Though his name isn't familiar to many, Ian Eskelin is a true Christian music veteran. He has written and produced for several other artists, including Krystal Meyers and Stellar Kart, but he's best known for All Star United, a band that first charmed the industry in the late '90s with their power pop melodies, satirical-but-spiritual lyricism, and outrageously fun concerts. ASU has been conspicuously absent for the last five years, but finally make their return with the release of Love and Radiation. What took them so long, and why is Eskelin enjoying making music more than ever? With the energy of ten cups of coffee, the singer/songwriter/producer relayed the latest happenings with the band and his personal life.

After writing for other artists and releasing a solo album in the last five years, how did you know it was time to start All Star United back up again?

Ian Eskelin: You go through these phases, but ASU is really cool for me because it's such an unbelievable outlet and one that I crave. I get away with things in ASU that I can't get away with in any other format.

What do you mean?

Eskelin: I write songs for everybody and their brother—from Avalon and Joy Williams to Stellar Kart and Krystal Meyers. I've had great success with that, but I couldn't give those artists a song like "The Song of the Year" [because of the satirical lyrics].

I've got this group of guys that keeps changing—some have been with me from the start—and a lot of them came back to get on board for Love and Radiation. And it shows. It's just a fun record.

Did you ever consider ditching the All Star United brand name because there's been such a revolving door of musicians?

Eskelin: I think Revolution (2002) was the biggest departure when it kind of seemed like a breaking point for us. The timing wasn't right when worship music [rose to prominence] in 2000. The music environment changed and I had to take a different route for a while. But now it's ten years later, and ASU never broke up. There's this brand name equated with fun, energetic live shows and quirky, sardonic, sarcastic, social commentary lyrics.

We originally came out with guns blazing, touring 300 shows a year and earning Grammy nominations, but man, it was such a grind on the road. We ended up doing a thousand shows in 18 countries, and it was just ridiculous. But because of that international recognition, we've been afforded the luxury of having these bizarre channels of fame.

I've heard that you have a fervent international following.

Eskelin: We'll go to places like Singapore, Brazil or Scotland, and it's interesting to sit there with groups like newsboys or Casting Crowns on the side of the stage wondering, "Why are we opening for them?" [laughter] The lineup varies, but that's typically how it happens. It's almost as if the name has become bigger than the band, which is cool.

When you were transitioning from your 2004 solo album Save the Humans back to All Star, did you have to switch perspectives at all?

Eskelin: No, the songs just come out of me endlessly. If I'm writing so many songs every year for different bands, I can't not do it. It just comes out and I love it!

How many songs of yours get recorded or published a year?

Eskelin: I probably write about 100 a year and maybe 30 or 40 of them are recorded and published.

All Star, Krystal Meyers, Stellar Kart, Avalon … is it hard to cross-pollinate between the different styles and genres?

Eskelin: Not really. Honestly it's all just pop music—"Dumb Boris get to chorus." Have a focused theme that lasts three minutes, tug on the heartstrings, have some little nuggets of truth—easy!

Well, then how do you come up with all the different topics?

Eskelin: I'm a product of modern media. I have a bizarre reputation of being able to write a song in like five minutes, which is not always true, but in church I'm constantly writing things down. Everybody thinks I'm religiously taking notes like a good little Christian boy, but I'm really writing down the weirdest phrases the pastor says. I tend to start with a title and work backward from a metaphor, like the title track "Love and Radiation." I work backwards with the lyric and think to myself, "What does the music need to say sonically? What should this metaphor sound like?" To be clear, "Love and Radiation" isn't about nuclear physics, but about having God's love inside and letting your light out and radiating it to others.

The one that's really creating confusion for some is "The Song of the Year," which is ironic in its timing since you earned a nomination in that category this year for Stellar Kart's "Me and Jesus."

Eskelin: In hindsight, I probably should've made that the first single because the timing would've been perfect. But I figured only half the stations would actually play it. It's [ironic] for ASU and it's fun, but we don't worry about much about stuff like radio play anymore.

What do you hope that song will help communicate to the Christian music industry?

Eskelin: The point is if we're going to write songs and are called to write music, especially Christian music, then talk about honest and real stuff like your life and your faith. Don't just pick lyrics that rhyme with Jesus' name just because that's the only thing that comes to you. Dig a little deeper and let's find those golden nuggets of truth.

Did you ever consider "crossing over," or leaving Christian music entirely?

Eskelin: ASU actually has a record made for a mainstream record label that was never released. The label wanted to change our name to Firebird U.S. because they thought we had too much Christian baggage. We ended up canning the record because I didn't want to drive in a van newly married at 30, playing clubs for people who wouldn't know what we believed in.

Those are the decisions you have to make. Switchfoot decided they weren't going to play churches and only perform at clubs. Third Day made a couple worship records. The thing is, a lot of the bands from ASU's early days aren't around today. We're still around and our name still has value with a fan base that's interested. We're like these cockroaches that weathered the nuclear storm. (laughing)

Your music still releases through Furious in the UK, but how did your current record deal in America come about?

Eskelin: I recently fell into a situation with 7 Spin Music, which I call Provident's new indie-plus label. It has the perks of a major label, but it's still indie. I love that because now they've got me on a 10-11 month recording cycle, which means we'll have another ASU record out within 10 months. I write that many songs and love having that kind of creative outlet. You'd never be able to do that within the corporate world because of release schedules and marketing plans.

It's funny—you're a veteran, but you have the fervency and joy of a new artist.

Eskelin: Well, the pressure's off. I've got nothing to do but create and be an artist. It's great. I love it and I don't care about record sales anymore.

You used to?

Eskelin: You had to because otherwise your business would be dead in the water! If you don't sell a certain amount of records, you don't get a certain level of publicity and promotion. It grinds on you—especially with a wife at home and you're driving around in van. You can't get to next level, you're exhausted, and the next thing you know, you're dropped, floating around and looking for a new label. You don't have time for your art. When I decided to create outside the industry, that's when it started to take off for me. The industry always looks for young talent. I'm in my 30s now, but who cares? I'm loving it!

How has growing older and settling down with a family helped balance out your professional and spiritual life?

Eskelin: I was married in 2000 to Peggy and we have a three-year-old son named Aiden. It's great to have responsibilities outside yourself and take care of a family. I approach things with professionalism, but at the same time, I'm not as freaked about stuff because I've weathered the storm for this long. It's a God-given talent that doesn't come from me. I haven't had another job since college—that's been 14 years and I'm still making a living. Thank you God and what a blessing. I work hard because I want to take care of my family, but at the same time, if I have a wacky idea for a song, I just do it. It's all in his time, not mine—that's a hard lesson I had to learn. But now I can do [music] on my own terms and I'm having a great time doing it.

It's still all fun for you on stage?

Eskelin: We're like 13 again when we get on stage—pyro and confetti all over again. And in January 2007, we're starting the All Star Party, an annual thing where we go out and do a bunch of small shows in a row with a bunch of our friends.

During a recent show, [guitarist Brian] Whitman looked over at me during the guitar solo of "Superstar" and was like, "Dude, we're back!" We yell at each other, jump on the drum riser, and it's like we're in high school again having a great time doing it.

Read up on All Star United by visiting the band's artist page. You can also learn more about Ian Eskelin by checking out his solo artist page. Our review of Love and Radiation can be found by clicking here. Go to Christianbook.com to listen to song clips and buy the music.

© Andy Argyrakis, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

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