It's an unusual relationship, rock 'n' roll and Christianity. But the band members in Jars of Clay seem comfortable in the marriage. And fans of all types are very supportive, spending $1.5 million on the group's self-titled debut album, released in 1995.

One area radio station manager said his involvement with the mix has him scratching his head. Jeff Davis, the promotions director and a morning disc jockey for the alternative rock station WXLE, The Zone, at 104.5 FM, said his station is doing on-air promotions and ticket giveaways for tonight's Jars of Clay concert at the Palace Theatre.

"We just kind of ignore the Christian aspect," Davis said. "WE play them becasue the music's good, and people seem to dig 'em." "Flood," Jars of Clay's first mainstream crossover hit, still gets requested every week on the station's noon-hour show called "On-Line Lunch," he said.

Religious training, or even a faith in God, are not requisites to be fans, said Jars of Clay keyboardist Charlie Lowell, in a telephone interview last week.

"After all, it is just music," Lowell said. "People have been scared of Christian music and not sure what to think. Music is music, and it should be given a fair chance to stand on its own." Lowell said he's frustrated with the Christian music industry because it operates in a self-contained bubble. "Our calling as Christians is to live in the culture and be examples." The group's latest single to climb the rock charts is "Five Candles," from their second album, "Much Afraid."

The four band members got together four years ago at a Christian college where they were all in the music department and living in the same dorm. When Lowell met Dan Haseltine, now the group's lead singer, he was wearing a Toad the Wet Sprocket T-shirt. Stephen Mason, their guitarist and bass player, met Haseltine when he was wearing the same shirt, Lowell said. Lowell had already been friends with guitarist Matt Odmark. They grew up in the Rochester area together. The four college men shared not only musical tastes but also a world view.

"It's not our place or desire to preach or do altar calls or tell people what they should be doing," Lowell said. "The best thing we can do is love people and try and enjoy ourselves. We sing these songs that express who we are and what we struggle with."

Lowell describes "Fade to Grey," from their latest album, as a kind of skeptic's anthem in which they wrestle with unbelief and doubt about what the truth is. "Tea and Sympathy" is about relationships and how sometimes it's easier to give up than sort through all the crap, Lowell said.

The band members range in age from 22 to 25. All four are married, three for less than a year, and the spouses tour with the band. "Our wives keep us in line when we get a bit carried away," Lowell said. "They're good at not being impressed with the success and the hype." Lowell said they all try and keep their feet on the ground, and prayer helps. "We started because we're friends and love each other," Lowell said. "We want to keep the relationships in the band a priority."