Tag: California

This guy here has been in the music biz longer than most of us have been alive (1971). You can read all about his career elsewhere, but this song has always been comedic to me as I think as anticipated. Have fun with this one!   … Continued →

I’ve been listening to Ronnie Martin’s music since the late 80s, when he and brother Jason (of Starflyer 59 and many others) were known as the duo Dance House Children. That group reveled in synth-pop, but with a super quirky edge. There was nothing in the Christian nor secular markets quite like it. After two underrated albums, the pair split. Jason started the legendary indie rock monster Starflyer 59, while Ronnie carried on with synthesizer-created music in the form of Joy Electric.… Continued →

For a brief moment in the early 1990s, it looked like electronica (or techno, or rave as it was being called at the time) was going to take over popular music. It had a huge following in Christian alternative music for a good two years. Although the synthesizer-driven genre had little to do with the guitar-dominated alt-rock, grunge, and hardcore punk of the era, what it did have in common with those genres was simply being an oddball style of music with which to glorify God.… Continued →

Krush was a hard rock band that released a couple albums & a demo. This song is from a cassette demo that I finally shelled out my hard earned cash to get! Hope y’all like it as I was looking for it for years. And Happy July 4th! … Continued →

Metalheads are divided over whether the subgenre dubbed “speed metal” actually exists or not. Often confused with shred metal and/or Neo-classical (yes, those guys play fast, but that’s not the same thing), it’s almost synonymous with thrash except there are often clean vocals and/or slightly cleaner guitars. In the Christian scene, the most obvious examples are the seminal and fantastic Valor, Tourniquet’s early work (also adding a progressive element) and the mighty Deliverance. While Deliverance has flirted with a lot of different styles (speed/thrash, gothic metal, alternative metal, groove, etc.),… Continued →

This band is cool. I remember seeing them back in the day & I was impressed. I’d consider them pop punk & they were one of the early T&N bands that I had collected. Chose this one as I always understood the lyrics. The life’s torn from you, there is nowhere to turn. You’re all alone, you feel hollow and empty. Nothing you do can suppress the heartache that you feel. The only strength you have is used to cry in misery.… Continued →

This is a hard song to listen to, but it needs to be heard. This one talks about a guy who hurt someone close to the author. He’s ticked with the dude, but tells him that God will forgiven him if he repents. There is what appears to be a music video on YouTube, but it’s to risqué to list here. … Continued →

Emerging from the original wave of Spirit Filled Hardcore (or SFHC) came southern California’s No Innocent Victim, AKA N.I.V. In contrast to their SFHC peers like Unashamed, Strongarm, and Overcome, who often integrated metallic influences that were becoming more popular in hardcore, NIV stuck to their old school roots with a “Loud Fast Rules” mentality. In fact, their old school approach to fast and heavy hardcore played a part in sparking a revival of the style, which eventually evolved into “tough guy hardcore,” essentially an update of that old school sound with added breakdowns and heaviness.… Continued →

For some of you, this SOTD will stretch the limits of what “Indie Vision Music” should cover. Glam metal was at the height of the commercialization of rock and roll in the late 80s, thus rendering Stryper’s inclusion here as suspect. But here are a few reasons why they absolutely deserve to be here: 1. They were, and possibly are still, the most important and/or influential Christian rock/metal band of all time. Yes, it’s true. With number one singles, album sales that rivaled their secular peers, and heavy rotation on MTV (when it still stood for “Music Television”), their impact is still felt far and wide.… Continued →

No, The Supertones weren’t the first Christian ska band. The Israelites’ first album pre-dated them by a year. But in the UK, Rev Counta and the Speedoze* (another incarnation of Ishmael United) had released a full-length as early as 1980! And perhaps some Jamaican bands that didn’t fit into the CCM/CBA mold had been active earlier than that, it’s hard to say. However, the Supertones were the first Christian ska band to release an album on a nationally-distributed label, releasing The Adventures of the O.C.… Continued →

