Tag: song of the day

Both bands are modern rock & do a mighty fine job if I might say. Clear Skies used to have a music video but it was pulled before Veridia came to be. I saw Veridia at a Winter Jam at one point. Hope you like the 2 songs as much as I have.    … 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 →

Simple Mystery is a band that is from my hometown Normal, Illinois. The 4 piece comprised of Jason, Eric, Jimmy & Chris. Chris you may have heard of  from his later band The Frantics & his work with Miss Angie & pop rock/worship group Goodbye Audio. Anyways my buddy Kelly Kerfoot let me borrow the cassette tape & I had looked for this song for many years since my cassette tape bit the dust maybe 20 years ago! … Continued →

This band was awesome imho. The early days of Christian hxc bands had met their match with this phenomenal cd The Road Less Travelled. Songs like Congruent, Purify, Slip, & Steadfast are just pummeling.  It was like a breach of hxc w/ metalcore. Myk Porter & Matt Traxler went to to form an awesome emo band called Brandston (whom I got to see live several years ago) after but the band got its start in 91 in Ohio. I have always thought this is one of the best metal instrumentals of all time.… Continued →

The American Culture Experiments were a punk band from Texas. Their first LP I bought off Accidental Sirens records which is the label from Scaterd Few’s/Men As Trees Walking Allen Aguirre whom I had the pleasure to interview back in my college days. Humans Being was also featured as a single on Christian indie rock shows back in the early 2000s.  Lloyd wrote a SOTD on another song from theirs here: https://www.indievisionmusic.com/news/song-of-the-day-the-american-culture-experiments-freedom-in-part/     This one has Laraine on vocals & bass. … Continued →

One of my all-time favorite record labels of the indie Christian scene was Blonde Vinyl. Run by Michael Knott (LSU/Lifesavers, and about a dozen others), it was one of the first truly indie, truly alternative record labels focusing on Christian artists. Knott never got rich off of the sales. (A few years later, Brandon Ebel would show us how to make a Christian indie label financially profitable.) Furthermore, not all of the releases on Blonde Vinyl were even that great–I won’t name any names–but all of them were charming in some way.… Continued →

This is a band whom I have seen live twice now & they put on an impressive show. And of course the P.O.D./Bad Brains influence isn’t a bad thing either! This is just the type of music I am glad to have permeated the mainstream airwaves. Coconut Dracula put them on the map & as of today, April 1st, they have released It’s Not Easy Being Human. … Continued →

There are so many memories of these 2 bands. C2G first started up back in 99 w/ Jeremy Dawson (who is an awesome musician). He added Chad Petree who was in a boy band called PC Quest which started in 91. C2G released 2 of my fave EDM albums of all time. Then they started releasing other projects under Slyder, RRDS & Shiny Toy Guns. STG took over & they ended up releasing their mainstream debut in 06 but was floating around as an indie release in 05.… Continued →

I remember seeing this band live back in the day when I lived down south at a place in Statesville, NC if I remember correctly. They had formed in 99 & were inspired by such bands  as The Blamed, Rancid, NoFX, Dropkick Murphy’s. … 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 →

MyChildren MyBride is a metalcore band from Alabama. This SOTD was probably my fave song in 2013. It has always served as a reminder that the devil does not rule my life no matter how many times I fall as a Christian. YHWH is always waiting for me with open arms. … Continued →

Acceptance is a pop punk band from Washington state. I remember their song Different on mainstream radio back when emo ruled the airwaves in the early to mid 2000s. They had originally broke up in 2006, but reunited in 2017 & released albums on the label that I have always wanted to work for: Tooth & Nail. They have toured with Anberlin, Finch, Further Seems Forever & The Julian Theory all of whom I have seen live. The band has had several catchy songs including Take Cover, Not Afraid & this SOTD.… Continued →

The Culprits were a punk band from Florida. They were signed to Blood & Ink Records at one point, but had a few albums. This SOTD is extremely catchy, but also check out my other fave Danse Nocturne from their LP Nora. … 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. Supertones just a few months before Five Iron Frenzy dropped Upbeats and Beatdowns.… Continued →

xDisciplex is a spirit filled hxc band whose Lantern ep I had back in the mid 90s while I was in high school. I have always dug this song more than their others. After the band disbanded, members were involved with several bands including Jesus Wept, N.I.V., Anchor, Dodgin’ Bullets, Shockwave among others. … 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 →

