Spotlight: Building429
Ask frontman Jason Roy to describe his band Building 429 and its mission and you'll probably get an answer that sounds something like this:

"We're just four average guys from North Carolina, but we are sold out to God on this mission to reach the world. We're here to show everyone that nobodies like us can make a difference. We're here because God can use small people with faith like a mustard seed to move a mountain. We are willing to put aside our fears and feelings of inadequacy in order to step up to the platform God has placed in front of us and let Him speak through us. Little people dreaming big dreams and daring to believe that they could come true… that's us!"

In North Carolina in 2000, Jason (lead vocals, guitar) and Scotty Beshears (bass) wanted to be in a band that had purpose. They are musicians and love to play, but they wanted their band to be more than that…they wanted to take advantage of the platform they had been given. Brainstorming possible ideas for names, the pair heard about a youth group that had instated a "429 Challenge", based on Ephesians 4:29. Anytime a group member spoke negatively toward another, a cautionary "429" was given, and the offending party had to say something nice about the "injured party". Jason and Scotty felt this would make the perfect band name; building each other up, as stated in Ephesians 4:29…condensed to Building 429.

"We heard about what this youth group was doing and then dubbed ourselves Building 429, based on the challenge to build others up in the love of Christ," says Jason. "Simply put… it challenges us to lift others up according to their needs, and it challenges anyone who dares to ask the question 'What does your name mean'."


 

Rounded out by Paul Bowden (guitar) and Michael Anderson (drums), Building 429 gained quite a following as an independent band. In the past three years, the foursome has played well over 400 concerts and sold more than 6,000 copies of their self-titled indie project. The band has toured extensively throughout the South and the Eastern Seaboard, as well as regularly performing in New York City and even doing a tour through Alaska.

"We're just a bunch of average guys from North Carolina," Michael reiterates. "But God has chosen to use us and that blows us away! We are living proof that you are never so small God doesn't see you in the place you're in… You are not so small that you cannot make a difference… You are not so small that God has overlooked you. God sees you and loves you where you are."

"This ride we're on has been pretty exciting…and we're only at the beginning!" concludes Jason. "Building 429 has made it over the first hill of the roller coaster and we're gearing up to hit the big hill with all we've got!


 
 *All songs on Artist Site.
Tracks from "Building429"
Building429
Building429
This month, Building 429.
Can you start by giving some background information about the band?
We started in Raleigh, NC about three and a half years ago with Jason(lead vocals and guitar) and Scotty (bass guitar). Paul (guitar and back up vocals) and Michael (drums) were long time friends of the band and they were eventually asked to join and make the puzzle complete. We are all really good and close friends. I would say that it feels more like we are family than friends. We all enjoy the coast and have lived at the beach at one time or another. We all live in Franklin, Tn now and are gearing up for our first tour as signed artist. We'll be leaving March 5th on the Fearless Planet tour with Sonic flood.
How long did it take to decide on a name for your band? What does Building429 mean?
It probably took a month to find the name for the band. I just remember it being a long and tedious process. The name actually comes from the book of Ephesians chapter four verse twenty nine which says "Let nothing bad come out of your mouth but only that which is helpful for building others up according to their needs that it may benefit those who hear it." We heard of a youth group who had instituted the 429 challenge to help encourage each other. So we took the name Building429 to remind us that we are all held to a higher standard and to continually build relationships and encourage each other in Christ.

How would you describe your music?

I would say that it's very honest and that it's filled with hope and grace. You put all that with straight ahead modern rock and you'll have Building429.