Podcast of The Antidote Sept 21st

Last Wednesday was my abysmal first show hosting The Antidote, featuring alternative Christian rock.  The Antidote airs Wednesdays from 9 - 10 on Trent Radio 92.7 FM.  Live streaming is also available by clicking here.

This weeks show will be part two of a three part introduction to some of the styles and musicians that will be heard on The Antidote.

I've attached a link to a podcast of the first episode of The Antidote, Sept 21/11, Episode 1.

The Antidote - first show recording

Unshackled - The Overcoming Years review

One simple word, "Wow", describes this July 27, 2011 release from Thumper Punk Records and Caustic Fallout. Punk music covers a huge range of styles, from bright and light pop punk to heavy, guttural, hardcore punk. Unshackled keeps a bit to the right of center in the punk spectrum. This El Paso, Texas band brings back the no-holds-barred street punk sound that was so prevalent years ago.  Raw, rough, and dirty both vocally and musically, this 17 track CD returns punk to it's historical roots.

Unshackled is comprised of Joe Straightedge (vocals), Connor Himself (Guitar-1 & Lead/Backing Shrieks & Screams), Tick St. Grave (Guitar-A & Lead/Backing Cries & Calls), Issac Espinoza (Bass & Backing Growls & Grumbles), and Eddie Trejo (Pops, Booms, Bangs & Crashes).

Contrary to the norm,  Unshackled pulls no punches in respect to their faith.  Christ takes front and center in the lyrics of The Overcoming Years. Rebellion, in both positive and negative fashion, has been the basis of punk music since day one. The plus or minus to that rebellion has been determined by the musicians lyrics.

"Jesus is Punk Rock", while a simple track lyrically, tells a profound truth.  Christ was a rebel to the religious establishment:  

Deep within the bowels,
of Punk Rock’s very soul,
beats the heart of rebellion
and raw Rock n’ Roll.
A man came to Earth,
and rebelled against His flesh.
He paid the price for Freedom,
n’ you already know the rest.
Je-sus-is-Punk Rock
He died for you!
Christian, Atheist, Jew!
He didn’t care about Religion,
All he did was just love you.
He wants us to unite.
To teach us wrong from right.
To make a stand against oppression
Shouting “PUNX UNITE!”
Je-sus-is-Punk Rock X2 

"Kingdom Times" describes the multiple masks Christians wear, but Christ knows the believers heart.

The Sacrifice was made
paid full in blood so we’d be saved.
God’s Son: the only one
And you proceeded with your fun.
you always talk it
but your words were meant to please a crowd.
you never walk it
you just idly spit room-temp aloud!
(Chorus)
What ever happened to our brotherhood,
and where have all the true saints gone?
In Kingdom Times!
And now the time has come
no place to hide, nowhere to run.
He sees you know the score
so which side are you fighting for?
If you ain't man enough
to stand up and fight hard for truth.
maybe it's time for you
to stand aside, let Fire through!
(Chorus)
What ever happened to our brotherhood,
and where have all the true saints gone?
In Kingdom Times!

The Overcoming Years Track List

1. Intro
2. You Forgot Something
3. To Those Who Know Better (Grow a Pair)
4. Strength
5. Grave Saint Life
6. Land of the Dead
7. Take Everything
8. Jesus is Punk Rock
9. Beware My Pleasure
10. Born To Lose
11. Don’t Call Me Ugly
12. Ego
13. Human Decay
14. The Cards You’re Dealt
15. Hate Moshing
16. Kingdom Times
17. Overcome

Punk fans are going to love this solid album. After multiple listenings, The Overcoming Years has continued to surprise me. The odd track may slip into a 'B side' caliber, but overall this is a great CD from newcomer band,  Unshackled.

Buy The Unshackled - The Overcoming Years here

Christian Rock Files on the radio

Christian Rock Files can now be heard on the radio.  Beginning Wednesday Sept 21, I will be hosting "The Antidote" a Christian rock  music show on Trent Radio in Peterborough, ON.  For those living in the Kawartha's dial in 92.7 FM every Wednesday from 9 - 10 PM.  Don't live near Peterborough?  No worries, 'The Antidote" will be streamed online.  Click here for the link and look for the online stream link near the top of the page.

