Atombender... continues to "do the best that they can" (which is pretty darn good - but they can use your help)

One of the best new young bands around is Ames, Iowa's Atombender. Though the music of these friends who originate from Iowa State University defies description - fans of the likes of Weezer, Bleach, Relient K, Five Iron Frenzy, Blink 182, Madness, and the Supertones would do themselves a huge favor to check them out. Their music can be accessed at several locations online including right here. Their strong, previously released (2009) EP entitled "Poison Gases for the Masses" (which can be purchased on i-tunes by going right here), is full of gems that toy with the fusion of rock/punk guitar, horns and retro-synth - without ever becoming full-fledged "ska." Replete with both seriousness and frolics, my personal favorite tracks on it are "Silent," "Soldiers and Widows," and "A Better Plan" (their ironic, and in some ways even irenic staple closing song favorite in concerts..."we're doing the best... that we can... we'll be here until we think of a better plan").

Fortunately for all of us, the band is currently working on a new, full-length album "Wait of the World" which promises to toy even more with these magic blends. Here's where you as the listener come in: In order to help Atombender record and release this upcoming, full-length album, you can go here to sign up and make a pledge. If going that route doesn't work for you, another option is donating through paypal at this address: benwied@gmail.com.

Don't wait to do it, either, because there's a time limit.
(um... what are you waiting for?)

Atombender promo photography by Matthew Smith
and The Beautiful Voyage:
http://thebeautifulvoyage.com/

Regeneration Radio with Jeani Bond: THEE definitive online school of Alternative Christian Retro



www.live365.com/stations/jeanibond



What do The Lifesavors, Andy McCarroll and Moral Support, The 77s, No Laughing Matter, and Weber and the Buzztones all have in common? If you don’t know, it’s probably because you’ve never heard of them.

For some strange reason, Christian alternative rock music listeners suffer from an intense sense of either… ignorance… or at least amnesia about the past. A guy named C.S. Lewis used to define this malady as "chronological snobbery." Someone said to me a number of years ago in a place far, far away… “I guess in the 80’s the only Christian rock band you had to listen to was Petra… ha ha ha – he he he.” Um… wrong :). Long before Relient K, and even much earlier than the O.C. Supertones there was such a “dish” being served which can be dubbed Christian alternative music.

Don’t get me wrong, I like Relient K and cohorts, but… MEMO: These chaps really didn’t inaugurate Christian pop-punk. Neither did MXPX. Some might argue "they've done it better." Ok - in some ways, perhaps, but like Green Day built on ground broken by The Clash, newer Christian bands have their predecessors to thank for churning up some early dirt. Beyond that, I'm reminded of something Jack White (of White Stripes) once said in an interview (I'll paraphrase) - "most bands look back and like their demo tapes better than the finished recordings - what we decided to do was just release our demos." There is an undeniable value of "demo tape" innocence that can't be measured, and this rings true with the early years of Christian Alternative music. A famous film director once said "if you want to get into film-making, just use what you have and start making movies - there's a lot you can do with just a cam-corder." I look back on the early years of Alt. Christian artists and so much of it has that wonderful, "cam-corder" - esque, no boundaries approach to writing and recording. In comparison, much of what you'll hear on current mainstream Christian radio is chock full of hopelessly, polished fences.            

To get “schooled” in the genre of Alternative Christian Retro, I highly recommend checking out Regeneration Radio live 365 by going right here. If that link doesn't work for you, go here. Ms. Bond… Jeani… Bond, of Lloyd, Florida has a phenomenal, even incomprehensible, collection of formative, underground, and indie (etc) cuts that would embarrass most people’s surface level view – or recollection – of that era of tune-age. Even though I was an active participant in the “scene” during that time, I’m blown away by my own shallow remembrance of everything that was going down back then. For instance, Ishmael United – what a great band. They rocked. I mean – what a… great band. Or try Johnny Quest on for size. Or experience Crayzed Bunnies, The Magnetics, Blush, Blue Trapeze, Pietro Dinzee, or the Felix Culpa. Indies, demos, upbeat and offbeat. This is No Laughing Matter. You won’t hear this on corporate radio – and by that I mean virtually anything you can tune into on your FM dial. There are also other records I own that that I’ve been recently inspired to break out again which continue to deliver, such as Andy McCarroll and Moral Support. Then there’s Opinion 8? New December? And Go Go Street? As Butch and Sundance said; Who… are… those guys?

