By Brett Ratner

Heavy and loud music is generally associated with anger, frustration and angst, but Contemporary Christian band Skillet instead use thick slabs of sound to convey what they feel to be a more positive message.

"We are presenting the Gospel in the most relevant way that we know," said guitarist Ken Steorts, who delivers the message on an Epiphone Casino . "Because it's such an emotional, radical and high-energy kind of message, the music that we play is pretty aggressive. Hopefully a little quirky at some times. We try to communicate what we believe in as passionately as we can."

While the Memphis based band nails a hard and straightforward sound, Steorts notes that each member draws from an eclectic array of influences.

"Our influences are quite varied," Steorts said. "Our drummer is a pop fan. I was weaned on metal guitar players and modern classical music. Most of our singer/bass player's influences musically are in the Christian music industry. Petra and Degarmo and Key are good examples. Mostly rock and pop stuff, pretty average. But the weird thing is that from listening to us you'd never know that our drummer was into light pop, or that the singer and I hardly listen to the radio. It's hard to compare us because we don't know exactly what's going on with every band out there."

Skillet recently completed their self-titled debut on Ardent/Forefront Records and Steorts, bassist/vocalist John Cooper and drummer Trey McClurkin are justifiably excited. However, Steorts says that the chance to connect with a live audience is the best part of being in the band.

"The thing I enjoy most is when people are touched by our message," Steorts said. "It's the reason we do it. When people come away different than when they came to the concert, that's the most exciting thing."

Like their musical approach, the band's songwriting method is somewhat straightforward. Despite this, Steorts and crew find inspiration during the strangest times.

"The way most songs come to me is in the car or on walks and I'll sing the melody and make up the words simultaneously, then we come back and find the chords for it," Steorts said. "More aggressive stuff often comes from a riff. Generally it's vocal melody and words, then we work it out musically."

Tunes like "Gasoline" and "I Can" demonstrate Skillet's signature raw energy. The band also shows a sensitive side with acoustical tunes such as "Saturn," while "Promise Blender" reveals a Ska influence. Steorts says that more musical directions will surface as the band draws from their collective formal training and classical knowledge in future efforts.

"We aren't as groundbreaking on this first record," Steorts said. "It's been a quick process, we've been together about a year. It was pretty sudden, doing the record and everything. John is a classical pianist and he's writing a lot on piano now and I have a degree in music and composition, experience in modern chamber music and 20th century avante-garde composers. I know that harmonic and strange rhythmic stuff is going to become more prominent. I don't see us locked into any style at this point."

Regardless of stylistic directions, Steorts' weapon of choice is currently his trusty Epiphone.

"On stage, I play an Epiphone Casino," Steorts said. "I've got an [EJ-200] acoustic because we've got a couple of slow songs that are more acoustic-oriented. I use it to write songs a lot and I'm also the worship leader at my church, so I use it in church services regularly."

If only Steorts' former music teachers knew what he was doing with their tutelage (and his Epiphones) on stage.

"I love it! I'm the feedback king and that guitar's almost out of hand."

Skillet is a participant in Epiphone and Forefront's " Live In Your Living Room " promotion.