Steve Taylor: Wit, Wisdom and Controversy

Steve Taylor's music of the '80's and '90's was often considered controversial in the Christian music realm. While not being antagonistic to the organized church, Taylor did point out incongruities in the church. Taylor became well known for his use of satirical lyrics when denouncing these aberrations. His songs questioned if Christians were serving God sincerely. He was often inclined to step on Christians toes and deservedly so.

Taylor was one of the first Christian musicians to have sales of 100,000 to 150,000 per album. It seems the fans may have outweighed the nay-sayers, but what follows may have typical of his opponents.

"Why do Christians tolerate such mockery of the Lord Jesus Christ? What has happened to this generation of Christians, who claim they know the One who shed His precious blood for their sins, and yet they defend this wicked PERVERSION of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Twenty years ago such BLASPHEMY would be "run out of town"!
Wake up Christians!
Quit letting these C-Rock stars PERVERT your Lord Jesus Christ!" - Dial-the-Truth Ministries

Taylor's use of new wave music set his music apart from the crowd.  While commonplace in the early '80's mainstream market, Christian music had few artists that embraced this genre. The primary influence for Taylor’s acceptance of new wave was hearing The Clash's London Calling.  He claimed that "It save my life, musically". He enjoyed the band's mix of surliness, satire and humour. "All they were missing" he stated in the album liner of Now the Truth Can be Told "was hope".

"I Want to Be a Clone" was the first released (and one of the best known) Taylor songs.  The lyrics spoke about a non-traditional new believer being squeezed into a traditional congregation:

Be a clone and kiss conviction goodnight
Cloneliness is next to Godliness, right?
I'm grateful that they show the way
'Cause I could never know the way
To serve him on my own
I want to be a clone.

"This Disco (Used to Be a Cute Cathedral)" takes the same thoughts to the opposite end of the spectrum.  Where the church will change anything and everything to be culturally relevant to its adherents.

Sell your holy habitats
This ship's been deserted by sinking rats
The exclusive place to go
It's where the pious pogo, don't you know

This disco used to be a cute cathedral
Where the chosen cha-cha every day of the year
This disco used to be a cute cathedral
Where we only play the stuff you're wanting to hear

This disco used to be a cute cathedral
Where the chosen cha-cha every day of the week
This disco used to be a cute cathedral
But we got no room if you ain't gonna be chic.

Taylor never shied away from confronting societal ills. "Baby Doe" lays the heartache Taylor felt as he followed the news of a baby born in Bloomington, Indiana with Down's Syndrome, and despite numerous outside pleas for adoption, the parents and doctors agreed to allow Baby Doe to starve to death. The lyrics recount how, by standing silent, Christians helped to facilitate the baby's death.

"We don't understand
He's not like we planned"
The doctor shakes his head

"Abnormal" they cry
And so they decide
This child is better dead

I bear the blame
Believers are few
And what am I to do?

I share the shame
The cradle's below
And where is Baby Doe?

One of Taylor's most controversial songs "I Blew Up The Clinic Real Good" only created controversy because critics had either not heard the song or understood the lyrics. The song has the perpetrator of an abortion clinic bombing recounting his crime.

Preacher on a corner
Calling it a crime
Says, "The end don't justify the means anytime"
I stood up on my van
I yelled, "Excuse me, sir.
Ain't nothing wrong with this country
That a few plastic explosives won't cure."

Look at that, mama!
You see that!
I blew up the clinic real good
I blew up the clinic, blew it up, real good.

"Jesus Is For Losers" sums up Taylor's intentions for his music, the grace of Christ.

