Artist Name: Living Stone
Birth Name: Mario, Ray,Jorge,Joel,Chris
Birth Place and Date: The band was born in Riverside, CA in 2000
Official Bio
Renegades. Militants. Social Changers. Living Stone is nothing ordinary. Spawned from the fusion of street & reggae in 2000, Living Stone has risen to play with the likes of Morgan Heritage, Midnight, Quinto Sol, Groundation, Tribal Seeds, Rufus Troutman, Christafari, 'Imisi, Priesthood, Propaganda (of The TunnelRats), Red Cloud & DJ Wise.
Hailing from Riverside, CA... One might ask, "How can American Reggae offer anything worth listening to?" With Jamaica's sound systems leaning towards dancehall music, one must search elsewhere for true roots reggae. Living Stone is a creative answer--paying homage to all reggae legends who paved the way before them.
The band concentrates on "audio" as well as the "visual", as the LS front man Mario Rocha owns his own clothing label, Living Stone Clothing Co. With each member having the same creative spirit & passion for life, their live performance rivals anyone in the reggae scene.
LS has played diverse venues, hitting The Key Club (Hollywood), The Temple Bar(Santa Monica), BB Kings in Hollywood, Joshua Festival 2006 in Northern California & the White River Apache Reservation in Arizona.
Living Stone exudes conscious, positive gospel roots reggae music and that's not all--There's more! Their new album "Blood, Sweat & Tears" is a MUST for any reggae enthusiast. With Living Stone appealing to your hears, eyes & mp3 players, they are a force to be reckoned with.
Exclusive Interview with GospelReggae.com
GR: Tell us about yourself, where were you born and grow up, what your family is like, etc...
Living Stone: Mario/lead vocals- I was born in Riverside California. My parents were Christains, but we grew up seeing gangs, drugs, and violence.
GR: How did you begin doing music?
Living Stone: I always felt lead to be involved with music in some way. It was not until my brother and I got saved and feel in love with reggae that we decided to form a band.
GR: Tell me, how did your name come about? Any obstacles with it--funny mispronunciations, etc…?
Living Stone: The name Living Stone came about one afternoon after struggling to find a name for weeks, I sat down with the Bible and it opened to 1 Peter 2:4. As soon as I read “Coming to him as to a Living Stone rejected by men but chosen by God…” I knew that was the name. After I presented to the band members they agreed.
GR: What is the most valuable lesson that you learned from your Mom or Dad growing up that you still apply today?
Living Stone: To stay focused on God no matter how hard a situation may be, or what I may be going through at the time.
GR: What has been the greatest mistake that you have made in ministry and learned from? How have you used this experience to change the way you approach ministry?
Living Stone: Well, I believe there are too many to list. I have made so many major mistakes over the years, but one thing God has taught me, is to not be so judgmental on others when they make mistakes.
GR: If you could share the stage with any Christian or secular Living Stone in the world (living or dead) who would it be?
Living Stone: Well we have had the opportunity to share the stage with my favorite secular reggae band Morgan Heritage, but since we can include the dead I would have to say Bob Marley.
GR: I know that you have written a whole heap of songs in the past, but what's your favorite one? Now, if that is too hard for you to answer, then tell me this; if you spent 5 minutes with an avid reggae fan and only had enough time to play them one of your songs, which one would you play them?
Living Stone: That is a hard one. I would have to say a new song called judgment Day.
GR: Is there any song that you wrote in the past that you are embarrassed about? Anything that you wish you could make disappear?
Living Stone: Yea, the first demo we ever recorded. The whole thing was bad!
GR: What were the last 5 CDs that you put in your disc changer?
Living Stone: Raggamufin Hip Hop by Christafari and friends/ Blood, Sweat, & Tears by Living Stone/Morgan Heritage Live in Europe/ Damian Marley Welcome to Jamrock/ The Katalyst Crew
GR. What is the wickedest riddim that you never rode upon?
Living Stone: There are too many good ones out there.
GR: Read any good books lately?
Living Stone: The Bible
GR: What's your favorite verse in the Bible and why?
