Hekia (pronounced: Heck-Eye-Yah) an abbreviation for HE KNOWS IT ALL eluding to the fact that God is Omniscient, Omnipotent, and Omnipresent! It is the brainchild of southwestern Ohio native and area musician Lee Bond II. The mission statement of Hekia is simple: To reach people where they are through the power of music in order to point them to God for revelation, fellowship, and quality of life. God by design meant for our lives to be enjoyed with fullness of being and purpose. Music is a part of that design!
Lee began writing lyrics at the tender age of 12 and became serious about learning to play guitar at 15. He sang in choirs through the public school system and while serving at church. Lee was an English Major studying in all aspects of prose, poetry, creative writing, composition, and literature. He has been a praise & worship leader and served on many music teams vocally, and musically. Over time, he developed and became known for his unique style and performs all original material. He never wanted to be a cover band and interprets the scripture, "Sing unto the Lord a a new song," and "'play skillfully with a loud noise," as a literal response and call to action.
Lee began putting lyrics and melodies together and playing at church in 1985. After being heard live, he was invited to record at Excalibur Studio in Greenville Ohio. They captured the lilting spirits of his songs The Lord's Prayer, and Silent Soldier using an in house custom Alvarez Yairi Acoustic. Another electric version of TLP was also recorded at his friend Joe Statums home studio around this time.
1988 & 1989 MARTYR: After hearing Lee sing it was unanimously decided he should front the band. Lee developed lyrics building on ideas he or other members Larry Schoenberger or Ed Begley. Through live concerts they became known for their Audio Soundtrack preceding the song Night Visions, a song written about Lee's cousin who suffered from ongoing nightmares that plagued his sleep. The intro served as the audio backdrop when the band performed on stage, and was a fan favorite. Their song, In The Heart Of A Warrior, was a high energy call to arms with thundering double bass drums and a straight ahead mid tempo beginning with a marching beat, and an unapologetic attitude of faith. Other songs included: Lethal Lover, Going Into Combat, the instrumental Kerygma, and Silent Soldier.
1997 to 1999: As a on-air Radio personality for Free Radio 105.5 FM and ClassXradio.com Lee supported the Low Power FM movement. In 1998 Lee and Larry's song, The Message gained airplay on local radio and remained one of the most requested songs.
1999, Lee helped to raise his two step sons. Several years later he and his wife Julie had a son of their own. in 2003 he and two friends formed the Christian Rock Trio HPP, which became Level III. Within mere weeks of practice they began playing out. Local musician Chad Philpot plays bass on the songs, Bed Of Nails and Breathe recorded at his very own Eden Studio in Hamilton Ohio. Level III, was was derived from the Greek Word Ouranos, which describes the 3 Heavens including the Eternal Seat of Order, where God dwells surrounded by Angels and other Supernatural beings!
2003 Lee was invited to provide guest vocals on the Jagged Doctrine remix, Absolution on the Flaming Fish label for the songs, Nightmare (a song about 9/11) and Why Do I (Blind) released in 2004. His contributions made both nearly unrecognizable from the originals. During recording Lee contributed spontaneous lyrics on Nightmare that founding member Gary Baker was certain to keep in the arrangement.
https://www.discogs.com/release/8084787-Jagged-Doctrine-Absolution
Moving forward, Lee was a Praise & Worship Leader. He also played Music Festivals and gigs, or collaborated musically with other local musicians like: Rap sensation Stacey Bailey, Blues artist Art Goldner, Tattoo Billy, The Livestock Band, and Four Star Revival. Lee also wrote with Prog Rock sensation Dylan Furr, providing lyrics for 3 songs on his release "Nostalgia," which debuted at the NAMM Show in 2014.
Lee & Lars performed at a Rock The House event held at the Thompson House, home of the Tommy Gun Theater in KY sponsored by RDI. All proceeds benefitted the Fernside Center for Grieving Children. Lee was among the many people praying and marching for Hope Over Heroine in his home town of Hamilton, Ohio. During this time Lee continued writing with musician Larry Schoenberger on songs like: The Message, Holy Terror. Warriors, Mega Righteous, Love Became A Band Of Gold, and Release. Together they transformed riffs and melodies that Lars originated into complete arrangements adding some keyboards to those songs.
In the summer of 2023 Gary again invited Lee into his Jagged Doctrine studio. Lee played bass guitar on the song, This is my Destiny on the release, Eve of Destruction on Roxx Records. All the songs were written by Garry baker and Rod Middleton, but former BRIDE and Dove Award Winning vocalist Dale Thompson was hired to provide vocals. While Destiny was not a single, it was described as having a "Mauling Bass Line. The song Die Again, broke the top 20, with Breathe breaking into the top 10 on the National Loud Billboard Charts for Christian Music. The Angelic Warlord site named Eve Of Destruction as one of the top 25 Best Christian Metal Albums of the Year! Here is a link to This Is My Destiny: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X523rs2AaSE
Lee has frequently played and used opportunities to reach others in and around SW OH and N. KY. He has always promoted a drug & alcohol free life, and enjoys walking in the liberty that a personal relationship with Christ offers for he, his family, and anyone who accepts what God has done through Jesus death on the cross, burial, resurrection, and ascension.
