In what’s shaping up to be the news heard around the world right here at Indie Vision Music today, legendary punk band – Bad Religion, have collectively found Faith and accepted Jesus. The band announced on their secret 2nd social media account hidden on Truth Social that they have indeed found the Lord after years of wandering in the literal desert (it’s hot out there) searching for meaning beyond what just science can offer and that nature doesn’t always deliver. In celebration of their newfound freedom in Faith, the band entered the studio secretly earlier this year with rising Christian pop artist FORREST FRANK with help from Ryan Clark and Jeremiah Scott (of Demon Hunter fame) to lay down what many in the community are terming as a holy union of punk rock souls! The explosive new album “Heaven Strikes First” will be a nod to their genre defining 2004 album, “The Empire Strikes First” but this time a little less George W Bush commentary and more Jesus Revolution. Greg (Bad Religion) commented, “Some people really won’t believe this when they see it and they’ll instantly think it’s some sort of April Fool’s Joke but we can assure you, we’ve found the Lord and aren’t afraid to rock the CROSS now.” Asked for comment on all their old merch and logo change he said, “Well Religion in it’s essence is bad and it’s our Faith in Christ that will sustain us through the good times and the bad ultimately leading to our salvation the moment we pass on from this world. Science and Nature alone will not sustain you much the same as a Taco Bell burrito won’t permanently erase that hunger”. Ryan Clark who is leading the artwork for this legendary band’s much anticipated foray into Christian Punk Rock had this to say, “I’ve been involved in a lot of bands since my early teenage years and Bad Religion were always that one punk rock band that inspired so many but led us to ask that question, “what if?. I’m proud to leave a mark on this new record and the art is going to be something truly spectacular that you just won’t believe when it drops. I still get chills at the thought.” The album will release through Demon Hunter’s own label, WEAPONS MFG, and will release later this year on Christmas Day (a Friday this year for you release date connoisseurs). Catch the band on tour this summer as part of the super Co-Headlining “Heaven Strikes Hell Mega Tour” with former/current Christian Punk hitmakers MxPx along with support from Dogwood, Craig’s Brother, Too Bad Eugene, Slick Shoes, and introducing Nate Parrish and Light The Way on select dates. Bad Religion will be performing at a few festivals this summer including Kingdom Bound Festival, Rock The Universe, SoulFest, Lifest, and Uprise Festival. Asked to comment on the Tour, Mike Herrera (MxPx) had this to say “We’ve come along way since ‘Pokinatcha’, ‘Teenage Politics’, and ‘Life in General’, like 30 years into the future. We never could have seen this coming. Things change over the years but one thing is for certain, we’re gonna RIDE and show the crowd that we are still OK. While we won’t be playing “Friday Tonight” on this tour, we definitely will be rocking a little PUNK RAWK SHOW and have some special guests lined up to keep it real.” Ted Bond (Craig’s Brother) and Adam Nigh (Too Bad Eugene)had this to say, “Bad Religion are our heroes. We’ve both covered some of their songs in our sets over the years and we never thought this day would come. We are bringing some surprises back on tour this summer so watch out, Follow Your Heart, Shake Your Fist at the Clouds, and remember this will all be more than a Memory.“Nate Parrish had this to say “I’m super stoked to go out on the road this summer with my fellow punk contemporaries and music inspirations. I have fought long and hard to rise above the Creed comparisons to get to this level and I’m proud to say this is proof that I’m really not that ‘Small’. ‘That’s Just Life’ and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.“Andrew Carlin (Light The Way) added”Dude, this is so rad and we are stoked to be included on this tour and for the world to find out how a small California band puts the punk back in ‘Pop’. This is so not LAME, dudes and dudettes.” Christian Appel (Light The Way) said “We are bringing the full on pumpkin imagery on this tour and there will be pumpkins EVERYWHERE. Punk and Pumpkins all day, every day!!!” We also reached out to Josh Kemble (Dogwood) for comment and he had this to say “My mind is literally blown! I will be personally cooking some hot items on this tour and the best carne asada tacos known to man. My signature salsa will be served alongside all that classic Dogwood punk rock you’ve grown to love. My Faith in you will NEVER DIE!”. (Josh is a famed chef and author and this writer has witnessed his creations through social media causing some unnecessary drooling). Get ready for the summer of awesome!
***If you read this far, congratulations. Sorry to burst your Christian punk bubble but today is 4-1-26. I know.
Man, that would be awesome if it were true! Not just because most of us punk rockers grew up with BR, but because it’d be so great for them to come to know Christ! Quite the convincing write up though, Brandon! Kudos!