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A former drummer of a Christian rock band is speaking out about his experience regarding the grooming and unwanted advances at the hands of singer Michael Tait, as well as other friends of his.
Darren King, the former drummer of the bands Earthsuit and Mutemath, has released a video sharing details of the unwanted advances he experienced at the hands of the former lead singer of Newsboys, Tait. King shared he was the man identified as "Abraham" in the investigations published by The Roys Report (TRR) and The Guardian.
"There were two articles and I contributed to both of them," says King on YouTube. "Though my story is by far the least severe of anyone's mentioned. I decided that I want to publicly talk about it, because I want to show support for my friends who are the victims of Tait's attacks."
After two and a half years of investigative journalism, The Roys Report released their findings on Tait on June 4, 2025. On June 10, Tait released a public confession stating that allegations of sexual assault and drug and alcohol abuse are "sadly, largely true."
"My story, about 20 years ago, my former bandmate Paul and I were in a band together called Mutemath. We were invited to Macaroni Grill in Brentwood, Franklin, Tennessee, to go have dinner with Michael Tait. I was so excited to meet one of my childhood heroes."
According to King, it didn't take long for the conversation to take a turn.
"Within four or five minutes, he had, in a really forced way, found a way to stroke my ear and put his hand on my leg. It made me uncomfortable. After that meal, I never spoke to or saw him again."
Ten years after the dinner with Tait, King says he had a friend share what happened regarding the Newsboys singer.
"My friend confided in me a story of actual sexual assault that took place at Michael Tait's house, that he was a victim of."
A few years after that, King was aware of rumours regarding Tait's drinking and partying, which, in his confession last month, Tait said was true.
"About five months ago, my dear friend Israel, whom I've known since 1997, contacted me about a new story that was being done. He was only 13 when he was assaulted by Tait. I never knew that story until this year. I was heartbroken to hear it."
Christian Music Industry and the Culture Surrounding It
A few Christian artists have gone public recently to talk about Tait's misconduct and its effects on the Christian music industry, including Mike Donehey of Tenth Avenue North and Michael Cochren of Cochren & Co.
"I hope that everyone centres the victims as you talk about this and think about this. Rather than being worried about the fate of the Newsboys or Michael Tait. I hope that you centre the victims, honour them, and seek restoration for them. I hope that this goes to court and that Tait is brought to justice in a court of law."
The report regarding incidents of sexual grooming and assault from Tait dates all the way back to 2004, before he even became the frontman and lead singer of the Newsboys in 2009. Tait was in the band DC Talk with TobyMac from 1988 until 2001.
"Secondly, I think that someone can only engage in this level of predation for this length of time, with a team of helpers. I believe that Tait has a team of people who spend their time, energy, and money clearing his reputation and suppressing criticism or the truth. While I don't know much about those shadowy figures, I find it very hard to believe that his bandmates did not know."
Calling Tait Out
One of the newest reports shows actual video footage from a hotel, corroborating the story of assault while on tour with the Newsboys, which included a police report.
"If you know anything about touring life or the music industry, there's no way that bandmates and a manager would not know about a police report," says King.
Tait stepped down as frontman of the Newsboys in January this year, and the other band members didn't disclose any information until after allegations came out about Tait. At that point, the remaining members said they knew Tait claimed to have been living a double life, but said they had no idea how far it went.
"I think that Michael Tait's confession was B.S. I think it was an attempt to minimize the severity of the claims. I think that it was an attempt to deflect responsibility from his team of handlers. I just don't believe it."
King goes on to share that he has left the church and what people call 'Christianity.'
"I still use the Scriptures that I was taught as a child as one of my primary ways of seeing the world. I thought I might share a verse with you that I was reminded of in this situation. It's Amos 5:21-24."
The verses say, "I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!"
As of July 2, 2025, no legal charges have been made against Tait. However, on June 22, the remaining Newsboys members announced after a show that their label, Capitol Christian Music Group, were dropping them as a band.