tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7341496431346916421.post4918356111891353946..comments2023-09-08T20:47:03.320-07:00Comments on The Art and Obsessions of Mr. Joe Whiteford: Declarations of a NobodyJoe Whitefordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11443108168855980668noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7341496431346916421.post-50543050458764860302022-07-22T15:04:33.437-07:002022-07-22T15:04:33.437-07:00Oof, the soul mate thing really aged poorly here. ...Oof, the soul mate thing really aged poorly here. Sharkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00826083972795297294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7341496431346916421.post-19927796794817689862021-09-17T20:59:42.727-07:002021-09-17T20:59:42.727-07:00I fully realize this blog has been abandoned long ...I fully realize this blog has been abandoned long ago, I have only listened to your music as Harley Poe and honestly felt betrayed when finding out your previous project has been a christian band because I thought transvestites can be cannibals too as a reclamation of the transphobic horror tropes of trans/gnc serial killers, in the same way harley poe lyrics in general leans in a 'heres a different way to look at horror tropes' way. I was raised christian and I cannot imagine someone looking at the religion that fucked me up so bad and deciding to participate(and I was in progressive branch), tbh I don't give a fuck about whether the people who hurt other's in the name of christianity are real christians it makes no difference to me and if a god figure exists then I think it is our duty to at least question why they are reserved respect and dignity at the expense of all the people christians hurtKelpiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17018746961238881268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7341496431346916421.post-48626719285230046782018-10-03T14:16:53.885-07:002018-10-03T14:16:53.885-07:00I hope you read this Joe.
You better because I cri...I hope you read this Joe.<br />You better because I cried for you this morning. :)<br />I had a very strange experience this morning... While streaming Calibretto 13 on my way to work, a song by Harley Poe (whom I'd never heard of) was suggested by my app, so I gave a listen to "I am Fuck". At first I was certain this must be some sort of Outreach song, but then I quickly began to realize there was something dark and painful going on in your life Joe. I began to cry uncontrollably, feeling incredibly sad for you my brother. I went through a similar time in my life about 20 years ago, where God showed me just how evil I could be if He wasn't restraining me. I grew up in a Christian home thinking I deserved to go to heaven. But then one night I found myself on floor hating my evil heart and telling God that I finally realize now that I do deserve to go to hell. I cried out, "Lord save me!" and he did. He pulled me out of the dark sewer I was spiraling down, and took away the desires to do those unspeakably evil things anymore, along with my disgusting Pride that I didn't even realize that I had. I don't believe a man can lose his salvation Joe. I believe right now God is trying to break you of something and I pray that He does and that you respond to him by calling upon the name of the Lord to save you. I am praying for you, brother.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09164420339344033418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7341496431346916421.post-14299143099967825402018-10-03T14:10:45.223-07:002018-10-03T14:10:45.223-07:00I had the same experience this morning... While st...I had the same experience this morning... While streaming Calibretto 13 on my way to work, a song by Harley Poe (whom I'd never heard of) was suggested by by my app, so I gave a listen to "I am Fuck". At first I was certain this must be some sort of Outreach song, but then I quickly began to realize there was something dark and painful hoing on in your life Joe. I began to cry uncontrollably, feeling incredibly sad for you my brother. I went through a similar time in my life about 20 years ago, where God showed me just how evil I could be if He wasn't restraining me. I grew up in a Christian home thinking I deserve to go to heaven. But then one night I found myself on floor hating my evil heart and telling God that I finally realize now that I do deserve to go to hell. I cried out, "Lord save me!" and he did. He pulled me out of the dark sewer I was spiraling down, and took away the desire to do those evil things anymore, along with my disgusting Pride that I didn't even realize that I had. I don't believe a man can lose his salvation Joe. I believe right now God is trying to break you of something and I pray that He does and that you respond to him by calling upon the name of the Lord to save you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09164420339344033418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7341496431346916421.post-54342433185933911582017-10-27T01:24:20.591-07:002017-10-27T01:24:20.591-07:00Just to quote you " I had stated at the begi...Just to quote you " I had stated at the beginning of this chapter that I’d explain to the reader why I am no longer a Christian, but I think I’ll save those reasons for another time. I’m sure after reading through my experiences some readers are probably just a little confused as to why I’d give up my Christian faith having been touched so many times by its power"<br /><br />I'm a little said you never finished this article. I am one of those that am like "you were healed after being prayed for, heard the audible voice of God, and saw a demon (or ghost) vanish after rebuking it in the name of Jesus but you no longer believe" That's not at all in judgment, I'm just very curious as to why you no longer believe in the Christian faith since you never did get to that part. I was a huge fan of Calibretto 13 back in the day and somehow never managed to realize Harley Poe wasn't a Christian too band until recently. I guess I never listened to Harley Poe and just assumed. Again, I am very curious about why you no longer believe in the Christian faith, especially since it seems you had a moment of returning to that 6 years after this post, but currently no loner do.