

The band performed some of the songs on its new “Closer to Chaos” album, including “Alive Again,” which is “currently number one all across the nation on Christian Rock radio.”

Rojas shared the inspiration for the band’s song “Sober.”

“It’s a raw song,” Rojas said. “It’s about when you’ve made the decision to get sober … it’s in that moment that your deepest darkest pains come up, and you can’t run to something now to numb the pain, and that is when battles are won and lost.”

He shared how God delivered him from addictions to cocaine and then alcohol.

Rojas said his mother prayed for him while he was in prison.

Later, he reached the point of contemplating suicide.

“I had lost everything … and I was struggling … I just wanted the pain to stop,” Rojas said. “Some of you are like that tonight, you just want the pain to stop.”

After attempting suicide, “in the back of an ambulance, I gave my life to Christ and he delivered me,” Rojas said.

Rojas also shared that “years into me being a Christian and me sharing my story, I decided to start drinking. I was just going to have a few drinks — God still loves me, I’m not playing shows, I’m just at home. I don’t share this a whole lot. It’s a real tender part of my story. I ended up becoming an alcoholic.”

He said he had come up with many excuses but knew he needed to just run to God.

“I finally had to be honest with myself,” Rojas said. “I didn’t want my wife to hurt, and I never thought that my kids would see their daddy drunk.”

When he had a two-month break from touring and decided he needed to get sober.

“God delivered me,” Rojas said. “He healed me. I cried out to him, and I ran to him more desperate than when I was running to drugs or alcohol. That’s the thing — what will happen if you run desperately to Him, the way you have been desperately running to the other things you have been looking for that aren’t filling you up and leaving you more empty then you were before?”

Rojas said while his story is hard to share, God told him “there are people who needed to hear it.”

En Fuego also welcomed some new bands, including Andy Mineo, Landers, Maniac Drive and GFM.

Lead singer Shawn Cavallo of Maniac Drive talked about “getting out of my comfort zone as an artist” and not getting caught up in just writing songs that people will like for their last album “Into the Wild.”

Cavallo shared the inspiration and process for the song “Easier.”

“As a Christian artist, you just have to do one thing — that is writing songs for our Lord and Savior,” Cavallo said.

He said he decided to “let everything go” and just write. He said it was a really hard process.

“Being a Christian doesn’t mean life is supposed to be easy,” Cavallo said. “It doesn’t mean we get a free pass. It means sacrifices. It means challenges. It means giving your all — and that’s not an easy thing to do.”

Lead singer Maggie English of GFM (Gold Frankincense and Myrrh) said the “beautycore band” had not played in Alabama in a while.

“We are super stoked to be out here playing for you guys today,” English said.

During the bands set, English took a minute to “get real with you guys.”

“For the past couple years of my life, I spent every waking moment constantly comparing myself to other people,” she said.

She said while constantly wanted to be as good as everyone she met, she was “pushing away the people that cared about me the most … I had re-created myself so many times that I didn’t know who I was anymore.”

She said she was not happy and made the decision to not live that way anymore. She encouraged those in the crowd to do so also.

“We believe in Jesus Christ,” English said. “We believe he created each and every one of us individually.”

En Fuego takes more than 500 volunteers to make the event possible. The festival draws thousands of people of all ages each year.

https://youtu.be/VGu_yRH7cDI

Indie Music Journalist Chad T. Carsten speaks to Jacksonville, Florida’s metallic hard rock trio Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh (GFM) on who they are as musicians, their reaction to being officially announced to perform at this years 20th Annual Gathering of the Juggalos, why they throw cupcakes at fans while performing, final thoughts behind their latest EP “Oh, The Horror”, and more!

Filmed By Chad T. Carsten Edited By Liam Himel

#We are a new breed risingWe are beautycore

Interviewer: Chad T. Carsten

Interview Date:08/02/19

Websites:
GFMBAND.COM

https://xsrock.com/all-girl-apocalyptic-christian-rock-yes-please-check-out-gfm/

All-Girl Apocalyptic Christian Rock....Yes Please! Check Out GFM!

GFM is not your average teenage girl band… they’re sisters for crying out loud

GFM has shared the stage with artists such as Motionless In White, Breaking Benjamin, Thousand Foot Krutch, Demon Hunter, A Day To Remember, Disturbed, Halestorm, Chelsea Grin, All That Remains, and Drowning Pool.

GFM has just released the new video for Never Again from their latest release “Oh, The Horror”

“Never Again” is a reminder to stop letting other people, or even yourself, get in the way of what you are called to do. There will be times where you feel like you cannot keep going, but it is important that you plant your feet firmly on the ground and not waver. Society is going to try to tear you to pieces, but connecting with the One who gives you strength will give you the power to ignore society’s actions or words against you and break any and all boundaries or obstacles that you will face in life.

ABOUT GFM :

If you enjoy the melodic content of Paramore and the character themes of Slipknot, then you have found the perfect matchup in GFM. The three sisters of GFM basically came out of the womb playing music; they really had the screaming perfected back then. They started taking music lessons around the age of five, and all three ended up falling in love with music. As they grew up, they decided that they wanted to pursue this love for music professionally, and have been putting blood, sweat, and lots of tears (girls am I right?) into creating a business and career out of GFM. The most important goal of GFM is to use their gifts to reach people for God and to always spread a positive message. The stage is their home, and they want to share their home with their fans.

GFM is not your average teenage girl band… they’re sisters for crying out loud. And no, they’re not a Christmas band. GFM really got things going on their first trip to Nashville. There, they recorded their first album Identity Crisis and started honing in on their skills and discovering who they wanted to be. A year later, the girls got their first shot at touring. GFM got to meet so many fans across the U.S. and created even more. The demand was so strong for GFM, that they went out again the following year on another U.S. tour. Germany then decided they wanted a taste of GFM and brought the girls over in 2018. GFM was met with thousands of loving fans and ended up being a festival favorite.

