lways odd, always reticent, but always ready to impress. Children 18:3 have been around the block a time or two, not to mention countless tours with some of the biggest names of today. Now, with their eagerly anticipated second full length album, the heavily makeup’d Minnesota siblings are here to tell their fans that the end is near.

No, this is not a turn or burn album. This is a wake up call, a call to arms that something big is on the horizon, whether it be a global issue or something within ourselves. Rain’s’ A Comin’, the arguably ominous southern sounding title to the trio’s second Tooth & Nail release is something to be explained by the girl and boys themselves. Every interaction I have had with these three have been on extremely different ends of the spectrum. Undoubtedly, they are known for being the kindest oddballs in music.

Front man David Hostetter is instantly likeable, perhaps a bit shy until you get him on a topic he loves. The first words he spoke to me went something like “Hey so the guy in that last town gave me a book on bigfoot”. What followed was a discussion on said furry myth as well as whether or not aliens were real.

LeeMarie is all smiles and hospitality as well as drummer Seth, who seems to be the most talkative of the three. All in all, there is no denying the musical chemistry that these three share. Here is what the three had to say when I reached them taking some time off from farm work at their homes in Minnesota.

Firstly, Dave, what inspired the raccoon look?

David Hostetter: Firstly, thanks for having us in your magazine! Makeup? Just trying to be cool, you know?

Our pleasure! I discovered a conversation online about a photo of you in your usual makeup and garb. One person’s point of view was that the look was too dark and it was difficult to see the “Christian side of things and God’s light” in such a look. I don’t agree with this statement at all but how do you respond to that?

DH: Thankfully I rarely have to.  But seriously, good questions, very relevant questions for some people. I’m not sure how to answer.

So its been roughly two and a half years since your debut on Tooth N’ Nail was released, besides touring with the likes of Mychildren Mybride and Abandon Kansas, what have you three been focusing on individually?

DH: Seth sold the grocery business he owned in Hancock Minnesota.

And what have the other two been up to?

DH: Besides rock and roll, myself and Seth do some farm work now and then, and Leemarie works at the local Dairy Queen making yummy treats.

When you first began playing music together, what were the influences you all had? Was there a conversation of “This is the sound we’re going for”? Or did it all just come along pretty organically?

DH: Before the turn of the century Seth and I played at a talent show and a graduation with a friend of ours named Seth Baker (we’d played with him and his brother Matthew the year before maybe, at a talent show as well.) Then a couple other fellows from the area wanted to play with us. At that point we hadn’t even formed a band.  So it was like, I guess we’ll be a band. And since they played trumpet and sax, we became a ska band.  But people move on, things change. When the horn players  left the sound became more rock and punk.

Do you guys embrace the “punk” label you’ve been given or would you like to be known as more than that?

DH: You’ve got to be called something, you know? Just being a ‘Rock band’ doesn’t seem to fly anymore. I think we maybe fall through the cracks a little here.  We’re a rock band. Oh wait, maybe we’re a punk band.

You three have been a band for eleven years. When did you first realize that this band could happen for real and you could make a living at it?

Seth Hostetter: We always had goals of doing this at a bigger and better level-from the time we started. We’re still working at that. P.S. who says we’re making a living? (Laughs)

Well true, what are your thoughts on the current state of the music business? Where do you see room for improvement and in what areas are they doing the right thing?

DH: Man, I’m living the dream, you know? I’m happy tohave shows, I’m happy to put out another record. We musicians need to stand for excellence and integrity in what we do, but thats true for whatever industry you may be a part of.

Rain’s ‘A Comin’ has to be one of the more anticipated albums of this year. Talk to us a bit about the formation of these songs and what the overall album conveys to the listener?

DH: “Oh Honestly!” is the oldest song we wrote for the record, and I was jamming the idea for that one way back when we were doing our first record with Steve in 2007. So I guess the tunes span three years. Some we wrote with Steve in the studio this year.

What do you feel are the main differences between this album and your previous full length?

SH: The term “mature” is well over used when describing a bands’ second release, so I’ll shy away from that one (laughs) but its more melodic. I would venture to say that you can hear more of our individual personalities coming out in these songs. We sped things up, we slowed things down, we got heavier, we got prettier. It sounds better and bigger as in recording quality.

What would you say is the main message behind Rain’s ‘A Comin’?

DH: During a downpour, most of us take cover inside, stay dry. But the kids….the little ones-if they’re not hindered by smart people like us-will go outside and get drenched. They’ll open their mouths wide, spread out their arms and dance, and run. Forget raincoats, forget umbrellas, they want to get wet! Rain’s a Comin’ is about something on the horizon. It may be small, but it’s getting bigger and closer.

Did you have something specific in mind as to what is coming? What, in your life, or the life of the band, do you think is this big thing that is coming?

DH: Rain’s ‘A Comin’ is about revival. Ask for it, It’s coming. The message of this record is that something big is coming.  When you take a look at the world around us, it isn’t a stretch to conclude that the end is near.   We just want to play our role in ushering it in. It is written that in the final days He will pour out his spirit on the nations.  We would love to play some small role in that.  That is why we are here.

What is your favorite track and why?

DH: Do I have to? I feel like that would belittle the ones I didn’t pick. I like them all  Ham? No. Peanut butter? No. Jelly? No. Jam? YES!  JAAMM!!

What is it like to be in the studio with Children 18:3? What would an average person observe on any given day?

DH: A few people sitting around, someone on the computer, or reading, somebody chatting with Steve (Wilson-producer) about a vocal part, or lyric, or something, maybe somebody in the vocal room tracking some singing. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle.

Watching someone put together a puzzle is not super action packed (usually), but it looks good in the end.

Since you’re siblings and obviously very close, would an outsider be able to tap into your creative process or do you feel like it’s a family thing and everything just flows easily between the three of you?

LeeMarie Hostetter: I’m not sure that I understand the question. But not everything always flows easy for us; there are conflicts, especially since we all have very different styles. But our parents taught us to choose to forgive, to get along with each other and to have good attitudes. We all have control over our attitudes, we can choose not to be offended or hold grudges against others.

As you see how trends come and go and bands change to adapt to what kids like, do you ever feel the pressure to abandon your sound and write something that would maybe fit more into the mainstream?

LH: I love different kinds of music. I know there are trends and you probably won’t ever make fans out of everyone because God made us all so unique. But most people appreciate excellence in music (or in anything) even if it isn’t their preferred style. I don’t think I really feel pressure, its fun to play different styles of music though.

Where can we catch for you guys this summer and fall?

DH: Some festivals including Cornerstone, Sonshine, and Lifelight, and the Tooth and Nail Tour in the fall!

The new record, Rain’s’ A Comin’, actually shines summer through and through. Children 18:3 is here to tell us all that punk is not dead and the carefree youth in all of us will thank them for that. Maybe their silence is meant to speak volumes. Certainly, when the album reaches your ears you won’t care as you’ll be caught up in a sea of genuinely great tunes. The mystery that stems from the siblings’ reticence is enough to keep me hooked for years and years to come, as long as they keep releasing gems such as Rain’s’ A Comin’. Catch the trio this summer at Cornerstone as well as various fests all over the country and beyond.