Just as you are
Just a wretch like me
Jesus is for losers
Grace from the blood of a tree

Just as we are
At a total loss
Jesus is for losers
Broken at the foot of the cross

Just as I am
Pass the compass, please
Jesus is for losers
I'm off about a hundred degrees

Just as I am
In a desert crawl
Lord, I'm so thirsty
Take me to the waterfall

During the past two decades, Steve Taylor has also taken on the hats of music producer and film director. newsboys have been the prime recipients of Taylor's talents as he has produced numerous albums for the band co-wrote the lyrics for many newsboys songs including: "I'm Not Ashamed", "Shine", Breakfast", "Take Me to Your Leader".  Taylor signed the popular indie band Sixpence None the Richer to his Squint label.  This band garnered huge success with their hits "Kiss Me" and "There She Goes".  The rock bands Guardian, Burlap to Cashmere, Chevelle and The Insyderz have all been helped to succeed with Taylor’s assistance during their tenure with Squint.

What about today?

• Steve Taylor's second feature film, "Blue Like Jazz", from the best-selling book by Don Miller, is now in the post-production phase. The project received financial help through the website kickstarter.com.  Financial needs were placed on the site with a goal of obtaining $125,000 in funding from individuals who wanted to invest in the project. A total of $346,000 was raised making "Blue Like Jazz" the most successful Kickstarter of all time.  Taylor's first film, "The Second Chance" starred Michael W. Smith, of Christian music fame. 
•  Former newsboys lead, Peter Furler, had help from Taylor on his first solo CD, "On Fire". Taylor added his vocal talents to the "Closer" track and also acted as co-composer and co-producer for the album.

Check out music by Steve Taylor here

Ravenhill music update

An update to my June 16th blog on the band Ravenhill. I had requested some info from the band and they were kind enough to respond. The new EP "Lions", mentioned in the response, is well worth the $6 price.


I'm writing a blog on your band and would like a little information.
1)  Who is in the current band line-up and which instruments do they play?
2)  What is the name of the girl who sang background vocals on Blood On The Church Floor?
3)  Was Leonard Ravenhill the impetus for choosing the band name?
Dave 

Hey Dave,
We'd be honored to have a blog written about us. Here are the answers to your questions:

1) The current lineup is Joshua Clifton- Lead Singer/Guitar, Taylor Chance- Guitar, Dane Johns- Guitar, Brady Clifton- Bass, Jon Raby- Drums, Coleman Fitch- Drums.
2) The girl who sang backup on Blood on the Church Floor's name is Erica, though we forgot her last name. We recorded that song in Nashville, TN at the Walnut House, and she was a hired out local musician there.
3) Yes.

Some extra info: we recently finished our second proper EP called "Lions", it was recorded live in the studio to capture a more raw rock sound. You can hear it at www.ravenhillmusic.bandcamp.com. We rarely mess with myspace anymore, because myspace is kind of a mess itself. Let us know if you need anything else from us, and we'd be glad to help.

God Bless,
Dane/Ravenhill

#1 Christian Album Sales

Yes, you guessed correctly!  The number one selling Christian band is .... U2.  Some may want to debate the Christian faith of U2 or their political leanings, but  the Christian world-view of the band members does permeate their work.



U2 - Achtung Baby (album) - over 8 million
    - The Joshua Tree (album) - over 6 million
    - Rattle and Hum (album) - over 5 million
    - The Unforgettable Fire - over 3 million
    - All You Can't Leave Behind (album) - over 3 million
    - Under A Blood Red Sky (album) - over 3 million

Total U2 record sales approximately 160 million

Top Selling Christian Records

The list below charts a number of well known, and not so well known, bands and how their singles and albums have charted.  I've started with the number two, tomorrow I'll submit the number one Christian band of all time.  Any guesses???

At the top of today's list is a single from 1967.  "Oh Happy Day" is a traditional hymn recorded with a black gospel/soul slant.  Recorded on a simple two-track stereo, only five hundred copies were produced as a church fund raiser.  After receiving airplay on a local San Francisco, the choir was signed for national distribution.  The rest, as they say, is history. The single went on to be the most popular of all Christian releases.