With their music, GFM wants to show that women and young people can play music. Music can be encouraging and not just negative. GFM is breaking boundaries in so many areas of the music industry, and in doing so, they are bringing life back to rock and metal. The girls want to show the growth they’ve experienced through their music. They believe in being open with the fans and showing them the worst and best sides of themselves. They hope to encourage the listeners, help them keep fighting as they are not alone, and they wish to help others become more established in their faith.

GFM comes alive on any stage presented to them. Their favorite thing about playing is the response of the crowd. The way that everyone gets lost in the music mesmerizes them, and the power to control the actions of a room full of people excites them. Beyond the stage, the coolest thing to GFM about shows is the openness of the fans and the impact that their music is able to have on its listeners. They are overjoyed any time a fan explains their life-changing story, especially if they were encouraged by the girls’ music. GFM loves getting to know the fans beyond their social media tag.

GFM is for fans of A Day to Remember, Butcher Babies, and Flyleaf.

GFM created their own genre, why? Because they can: BEAUTYCORE

GFM has shared the stage with artists such as Motionless In White, Breaking Benjamin, Thousand Foot Krutch, Demon Hunter, A Day To Remember, Disturbed, Halestorm, Chelsea Grin, All That Remains, and Drowning Pool.

A few of their touring highlights include the Axes & Anchors Cruise 2016, Summer RockFest Tour 2017, Soul Fest 2017, Showdown Fest 2018, Summer RockFest Tour 2018, Rock Fest 2018 (Cadott, WI), Loud & Proud Fest 2018 and 2019 (Germany), Metal in the Mountains 2019, AudioFeed 2019, and Lifest 2019.

Their song “Graveyard of Identities” was #6 on Billboard CHR Charts, their song “On The Inside” was #9 on the Billboard CHR Charts.

Welcome to the resistance; we have been waiting for you

Follow GFM on all social media sites @thegfmband and on all digital download/streaming sites @ Gold Frankincense & Myrrh.

https://www.thegfmband.com

https://www.facebook.com/thegfmband/

https://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/article232692092.html

Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh

9 p.m. Thursday, July 18, at Bottleneck

Is there a market for a Christian metal band consisting of young women? The three sisters in Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh are attempting to answer that question on their current tour. The Floridians bill themselves as a melding of pop-punk band Paramore and horror-metal heavyweights Slipknot. Songs like “Never Again” on the new album, “Oh, the Horror!” reflect that unusual pairing. The lyrics reflect the sisters’ status as outliers: “You say that I am blind to reality but I’m not the one who’s hiding.” 785-749-3434. Tickets are $8 through thebottlenecklive.com.

https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/jacksonville-all-girl-metal-band-achieves-1-most-added-christian-rock-song-on-billboard/601385493?fbclid=IwAR0R2b6zkkNmnFthEZqZ9m2HPoXGkdTVYOHCpdS1IZOeCfnf3cB8vCpC4tg?fbclid=IwAR0R2b6zkkNmnFthEZqZ9m2HPoXGkdTVYOHCpdS1IZOeCfnf3cB8vCpC4tg

Since the release of their debut album, 2016's "Identity Crisis," the band has received gifts from fans as far as South America and Europe, but their journey into music started in the living room of their St. Johns County home playing 80s rock covers for their parents.

       Author: Erica Santiago
       Published: 6:57 PM EDT October 5, 2018
       Updated: 5:54 PM EDT October 16, 2018

Gold Frankincense and Myrrh is a Jacksonville-based metal band whose latest single spent a week as the most added Christian Rock song on the radio, according to the Billboard music charts. Now, the band is gearing up for their international debut all the way in Germany.

Drummer Lulu English, 14, bassist/screamer Maggie English, 17, and guitarist/singer CJ English, 19, were touring through the Carolinas when they got the call to play CVJM Loud and Proud Festival in Betzdorf, Germany.

“On our social media, there have always been at least a couple [fans] from Germany," Maggie said, "so now, we have a lot more people over there posting the tickets that they’ve bought.”

The festival will be the English sisters’ first international performance, but since 2016 the girls have taken to stages across the US belting out their own brand of metal they call “beauty-core.”

The term started as a joke aimed at the girls’ signature cheerleader uniforms, worn during performances as a contrast to their heavy metal sound. Beauty-core has turned into a symbol of women empowerment in an industry often dominated by men.

“[Beauty-core] is very theatrical, it’s very woman-fronted,” said CJ.

Maggie adds, “We wanted to make that giant empowerment movement and just be like, 'Hey, girls can do this too ... kind of better than boys sometimes.'”

That same message of empowerment is featured in the band’s latest single, “On the Inside,” which spent a week as the number one most added Christian Rock song on the Billboard charts and is a prelude of what's to come on their next album.

"We wanted to have a song that would resonate with everybody and just show what the album is about … with this message of self-confidence and strength within yourself,” Maggie said. “The overall concept of the album is becoming centered with yourself and finding yourself.”

Since the release of their debut album, 2016's "Identity Crisis," the band has received gifts from fans as far as South America and Europe, but their journey into music started in the living room of their St. Johns County home playing 80s rock covers for their parents.

“We got them music lessons when they were five,” said the girls’ mother, Cindy English. “Every weekend we’d be sitting right here in our living room, and they’d have a little concert for us.”

By the time the youngest daughter was six years old, the girls wrote their first song with their father inspired their faith.

“A lot of those lyrics came from our pastor’s sermon ... and we would try to make it into something that a 10-year-old would think about,” said Lulu.

Since penning their first song, GFM has toured with high-profile bands like Flyleaf, Motionless in White and Breaking Benjamin. Cindy couldn't be prouder, but admits she wasn’t always on board with her daughters becoming rock stars. She believed her daughters were too young to pursue a career in music, but that all changed when tragedy struck the family -- twice.

"My husband's father died. He just got sick and within a couple months he was dead. Two weeks later, my mom, the same thing -- died" she said. "So my husband came to me and said, '...we're not guaranteed another day, let's get behind [the girls], let's support them, let's see where this goes.'"

