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There was a time when people doubted singer/songwriter Jason Wade and his band Lifehouse, writing them off as another flare-up band that would simply fade out. But it has been made clear over the years that Wade is not ready to lie down and give up the fight. On tour for the band’s fourth album, “Who We Are,” frontman Wade took some time to talk to 210SA in advance of Lifehouse’s show at Scout Bar on Monday, June 9.

In 1999 you were heading up the Christian band Blyss. Now, in 2008, you are going on a worldwide tour. How does it feel?

We just got to the airport and we are heading to a gig, saw a full-page ad in “Rolling Stone” talking about the tour. We didn’t even know we were going to be in “Rolling Stone” so it was pretty cool to see. It’s talking about how we survived over the last six or seven years when a lot of bands have faded out.

After your first album, “No Name Face,” some people thought you guys would be a one-hit wonder. How did you manage to keep up and have success?

We just kept writing songs that meant something to us. As a songwriter, I thought that if I was writing something that didn’t mean anything to me, it wouldn’t mean anything to anyone else. So I just write emotional and heartfelt songs, and we have been lucky to survive in this crazy music industry.

How big of an impact did having songs on the show “Smallville” have on getting the band through any rough spots?

“Smallville” was huge, they really embraced our band. We made an appearance where we got to play three songs off our self-titled album and it seems like we picked up a lot of diehard fans who got to know us from the show.

Some still perceive you guys as a Christian band, but you aren’t marketed that way. What’s your take on that?

It’s unfair to peg us a Christian band. As you said, I got my start in the Christian rock band Blyss, but none of the members from Blyss are in the band anymore. (Drummer) Rick (Woolstenhulme Jr.) and (bassist) Bryce (Soderberg) have different backgrounds so, yeah, I guess it’s just unfair to lump us into that Christian band category.

It seems like you guys are finally reaching superstardom, how much more hectic does that make your lives?

Touring definitely kind of takes its toll. Luckily we have success on the radio, but we make our living on the road. We haven’t had the label pay for anything in the last 7 years. We’ve been on tour for the last eight years, which only builds huge support.

You recently wrote “From Where You Are” for Allstate’s Teen Safe Driving program. What inspired you to do that?

I’ve never written a song for a commercial, so I didn’t know if I would be able to do it. I didn’t know if I could get my head into the mindset to write a song for that. So I sat down and just played the clip like 15 times in a row and it brought me back to being 16 and experiencing a friend dying from a head-on collision. It poured out of me in 15 minutes, and I feel like when that happens, when everything comes together like that, it’s a special song. Luckily I gave it to Allstate and they loved it, so it went from there.

Do you have any special memories from your past shows in San Antonio?

We opened for the Rolling Stones in San Antonio in 2003. We played three shows with them, in San Antonio, Las Vegas and Nashville. I got sick in Nashville, but San Antonio was a great night because we met the guys in Rolling Stones for the first time there.

What’s one thing about the other band members that you’d like to let all the fans out there know about?

You know, I think there is a misconception about Rick because he’s really serious in all the pictures and videos, but he’s one of the funniest guys I know, he has a great sense of humor. As far as Bryce goes, I don’t think there are any misconceptions. He’s a great bass player. Bryce is really lighthearted and really fun to be around. You get what you see with Bryce.

Sam Carroll | 210SA