ApologetiX
ApologetiX | |
---|---|
The Band | |
Background information | |
Origin | United States |
Genres | Christian rock, CCM, comedy rock, parody |
Years active | 1992–present |
Labels | Parodudes |
Website | www.apologetix.com |
Members |
J. Jackson Keith Haynie Jimmy Tanner Bill Hubauer Tom Milnes Tom Tincha Chris VonBartheld |
Past members |
Karl Messner Jerry Hayostek Bob Flaherty Fred Behanna Jeff Pakula Rick Servocky Andy Sparks Bill "Moose" Rieger Todd Waites |
ApologetiX is a Christian parody band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The band was founded in 1992, and since then, has played in all 50 states,[1] released 34 studio albums,[2] and built up a fan club that includes over 65,000 people.[1] The band is currently composed of J. Jackson on vocals, Keith Haynie on bass guitar, Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner on drums, Bill Hubauer and Chris VonBartheld on keyboard, and Tom Milnes and Tom Tincha (a.k.a. "TNT"), both on lead guitar.[3]
ApologetiX gets their name from the word "apologetics"—the use of reason to defend a position, often, and in this circumstance, used to denote a defense of the Christian faith.[2] It is based on the Greek word for defense, ἀπολογία (apologia). The word is used in 1 Peter 3:15, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer (defense or "apologia") to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." (NIV).[4] Their logo, a triquetra, is an ancient symbol which has gained Christian use for the Holy Trinity.[2]
History
ApologetiX has had six official drummers. Jeff Pakula (June 1990 – September 1993), Rick Servocky (November 1993 – April 1995), Bob Flaherty (May 1995 – September 1998), Fred Behanna (February 1999 – January 2001), Bill "Moose" Rieger (March 2001 – January 2005) and Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner (October 2005 – present).[5]
ApologetiX has had multiple other drummers as well. Their longtime fill-in drummer, Keith Harrold (played on Isn't Wasn't Ain't and Keep the Change), David McKee (played on Jesus Christ Morningstar as well as two concerts in 1998) and Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz (drummer for "Weird Al" Yankovic), who played on seven tracks on Biblical Graffiti.[2] Ron Zanski (two shows in 1993) and Allen Muckle (three shows in 2001) have also played with the band.
According to the band's website, Weird Al himself has told them he thinks they do “fabulous work”.[2]
Since 2014, the band has been following a quarterly release schedule, producing a new studio album about every three months. As of August 2016, they are on track to reach twelve albums within three years.
Musical style and lyrical themes
ApologetiX rewrites secular songs with Christian lyrics to create parodies with Christian messages, and, in the song "We're In A Parody Band," ApologetiX refers to itself as a cross between "Weird Al" Yankovic and Billy Graham.
The band's lyrical content is derived solely from Biblical passages and practices, frequently in a tongue-in-cheek manner. It is also noteworthy that lyrics are often embedded with Scripture addresses for further exploration of the song's content.
Some of their parodies include:
Song | Parody of | Original artist |
---|---|---|
"Lazy Brain" | "Crazy Train" | Ozzy Osbourne |
"Don't Be Fooled" | "Don't Be Cruel" | Elvis Presley |
"Hotel Can't Afford Ya" | "Hotel California" | Eagles |
"Christmasnite" | "Kryptonite" | 3 Doors Down |
"Enter Samson" | "Enter Sandman" | Metallica |
"The Real Sin Savior" | "The Real Slim Shady" | Eminem |
"Smells Like Thirtysomething Spirit" | "Smells Like Teen Spirit" | Nirvana |
"Bethlehemian Rhapsody" | "Bohemian Rhapsody" | Queen |
"Story of a Squirrel" | "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" | Nine Days |
"More Than a Healing" | "More Than a Feeling" | Boston |
"The Devil Went Down to Jordan" | "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" | Charlie Daniels Band |
"We're Not Goin' to Canaan" | "We're Not Gonna Take It" | Twisted Sister |
"Set Him Free" | "Let It Be" | The Beatles |
"This Is From Paul" | "This Is a Call" | Foo Fighters |
"One More Wall" | "Wonderwall" | Oasis |
"Schoolhouse (for Prophets)" | "School's Out" | Alice Cooper |
