The beat generation

The Drums’ frontman Jonathan Pierce has alienated his pastor parents by turning his back on religion, says Ed Power

THE Drums frontman Jonathan Pierce has been upsetting his parents for years. Now there’s a rift.

On the band’s latest record, Portamento, he sings frankly about being raised an evangelical Christian — and of turning his back on his faith. He no longer speaks to his mother and father. From what he’s heard, they aren’t pleased he’s venting about the oppressiveness of religious zealotry.