Edwin Hawkins Singers	"Oh Happy Day" (single)	over 7 million
Jars Of Clay	self-titled album (includes "Flood")	over 4 million
Owl City	"Fireflies" single	over 4 million
P.O.D.	Satellite (album)	over 3 million
	The Fundamental Elements Of Southtown (album)	over 1 million
MercyMe	Spoken (album)	over 3 million
dc Talk	Jesus Freak (album)	over 2 million
	Supernatural (album)	over 1 million
The Fray	How to Save a Life(album)	over 2 million
Switchfoot	The Beautiful Letdown (album)	over 2 million
	five additional albums	over 500,000
Third Day	Live Wire (album)	over 1 million
	Offerings (album)	over 1 million
	numerous albums	over 500,00
Flyleaf	self-titled (album)	over 1 million
	All Around Me (Single)	over 1 million
Bruce Cockburn	Dancing In The Dragons Jaws (album)	over 1 million
	Stealing Fire (album)	over 1 million
	Waiting For A Miracle (album)	over 1 million
Stryper	To Hell With The Devil (album)	over 1 million
	Live in Japan (video)	over 1 million
	three additional albums	over 500,000
Paramore	The Only Exception (single)	over 1 million
	Misery Business (single)	over 1 million
Sixpence None the Richer	self-titled (album)	over 1 million
Skillet	two gold albums	over 500,000
MxPx	Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo (album)	over 500,000
newsboys	five gold albums	over 500,000
Underoath	Define the Great Line (album)	over 500,000
Petra	Petra Praise and Beyond Belief (albums)	both over 500,000
Delirious?	The Cutting Edge (album)	over 500,000
As I Lay Dying	This Is Who We Are (album)	over 500,000
Plus One	The Promise (album)	over 500,000
Keith Green	The Ministry Years (album)	over 500,000
Relient K	five albums	over 500,000
tobyMac	three albums	over 500,000

Southern Gospel?

No, I'm not going to abuse you by discussing southern gospel quartet singing.  Ravenhill uses a combination of southern (read "black") gospel music of the '40's and '50's with soul and indie rock.  Please don't take offense with the term "black' gospel, this term is still in common usage by the artists themselves.

Ravenhill began in southern Illinois in November 2009. Originator of the band, Joshua Clifton, has described the roots of Ravenhill music as growing from the influences of punk, gospel, jazz, blues, grunge, indie, hard-core, soul, and classic rock.  This eclectic mix of genres has created a rich and diverse musical style.

Hearing the single "Blood On The Church Floor" drew me into Ravenhill's music.  Both a soulful, heartfelt and dramatic song. "BOTHCF" epitomizes the band's sound. The song describes martyrdom of a Christ follower.  Martyrdom is when people are being persecuted for their beliefs and are usually put to death because they won’t renounce their beliefs. A rare topic for a modern Christian song, but one that should be discussed. Several versions, both full and acoustic have been released by the band.  The greatest version being the full band version with Josh Clifton's great vocals. Don't be frightened of the 7:09 length, it is well worth a listen.


Ravenhill has to be heard to be appreciated.  Click for a free download of the EP "Ladies and Gentlemen, I Present to You...". 

Classic Punk

The Shiny Darks is a classic style punk band hailing from Houston, Texas. This threesome released their second EP "Stab At Love", this spring. Racy guitars, heavy drums and clear vocals are trademarks of this band.

Their bio describes the trio's music as being "positive and happy', definitley not a typical theme for a punk band.  The band has been compared to My Chemical Romance. My opinion is that they are closer in sound and style to the Christian punk band, The Scurvies, from Anchorage, Alaska.  Paul Mendez handles lead vocals and guitar, his baby sister Gem Mendez on drums and background vocals, guitarist Quenton Rockwell provides the band with a jagged edge, heavier feel. The band was founded in 2005, with their only previous release being the 2007 EP, "At War With The World".

The title track of the new EP, "Stab At Love", keeps in the same vein as their previous release.  The song lyrics describe a heart that was, as the song pines, left “beating on the floor” but with the wounded lover's realization that their love was not to be.

