Thousand Foot Krutch wants to teach the art of rocking

The youth of the Main line should be preparing to raise their fists, but not in defiance of their authorities. At least, not necessarily.

Christian hard rockers Thousand Foot Krutch will be wrapping up “The Art of Breaking Tour” in Eastern’s gymnasium on October 17.

“I want this to be a great event for current Eastern students, future Eastern students and the people at Creation, so that we can keep doing these kind of events in the future,” Mike Dziedziak, assistant director of admissions, said in an e-mail.

Having TFK play a show here is a pretty big deal considering the waves they have been making in both the Christian and mainstream markets. These rockers from Toronto have sold more than 200,000 albums, and their recently released disk, The Art of Breaking on Tooth and Nail Records, debuted at number 2 in the Christian market and 67 on the Billboard 200.

According to Doug Van Pelt of CCM Magazine, “The truly great bands… evolve with each album and aren’t afraid to move into new musical territory. With 2003’s Phenomenon…, Thousand Foot Krutch did just that.”

Dziedziak said that Eastern was able to hold this concert in part because of his relationship with a booking agent from Creation Concerts, the folks who put on the TFK show. These are the same people who run the Creation Festival in Mt. Union Penna.

“Something like this happens when student activities, athletics, conferences and undergraduate admissions all work together for it,” Dziedziak said.

The concert has sold about 100 tickets so far, but it is expected to attract a lot more, at least enough to warrant moving the venue from McInnis auditorium to the gym. The gym can safely fit just under 1,000 people.

“If this show goes well, Creation will be that much more inclined to bring other artists here,” Dziedziak said. “Also, Eastern may have the opportunity to partner with Creation at shows in the area, at venues in Philadelphia.”

Opening for TFK will be Hawk Nelson, The Dizmas and 4th Avenue Jones. The show is at 6 p.m. Tickets are $17.