For a more extensive list of the station's artists, go here. 

In case you think this era/genre with its bands is irrelevant, you might note how at least one knowledgeable on-line music reviewer credits several of the Regeneration Radio play-list bands as having produced some of the top 50 Christian albums of all time – including even less obvious acts such as the Altar Boys, Adam Again, The LifeSavers, Andy McCarroll and Moral Support, Steve Taylor, and The 77's (among others). In fact, check out the book “Walk On: The Spiritual Journey of U2” by Irish author Steve Stockman, and you’ll discover that one of the aforementioned bands (Andy McCarroll and Moral Support) was an early influence on the Irish icons during their formative years. Here’s an excerpt:

“It seems The Edge was especially taken with McCarroll’s magnetic stage presence, natural songwriting ability, and the spiritual intensity of the production. The Edge would eventually invite McCarroll to Dublin for a weekend just to shoot the breeze about the purpose of what they were trying to achieve” (Walk On, p. 25)

So tune in to Regeneration Radio and get schooled – or at least re-schooled. You might even get regenerated (when was the last time you chewed on lyrics like this as part of your normal Christian music diet?).

When you tune in, contact the station and tell them you heard about it from some off-beat reference point called Potluck Suicide.

SPIN says Relient K Among Top Ten Must-Hear Artists on Vans Warped Tour

For all the "K" - heads out there, I thought I might post this bite of information: Relient K has been named by SPIN magazine as one of the top ten "must hear artists" on the current Vans Warped Tour. They're placed specifically at #7 out of well over 100 mainstream bands. The reviewer specifically mentions being a fan since purchasing the 2004 album Mmhmm, noting that the band "found a way to play piano in pop punk, but ina more subtle way."

Go here to read it for yourself.
To see Relient K tour dates go here.

John Lennon Goes Conservative?

Was John Lennon a closet political conservative late in life?

This is apparently the testimony of one of his assistants. Here are some excerpts from the article:

He says, “John, basically, made it very clear that if he were an American he would vote for Reagan because he was really sour on (Democrat) Jimmy Carter.”
 
“He’d met Reagan back, I think, in the 70s at some sporting event… Reagan was the guy who had ordered the National Guard, I believe, to go after the young (peace) demonstrators in Berkeley, so I think that John maybe forgot about that… He did express support for Reagan, which shocked me."

“I also saw John embark in some really brutal arguments with my uncle, who’s an old-time communist… He enjoyed really provoking my uncle… Maybe he was being provocative… but it was pretty obvious to me he had moved away from his earlier radicalism."

“He was a very different person back in 1979 and 80 than he’d been when he wrote Imagine. By 1979 he looked back on that guy and was embarrassed by that guy’s naiveté.”

Go here for a link to the entire article.

With at least a couple of biographies noting that Lennon had a short season of embracing Christianity, I’m personally of the view that Lennon didn’t know what he truly held to and spent his life searching all the way up to the tragic end (for testimony about his “Christian” season see “Lennon in America” by Geoffrey Giuliano pp. 131-132 – note also the same book bears witness to his abusive tendencies pp. 19-21, as well as documenting his racist – including anti-semitic – rants while drunk – see pp.132-133, 143).

Here are some other excerpts from the book based on the 1979 period:

“But as the days grew shorter and an autumn chill descended upon Manhattan, Lennon fell once again into a dark hole of desperation. He was shooting heroin with alarming regularity, whether to ease the pain of a sore tooth or simply ward off boredom…”

“The substance abuse, however, wasn’t limited to John, who grew concerned that Yoko was heavily indulging herself. Alarmed, John begged her to stop, but couldn’t very well preach what he himself didn’t practice…”

“‘At first I thought Yoko was ill, but then I realized she was simply strung out on smack.’ The fact that both John and Yoko had relapsed make it virtually impossible for them to kick their habits. Someone would tun up with some quality cocaine, and the pair would invariably succumb to temptation, even as an exasperated John secretly prayed for divine intervention.”

