Spotlight on Daniel Amos

Campus Life November 1978

by unknown author.




Daniel and Amos are two of the Old Testament's venerable prophets whose distinguished names have been linked with one of the most unconventional groups to emerge in Jesus Music. With one hand on the pulse of contemporary music and the other tickling the funny bone, this rag-tag band from Southern California has begun to inflict their off-beat tastes on an ever growing audience.

Daniel Amos is a hard group to describe. Just when you think you've got them pegged, they change. True, Shotgun Angel seems to take on an overall country flavor, but there are lyrical ballads, vintage rock 'n roll riffs and soft folk-rock. And their new album, Horrendous Disc will be cast completely in the rock mode. They're likely to pull anything out of their musical bag.

More than the music, more than the razzmatazz, Daniel Amos is about communication. Their light-heartedness is balanced by thoughtful, provocative lyrics and songs in a more serious mood. The result is an utterly appealing, yet level-headed approach to the "Good News" of Christ. "We like to have a good time, that's the bottom line." says group member Alex MacDougall. "We really enjoy being with each other. To be true representatives of Christ you have to love one another. We do. Jesus is the real meaning and joy we have."

Much of the humor of Daniel Amos has a point. They feel that, just as in Old Testament times, people today are worshiping false gods and following false prophets - Sun Myung Moon, Hare Krishna, money, ego, etc. Christians have a responsibility to proclaim the absurdity and folly of following anything or anyone except Jesus. "We feel humor to be an effective tool," explains founder Terry Taylor. "We try to get people to laugh at themselves without pointing a finger at them, without accusing. While they're laughing maybe they'll see how absurd some of their preconceived notions are."