Propaganda is my favorite rapper whom I have officially seen & hung with twice. I’ve been listening to him since his days with Tunnel Rats & have every one of his albums if that tells you anything. You can also check out my other faves NF & Dirt. He is steadily going still & I am currently reading his Terraform book. This thought provoking SOTD is my fave & you can read the lyrics below. Once I heard this Middle Eastern carpenter say, “You know, the healthy don’t need doctors.” … Continued →

This obscure little band, while relatively unknown, has ties to some more connected acts. They only released one 4-song 12″ EP before breaking up and/or morphing into other acts. The most well-known member was Robert Vaughn, previously of RV and the Hubcaps, and who went on to play with Gloryhouse, Southside Blades of Eden (Broken Records), and most notably Robert Vaughn and the Shadows. RV and the Shadows was essentially the New Presidents line-up with a different name and slightly more mainstream style.… Continued →

The Great Commission is another offshoot from hxc band XdeathstarX along with Sleeping Giant. Seen them live & always like these 2 SOTDs per their lyrical content. On a side note, they are featured about halfway thru Taylor Swift’s I Knew You Were Trouble music video with their song When it Rains it Pours. … Continued →

Avery Parkway has a cool band past. with Joel being the drummer for Olivia (a pop punk band from Hawaii) & Confide & touring bassist for Of Mice & Men. His solo music has debuted on iTunes & surpassed mainstream heavyweights such as Justin Bieber & Adelle.  This SOTD is a straight up rock worship song. Per his own words “Everything” is a thank you letter and an offering of worship to Jesus for never leaving me no matter how jacked up and lost I truly was.… Continued →

Sleeping Giant is an awesome band nuff said!  They are what I like to consider a spirit filled hxc band due to their performance & unabashed way they present Jesus. They split off from another hxc band along with The Great Commission, both of whom I have seen live. I totally miss the Scream the Prayer Tours! Here are 2 of my faves that will get you on fire for God! . … Continued →

Makeshift 3 is a metal tinged pop punk band which has been around for a while. This song seems to have been redone a few times, but I like it & hope you do also. … Continued →

Tourniquet-What am I to say about one of my top 5 bands ever? Besides some outstanding songwriting & metal music, the band has stood the test of time. They have been going since the 90s. I remember You Get What You Pray For on an Intense Records comp & I was hooked. Pathogenic was one of the first cds I bought (first was Rich Mullins’ Winds of Heaven & Paul Smith’s Human Touch) & I got it the same day as Galactic Cowboys Space in Your Face.… Continued →

Hanover Saints were a Californian street punk band with their first LP being released on Facedown Records. They have a lot of good songs so be sure to check them out.   … Continued →

Joy Electric aka Ronnie Martin is Jason’s brother from Starflyer 59. The 2 brothers have released several albums from their various monikers of The Brothers Martin, The Foxhole Hunt, Dancehouse Children. Ronnie is also a pastor in Ohio. I just happen to like spiders & if you do also, check out the following songs/albums that feature our favorite 8 legged God created creatures! I have 2 tarantulas myself: a Mexican Red-Knee & a Pink Toe. WILDERNESS OF TEKOA-SPIDERS, WHITE COLLAR SIDESHOW-LIKE SPIDERS WEAVE, GO FISH-ITSY BITSY SPIDER, DEAR EPHESUS-DEAR SPIDER, LEPER-SPIDER WEBS, JOE ROMERO-ITSY BITSY SPIDER, WONROWE VISION-RESIDENT SPIDER, ALICE COOPER-ALONG CAME A SPIDER CD, SUNNY DAY REAL ESTATE-FLATLAND SPIDER, MELLOWDRAMATIC WALLFLOWERS-SPY DER SPIDER, SHILOHTRANCE-THE SPIDER, MEWITHOUTYOU, BROWNISH, ORANCE, YELLOW SPIDER, TEMPLAR-SKY SPIDER 2, SECRET & WHISPER-SPIDER BESIDER, SEVEN SYSTEM-KILL THE SPIDER, LOVEDRUG-SPIDERS,LIL RASKULL-AMAZING (UNOFFICIAL AMAZING SPIDERMAN THEME), KANSAS-THE SPIDER, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA-SPIDERHEADS, UNTILWEDIE!-MOUTHFUL… Continued →