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00531241224603975496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7341496431346916421.post-23265159011653439942017-02-27T14:49:56.545-08:002017-02-27T14:49:56.545-08:00This was a great read and really mirrored how I ca...This was a great read and really mirrored how I came into and out of my faith as a Christian. I enjoyed your music in Calibretto 13 and enjoy your Harley Poe stuff now.<br /><br />When I left my faith I had a deep void that was really hard to understand and harder to fill with positive things. I struggled to understand the point of being on this earth without my faith, went in and out of depression, one stretch lasting 4 years. I had a bleak outlook on life in general, suffered/caused two failed marriages and family started turning away from my depressive manic state.<br /><br />I'm not sure exactly when things started to change but I still remember waking up and feeling that things were OK, they were going to be OK and I didn't want to die anymore. I'm not saying it was a choice, really believe I had some chemical imbalance in my head or I had been brainwashed so much from my faith that I couldn't possibly fill the void that was left when I walked away. I started to realize that the world didn't owe me anything and that if I wanted a life I'd be OK with I'd have to put in the work.<br /><br />Anyways, I love your music, your art and you unfiltered way of approaching life. The new album is great and I'm looking forward to more in the future.Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12339120391450283182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7341496431346916421.post-31074780175972005002016-11-08T06:27:23.232-08:002016-11-08T06:27:23.232-08:00Thank you for sharing your story. I happened to st...Thank you for sharing your story. I happened to stumble upon your music at a merch tent, selling old cds, at a festival years ago and 'Calibretto 13' looked interesting. The rest is history. I listen to it every now and again.<br /><br />I appreciate your honesty, in your music and here. It is a great place to spill it all out. <br /><br />About the 'Christian material industry', I left it years ago too. My belief in God doesn't depend on others actions because they are human too, but it's about me and God and how I treat others. Right now I'm happily married and living in Tokyo. It's interesting what Christianity looks like when shedding off the 'American' skin.<br /><br />Hope to hear more music in the future. Cheers.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02067258647597825178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7341496431346916421.post-14606891844701085672016-11-08T06:24:24.644-08:002016-11-08T06:24:24.644-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02067258647597825178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7341496431346916421.post-88394403243066774932016-09-22T09:12:22.094-07:002016-09-22T09:12:22.094-07:00I was a fan of Calibretto 13 as a Christian teen. ...I was a fan of Calibretto 13 as a Christian teen. I saw you at some festival and I was hooked. I didn't keep up with your or your music. A few years back, I started listening to Calibretto and discovered Harley Poe. It was all as great as I remember it.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your experiences. Mine sound similar. I was raised in the church. I never felt like I fit in though. I always believed in god but never in the church. I saw too much hypocrisy and bullshit.<br /><br />I kept my faith as I graduated high school but left the church behind. I continued to question why things were the way they were. "What if I was born in a Muslim home?" I decided that all paths led to the same god.<br /><br />But, the more I questioned, the more I found that the answers pointed elsewhere. I abandoned my faith at the age of 20 and never looked back. A huge burden was lifted from my shoulders. I carried an immense guilt and it dissipated. I had never felt so free.<br /><br />Faith and religion never gave me hope or peace or truth. Belief in myself and in my family is far more powerful for me.<br /><br />I hope guilt doesn't drive you back to the cross, but I wouldn't blame you. It's a powerful hold. <br /><br />I hope you never give up on your music or your art. You are truly talented.<br />Ryan Scott Fairfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02367253927119162176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7341496431346916421.post-8555102771090195982016-02-04T07:17:09.516-08:002016-02-04T07:17:09.516-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.blankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16344444685752492731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7341496431346916421.post-30278582880022296362016-02-04T07:16:36.274-08:002016-02-04T07:16:36.274-08:00Hey joe,
No idea if you read these, I assume you ...Hey joe,<br /><br />No idea if you read these, I assume you would. Just saw a Harley poe link on reddit and decided to give it a listen. I recognized your voice right away. I love the honesty and style of your songs. I used to blast calibretto 13 at the local Christian book store where I worked, much to the chagrin of the older customers. Im and adult now and still listen to those same songs. The Harley poe song about playing at a high school kids party made me sad for you, I hope you work through whatever is troubling you.... for whatever that's worth to you.