It seems odd to me that a Christian message is more accessible on mainstream rock stations than on AC or Hot AC. Not to stereotype Christians in any way, but knowing that the majority of what is available in the Christian music scape fits in perfectly with the style of music normally found on AC stations (soft rock, pop), it is surprising that the successful crossover bands are mostly in mainstream rock. POD, Chevelle, Evanescence, Creed, Mae, Anberlin, Flyleaf, Killswitch Engage, Dead Poetic, As I Lay Dying, Norma Jean, Switchfoot and many more have all made their impact on Active Rock and Alternative radio, as well as the more indie-leaning college stations, without compromising their clearly Christian themes. While a couple of these artists have also popped up on AC stations, the bulk of their listenership is coming from the rock world. I don’t doubt there are Christians in other genres, but it seems their messages must be veiled and vague to achieve the same level of success available to them in rock music. Why is this? Is there room for a clearly Christian artist in other formats?
AJ, KOAR
Bain Mattox – KOAR has been placing bets on Mattox for the last year and we are still in the game because we think he is the real deal. If you never heard of Bain Mattox then the following description should suffice. Think Keane meets Lifehouse. Atlanta/Athens, Georgia based Bain Mattox has a grassroots following that can’t be ignored. At age 23, front man Mattox and his 4-piece band have built this project from the ground up, with over 1,000 in attendance at his last hometown performance at The Roxy Theatre and a strong tour history with a proven 150-200 draw in 4+ additional markets. With his cross-over potential, Mattox is already a celebrated artist with awards across the board including People’s Choice for “Best Singer/Songwriterâ€?, “Best Front Manâ€? (Atlanta Music Guide Music Awards), “Best Singer/Songwriterâ€? and “Best Rock Bandâ€? (Athens Flagpole Music Awards). Music has been heard on MTV’s “Real Worldâ€?, TNT for NASCAR, 99x specialty, Q100’s morning show, FOX (Charlotte), and CBS’s “Good Morning Atlantaâ€?. Bain Mattox has shared the stage with The Strokes, Switchfoot, Liz Phair, Better Than Ezra, etc. His sophomore release, “Prizefighterâ€?, will be released November 1st. Mattox and band will be touring in support of “Prizefighterâ€? this fall/winter. Current notable dates include October 28 @ Atlanta’s Roxy Theatre and November 12th @ New York’s Knitting Factory.
Great Glass Elevator – This alternative rock outfit is based in Orange County CA with an age ranging from 18-20. This band strives for spontaneity, admirably pushing itself into new territory. This proves that some young bands still have original ideas within this generically boring music scene. Listen to the tribal influenced track Fike Philophobia if you don’t believe me. Self released EP All In The Golden Afternoon in April 2005 which has sold over 1,200 CD’s. Hot Topic Stores is in the process of ordering their EP to stock in stores nation wide. Alternative Press just mentioned the band in the September issue. The band averages ten shows per month across Southern California and in addition to clubs, colleges and all ages venues while playing high schools to build their fan base. They have opened for bands such as Emery, Hello Goodbye, Sherwood, Koufax, Waking Ashland, Limbeck and Emmanuel. Getting airplay in the last week each evening on Los Angeles’ radio station Indie 103.1FM’s specialty show, Jonesys Jukebox with Steve Jones. Next Shows: October 14 – at The Troubador (with Gratitude). October 15th – San Diego, CA at Ground Zero. October 31 – Anaheim, CA at Chain Reaction.
ZOX – New England – A hybrid of The Cure/Sublime/Counting Crows. ZOX is truly original by their blistering violin melodies, a pulsing backbeat, catchy choruses and sophisticated arrangements. Released Take Me Home in 2003 which has Sounscanned more than 12,000+, supported by 400+ school/club tour dates, and had a half dozen tracks featured on Road Rules/Real World. Will release their new CD The Wait on 8/23/05 which was produced by Ted Comerford and mixed by Mitch Easter (REM, Wilco, Pavement). The album has already 1,000 pre-orders . It was also the 14th most added disc on CMJ for the week of Aug 9, then debuted at #184 of the CMJ charts. ZOX has a strong cult following at clubs and colleges throughout the Eastern U.S. and has supported heavyweights including The Black Eyed Peas, O.A.R., Rusted Root, Everclear, Dispatch, Guster, etc. as well as The Warped Tour and Gathering of The Vibes. More than 1,100 fans attend shows at Providence’s Lupo’s and the band has a college/cult mailing list with 15,000 subscribers. ZOX has been in the top 5 for over 3 months w/ the first single Can’t Look Down at WEQX (Alt) Albany/Manchester and WBRU (Alt) Providence. Two additional tracks–Carolyn and Thirsty–have just been added at WEQX. Two tracks will also be featured in the upcoming Michael Moore Slacker Tour Documentary. ZOX will the featured artist at Aware Store and will be included in the Awarestore.com Ear Snacks compilation (Sept 2005). *Currently self-managed and are open to potential management offers.
I Hate Kate – So. Cal – The lead singer Justin Mauriello is the former front man for rock band Zebrahead that released 3 albums on Columbia/Sony which sold a several hundred thousand units combined worldwide, went gold in Japan. Booked by the MOB Agency [No Doubt]. Recently picking up spins at radio stations like X96 in Salt Lake City where they have been #1 continuously beating out similar major label bands via requests. “Bed of Black Rosesâ€? has recently been serviced to 270+ stations and is on the FMQB sampler. For more information contact Lawyer Ben Mclane at BCMcLane@aol.com. Check out the track Bed of Black Roses which is stronger than Arctic Monkeys lead off single. Speaking of Arctic Monkeys………….I have heard the chatter on Arctic Monkeys. Hyped bands don’t often live up to the chatter (i.e. Block Party). After watching the video on Fuse at 2:00am in the morning, I can honestly say I don’t get the band. How these faceless bands gain this type of momentum is a mystery. It goes to show you how powerful the media has become. Helmet has signed to Warcon Enterprises
The Wall Street Journal :
One after another, British acts awash in homeland success like Franz Ferdinand, Kaiser Chiefs and the Darkness have hit American shores riding a global wave of hype, thanks largely to the Internet. British rock band Arctic Monkeys has so far failed to generate blockbuster sales in the U.S. British acts are hyped so routinely, critics take the hyperbole as a given — and then try to take the superlatives even further. Publications from Australia’s tiny Kalgoorlie Miner newspaper to America’s giant People (“Britain’s Next Great Things live up to the hype,” the magazine declared) have noted the overstatement but declare this newest arrival different
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