Since then, GFM has become a family affair, with Cindy using her background in marketing to manage the band and take them wherever God calls them to play, whether it be a church, a bar or a festival.

"We leave it up to God, whatever doors He wants to open, whatever shows He wants us to play ... we just follow that lead," Cindy said. "Our goal is to share love and hope and encouragement in this world because this world is hurting."

Fighting back tears of joy, Cindy says, "Just to see the people they are impacting ... kids coming up to us and saying, 'We didn't know we could ... get passionate with the music and head-bang and mosh and get rowdy -- and love Jesus at the same time.' And we're like 'Yes! You can.'"

Listeners can stream Gold Frankincense and Myrrh on Spotify and Apple Music. They can also follow the band on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

https://rockonpurpose.live/2018/09/07/gold-frankincense-and-myrrh-vocalist-suffers-injury-on-stage/

Lead singer and guitarist for up-and coming Florida-based beautycore hard rock band Gold Frankincense & Myrrh (also known as GFM), CJ English, suffered a broken foot while performing at the Blue Ridge Rock Festival on September 2, 2018.

The all-girl rock trio has had a busy touring schedule, recently performing alongside acts like Seventh Day Slumber and Zahna on the Summer Rockfest Tour. During the Blue Ridge Rock Festival over Labor Day weekend in Concord, Virginia, GFM debuted new music during their set, but the day after announced the injury.

“We’re heading home to get some x-rays done on CJ’s ankle and will update everybody shortly,” said the band in a post on social media. “She tripped over one of our ego risers while on stage.”

The GFM girls shared an update in a video post on September 6, saying “CJ just got back from the orthopedic surgeon, and they confirmed that her foot is broken in 3 places! That does not mean that we are cancelling any shows, so make sure you come rock out with us.”

Gold Frankincense & Myrrh is a self-proclaimed “new breed rising” in heavy metal, with a brand of hard rock they call beautycore. They have delivered chart-impacting hits like “Stuck in my Suicide,” a single that debuted earlier this year in the top position on the Christian Rock Most Added Billboard chart.

In 2016, GFM independently released their first full-length album, titled Identity Crisis (get it on iTunes). Keep up with the glam rockers by visiting their website and following them on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), or check out tunes on their YouTube channel.

Photo credit: Rick Myers
This article contributed by Matt Durlin

https://jesuswired.com/2018/08/15/all-of-gold-frankincense-and-myrrhs-summer-rockfest-vlogs-in-1-article/

We’ve gone to the humongous effort of congregating all of Gold Frankincense And Myrrh’s Summer Rockfest vlogs into 1 article, it took days of hard work and tremendous trials and challenges that left us seriously question everything**….so watch them ok?

Be sure to subscribe to them on the Tube of You for all future videos and specifically video logs (I think there’s a short name for them?!). We’ve also heard some shady rumors, some of which are from the band themselves, that there may or may not be new music in the works but shhh, don’t tell anyone. Instead, follow them on social media and sit back gleefully with the possibly true knowledge you hold.

https://www.altpress.com/news/you-me-at-six-tour-recap/

5. The daily lineups set for Blue Ridge Rock Festival have been announced

The daily lineups for Blue Ridge Rock Festival at DeVault Vineyards in Concord, Virginia, have been revealed, and include Lamb Of God, Jonathan Davis, Motionless In White and much more. The festival takes place Sept. 1-3. Check out the lineups below and grab tickets here.

Sept. 1
Lamb Of God
All That Remains
Puddle Of Mudd
Saliva
Upon A Burning Body
Boondox
The Veer Union
Tantric
Shallow Side
Farewell To Fear
Awake At Last
Tubefreeks
Hyngd
Awaken Cthulhu
Artificial Oceans
Braincell
After The Broken
VLVL
Seven Stone Riot
Falseta
Die Form
State Of Illusion
Solarist
Common Wealth
Defending Cain
Last Nights Villain

Sept. 2
Jonathan Davis
Motionless In White
Anti-Flag
DevilDriver
Twiztid
CKY
Nonpoint
Slaves
Unearth
He Is Legend
Royal Thunder
Awaken I Am
Gold Frankincense & Myrrh
Shallowpoint
Black Plague
Gypsy Road
Mattirie Band
Something Clever
Osara
Raimee
A Light Divided
Magg Dylan
Unsullied
Ashes Of Ammon
Famz And The Hooliganz

Sept. 3
Fuel
Whitechapel
Texas Hippie Coalition
Orgy
Stevie Stone
Jimmie’s Chicken Shack
Motograter
The Crowned
Blameshift
Nine Shrines
Finding Dimes
Crafting The Conspiracy
Dead Reckoning
Brand Of Jules
In Crimson
Basilisk
Dare Defy
Waste Down Rebels
The Fifth

https://guitargirlmag.com/issues/magazine/volume-1-issue-4-sister-acts/

https://musicmadnessmagazine.com/2018/06/19/gold-frankincense-myrrh-the-new-breed/

Saturday night Music Madness attended the Homeless Veterans Charity Event at Franks Place in Leesburg, FL. The festivities included eight fantastic bands who donated their talents on stage for this worthy cause set up by Chris Ward.

One band in particular that by most standards did not seem to fit in with the rest. The band calls themselves Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh (GFM). There was not a bad band on the list but watching these three young women take the stage in cheer leading outfits and war paint, almost seemed surreal. Everything I thought I knew about metal changed as soon as the drummer LULU, the youngest of the girls screamed the countdown to for the first song. Whoever said girls are made of sugar and spice obviously never attended a GFM concert. To say these girls “rock” is the understatement of the year.

Maggie on bass who shares vocals with her other sister CJ on guitar, took command from the beginning. Their message is both positive, empowering and spiritual while being neatly wrapped up in a package even the most hardened of metal fans will appreciate.