<br /><br />I'm going to listen to some of your music at work today, I'm feeling nostalgic now.blankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16344444685752492731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7341496431346916421.post-51433624274157367432016-01-09T09:47:51.158-08:002016-01-09T09:47:51.158-08:00This was beautiful. I randomly woke up this mornin...This was beautiful. I randomly woke up this morning thinking of one of the most influential bands in my life while I was growing up and decided to research what they were up to. After a rabbit trail of page after page I stumbled upon this blog entry. My heart is overjoyed to hear God was too big for you to ignore. He chose to save you no matter what. Let your mind explode as you meditate on the implications of that statement. I'd recommend reading the Joy Project to start your mind exploding adventure. Here's a free PDF link: http://www.desiringgod.org/books/the-joy-projectRambling Robothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07434875118259619728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7341496431346916421.post-36823157202760145192015-12-26T18:58:34.564-08:002015-12-26T18:58:34.564-08:00Thanks for posting this. Super interesting to hear...Thanks for posting this. Super interesting to hear some of your story. Keep rockin bro.That Dude Man Brohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03396328113029203786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7341496431346916421.post-55664519720988228732015-12-09T21:46:28.419-08:002015-12-09T21:46:28.419-08:00I'm excited for the music you'll be creati...I'm excited for the music you'll be creating next! <br />Also looking forward to hearing more of your story.Dennishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08580234870661987962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7341496431346916421.post-20598922419363527752015-11-22T20:14:48.521-08:002015-11-22T20:14:48.521-08:00I feel you Joe. Take me- straight out of seminary/...I feel you Joe. Take me- straight out of seminary/ youth pastor for years and turn out being disgusted with what goes on behind the scenes at a church. Worse yet- the nagging knowledge that so couldn't produce or find any miracle completely bankrupted my thoughts on the usefulness of my faith. This being said, my faith dwindled to a "well if He'a out there I can't know and I probably wouldn't want to know Him" type of mentality...<br /><br />But even then and yet... And yet it's that "and yet" that gets to me. I am not ok with there being no God, and something inside of me screams to have a personal connection with this universe (or its ultimate context). It doesn't get fed in me through community, or my own purpose, or anything. It's all not enough.<br /><br />And so maybe this is why I am moving farther from my skepticism myself. Maybe we really are all born hungry for this thing and I swear the closest I ever got to it's full satisfaction was when I was a passionate believer. <br /><br />And if it's not real, who gives a fuck? I'm hungry for a God, and this universe better damn well explain why nothing else is working if it expects me to give up looking for one.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00360757894945493875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7341496431346916421.post-62442624306002469852015-11-05T08:27:55.959-08:002015-11-05T08:27:55.959-08:00I have always appreciated your honesty and wit. I ...I have always appreciated your honesty and wit. I started listening to Calibretto after getting the ETDB pre-release while on the T&N street team and followed the band until the final unreleased tracks made it on your website. I haven't left the faith, but sometimes wrestle with believing it all. I find myself doing what you just did, going back to reconfirm my experiences, viewing creation as a miracle, and knowing that there is evil in the world, so there must be good to counteract it. I married my high schools sweetheart, have three kids and can relate to a lot of the Christian experiences you encountered (including being healed from bad migraines). I ran a record label that I put a lot of time into that never really amounted to anything..and got caught up in having the "American dream" fancy house, material stuff...trying to keep up with the Jones. I find myself focusing mostly on Jesus these days and not his followers so much. I want what He offers and want to live simply and honestly, helping others whenever possible. You have so many incredible talents Joe; praying that God leads you to use them to help others and that you find fulfillment in the things that matter.Mr. Ronanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05873678651282951378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7341496431346916421.post-73418122429205821212015-11-01T20:38:22.920-08:002015-11-01T20:38:22.920-08:00It's interesting, I have been a fan of your mu...It's interesting, I have been a fan of your music since I was a young christian and I got a cd with short clips of some songs from Enter the Danger Brigade (not sure what it was but it had some other very christian songs on it as well). I got that album for christmas and listened to it every day for months and became slightly obsessed with it. I think everytime you had a new album come out I asked for it for christmas (for I was too young to have a job and christmas was the only time that my parents would take me to Berean Christian Store and all I wanted was cd's). Your music made me question what my faith really meant and question what I was doing and what every other christian I knew was doing. I saw you at Cornerstone for your last appearance there and I was mesmerized. I saw both the generator stage show and the tent show. <br /><br />I feel like I have grown up and grown out with your music from the beginnings of Calibretto 13 with my blind faith, to the Calibretto albums with my intense questioning, to the Harley Poe albums with my complete disbelief. Sometimes I put on the old Calibretto 13 albums and I feel the old feelings I felt way back then.<br /><br />And now I feel like I am reevaluating my spiritual/religious/christian beliefs(or lack there of). I don't know if you are actually having feelings of belief again but I can relate. I am still unsure of everything but I just wanted to say that you are not alone in this. I think being raised in a christian home, or coming to it at a young age, puts something in your head (maybe a guilt of sorts) that brings you at least back to pondering the reality of it all.jarrod edwin gearyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12682625740581074012noreply@blogger.com