Light The Way is a newer punk band rostered on our own IVM that has several cool songs I like in their discography already including Brkn, Holy Ghost & this extremely catchy SOTD.   … Continued →

LikeDavid released 2 full lengths & a few indie singles. I sill speak with vocalist Marc Haley a few times a year. The band helped me through some difficult times in the past. Also check out Suffer To Reach. … Continued →

Freeto Boat was an awesome punk rock band mixed with ska. Like my previous SOTD for Sick of Change, this one is also a love song. Today I’ll let the sun set, There’s no anger in my heart. Tonight just let the moon rise, Our time won’t be spent apart. Starlight and confessions Of what you mean to me, These twilight conversations they’re helping me to see… What you are in God’s eyes, what you are in mine not a hair too shy of perfect and always just in time.… Continued →

3rd Root is a band that reminds me of a cross between the Deftones, Helmet & old school P.O.D. They were short lived, but their full length A Sign of Things To Come is a mainstay in my metal collection.     … Continued →

San Francisco-based goth band BATZZ in the Belfry are relatively unknown in the mainstream, but that is a real shame. They combine “unashamed traditional old school goth” with ethereal dream pop, and even hints at shoegaze at times. I suppose this puts them in the realm of darkwave. Take “Touch the Stars” for instance. The song would easily be at home on a Metropolis or Projekt Records compilation alongside Sisters of Mercy, Love and Rockets, or Love Spirals Downwards.… Continued →

MxPx just announced two shows in April 2022, one at House of Blues in Anaheim, CA. on April 1st and the other in Tempe, Arizona at Marquee Theater. Joining them will be Zebrahead, Bad Cop, Bad Cop, and Mercy Music. Tickets and further info can be found right here. Also, the band just dropped a new LIVE album titled “Southbound to San Antonio” that sounds absolutely fantastic, even better than their last big one. The live album is up now on all digital networks and streaming sites.… Continued →

Fono was an awesome band that had a really outstanding debut, but seemed to fail into obscurity shortly thereafter a follow-up. They originally came from the United Kingdom under the name Seven, but moved to California for their American tenure. Their vocalist actually played in other bands I have releases from called Split Level & Tribe of Dan. They actually opened for Bon Jovi before changing their name to Fono. Goesaroundcomesaround is a great release and there are no duds on it.… Continued →

Dead Awake Dreaming was a metalcore band that hailed from California. Their Facebook has not been updated since 2016, but their mission was to love the unloved & I feel we all understand that. Jesus does hear our cries & will be there for us no matter what even when we don’t understand ourselves. Another day with no one to hold you or feel your pain It’s tough when no one is around to say, “Everything is okay” Don’t stop, push on You wanna lie when someone asks if you have been alright Trying to paint a portrait of something that you are not at all What Happens Behind Closed Doors Where have you gone to so far away?… Continued →

Ruby Joe was an awesome rocka/pscychobill band from California. They changed things up on their 2nd album which dabbled in swing. The original band that 2 members were in was named Strugglefish which is in reference I’m pretty sure to one of my all time faves 1st LP DigHayZoose which was actually my first review for one of their songs. Anyways, this SOTD is catchy & related to one of my friends’ cat lol! Anyways, hope you have fun listening to this one.… Continued →

There is simply not enough hip-hop on this site. Let’s fix that! I grew up in a small, very monochromatic town in Oklahoma, where most of the people had my skin color. In that part of the world, there were two kinds of music–country and heavy metal. In the 80s, a few of my friends who were more hip had started getting into this new “rap music” that I knew very little about. But growing up in a country-western family and then discovering rock on my own, I wasn’t really predisposed to listen to rap.… Continued →

Havalina Rail Co. was a delightfully quirky, eccentric, genre-fusing and genre-bending experimental band from California. Across their 10-year career (give or take), the band dabbled in folk, ska, jazz, ragtime, blues, Americana, surf, and multiple internationally-themed genres. No two albums in their canon treads the same ground, and yet each successive opus is clearly recognizable as Havalina. The band stopped recording as HRC somewhere in the early 00s, but members have turned up elsewhere. Most notably are Matt Wignall who is a renowned photographer and is perhaps now best known as the producer for several Cold War Kids albums.… Continued →