Living Stone: 1Peter 2:4-5 It is were we got our name, and it is very inspiring to me.
GR: What Bible character do you most identify yourself with?
Living Stone: Gideon
GR: What do you have to say about (or to) Living Stones that started off in the Christian industry (CBA) doing gospel music and now sing secular (mainstream) with a watered down, or ambiguous message?
Living Stone: Well, I am in no place to judge a heart, but I would tell them to make sure they are in line with exactly what God wants them to do, and to make sure that their lives are a living testimony to what God has stated in the word.
GR: As Christians, God is of course our true inspiration, but beyond the generic response of "Jesus," what are your muses in your life (for lack of a better word)? For example, what are the people, places, or things that trigger a fresh musical idea and ultimately a new song for you?
Living Stone: As of late everything around me inspires me. I write about what I see going on around the world, relationships, and whatever I may be going through at the time. I have changed from writing with my head to writing with my heart, and I notice a big difference.
GR: What career goal did you abandon for music?
Living Stone: Right now I am still working, but God willing, soon I will be able to give up a life in counseling for a full time ministry.
GR: What’s the most embarrassing job that you have ever had?
Living Stone: It’s a tie between a janitor and flipping burgers.
GR: Name one thing that fans do not know about you.
Living Stone: I am really quiet and boring in real life.
GR: Name something personal that gives you great satisfaction.
Living Stone: Seeing my children grow in the Lord.
GR: What has been your lowest moment so far in life?
Living Stone: The death of a close family member.
GR: What has been your highest moment?
Living Stone: Just living life in order to please God.
GR: What is your philosophy of stage ministry? Is there any one message that you always want to leave with your audience?
Living Stone: Yes, A message of hope, love, and peace that is beyond our own understanding.
GR: Can you name three things that you wish you knew when you first got started doing music?
Living Stone: 1-how hard it is 2-how much work and time it takes 3- I wish I knew everything I know now.
GR: What are the three things you enjoy most about touring? And least?
Living Stone: I enjoy the unity with band members, seeing different parts of the country, and meeting fans. I least enjoy cleaning the van when we get back, packing and unpacking the gear, and having to go back to work.
GR: What is the best audience that you have ever played in front of?
Living Stone: I would have to say Whiteriver Apache Reservation they are awesome, and we cant wait to get back
GR: What country would you tour (even if you didn’t get paid to perfom)?
Living Stone: Jamaica of course
GR: What goes through your mind before you go onstage at the average show?
Living Stone: Don’t forget the set list or the lyrics.
GR: Do you prefer being in the studio or on the road??
Living Stone: I love them both, but being in the studio is a lot harder on me mentally so I say on the road.
GR: If you could whisper in the ears of youths aspiring to start a music ministry like yours, what would you say?
Living Stone: Be Patient! Work hard! And keep God first!
GR: Why do you do music? What is your primary goal?
Living Stone: First of all I feel called to do it. That is most important. Second I love everything about the music making process. My primary goal is to see God move and change lives.
GR: Are you working on any future projects/releases that we should look out for?
Living Stone: Yes we are currently working on a second full length album. We have the demos together and we are really excited! This one is going to be a good one.
GR: Could you please give a message to the reggae fans that are reading this and would like to know more about your faith and who Jesus is to you?
Living Stone: Yes, Our faith is based on the Bible and the fact that Jesus is the one and only Messiah. It is through him and his death/resurrection that we have not only everlasting life, but that we also have life in abundance while living here on earth.
Ministry
We get our name from I Peter 2:4&5/ This passage says; "Coming to Him as to a living stone rejected, indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." Our music is our offering to God and a way for us to lead mankind to Christ; the true Cornerstone.
To see souls saved, healed, and set free through reggae music. -Living Stone
Discography
Living Stone, "Blood, Sweat & Tears"
Boomshots! The Best of the Underground, Various Artists
Concerts
There are currently no upcoming events listed.
Contact / Booking:
Mario Rocha
(951) 990-1343
(951) 354-8366
mariorocha9@yahoo.com
Official EMail:
livingstoneministries@hotmail.co
Official Website:
http://www.myspace.com/livingstone
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