It’s obvious with the support and respect shown amongst all the bands to each other, GFM is part of this tight knit community of talented musicians. Talking to them before and after their show, they were funny, charming and hilarious.

Along with Auditory Armory’s April Rose, the girls of GFM paid special attention to some of the much younger children who were lucky enough to attend and rocked out down front watching their favorite girl fronted bands. After they finished their set people were definitely talking about this band. Some were no doubt surprised by what GFM brought to the stage. If you haven’t seen them yet, don’t wait!

Music Madness had the opportunity to speak with these young women and learn a little more about GFM and their message.

Music Madness: Tell me about GFM and how the band came about.

GFM: Well we’re all sisters so we’ve basically been playing together since birth. When we were five our parents wanted us to be involved in music some sort of way because they never got the chance to do that.

GFM: They said we had to take music lessons for two years, and if we hated it, we could quit. We ended up falling in love with music. We all kind of branched off to our own instruments, and that’s how the band was formed. Yeah, we picked our own passions since we were little. When my dad saw that we had enough people for a band he was like, why not, we can do it just for us in the living room, just for fun, and then it kinda just branched off from there.

Music Madness: That’s cool. Talk to me about the concept of Beautycore. What that means to you?

GFM: Yeah well, it definitely didn’t start that way … Like with the meaning that it has now. Beautycore was pretty much just a joke between the three of us for a couple of months before we came out with it and made it a live term. We were kind of just like making fun of it. People always asked us what genre we were, and we would say metalcore, but we didn’t really fit the definition of that, because we’re a three piece band and we’re all young female girls who are under the age of 19. So that doesn’t really qualify as a metalcore band, because the sound is completely different.

GFM: We just felt like ourselves, using that term for a couple months and then we started to joke with the band that we were playing with and said, “Yeah we’re Beautycore.” Then they were really into it. They were like, “No, that’s cool. Is that a real thing?” And we’re like, “No we’re just kidding.” And we had enough people tell us that we should make it a real thing. So we brought it live, and now it’s kind of this symbolic meaning for this women’s movement we’re trying to bring into the Metal world. Showing all the girls that you can be a girl, but you can still play heavy metal and you can compete with all the guys out there.

Music Madness: That’s inspiring! You are bringing a completely new dynamic to the genre and it is a unique time in metal. What does the phrase “We are a new breed” mean to you? How does Beautycore tie into that?

GFM: Well we really wanted it to tie in … Like a lot of the music out there now kind of has the same message. Maybe a couple of them are positive messages, but we really wanted to change the music genre as a whole. We wanted to be the new breed rising that brings up stuff that a lot of the schools don’t talk about, or bring to light that you’re not alone or by yourself. Because we wanted to let people know that it’s one big family, you know? And we were gonna all rise together instead of fall by ourselves. It’s just a really big movement that we like to push to let people know that we’re gonna have a fun time. You’re gonna feel a positive vibe after you leave, and it’s gonna be great.

GFM: Well, we definitely wanted to start our generation and bring it together so we could rise together and not be silent anymore about the struggles that we’re facing. Because we started a campaign for “I will not be silent”, which ties into it. It’s just speaking out about your issues and feeling that we’re changing an environment that is safe for people to talk about their anxiety or their depression or their self-harm, or even their suicidal thoughts. We’re showing people that it’s okay to not be okay, and that it’s okay to reach out and get help. That they don’t have to be scared.

Music Madness: Yeah, it’s a scary time as far as that goes. What have you encountered so far in the industry that has been the most difficult for you? Whether it be your age, being females, or all of the above.

GFM: I think all of the above really. I feel like that makes us work harder. Like for example, we had a … Like we were playing at Jackrabbits, a local venue in Jacksonville, Florida, we were the opening band, and the headliners thought that we were just coming to watch the show. And I said we were opening and they rolled their eyes. They’re like, “Okay yeah.” But that’s when we had to prove ourselves. Once people see us they believe it, but we don’t care what people think.

GFM: That probably helps us make who we are, because if people are like, “Oh yeah come play.” I don’t think we’d be the same people who we are. We’re confident with ourselves. If people don’t think that we’re gonna be good, or they’re like, “Oh yeah you’re just young girls playing metal.” We’re like, “Okay, well we’re gonna go play now.”

GFM: But we’re very stubborn, so if someone thinks that we can’t do something we’re gonna do everything that we can to show them that we can do something. So just kind of being taken seriously is the biggest thing that we’ve faced. If you come to a show you can see that we’re gonna break that mold. Like if you don’t think we can play you’re gonna come to a show and you’re gonna be proven wrong.

Music Madness: People see these young women and the cheerleading outfits, I’m sure the stereotyping is always the hardest part to break through.

GFM: Yeah well we kind of play up to it now. That’s part of the reason we brought the cheerleading uniforms to life. Because we didn’t use to dress like that, but it became an ide we had last summer and it’s a lot easier not trying to figure out what you’re gonna have to wear every day. But it also plays up to the fact that there’s such a hug contrast that it creates like, oh yeah we’re little girls, little cheerleaders, but then this huge metal sound comes out. So it freaks people out and it’s just really funny to watch.

Music Madness: Yeah. How is it to be on stage singing your songs and having people just going nuts and singing your music back to you? What does that feel like?

GFM: We definitely love that theatrical movement that we’re for. So it’s crazy. We love the energy we create, and just to see people singing back our words is crazy. Like Maggie being able to put down the mic to some of the people in the audience and they can sing along, it creates this feeling like … Like it’s hard to explain, because they’re no other way to describe it. There’s nothing else that causes that feeling.

Music Madness: Oh, I can imagine. What is your favorite and least favorite part of the creative process?

GFM: I think definitely my favorite part is being able to create something, like create a story to be able to reach out to our fans and show them, like yeah this is what we’re doing and we can relate to you on this level. And just seeing that creative process come to life through music and through videos. Then being able to perform it live and meeting all the people who are hearing it, and are being impacted by it. Because we definitely couldn’t do anything without our fans, so just meeting all of them and hearing their stories and seeing it all come to life is my favorite part.