“One evening Lennon, examining a life that seemed worthless and directionless, confessed in his audio diary that he had been looking out the window and contemplating whether to leap. But even suicide, it seemed, would have required more passion than Lennon had at his disposal” (pp. 199-200)

John Lennon was a very gifted songwriter, but I find the trajectory of his life to be very sad.

Reborn and Sondogs Rock the Square in Chariton, Iowa

Reborn singers and keyboard player (Amanda Coker - not in full view)
along with Sondogs' Robert and John Thatcher 

In spite of some rain and sound equipment difficulties, Iowa bands Reborn and Sondogs played inspired song sets in the Chariton town square to enthused folks who drove in to attend. I was one of the folkage who had the privilege of being there. Reborn, which on this occasion had a number of slots filled in by members of the Sondogs - led in a set of mostly upbeat, yet heart-felt worship. Highlights for me included the opening number - which was a cover of the Chris Tomlin song "No Chains on Me" - as well as their own infectiously groovin' version of "Let it Rise." 


Kara Rich and Andy Rich (related only in Christ) with Sondogs' support

Singers Andy Rich, Kara Rich, and Amanda Schroeder had their usual awesome vocal chemistry going on, and the support of Sondogs' Robert Thatcher added well to the mix.     
At one point, a mystery accordion/harmonica player was even invited to join them for a rootsy Gospel medley of "I'll Fly Away/I Saw the Light."  

Mystery accordion player with Son Dogs' singer Robert Thatcher 

As the set built in energy, the worship participation of the attendees also grew. The band climaxed with the original song "Who I Am" - which featured the solid, rock baritone lead vocals of Andy Rich, as well as the addition of a soulful echo from Sondogs guitar player/singer John Thatcher. The three of them together prompted in my mind hues of Christianized versions of Ronnie Van Zandt (Andy), Michael Stipe (Robert), and Joe Cocker (John) being together on the same platform. It's a very musically rewarding combination. 

After taking a brief hiatus as a band, fans can only hope that this is a hint of a kind of "rebirth" for "Reborn." There are many who will be looking to hear more from them in the near future.

The Iowa Band known as the Sondogs also rocked the square on this wet day in July.


Sondogs siblings Robert and John Tatcher, with John's son Nathaniel on drums

Beginning with retro-esque organ notation, their surprise opening cover version of the W's "The Devil is Bad" was quite a welcomed punch in the mouth to get their set going.

Keyboard player Ian Richardson cranks up the opening notes of "The Devil is Bad"

"Dogs" drummer Nathaniel Thatcher provides some early, back-beat poundage

From there, the set moved quickly to staple favorites, being a cover versions of Larry Norman's "Outlaw" and Crowder's "Undignified." 


 Along with the excellent praise and worship, their original songs resonated especially well outdoors, with the edgy harmonies of the Thatcher brothers and the reverberated guitar riffs of newcomer Charlie Hale. Hale's playing draws to mind Mark Knopfler's sound on the Bob Dylan Gospel album "Slow Train Coming," with his stratocaster copy singing well for him during the instrumental interludes. This was the case during their more kickin' tunes - like their driving cover of "Spirit in the Sky" - but it also rang true during more mellow approaches, as in their thoughtful original song "Love Me." 

Charlie "Knopfler" Hale and Steve Thatcher

All the way through to their final song (a jarring rendition of Third Day's "Gone") the Sondogs showed once again both their straight ahead, yet reflective approaches to Gospel rock. Word has it people can look forward to them playing some more upcoming concerts, including an appearance at "Spirit Mid-West" on August 5-6 in West Des Moines (Go here for information on this). The Son Dogs website can be found right here.

Reborn's facebook page can be accessed right here.

