With a blistering new album and a big American push, Britain's favourite guitar rockers SPLIT LEVEL are at last getting the attention they deserve. Steve Cox reports.

Adrian was just seven years old when he discovered something called hell and promptly said the sinners' prayer but, at the age of 12 or 13, he felt a strong call from God and realised that Christianity is more than a prayer. This was a crucial turning point for the young Adrian, who committed himself to Jesus from that moment. But, surely, the rebelliousness of youth could have pulled him away from God.

"No," came Adrian's prompt response. "I'm afraid I was a bit of a God squad. I was the punk who rebelled against normal school life. It wasn't like I was Mr Square, but my values and attitudes were different. At times I was a little naive, but I stood for what I believed in. That's why the prayers of my family were invaluable. I didn't get involved in the standard school lifestyle, or yearn to go in that direction.

"I think, today, there might be a more honest Adrian Thompson trying to get out. If you're in the evangelical church, you're influenced very heavily. I'm not saying your views are dictated to, or you're brainwashed, but you are swayed. Over this past couple of years I've really questioned a lot of things. I hear comments from people who've been hurt and who've no time for Christianity and you've got to listen to these people. We're preaching a gospel that we're not living and in a cocoon where we're not willing to look at the world around us and be relevant."

The Christian Church has often behaved like an insensitive bull in a fragile china shop, ignoring the damage inflicted on hurting lives in the name of religion. Sadly, many remain within the Church not knowing true freedom that comes with a deep, personal relationship with Jesus. I wondered if Adrian had been hurt by so many apparent disappointments.

"That's a very difficult question to answer. Hurt is a strange word. There have been situations where I could have said I've been really hurt in this, but you come to the point where you've got to stand before God and say, 'Okay, this has happened but I've got to move on from here.'"

Split Level epitomise the financial pain and suffering experienced by most European Christian bands. After travelling from London to Scotland for three gigs, the band stopped at a Little Chef just outside Glasgow to sort their earnings for the month. It amounted to the princely sum of £27 each! Today, Adrian is the Label Manager at ICC which involves A&R, marketing, trade and export sales and looking after all the recording projects. I asked Adrian why he accepted this very busy position.

"I've learned a lot of things the hard way," he replied, "and I wanted to be able to help people. I know I can identify with the struggles of many artists. When we were going through it, there was nobody there who had the experience. I can come to artists and raise questions, or give reassurance that I know I would have appreciated someone doing to me."

The relative comfort of a full time job is a contrast to all those hours on the road chasing the next gig but, with a brand new album to promote, will Split Level be hitting the motorways once again? "We've been holding back while negotiating the contract. It's been a long process. As a result, we've lost a bit of ground with live work and audience support. We haven't been in people's faces. Generations change and a lot of people haven't got a clue who Split Level are. So, in the UK, with the dying Christian music scene as far as contemporary artists are concerned, we need to start at a lower level but we would like to do a seven-date tour of the UK in the autumn."

Ironically, Split Level are generating a real buzz among musicians in Nashville, USA, with their new album. This year, the band will play a few US festivals during the summer, but they intend to wait and see just what happens. A few years ago, they may not have been able to take such a relaxed attitude. Perhaps all those years of struggle, disappointments and pain have produced a new maturity which God is about to bless with genuine recognition. I certainly hope so.