Music Madness: Very cool. So do you have a favorite track that you like to play live?

GFM: I feel like my favorite to play probably everyone else’s, probably “Graveyard”, of our originals right now. It’s such a high energy song. Because we bring it down in our set, and then we just boom, like right out of nowhere we just play, and it’s so fun, the energy.

Music Madness: Do you get the whole mosh pit thing going on?

GFM: Oh my goodness yeah.

GFM: It’s crazy.

Music Madness: Awesome I love it. Yeah I’ll be the crazy guy with in the middle always going, “I’m way too old for this crap. Why do I always get caught in the middle?”

GFM: That’s so funny.

GFM: Yeah. I love watching mosh pits. I’m such a people watcher, because I love the energy it brings. When other bands are playing, if we played or we’re waiting to play, I just love it. I can never go in the mosh pit though. I’m too scared to do that.

Music Madness: If you had, a chance to do a cover song from any band, what cover would you pick?

GFM: Well we actually play a cover song live that we all really like, and it’s “Bodies” by Drowning Pool.

GFM: And we love that song so much. We’re like, “You know what? Why not just learn it and play it if we love it so much.” So, that’s one of our songs that we play. Playing that live, seeing the crowd go crazy, is probably one of the best things about being in a band.

GFM: Yeah we have five specific covers that we change in and out so we don’t have just one that we do. We have “My Curse” by Killswitch. We have “Got Your Six” by 5FDP, “Paranoia” by A Day to Remember and Avril Levine. We alternate them, but we just love those so much.

Music Madness: What’s going on with the band? I see you are busy with a ton of touring including Europe. Is this your first trip to Europe?

GFM: Yeah, that’s gonna be our very first time going overseas. We’re super excited about that, because we’ve never even been there just traveling with family and everything. So it’s kind of nerve-wracking because we’ve never been there before, but we’re super excited.

GFM: We’re super excited to vlog it too. Because, we do vlogging on our YouTube channel. But we’re super excited because it’s gonna be just a totally different atmosphere over there, and we hear that they go crazy for our style of music. So, we’re really pumped to see what they think of us.

Music Madness: Haven’t you done a rock cruise as well?

GFM: We did a rock cruise in 2016 called, “Axes and Anchors”.

That was so much fun. We got to share the stage with Breaking Benjamin, Motionless in White and then like 40 other bands.

Music Madness: That’s awesome. Were you awe struck? I mean who freaked you out the most that you were like, “Oh my god.”

GFM: Well all of the headliners came to our last show on the last night. So that was exciting. That was when we were first starting to actually know what we were doing. We hadn’t even released our album Identity Crisis yet. We were freaking out the whole time.

Music Madness: What should everyone know about GFM?

GFM: Definitely go follow us on all social media at The GFM Band, literally all our social media is that. So it’s super easy. Go follow us. Subscribe to our YouTube channel, because we put out vlogs. We want all our fans to be able to kind of experience what touring is like. So you can watch all of our funny vlog videos because we’re going on tour this summer, and so we’re starting the vlogs up again.

GFM: Yeah, definitely come see us on tour this summer. All our dates are on our website, the gfmband.com. So we might be coming to a city near you this summer.

Music Madness: Good luck on your summer tour. We look forward to hearing and seeing a lot more from GFM.

GFM: Well thank you for having us.

Check out this Beautycore band:

www.thegfmband.com

www.twitter.com/thegfmband

www.youtube.com/thegfmband

www.instagram.com/thegfmband

http://www.bandsintown.com/Gold,Frankincense,AndMyrrh

Review and photos by Jake Rage and interview by Steve Carlos

http://mauce.nl/site/gold-frankincense-myrrh-identity-crisis/

Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh – “Identity Crisis”
Posted by TMR on February 8, 2018 
Jacksonville, Florida brings us the beautycore band Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh, also known as GFM. 3 sisters started this band and also introduced a new genre. Beautycore is a mix of hardrock and metalcore played by exclusively women. The sisters are also quite young, with the oldest being 18 and the youngest 13. They want to bring a message of hope and strength in a dark and hurting age.

This band is quite interesting. They show that even with their young age they know how to make music. Their first song Beneath the Skin is a great introduction to this band. It’s powerful and just sounds great. The heavy guitar riff and the clean strums make a great combination. The sound they have reminds me a lot of Icon For Hire in their early years. GFM’s song Graveyard of Identities starts off with the first time on this album grunting becomes part of their sound. It fits right in and just sound great with the rest of their sound. They do a great job combining hard rock with metalcore. It sounds so natural and make the metalcore sound more acceptable for people who don’t really like it. I’m a big fan of bands like Memphis May Fire ands The Devil Wears Prada, but I also like bands like Skillet and I must say that GFM picks enough of both styles to make a great combination. The song Chatter in the Room is different from the rest of the songs. It is softer and actually a pleasant pause from their heavy sound.

They give you enough time to give you a rest and ready up for the rest of their songs, because they rock on after this song. For example Death of Giants kicks you in the face again with the beautycore sound. Dimensions ends the album strong. It made me want more of this band. I really can’t wait for their next album.

I really liked this album. It is just the kind of combination of styles that sound good to me. I’m also inspired by this band. It shows me that it doesn’t matter how old you are, if you have passion for music and are good at composing you can make good album. Not only the sound is good, I also like the fact to make the world a bit brighter with music. It’s an universal form of communication and that makes it one of the best media to communicate with. I’m looking forward to hear more of this band and I think that they will come far. I love to recommend this album, especially when you like bands like Skillet and the early years of Icon For Hire mixed with bands like August Burns Red and Fit For A King.