"I Wanna Be A Kennedy" is a flirtation with the American Dream.  How this fallacy of reaching for the golden apple can lead to disappointment when it is not achieved.

I've finally arrived
So roll out the carpets and ring bells
It's been too long now
Since I've felt the kiss of love on my brow
It's been too long since I've felt anything at all!  Oh, No!

Probably the weakest track, musically and lyrically, of the EP is "Photographs".  The tune follows the trials of a changed relationship:

And I knew today would be the last time that we'd speak
You're still the same, but your smile sure has changed
I thought it would be hard to say goodbye
but we just walked out of each other's lives
I threw the photographs away

The final track, "Holiday" contains the only overt Christian lyrical content on the EP. How we may follow a dark path that draws us back to the Lord.  It is a solid re-telling to the return of the prodigal.

I didn't get any sleep last night, getting ready to go
so I grabbed my bags as you kiss me, well out the door
As every step takes me farther from home
I miss you more than before

I'm on a holiday
I'm on a holiday
I'm on a holiday, to Hell

Every day was harder than the last but I held on
Looking back, God never let go of my soul
Every night I would pray
Lord please show me the way

If only I knew all the things I know now
Isn't it funny that's the way life goes,
Somethimes you gotta go throught Hell
To hear the ringing of Heaven's bell

This EP has been on a constant cycle on my iPod.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I am.

A free download of "Stab A Love" can be obtained at the band's website. Click here.

Air Raid 19 Slideshow

Hawk Nelson returns home!

Friday June 3, Air Raid 19, presented by Christian super-station LIFE 100.3. Peterborough's own Hawk Nelson had returned home to play to a huge crowd at Calvary Pentecostal Church.  Supporting the headline band was To Tell, B Reith, and Manafest.

To Tell

To Tell started the evening off and led by the dynamic Zach Havens on keyboards and vocals.  Havens was accompanied by his back up band to create a full sound for his pop/rock music.  To Tell is garnering a lot of attention on Christian radio stations in Canada.  The recent release of his first album So Much More gives Havens a greater breadth of material to draw from.   Havens pleased the crowd with his performance of "Safe To Say" his current single.

B Reith

Gotee recording artist, B Reith. followed To Tell.  B Reith gave the crowd his unusual blend of hip/hop/rap and pop. Reith is similar in style to KJ-52.  Reith struggled through the entire set.  It turned out that his monitor was not functioning, making it a difficult for him to keep on track with his music.  A bit of a disappointment, but his natural ability shone through.  His latest single, "Knockin' On My Door" was a crowd favourite.

Manafest

Chris Greenwood, more commonly knows as Manafest, blasted onto the stage with his band. Manafest powered through many of the rap/rock tracks found on his latest CD, The Chase. A lot of Manafest fans were in attendance at this show and he played to the crowd.  Manafest has a great stage presence and covers the whole stage with his great performance.

The last time that Manafest and Hawk Nelson played together in Peterborough, they were both signed to Tooth & Nail's, BEC records, thus launching their careers.  Both bands have been mentored by Trevor McNevan of Thousand Foot Krutch/FM Static fame.

It was time for the hometown boys to come out.  Hawk Nelson owned the crowd.  I've often said that everyone from a tween to grandma (and grandma's dog) is a Hawk Nelson fan.  This band never disappoints.  A great stage setup with 8 ft high illuminated letters spelling H A W K lit the back of the stage.  All the band members enjoy their time on stage.  A tough thing to do, considering this band plays hundreds of dates per year.

Jason Dunn - Hawk Nelson

Lead vocalist, Jason Dunn kept the crowd on it's feet as he went through song after song. H N gave a full slate of 16 songs and 2 encores, playing tracks from all five Tooth & Nail record releases. Jonathan Steingard gave his all on lead guitar and backing vocals.  Steingard is one of the premier members of the band, who has offered much to his personal fans with the release of Fox Run and solo CD's.  Daniel Biro carries the duties of bass player and background vocals.  Since 2008, effervescent drummer Justin Benner has shared his talents.  Prior to Benner, Skwid Tosti was drummer (Tosti was well known for signing to play with PAX 217 at 13 years of age).  

