Caleb Oliver, frontman/bass:
Younger brother of Josh, Caleb is the youngest member in the band. The middle of five children and son of
a preacher, he started singing with the family in church when he was around 2-years-old and remembers
always finding himself in a choir. Instrumentally, Caleb started on drums and percussion, until six years
ago when he joined the early arrangement of Decyfer Down, picking up the bass when the band’s bass
player left for the mission field. Only two years ago did he move from background vocals to lead vocals.
Raised in church, Caleb is grateful to say that he never really fell by the wayside in his faith, though he
knows there were times his faith was not his own. Growing up in and around church, Caleb saw how easy
it was to get lazy and lean on others’ faith. As he started playing in the band full-time, Caleb discovered the
need for an authentic relationship with God, as he saw how truly different churches, people and outlooks
could be from his own upbringing.
Brandon Mills, guitar:
Brandon started playing music in middle school, learning the trumpet for the school band. In high school,
he started playing guitar, eventually playing with a number of bands throughout that time. Although
raised in a Pentecostal Holiness church his whole life (which he still attends), the crowd of surfers and
potheads Brandon hung out with got him caught in a life of parties and drug addiction. Locked up at 21
for cocaine possession, Brandon grew sick of being in and out of trouble, in and out of court dates. He
heard God ask the question, “Who will you serve?” and he surrendered his life back to God about eight
years ago. At that time, Brandon started the band with Josh, writing and performing songs about the
forgiveness, renewal and grace he was experiencing as he renewed his faith to God. Brandon is married
and has two kids.
Josh Oliver, drums:
Nicknamed “Dad” or “Papa Bear,” Josh is Caleb’s older brother. Being the preacher’s kids, the two learned
how to do many things in order to aid the church. Since Caleb seemed naturally gifted at everything, Josh
started playing the drums, leaving other instruments to Caleb. The guys started leading worship at the
church and at youth camps. Josh remembers seeing Brandon’s punk rebel band play in town and had
dreams of a rock band himself. Growing up in a “Bapticostal” church (Baptist with Pentecostal influences)
as the son of the preacher, Josh came to know the struggles of a church environment such as that,
witnessing trial and heartbreak alongside the good times. Older than Caleb, Josh took the brunt of what
happened in the church and with his father’s departure from ministry. Feeling burned by the church and
religion, Josh pulled back from anything that had to do with the rules of religion, though he still held onto
his walk with Christ and still considered God’s call on his life. In the middle of that time, Josh and
Brandon connected to start the band. Though coming from different perspectives, both were in a place of
renewal with God and determined to focus everything on Him.
Chris Clonts, guitar:
Born in Jackson, Ala., Chris lived in many places while growing up, but eventually spent much of his time
in Durham, N.C. His father was a minister of music but eventually left the ministry and became involved in
education, moving the family to Durham. A piano player, Chris’ father suggested a 6-year-old Chris start
playing piano. Although it was his start in music, it didn’t last long. Giving up piano, Chris started playing
guitar at 11 after hearing a Petra record and deciding he wanted to make that sound. Playing in bands
during high school, Chris really gravitated toward metal, loving the way of expression that came through
hard music and developed his style of playing by listening to all styles of rock and heavy music. Like
Brandon, Chris got involved in the party scene, though not to the same extent, as he allowed the metal
crowd he hung out with to influence him. Unable to pinpoint a moment of change, Chris just grew sick of
being angry at the world, and after playing with a number of bands in the Durham area, Chris eventually
connected with Brandon, Josh and Caleb in Morehead City, N.C. Growing up Southern Baptist, believing
church to be hymns and pews, Chris clicked with Decyfer Down quickly as he experienced God in a way he
never had through the passionate music the band was creating.