Rating: 8.5 / 10

Written by Joshua

Track list:
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
9. Death of Giants
10. Dimensions

Band members:
CJ – Guitar and vocals
Meggie – Bass/Keyboard/vocals
Lulu – Drums

Albums:
“Death of Giants” EP (2015)
“Identity Crisis” (2016)

Record Label: GFM Music

Weblinks: Website / Twitter / Facebook / Reverbnation / Instagram / iTunes

Buy the album here:
Holland: First Paradox
Norway: Nordic Mission

http://datechguyblog.com/tag/gold-frankincense-myrrh-band/

In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”  Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct — as irrational animals do — will destroy them.  Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.  These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm — shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted — twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

Jude 8-13

We live in troubled times. Domestically, horrific wildfires are ravaging Oregon, Washington, and Montana. Texas is still working on sufficiently drying out from Harvey to initiate rebuilding. Irma is inexorably marching toward Florida. Across the Pacific, a madman plays with thermonuclear toys, working daily to facilitate throwing them at us. Europe wonders not if, but when and where the next crazed jihadist will slaughter innocents. The watchwords of our time are love and peace, yet we are engulfed by hatred and war.

On the line dividing fact and fiction
You’d like to stake your reputation
But the natural man has an addiction
To believe the worst of fabrications
And when the rumor is on the wire
It will be trial by fire

It’s a test of any man’s endurance
Just to survive the castigations
You hope and pray for some deliverance
As you turn to face the accusations
And when your future is on the line
What will your answers be?
Come to the question and state your case

Will you make or break it?
Choose your weapons well
Make or break it
Soon the toll will tell
All freedom has its price
Is this your paradise?

A mastermind of much illusion
Media controls the public reason
It terrifies with great confusion
And a power that fosters truth or treason

And when the rumor is on the wire
It will be trial by fire
And fact and fiction don’t mean a thing

Will you make or break it?
Choose your weapons well
Make or break it
Soon the toll will tell
All freedom has its price
Is this your paradise?

And many good men have fallen
With no defense from the fatal word
Is this a part of the American dream

Will you make or break it?
Choose your weapons well
Make or break it
Soon the toll will tell
All freedom has its price
Is this your paradise?

– “Make Or Break It”; words and music by Kerry Livgren

We also live in a time where self-aggrandizing political prattle reigns supreme. Wisdom and experience’s still small voice is drowning beneath tidal waves of loud obnoxious buffoons restating the obvious with vapid feigned insight. We are called to speak the truth in love. Instead, we continue to slobber the trivial in lavish tongue baths.

It is imperative for those of faith to proclaim Christ’s message boldly, unfailingly, and primarily. The public voice enjoys no division between secular and sacred. Jesus is not a fire alarm, ignored save in emergency situations. Nor is He a trophy displayed when it serves our purposes. Jesus is Savior, or He is not. Jesus is Lord, or He is not. He does not serve us when we pull Him off the shelf and dust Him off because we need more blog post hits or a bigger audience share. We are commanded to serve Him. We are commanded to love others as He loves us. We are commanded to proclaim His message. And no, churning out echo chamber copy does not qualify. Certainly politics matter. Decisions made by government affect us all. There is room and time for informed debate. Cutting and pasting news stories is neither debate nor informed. It is weak coattail riding.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yRyAMul8wE

It should be a shot across the bow that three teenage sisters have done more in one three minute video to proclaim Christ crucified and risen by being real than has been achieved in thirty thousand political blog posts. The luxury of shoving Jesus into a corner because we are too busy shoving ourselves into the spotlight as self-proclaimed pundits is no longer affordable. Now is the time to prioritize. A hurting, bleeding, dying world does not need another DACA rehash. It needs Jesus. It needs us, each of us, spreading the Good News while directly helping each other and stranger alike.

This is our call. Will you make or break it?

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blogs, charity, culture, media, politics, Uncomfortable truthsAD, GFM, GFM Band, Gold Frankincense & Myrrh, Gold Frankincense & Myrrh Band, Gold Frankincense and Myrrh, Jude, Kerry Livgren, Kerry Livgren AD

http://datechguyblog.com/2017/08/24/gold-frankincense-and-metal-er-myrrh/

In a world seemingly gone mad, finding something or someone worth praising can be difficult. The old adage regarding the news media, namely “if it bleeds it leads,” has seldom been more accurate than it is today. Be the blood literal or figurative, the latter shed by those living in Perpetual Butthurtsville shaking with fear over killer statues, the crazies are crowding the stage. Those practicing normalcy, or working toward the betterment of others, receive scant if any attention. So let’s pay them some.

In Florida, there resides a household featuring three sisters, ages of same being seventeen, sixteen, and thirteen. (I’ll save you troubling yourself with the math; their collective age is twelve years lower than mine. Ouch.) As is easily imagined, said household can get a mite loud. Seriously loud.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yRyAMul8wE

Welcome to Gold Frankincense & Myrrh, three young women on a mission.

While the notion of three teenage girls playing and singing blistering metalcore (or, as they not inaccurately call it, beautycore) might seem a tad odd, they are not the first female hard rockers. However, they are one of the very few featuring substance rather than sex appeal and style. Tongue in cheek, quite modest cheerleader outfits are the band’s standard stage apparel, and offstage the members stay modest in all areas. Also, Gold Frankincense & Myrrh (GFM for short) might be the first all-woman metal band to include a mission statement on their website that would warm even the most cantankerous fundamentalist’s King James Version-bound heart.

Thankfully, mom is cool with her daughters musical adventures. In fact, she’s so cool she works with the band, her collegiate studies in finance and investment doubtless proving quite handy as she reps for them. And moms them without stage moming them, instead keeping the focus on her remarkable trio of offspring.