Jonathan Steingard - Hawk Nelson

Jason Dunn spoke of his love for the city of Peterborough and it's people.  How he misses not being able to spend as much time here as he would like.  Dunn shared his experience of working as a parking attendant at Civic hospital prior to the start of SWISH, the previous name of Hawk Nelson.  After 11 years as a band they continue to thrive in the marketplace and have progressed both lyrically and musically.  Hopefully we will be able to enjoy many more concerts with this band again.

Children 18:3 - Rain's a Comin' review

Children 18:3's punk music originates from the confines of Morris, Minnesota. The band's name gives reference to Matthew 18:3 ' And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven".' Comprised of siblings David, Lee Marie and Seth Hostetter, Children 18:3 had it's origins as a ska band during the late '90's.  Seth handles the drum kit, David does double duty as lead vocalist and guitarist, bass player Lee Marie adds her amazing lead and background vocals.

The second of two independant EP's drew the attention of Brandon Ebel who signed the band to his Tooth & Nail label. Their self-titled debut with T&N in 2008, was a hit with listeners who enjoyed the distinctive sound of the band. Genre defying influences such as punk, pop, ska, rock, and even '70's new wave, make up the band's signature sound.

The second release by Children 18:3, Rain's a Comin', continues in the same tradition. With a total length of 33 min for 12 songs the listener knows they are in for a fast ride. The title track starts the ride with a very short song that builds the momentum for the album. "Cover Your Eyes" speaks of the ‫impotence of self-reliance. Track three, "The Cruel One" provides a musical journey through the 1966 film, 101 Dalmatians, featuring Lee Marie's soaring, Blondie-like, “oh-oh-ohs” vocals. "Whispering" is one of two instrumental tracks, the almost stoner rock flavour makes this song easy to skip over. "Hey Driftwood (Tides)" brings the album down to a fun pop sound.

A fathers commitment and love for his childhood daughter and her experience at a talent show shines through on "Bravo".  It features Lee Marie at the wheel for this song:

"Running off the stage with bitter tears of shame
Close my eyes and tried so hard to make it go away
I just want to go home and tell my teddy bear "I failed, I failed!"
I turned around the corner just to hear my daddy say
Oh bravo, you're the best, you're my only one
Oh bravo, that will always be enough
Look at me, your song was beautiful, beautiful
Even if nobody ever knows
Bravo"

The lightest track on the CD is the acoustic ballad "Oh, Honestly" providing lyrics describing our failure to reach out and move forward when trials appear. "Wonder I" leads the listener into a vocal duel between David and Lee Marie as the lyrics speak of faith:

"Wonder, wonder IIf I stood on your shoulders, could I touch the sky?When will you die?Where will you go?Wonder, wonder I"

A hard rock intro leads in to the aptly titled "Stronger" with angst ridden lyrics and a raw vocal delivery.  Children 18:3's lyrics have progressed and matured since their first, self-titled, release.  This transition is evidenced in "Jack 'O' Lantern Dreams":

"Only if you can remember the endingCan we then work back toward the start". 

"Lost So Long" includes every Christ followers wish:

"Close your eyes, baby sleepFloat across the gentle seaEvery cloud turning greyHolds the promises of rain coming".

The oddest inclusion on this album has to be the final track, the instrumental "The Last Laugh" which sounds like a player piano ditty from a silent movie with the band members laughter in the background.

Children 18:3 has no contemporaries in the Christian music realm, this band stands out with it's own unique style.  While not for everyone, this band's delivery of music is earnest and heartfelt.  Remember, if you don't like the sound, punk music songs are short, so bear with it.

Click here for songs by Children 18:3