With new challenges in mind, Anberlin moves to major labelSFlb

By John Benson

The band just released its debut effort with Universal Republic records.

Anberlin singer Stephen Christian really loves Cleveland.

So much, in fact, he’s legitimately pained that he can’t remember the name of a certain Cleveland landmark venue that begins and ends with the letter a.

“Last time we were in Cleveland we played with Fall Out Boy in that big pavilion [Time Warner Cable Amphitheater at Tower City] on the water,” said Christian, calling from San Antonio, Texas. “That was pretty phenomenal. And all of the shows at … oh my god … I can’t remember, don’t tell me.”

After a couple of agonizing seconds, the artist shouted, “The Agora. We’ve played the Agora at least four times, and it has been unreal every time. It’s always the same thing: Everybody is crammed up to the front of the stage screaming along, and then I pretty much lose my voice.”

Obviously in some sort of Rock Hall city zone, Christian then goes into great detail on how much he loves the minor yet hilarious Cleveland story line in the NBC-TV sitcom “30 Rock.”

Times are good for Anberlin, with the idea that the band has left behind the Agora stage with its latest tour, a headlining jaunt, finding the outfit playing Thursday at the House of Blues in Cleveland and Oct. 28 at Mr. Smalls in Pittsburgh. When you add in the fact the Florida-based group just released its major label debut effort, “New Surrender,” there appears to be plenty of momentum behind this alternative outfit, which formed in 2002.

“I think the beauty of this career so far is that it has a very, very slow feel,” Christian said. “I love that. I’d rather be that than a one-hit wonder. I’d rather surprise everybody. I like going from the small room at the Agora into the big one across the hall and stuff like that. It’s been five years but it’s an amazing career so far.”

The way Christian talks, it seems like Anberlin has been existing under the radar. This is hardly the truth, with the band catering to the Vans Warped Tour crowd through its first three studio albums, which were released on DIY punk-based independent record label Tooth & Nail.

Last year Anberlin decided to make the jump to Universal Republic records in hopes of reaching a larger audience. While some fans have barked “New Surrender” has more mainstream accessible material than prior efforts, Christian defends the album.

In fact, he points out the biggest difference with the new disc is that it features a cinematic approach yielding diverse results. This includes the war movie-esque “The Resistance,” the emotional “Retrace” and the aggressive “Miserable.”

Christian said he understands all great bands need to challenge themselves and their audiences. Those results may be risky, but he’s not afraid of whatever the future of Anberlin may hold.

“I think if Anberlin were to end tomorrow, we’d all hug and cry and just be best friends saying we lived the best life possible,” Christian said. “We achieved goals and dreams we never thought possible. And in that success comes the fact that there’s really no fear because I don’t care if it ends tomorrow.”

He added, “I feel so blessed and so lucky to have the memories that I have that honestly, fear is not scary anymore. There is no fear. No fear.”