Pillar

Pillar Pillar returns to Tulsa for Christian tour at Mabee Center By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer 3/2/2007 The Christian metal band Pillar returns to Tulsa Saturday with the Acquire the Fire youth conference. The band is recuperating from touring after the release of "The Reckoning" last year. When the quartet performs its 40-minute set Saturday, it will be the first time it has performed the 11,500-capacity Mabee Center, said singer Rob Beckley, who lives in Broken Arrow. "That's what's kind of cool about this," Beckley said. Before taking a break this week, the band had been headlining small clubs during the week and playing arenas on the weekends. The Mabee Center is a place where Beckley had gone as a younger man to see his favorite bands. "The good thing about this show is this draws from a very wide area, these events. So it doesn't really exhaust as much as it does kind of hype it up a little bit for you." While the band loves playing clubs, arenas are "worth it in every aspect. The kids are excited. They see things on a much larger scale. It's really hyped up and big and everything. And it's a good day for everybody." The band, which has developed a funk/hard rock/metal sound, is originally from Hays, Kan., and includes drummer Lester Estelle, bassist Kalel and guitarist Noah Henson. Beckley has lived in the Tulsa area since 2000. It has been a grueling few months for Pillar. "The Reckoning" was released in October. The band has been touring mostly non-stop since then, Beckley said. "We've been working so hard on this tour ... (without) any real time to just chill and enjoy it." Since the album's release, Beckley and his wife have had a son -- now 4 months old -- who occasionally joins him on tour and will do so when the band hits the road again Monday. "He's a champ," Beckley said. "He's really super happy. He's always laughing." Despite all the work it's been, the album has turned more fans onto the band, and that shows in the new faces coming to the shows, he said. And the drudgery of touring melts away when the band is on stage. "Yeah man, that's the fuel that keeps your fire going, you know," he said. "To see people leaving with smiles on their faces and sweaty T-shirts ... providing a good time for people, it's a lot of fun." ACQUIRE THE FIRE Featuring: KJ-52, Skillet, Pillar, Grits, Falling Up, Sarah Kelly and the Autumn Ashley Band When: 7 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m., 2 p.m., 7 p.m. Saturday. Where: The Mabee Center, 81st Street and Lewis Avenue Tickets: $57-$67, available through www.mabeecenter.com, (800) 329-3473.