While I freely admit my current listening habits lean far more toward my beloved classic Christian rock plus excursions into Grateful Dead and Gentle Giant territory, I rather like GFM’s mix of muscle and meaning. It warms my heart to see young woman serving Christ without doing the same ol’ same ol’ worship recipe cut and paste pablum. Three plus decades after it started, there are still artists proclaiming the Message without compromise either spiritually or artistically. You better believe I’m going to do what I can to let people know they’re out there and need our support. GFM won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But for all believers, they are beautiful examples that the Spirit is still cranking it up to 11.

http://www.indievisionmusic.com/news/introducing-gold-frankincense-myrrh-gfm/

I am always on the lookout for new bands to listen to. Sometimes it feels like an eternity passes between finding one new band and the next, but then again, that could also be because I can be a little picky about my music. In those rare instances when I DO manage to find a new band, I’m just happy or excited I found something new to add to my music library. Still, there are those even rarer instances yet, where I’m every bit as eager and excited to let others know about these bands as well because I think they’ve really got something special and I’m eager to see how God uses them in the future. I’ve been fortunate enough to have come across one such band recently and have every expectation of seeing them blow up in the near future. Indie Vision Music readers, I introduce to you, Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh.

Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh is an all female band based out of St. John’s, FL. The band is made up of 3 sisters, CJ (17, plays lead guitar and does lead vocals), Maggie (15, on bass and keys, also on lead vocals), and Lulu (12, on drums). The girls have dubbed themselves “Beautycore”, which is a mix of hard rock and metalcore, played exclusively by women. Now, if you know me at all, you know how I just can’t deal with all the new “core”s popping up everyday, but after giving their album a solid listen, I guess I’ll let it slide…but just this once!

From all indications, the band isn’t at all about remaining confined to the four walls of the church, but to actually go out and perform wherever opportunity to do so may arise and this is a theme that is reflected in the lyrics; they’re honest and relatable regardless of where you find yourself, whether you’re a believer, unbeliever, seeker, doubter, or whatever…there is something there for everyone. Musically, the deeper I’d dig, the more and more impressed I became. The girls have a very hard rock sound that, in my honest opinion, can easily go toe to toe with just about any of the other artists/bands out there today. After a good listen through, there’s no question, these girls got serious skill and I don’t mean “for their age”, but in the overall scheme of things. Yes, they are obviously a younger band, no question, but if they’re at this level writing/recording/performing now, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.

Vocally, I’m reminded of Paramore at times, sometimes a little Flyleaf, but that’s only at times; CJ and Maggie really have their own sound and quite often throw in cutting screams that are very well executed and placed. As for the music, it’s heavy. There’s some guitar runs going on from time to time, but not out of balance with the solid, heavy guitar chords; the two compliment each other beautifully. Lulu’s drumming is especially impressive; hard hitting and throughout their recorded material there is a skill and style to her playing that shows her to be way ahead of her years.

The band is off to an impressive start, boasting the #15 spot on the Christian Rock Billboard charts for their new single, “Beneath the Skin”, which is also the name of an organization they work with. Beneath the Skin (the organization) is geared towards mentoring youth who deal with anxiety, depression, isolation, and endeavors to make a positive impact on the culture around them, improving their sense of self-worth and overall mental health. You can check the organization’s site out at Beneath the Skin.

Oddly enough, I still don’t recall what it was that initially brought this band to my attention, but I’m especially glad to have found them. This is a band you are going to want to keep your eye on for sure, I have little doubt there are big things in store for them. I know it sounds cliché, but if you only check out one band this year, make it Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. You just can’t go wrong here. Go get it!

Get connected with Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh at any (or all) of their social sites listed below and be on the lookout this summer as they join the Summer Rockfest Tour with Seventh Day Slumber, Random Hero, Scarlet White, and the Protest; dates TBA.

Website: http://thegfmband.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegfmband/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegfmband

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegfmband

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theGFMband

Email: thegfmband@gmail.com

Get their music at:

iTunes

Spotify

Google Music

Amazon

Beautycore Beneath The Skin GFM  Gold Frankincense and Myrrh hard rock identity crisis

http://www.gryphonmetal.ch/gold-frankincense-myrrh-identity-crisis/

GOLD, FRANKINCENSE & MYRRH - Identity Crisis

www.thegfmband.com

https://www.facebook.com/thegfmband

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 Ft. Jonathan Chu and Andrew Piland

8. Evil Lies

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.

Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh

'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 “TOO 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

Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh at X102.9 Jacksonville's New Alternative

http://mauce.nl/site/an-interview-with-maggie-english-of-gold-frankincense-myrrh-gfm/#more-60545

An Interview with ‘Maggie English’ of Hardrock Band ‘Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh’ (GFM)
Posted by thrashboy on September 2, 2016 at 21:25 Add comments
GFMGFM is the new generation of bands in the Christian rock/metal scene. Hailing from St. Johns, Florida. Comprised of a trio of sisters, GFM infuses positive, youthful energy into traditional rock styling. The group’s family ties inherently developed a tight musical bond, though GFM didn’t officially begin touring until 2014. Since then, GFM has been sought out for both religious and secular events throughout the Southeast, playing festivals, community events, traditional venues and the Axes and Anchors Cruise (Feb. 2016)

In the interview below, Maggie English (Bass/keys/vocals) speaks about the debut EP “Death Of Giants” the upcoming full-lenght album “Identity Crisis” and much more.

TMR: Hello Maggie this is The Metal Resource from Holland, how are things going there in Jacksonville, FL ?

Things are going great here in Jacksonville, FL! We have some super exciting things coming up.

TMR: A rock/metal band consisting of 3 young women, wow: Tell us the brief history of GFM.

GFM got its start as a cover band in 2011. We then got a taste of writing original music and haven’t turned back. We started work on our EP “Death of Giants,” and hit the road as an official original band in 2014. And haven’t stopped since.

GFM-2016TMR: Will you Introduce yourself and the band please ! [name and instrument]

Maggie English – Bass/keys/vocals (15)
CJ English – guitars/vocals (17)
LuLu English – drums/vocals (12)

TMR: How did you get into metal?

Our dad raised us on 80s rock, bands like Poison, ACDC, Guns and Roses, and we just kept wanting heavier and heavier music. I kind of led the pack into heavy music by discovering bands like Bring Me The Horizon, Memphis May Fire, Motionless in White, Disciple, Of Mice and Men, Asking Alexandria, RED. We are constantly on the lookout for more bands like them.

