STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet recently spoke with Jed Wright at Classic Rock Revisited in a career-spanning interview. An excerpt is available below:

Jeb: I’ve heard some stories about you…I’ve heard pre-Stryper Michael Sweet was not so pious.

Michael: "Listen, I got my share of drugs and women and alcohol and all of that stuff into my system, year’s back, if you can imagine. I had that start at a very early age. I started playing backyard parties when I was 13 years old and I started playing clubs before I was 16. I played the Whisky when I was just about 16 and Kevin DuBrow (QUIET RIOT) got mad at us for using so much Aqua Net. He kicked in the dressing room door and said, 'What the ‘f’ is wrong with you guys? You’re choking me out here.' He really went off on us."

"I go way back, and that was a time when I was with a different girl every night and doing that whole scene. At the age of 19 I decided that this sucks and that it was leading me nowhere. My brother and I would go get drunk and I didn’t like the feeling. I saw where some of our friends were going and I didn’t like that. When I was 20, we decided to dedicate the band and our lives to God and we’ve been doing it ever since, and that was 30 years ago."

Jeb: You’re aware of the stigma of Stryper but you’ve had to live with that in the Metal community. You don’t want to come off as silly, but you can’t be all God-Squad all the time. If you say that the new album is not Christian, then the Christian people will bash you, but if you go overboard on it, then detractors will say you’re just milking it.

Michael: "The key to it for us concerning all things for us is to just be real. When we go out to dinner with someone who is not a Christian and I order a beer or a glass of wine then you hear them gasp and they say, 'WHAT? YOU’RE CHRISTIAN?' I am, but I love beer and I love wine. I love a good cigar every now and then. I am free, man. That is not what being a Christian is about. It is not about having all of these rules and convictions that you have to apply. Some people have to apply them because they are former alcoholics or whatever, but I think it is just about us being real, and that is what we do. We try to be real in our music and we try to be real in our example and we exemplify God and Christ in our lyrics and our lifestyle. We try to do the right thing."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Sweet recently checked in with the following update:

"I know lyric videos are well, lyric videos, and it's always cooler to see people in videos but man I would love for all of you take a few minutes to check this out. I can promise you this; there are three (yes, three) videos coming with people in them and a new Stryper/fan based video for 'Te Amo'! So, grab your breakfast, lunch or dinner and sit down in front of your computer, iPad or iPhone and behold the beauty of God's creation with some very cool HD footage with some lyrics thrown in. Love you all and see you soon on the road."

Sweet is best known as the singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer for Christian rock pioneers Stryper, selling over 10 million albums worldwide. In addition to Stryper, Sweet has had a successful solo career, and he served as the guitarist and co-vocalist for the legendary classic rock band BOSTON from 2007-2011.

The future remains bright for a man who has endured heartbreaking tribulations throughout his life and career, including the 2009 passing of his wife of more than 22 years, Kyle. In 2010, Sweet remarried to Lisa Champagne-Sweet, a woman he describes as “a Godsend and the one who fits perfectly by my side.”

Sweet continues to record and tour with Stryper, as well as touring and recording as a solo artist, all the while making frequent trips to Nashville where he is writing with some of the biggest music writers in the business.

“After 30 years in this business, I feel honored and blessed to be able to continue doing what it is I love, making music,” said Sweet. “I’m extremely thankful to have the greatest fans in the world. God has blessed me with this talent and I plan to continue on this path as long as I can draw breath."

Sweet’s autobiography, Honestly: My Life And Stryper Revealed, chronicles an amazing 30-year career and includes endorsements from Eddie Trunk, Dave Mustaine (MEGADETH), Larry the Cable Guy, Jeordie White and Chris Jericho (FOZZY). Among the topics covered are:

- How Michael Sweet formed the first Christian rock band to hit #1 on MTV, paving the way for an entire genre of music.
- First-hand stories of the Sunset Strip, with never-before-told stories that include friends and musical peers such as Poison, Motley Crue, RATT, Whitesnake, Metallica and more.
- How Jimmy Swaggart and Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker played a role in Michael’s life.
- The temptations and ultimate low-points of a notable Christian rock star.
- Never-before-revealed stories of life behind the scenes in Stryper.
- Why so many people have declared Michael Sweet a significant influence on their lives; from Larry the Cable Guy to professional wrestler Chris Jericho to Haitian musician and politician Wyclef Jean and more.
- Losing his wife to cancer and re-marrying shortly thereafter.
- An honest look at Sweet’s often tumultuous family relationships.
- The unlikely relationship between Sweet and national radio personality Don Imus.
- What led to the decline and fall of Stryper in 1992, and subsequent reunion and re-birth in 2001.

With the upcoming and long-overdue solo album, Sweet is finally delivering the project fans have been patiently waiting for. Self-produced, I’m Not Your Suicide includes special appearances by Tony Harnell (TNT), Kevin Max (dcTalk, Audio Adrenaline), Chris Jericho, Doug Aldrich (WHITESNAKE), Electra Mustaine (daughter of Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine) and Stryper bandmates Robert Sweet and Timothy Gaines. Legendary drummer Kenny Aronoff played on the record as well.

Tracklisting for I’m Not Your Suicide:

‘Taking On The World Tonight’ (featuring Tony Harnell)

‘All That's Left (For Me To Prove)’

‘The Cause’

‘This Time’ (featuring Kevin Max)

‘I'm Not Your Suicide’ (co-written with Blair Daly)

‘Coming Home’

‘Miles Away’

‘Strong’

‘How To Live’ (featuring Robert Sweet and Timothy Gaines of Stryper)

‘Heart Of Gold’

‘Anybody Else’ (featuring Chris Jericho and Doug Aldrich)

‘Unsuspecting’

‘Heart of Gold’ (featuring Electra Mustaine) (bonus track)