Special thanks to... Reborn's Andy Rich, Kara Rich, Amanda Schroeder, and Amanda Coker - along with Sondogs' Robert Thatcher, John Thatcher, Steve Thatcher, Nathaniel Thatcher, Charlie Hale, and Ian Richardson for a great afternoon of music.      

Your Friend, 

-Eric H

A section of "spud-age" rockin' to Reborn and Son Dogs

Ethel Mae Potter Got the Shaft

I've always thought Ethel Mae Potter got the shaft. She goes through her hometown on the way to Hollywood and people mistakenly think she's the one looking forward to a career in tinsel-town.

So what?

Why can't Ricky just bite the bullet and let her have the spotlight on this occasion? Is this such a huge loss for Ricky? What is it that she did to justify the brutal, public humiliation they put her through? (see by going right here).

This has always burned me, and it's not funny. Not at all.

-Eric H

Daniel Amos Concert Review: Zeke's in Ames, Iowa June 16, 2011



The return of the beat menace

Chronicles continue to be written – even on summer nights here in the mid-west. Ames, Iowa may not be located exactly on the “glory road” trail, but unbeknownst to some, Iowa’s I-35 has been dubbed the eschatological “Highway of Holiness.” I'll have to re-check my eschatological views on that one, but while I'm doing that... …enter… a band called Daniel Amos.

It had been a long, long… long time since I’d seen Terry Taylor and company in concert. Since they haven't toured in over ten years, most other DA fans can likely empathize. Back in the (very) early 1980’s, the first Christian album I ever purchased was Daniel Amos’ “Horrendous Disc” - with my purchase of the first album installment of the “Alarma” chronicles following quickly on its heels. Back then, the Christian music scene took a long time to catch up with what these artists were doing – and it’s arguably yet to have caught up even now (if there’s any doubt about this – go here and re-assimilate the song “Shedding the Mortal Coil” – keeping in mind this avant-garde art song with lyrics drawing from a Shakespearean-filtered Biblical worldview expression - was written and recorded smack in the middle of 1979-1981 when everything represented by the aforementioned was considered to be highly suspect. Many in Christian circles were still not even sure if a Christian should… ever… play an electric guitar, let alone “getting all weird” about it).

In spite of everything that’s already been said about them – it remains nearly impossible to not give way to understatement. In those days, along with their style experimentations, lyric boundaries being pushed, and deeper thoughts being mined, there was always the trademark “fun” to be had. During that season, there was a progressive consolidation of all of it going on in my own life – which not only directly prompted me to think more “Christianly,” but also planted the seeds of taking classic Christian literature seriously. As an early listener of D.A., I’d had very little exposure to the likes of T.S. Elliot, C.S. Lewis, Dostoevsky – just to name several who have been lyrical and visionary influences on the band. Eventually, the works of these kinds of authors became a significant part of my own life. You might say Taylor’s lyrics were used by the “Master” to crash down the “walls” of my “wood” between two “worlds.” Over the long haul, I’d even like to think I became less of a hollow man (speaking of - go here to tap into yet another Christian literature inspired art-tune that was light-years ahead of its time in Christian music experimentation).

Thankfully, this summer 2011 set list was replete with stand-out favorites. This includes “Mall Over the World” “Walls of Doubt” “Endless Summer” “Ghost of the Heart” “I Love You #19” – among others. The set also featured the more “modern” classic – Kalhoun's “If You Want To.” There were also a number of surprises, like one of my all time favorites “Hold Back the Wind, Donna” which I never thought I’d get to hear them play live. The audience was even treated to a testimony and presentation of the first song Taylor and Chamberlain ever wrote and recorded together (which will remain nameless in this review to keep from spoiling it for 2011 concert goers) – with the two of them eventually being joined by the rest of the band with amazing vocal harmonies.    

