Vanguard

We begin our look at Inland Northwest teen bands with a collection of four Christian groups. More bands will be featured throughout the summer. If you know of a teen band that should be featured contact us at the numbers or addresses at the bottom of the page.

The youth group at the First Christian Church of Sandpoint rocks thanks in large part to the praise band Vanguard.

Vanguard was started by Sandpoint High School senior Kyle Bostock, 17, who plays electric guitar and sings for the band, and drummer Jeff Schissler, 15.

Their original bass guitarist quit, opening the door for Paul Gunter, 16. Soon after, 26-year-old Kevin Bates, a youth sponsor and substitute teacher at Sandpoint High joined the group.

After a show at another youth group meeting, singer Kristine Hale and keyboardist Fawn Miller, both sophomores, came on board.

According to Bostock, his inspiration for a large part of their music comes from the Christian rock group Delirious, a former praise band that made it to the big time.

As for making it to stardom themselves, though, Kyle said that if it happens, it happens but they aren’t planning on it right now.

“It’s just to have fun,” he said. They group wanted to be able to “use our talents for what we like to do and to praise God.”

The hardest thing about being in a band, Bostock said, is “keeping people at practices, keeping them interested in the band.”

Their parents, of course, are cool about the band. “They’re all for it,” he says.

Vanguard’s style can only be described as its own.

The music is definitely alternative, similar to what you might hear on The Peak or The Zoo. Vanguard performs almost every Sunday night at 7 at the First Christian ‘`Extreme” high school youth group.

First Christian Church is located on Division and Church street in Sandpoint. Members encourage new students to feel free to come in for the band and stay for the message.