"The Antidote" will feature music from a wide range of genres.  All the way from indie folk to metalcore.  I 'm sure you won't be disappointed.  Any suggestions, comments, critiques or requests please contact christianrockfiles@gmail.com.

Thanks for your support!

Steve Taylor documentary

An interesting site regarding Steve Taylor has come online.  An interactive documentary details the breadth of his  career.  His early days of recording songs that were designed to make the organized church think about their actions, his years as the head of Squint Entertainment, and his latest endeavors as movie director and producer.  Taylor's film adaptation of Donald Miller's book "Blue Like Jazz" is currently in post-production.

Check it out here.

The Demise of Article One

On July 12th, the London, ON based band, Article One, announced that they had decided to call it quits after seven years of creating music.  The band had their beginnings in 2003, and were then known as Appertain Display. The band chose to change their name to "Article One" in 2006. The new name reflecting the first article in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This article states that "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."

Article One was well know for being having one of the best on-stage performances.  Brothers Nathan Piche (vocals, guitars, piano, bass) and Matt (violin, mandolin, vocals) along with Dave De Smit (drums, vocals) and newcomer Nolan Verne bass, created a wild night of musical entertainment and worshipful ministry.

In 2006, Article One was signed to Inpop Records, the same label as blockbuster performers newsboys, Superchick and Matt Kearney.  Article One went on tour with newboys for newboys 2008, "GO" tour.  Mentoring by newsboys was evident in later Article One concerts as the band upped their on stage performances.  The short-lived Inpop years saw the re-release of  their independent AO CD and 2008's Colors and Sounds. Last October's release of the CD Clarity found the band returning as an independant band.

The band posted their official disbanding announcement on their website:

If you have been to our website recently, you may have noticed a lack of touring dates on our schedule. There is a bitter-sweet reason for this. We, as Article One, have decided that we will no longer be touring. This was a decision we came to as a band, and it was completely amicable. There were a number of factors that came into consideration — the rigors of road life, being away from loved ones, and changes in the industry — which played a large part in our decision. While we don’t want to rule out the possibility of playing together again in the future, we will be focusing on new projects and careers away from the music industry. 

We want to sincerely thank everyone who supported us over the years. We’ve met so many amazing people from all over the world, and we are grateful for and humbled by all the generosity and hospitality that we experienced. To everyone who opened up their homes to us, cooked a meal for us, or helped us get our van back on the road, or supported us in other ways, thank you. We truly could not have done it without you. 

A special thank you to our fans. It has been our pleasure performing and leading worship for you, and we hope that our music has been an inspiration to you. We want to thank you all so much for coming out to the shows and supporting us! We love you all. 

We also want to thank our past band-mates: Nolan Verner, Marty Lewis and Mark Laidman. It was a pleasure traveling around with you guys. 

Lastly, but most importantly, we want to thank the Lord for His faithfulness. He kept us safe on the road for 7 years, blessed us with amazing friendships, and gave us the opportunity to see so much of the world. All the glory goes to Him. 

God Bless!
Nathan, Matt & Dave

Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk concert

Clear skies and swarms of late summer killer mosquitoes greeted music fans as they gathered to see a backyard performance by Handsome and Gretyl of Nashville and Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk from Calgary.  Both indie/folk bands were very kind to come and play at our home in Millbrook, ON.

Pre-concert festivities included Nerf football and our pastor, Aaron, deciding that the fastest way out of our house was through our patio door screen.  Aaron was unscathed but the patio door screen didn't fair as well.

Handsome and Gretyl

Handsome and Gretyl started the evening playing songs from their new EP Hold On Tight Love.  The band's music carried over the streets with Gretyl's beautiful clear voice. Both Gretyl and her husband, Brett handled guitars.

Darkness fell and the mosquitoes disappeared as Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk stepped onto the stage (or I should say grass).  Handsome and Gretyl accompanied Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk to give a full sound to the band.  Zoltan showed his talents by playing tambourine, keyboards, xylophone and melodica. Brett picked up the guitar sticks, Gretyl on guitar, while Lauren gave us her vocal  and keyboard talents.

Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk

A great fun night.  Hopefully we will be able to do something similar in the future.

If you didn't have a chance to visit Millbrook, check out both bands tour schedule here.









Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk performing
"Stow Me Away".  Please excuse the video quality but at least the audio is OK.