Mesmerizing vocal harmonies

I want to note that the addition of Paul Averitt has more than held up the expected smokin' DA bass riffs, but has also resulted in exemplary vocal support (kudos to Paul for being versed enough in DA discography to be able to punch out some impromtu measures of "Shedding the Mortal Coil" upon request). Also, the 2011 guitar combo of Chamberlain and Flesch is the equivalent of having Chuck Berry and Snakefinger on stage at the same time. Ed McTaggart, as usual, rounds things out with the ever-interesting, choppy punches on the drum-kit.

Furthermore, experiencing the solo platform presence of Jerry Chamberlain singing “Man in the Moon” (from Horrendous Disc) was… surreal. He also explained that the song was about Sung Myung Moon - something I never realized. 

"Man in the Moon"

After he finished... I voiced out loud "Little Crosses?" and got him to chuckle.

Along with some others – I had a great time requesting songs out loud – mainly for the sake of interaction with the band. At one point, if I should say so : ), I was able to prompt a strong arousal from the crowd during a particular silent moment by boldly stating two simple words with demonstrative diction:

Dance. Stop.
  

After people whooped in response, Terry said: “Our dance stopped a long time ago” (with laughs all around). Classic. The set did feature the edgy humor of “New Car” and “Hide the Beer, The Pastor’s Here” (if only Terry knew there was a “pastor” in attendance it might have been even more humorous).

"be a little more specific"





Jerry sports Doppelganger guitar

 Silly interaction with the band notwithstanding, I personally wouldn’t have changed anything in the set list. Much of this is due to the fact that there was such an excellent representation from the wide variety of thoughtful gems in their catalog (including "The Twist" "Sanctuary" "Buffalo Hills" "Joel"). I will always like the “Dance Stop(s)” of the DA world, but there is a reflective poignancy in Terry and DA’s 2011 summer set that I wouldn’t trade. Fittingly with the Johnny Cash shirt Mr. Taylor was dawning, I’m of the view he and the band have the potential to write/perform their best material during this “last trimester" of their careers. They not only sound great vocally/harmonically – I would go so far as to say there is a more markedly pensive, even more decidedly spiritual element in their concerts than I can recall from the old days. I’m reminded of Ravi Zacharias’ book “Recapture the Wonder” - and it is quite evident that Mr. Taylor… has (not that he ever really “lost” the wonder). Consequently, we as the listeners get to share the sanctuary.

Terry shares the wonder

My wife and I were even with some new friends experiencing DA, in every way, shape, and form... for the very first time - and they seemed very pleasantly "into" the whole set.

In all, the setting (at "Zeke's" - Ames, Iowa - an awesome venue to see a band) was intimate and the crowd enthusiastic – which resulted in the inclusion of the band playing two encores that were far from gratuitous. Putting it mildly, attendees wanted them back - badly. They were the band that… nobody… wanted to go away. Quite frankly, this reviewer could have listened to them play all night.

           

Afterward, the band availed themselves to hang out and chat. I had opportunity to talk with Mr. Greg Flesch who was extremely gracious to me and my wife and signed my CD. I also had a nice, but brief chat with Ed McTaggart (who also signed my CD). Finally, I had a chance to talk to Terry. As a side note, I had met Mr. Taylor one other time at a song-writers conference in Anaheim, Ca. back in 1987. For reference, when I met Mr. Taylor the first time I was a precocious, starry-eyed, chit-chatty 19-20 year old kid carrying around some collection of songs entitled… “Potluck Suicide” – and I… talked Terry’s ears into the abyss. Thankfully, in God’s providence, I had a chance to apologize to Mr. Taylor for that – and he sort of just laughed and accepted my apology. He remembered that day and recalled the “nightmare” of having an extemporaneous “tape reviewing” responsibility dropped in his lap. He was thoughtful enough to ask me if I was still writing songs. I tried not to talk his ear off this time, but we did get our picture taken together.

This was a “closure” moment of sorts for me, although I’ll be enthused about any of their upcoming releases and the prospect of them coming back around on tour in the future.   

So… guys… for whatever it’s worth - for the 19^th time I want to say… “I love you.” 

Your Friend,
- Eric H


There are still some tour dates left to see DA this summer. Go here for info.