114 - Michael Sweet, Frontman of Platinum-Selling Metal Band, Stryper

The Seacoast Podcast: Things You Won't Hear On Sunday

In a pre-MP3 and CD era, vinyl full-albums abounded in Christian bookstores and at local record stores. It's 1986, and today's guest, Michael Sweet, and his band Stryper ("by His stripes, you are healed.." Isaiah 53:5) just released their album To Hell With the Devil. It's about to sell millions in both Christian and secular markets, with its songs all over the radio, and music videos on MTV. Host, Joey Svendsen was in the 4th grade, but found that Stryper album at Family Christian Bookstore and it turned his life upside-down, resulting in music exploration being a full-blown hobby.
Stryper was no different than the other "metal band greats," like Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, and Poison. From impeccable songwriting to catchy melodies and shredding guitars, Stryper was on top of their game. The things that separated them from the rest was their motivation to spread the gospel of Jesus and their song lyrics that matched that passion.

Joey talks to Michael Sweet about the early days of Stryper, the hair and make-up culture of the 80s metal scene, and why Michael had to walk away to get healthy and prioritize God and family. Throughout the episode, Joey highlights some of his favorite Stryper songs as listeners are treated to audio clips of them all.
At top of the episode, Abbie Love, Joey, Tomelex and Jack Hoey III talk pointless homework assignments and spiritual warfare in context of the Surratt's wreck discussed in episode 112.
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On this Episode
Michael Sweet / Website / Instagram / Spotify / Apple Music
Joey Svendsen / Instagram
Tomelex Copeland / Facebook
Abbie Love / Instagram
Jack Hoey III / Instagram
Executive Producer: Josh Surratt
Producer/Editor: Joey Svendsen
Sound Engineer/Editor: JT Price
Sound Engineer: Katelyn Vandiver
Music, including theme song: Joel T. Hamilton Music
Other Music: Derek Minor

Since the beginning of 2024, this podcast releases fully-produced, video versions of each episode. You can find these on our YouTube Channel.