A Word From Peter Furler From Newsboys

It's a long way to the top when you want to rock'n'roll - and sometimes when you get there it's not quite what it seems. That's been the experience of Newsboys' frontman Peter Furler who told of how he had many times battled thoughts of wanting to do something else, despite achieving fame and fortune. The Newsboys are in Melbourne to launch Victoria's biggest Christian music festival, REZFEST 08, at the Point Cook Homestead this Sunday and Monday.

It seems an eternity from the days when Furler was working on construction sites to make a buck - and buy musical equipment. Furler remembers all too well the days of scrounging through the leftover bins of Hungry Jacks or Burger King or living on $1 meals in the US when they were trying to find their way. And even now after selling almost seven million albums, there are days when, after travelling 900 miles to a festival they have played 20 times before, they wonder why they are doing it.

"I think for us it is for the love of it - and the fact that we have got nowhere else to go," Furler said frankly of his lack of 'back-up' employment options. "Many times we have had thoughts of wanting to give up," he said.

There have been plenty of low points along the way, including the tragic death of a former band member in a motorbike crash (Kevin Mills) and the sickness of the daughter of one of their most popular guitarists (Jody Davis). There's also been times when Newsboys have been hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt as they tried to put on big shows in the aftermath of 9/11 when far less people were venturing out, given the climate of fear.

Furler credits his early days in Australia spending hours in a church practicising the drums for helping to build the tenacity and discipline to get him through the tough times. He remembers only too well eating the communion bread and wine as he practised in the locked church after the morning service until when people arrived for the evening service. The lessons from his days as a lifesaver also helped build character.

"I really think that instilled in me something - that discipline of getting up at 4.30am in the morning," he said. "It taught me that what you put into something is what you get out of it," he said.

For more on the Newsboys, check out www.newsboys.com.