TMR: What is your musical background ?

Our parents had a rule that we had to try music for two years once we turned 5. After those two years, if we didn’t like it, we could quit. We all fell in love with music so naturally we kept it up. We were all supposed to play piano, but CJ wouldn’t practice because she wanted to play the guitar, so she learned how to play guitar. LuLu didn’t even try piano, she went straight to the drums and wouldn’t take no for an answer. I (Maggie) was the only one who stayed with piano, but we needed a bass player, so naturally I was the one who got double instruments.

TMR: Why the name GFM ? Is there a story behind it ?

Our actual name is Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh; our fans call us GFM. Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh were the first three gifts given to God, and there are three of us, so we are three gifts to give back to God.

TMR: Who writes the music/lyrics in GFM? … how do you get in the mood for writing music? And which bands/situations have influenced you for writing music and lyrics ?

There are multiple people involved with the writing in GFM. All three of us write, our dad pitches in with some lyrics, and we collaborate with our music teachers. Every once in a while, we get together with some local people to collaborate as well. As for getting in the mood, a lot of it is spur of the moment ideas. We have writing sessions almost every Monday with the music aspect, but lyrics are a whole other story. Being as young as we are, we might not have had the same experiences as other band members so some lyrics are us empathizing with people we know, as well.

TMR: What are some key principles or phylosophies that you hold onto as foundational stones as who you are as a person?

As an individual, I am a follower of Christ and I live by His commandments.

TMR: Is there a highlight you will always remember, since the beginning of GFM?

I will always remember when we got contacted by Jake Jones.(formerly of We As Human, currently of As We Ascend) He wanted to work with us in the studio and that was a huge deal seeing as we were big We As Human fans and wanted to play concerts like them.

Another thing I will never forget is when we were invited to play the Axes and Anchors cruise. We got to share the stage with bands like Motionless in White, Thousand Foot Krutch, Demon Hunter, Breaking Benjamin and many others. It was the experience of a lifetime.

TMR: And the worst thing were ? (if there is one)

We haven’t really had any hard times as GFM. We are extremely grateful for the situation we are in as of now and can’t wait for what’s instore.

TMR: What is your favorite drink and food ?

Favorite drink: lemonade. I don’t know why, it just tastes really good
Favorite food: I have a huge sweet tooth, so anything sweet.

TMR: So what makes you laugh?

My sister CJ can usually make me laugh no matter what is going on. She can always find something funny and put her twist on it, so it is ten times funnier.

TMR: What is your biggest fear ?

My biggest fear would be losing my family. They mean so much to me, and I couldn’t live without them.

TMR: What is the last album that you bought?

The last album I bought was Asking Alexandria’s “The Black.”

TMR: What are some of the things you like to do away from the band?

I’m really into reading. I like science fiction, fantasy, pretty much anything that makes up an entirely different universe. I like going to other bands concerts as well. There is so much energy and it gives me a chance to see new things to try on stage.

TMR: Speaking of recording, your debut ep “Death of Giants” has been released in Dec. 2015 what can you tell us about the album [such as the recording process, the songs/lyrics, record label etc.]

Recording our EP “Death of Giants” was a very cool experience. It was the first time being in a real studio and we made a lot of memories during that time. The recording process was pretty easy. A lot of jokes were made and we still laugh about them today. We recorded one song at a time because we were still in a traditional school setting, and could only go to the studio on our holidays, so it took about a year to finish the whole thing.

Death of GiantsTMR: About the cover artwork. Do you think it is as important as your music? Does it visualize the lyrics of your songs or what’s the actual story behind its concept?

The cover artwork for our EP is important because it was a means to introduce Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh (GFM) to our listening audience. It visualizes our lyrics in the sense that we were fiercely dressed in order to fight our “giants” which is expressed in the songs on the EP.

TMR: You guys are working on a full-length album. Can you tell us something about it? When can we expect it?

Yes, we are working on a full length album. It will be titled “Identity Crisis” and will have 10 songs on it. We will be dropping its first single in September 2016, with an accompanying video to follow shortly. The album will drop in the Fall of 2016.

TMR: How do you promote your band (and shows) ?

We are on all social media outlets…..except for MySpace. (haha) You can find us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Periscope, YouTube etc. as @thegfmband. We’re also on iTunes and Spotify and Google Music etc. as Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

TMR: Tell us about the hardrock/metal scene in your area please?

North Florida is going through a transition, and the heavy rock/metal scene is getting stronger and stronger up and down the coast. Florida even has its own hard rock/metal support group called the Rockvillains, who support all the local hard rock/ metal bands.

TMR: How do you prepare for a show?

We always pray before a show. We do the usual vocal warm ups and guitar warm ups.

TMR: What is your favorite concert that you saw and what made it so good?

Maggie: My favorite concert was when I went to Welcome to Rockville 2016 and saw Asking Alexandria and Bring Me The Horizon. What made it a good concert was 1. I got to see two of my favorite bands live and 2. their crowd control. I’d never seen a crowd react that way, and I knew in that moment, that was how I wanted a crowd to react to my music.

CJ: My favorite concert was when we were on the Axes and Anchors Cruise and we got to watch Motionless in White. What made it so good was all the energy: both on stage and in the crowd.

LuLu: My favorite concert is the same as CJ’s: Motionless in White on the Axes and Anchors Cruise. I loved the energy everyone had.

TMR: What is the most embarrassing music on your phone or in your collection and how do you justify it to others?

Maggie: The most embarrassing song would have to be “We Don’t Have to Dance” by Andy Black. I mean come on, it’s a fun pop song….

CJ: Anything Justin Bieber. I don’t feel like I have to justify Justin Bieber. LOL

LuLu: It would have to be “Daddy” by PSY. Because I got it from my daddy… literally.

TMR: If you could pick a band to tour with, who would it be? And where would the tour go?

Well, you can’t just tour with one band so I’ll give you a lineup.