Reclaim the Day is a modern rock band out of Indiana. Their most recent song Chokehold features Zahna of Ilia fame. This SOTD is extremely catchy & crescendos into the chorus & is another female fronted band whose singer can scream again akin to Zahna & Lacey from Flyleaf. Check em out   … 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. Where The New Presidents dabbled in new wave and post-punk, The Shadows went full into power pop.… Continued →

The Festal Shout is a street punk band which reminds me of Flatfoot 56 or Hanover Saints. If you want to read a cool review see this article https://www.indievisionmusic.com/reviews/festal-shout-tumultuous-noise-ep/ . The bands name comes from Psalms 89: 14-18 ESV Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you. Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face, who exult in your name all the day and in your righteousness are exalted. … Continued →

Ignescent is a female fronted modern rock band from Chi-town. Their first album was produced by Wyrick in 2008 who had headed up Rugged Records back in the day & released a couple of sweet industrial tinged LPs. Since then, the band has released a bunch more stuff including Remnants which just found its way onto mainstream radio as of 3/31 the day I am writing this. They remind me of older Fireflight. It’s nice to see bands we saw in the Christian market to reach mainstream success imho.… Continued →

Virginia Creeper describes itself as Industrial black which makes sense, but appears to also have goth influences. This SOTD eludes to living for Jesus & dying to yourself daily. Which I totally agree with the message & should do better myself. … Continued →

Encryptor was one of the many projects of the multi-talented Felipe (AKA Phil) Diez, and was one of the first Christian death metal projects from the nation of Panama. Phil later relocated to Rhode Island and carried on his career there with several projects: Sorrowstorm (black metal), Entorn (doom metal), Northern Ash (death metal), and Rehumanize (grindcore). So far, Encryptor is my favorite of the lot, though I confess I haven’t heard all of his projects. The band recorded 2 albums: Drowning in Flesh (on Nascent Frost Productions), and Sermon Decay (on Dysmorphic Records), both of which were available only very sparsely, independent of any substantial distribution.… Continued →

Crimson Thorn is one of the earliest Christian death metal bands. I remember their first album & was introduced to a preacher & Your Carcass. This SOTD is incredibly heavy & one of my fave loud songs of all time. Also am stoked I was able to hang out with Luke Renno who is a pretty friendly guy & was at the album release of his current band Taking the Head of Goliath a few years back. Pic is me with Luke. … Continued →

Parental Petulance is a punk band from Peoria, Illinois. My son & I were totally here when they made this video. It was a fun night with them & Must Build Jacuzzi & Bub Walker & the Tombstones (whom are supposed to be releasing their debut this year!). Also check out their song Disobedience. … 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 →

I first heard Sixpence None the Richer while listening to a cassette demo in the Christian bookstore in 1993. They had me from the opening acoustic guitar riffs on “Field of Flowers,” the opening track from The Fatherless and the Widow. That album was fantastic, but even so, it was only a foretaste of what was to come. While the band are largely known for their romantic pop radio hit, “Kiss Me,” from their self-titled third album, many fans and critics alike are drawn to their sophomore album, This Beautiful Mess.… 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 →

October Bird of Death is an punk band from Illinois whom I have seen live. Vocalist Wiley Willis has been busy these past few years with several bands including 2 Minute Minor which have numerous releases. I have their sticker for this album cover on my bass cab. You can read the whole album review here https://www.indievisionmusic.com/reviews/october-bird-death-death-made-offer/   … Continued →

Crux is a hxc crust punk band that released albums on Tooth & Nail and Boot 2 Head Records. They had a music video for Wasted Day that can easily be found. This song I remember being on a Christian loud music chart back in the day. Be prepared to headbang!   … Continued →

Y’all better to get ready to put your boxing gloves on. You ready for this? Pokinatcha is the best MxPx (Magnified Plaid) album. Why? It was melodic, but still very much punk–bordering even on old school hardcore at times. It’s by far their most unique record, before they settled into the more polished pop-punk sound that everyone remembers. To be clear, I have no problem with the direction they later took (except for maybe moving further away from Christian spirituality and theology as the years went by, but that’s another post altogether).… Continued →