Band members
- Current
- J. Jackson - Vocals, lyricist (1992–present)
- Keith Haynie - Bass guitar (1995–present)
- Bill Hubauer - Keyboardist, producer (1998–present)
- Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner - Drums (2005–present)
- Tom Milnes - Lead guitarist (2008–present)
- Tom Tincha - Lead guitarist (2008–present)
- Chris VonBartheld - Keyboardist, Pianist, bgv's (2013–present)
- Former
- Karl Messner - Lead guitarist (1990–2007)
- Andy Sparks - Rhythm guitarist, Bass (1991–1995)
- Jerry Hayostek - Bass guitar (1992–1993)
- B.J. Collins - Keyboardist, producer (1997–1998)
- Todd Waites - Keyboardist (2011–2013)
- Jeff Pakula - Drums (1990–1993)
- Rick Servocky - Drums (1993–1995)
- Bob Flaherty - Drums (1995–1998)
- Fred Behanna - Drums (1999–2001)
- David McKee - Drums (2001)
- Bill "Moose" Rieger - Drums (2001–2005)
- Session
- Steve Kayner - Bass (1993)
- Keith Harrold - Drums (1993–2000)
- Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz - Drums (1999)
- Everlife - Vocals (2003)
- Janna Jackson - Vocals (2013-)
- Elaine Heitzer - Vocals (2014)
- Keely Singer - Vocals (2014)
- John Marcinizyn - Slide guitar (2016)
- Timeline
Discography
Studio albums
Year | Title | Label |
---|---|---|
1993 | Isn't Wasn't Ain't | Parodudes |
1994 | Radical History Tour | Parodudes |
1997 | Ticked | Parodudes |
1998 | Jesus Christ Morningstar | Parodudes |
1999 | Biblical Graffiti | Parodudes |
2000 | Spoofernatural | Parodudes |
2001 | Keep The Change | Parodudes |
2002 | Grace Period | Parodudes |
2003 | Adam Up | Parodudes |
2005 | Apol-acoustiX | Parodudes |
2006 | Wordplay | Parodudes |
2008 | Future Tense | Parodudes |
2009 | Recovery | Parodudes |
2011 | Wise Up and Rock | Parodudes |
2012 | Orchard Avenue | Parodudes |
2013 | Hot Potato Soup | Parodudes |
2013 | Handheld Messiah | Parodudes |
2014 | Singles Group | Parodudes |
2014 | Loaded 45s | Parodudes |
2014 | Apoplectic | Parodudes |
2014 | Unconditional Releases | Parodudes |
2015 | Easter Standard Time | Parodudes |
2015 | Music Is As Music Does | Parodudes |
2015 | Play Nice | Parodudes |
2015 | You Can't Say Euphrates Without The 80s | Parodudes |
2016 | Doves In Snakes' Clothing | Parodudes |
2016 | Minor League | Parodudes |
2016 | Quilt | Parodudes |
2016 | Only A Glorified Cover Band | Parodudes |
Live albums
Year | Title | Label |
---|---|---|
2005 | Hits: The Road | Parodudes |
2007 | Chosen Ones | Parodudes |
2009 | The Boys Aren't Backin' Down | Parodudes |
2010 | Soundproof | Parodudes |
2012 | 20:20 Vision | Parodudes |
Christmas albums
Year | Title | Label |
---|---|---|
2002 | Have Yourself A Parody Little Christmas | Parodudes |
2008 | The 12 Downloads of Christmas | Parodudes |
Compilation albums
Year | Title | Label |
---|---|---|
2004 | New & Used Hits: The Best of ApologetiX Vol. 1 & 2 | Parodudes |
Filmography
Year | Title | Label |
---|---|---|
2003 | Downer of a Sister Video | Parodudes |
2005 | Samson Comes Alive: An Evening With ApologetiX DVD | Parodudes |
2012 | 20:20 Video DVD | Parodudes |
Awards
- 2005 Best CD Award: New & Used Hits: The Best of ApologetiX Vol. 1 & 2 (Christianity Today's Reader's Choice Awards)
- 2004 Favorite Indie Artist (CCM Magazine Reader's Choice Awards)
- 2002 Recorded Fringe Song of the Year: "The Real Sin Savior" (American Christian Music Awards/ChristianBEATS)
- 2004 American Christian Music Awards, Alternative Song of The Year: "Lifestyles of The Rich & Nameless"[6]
- 2004 American Christian Music Awards, Outstanding Modern/College Rock Artist[6]
Chart positions of singles & albums
Albums
- Keep The Change
National Christian Retail Bestsellers Rock Chart, published by CCM (#15, November 2001)
- Adam Up
National Christian Modern/College Rock Album Chart, ChristianBEATS (#1, May/June 2004)
- New & Used Hits: The Best of ApologetiX Vol. 1 & 2
National Christian Newest Rock Album Chart, American Christian Music Journal (#1, December 2004) National Christian Modern/Alternative Album Chart, American Christian Music Journal (#1, December 2004)
Singles
Year | Title | Album | Parody of |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | "The Real Sin Savior" | Keep The Change | "The Real Slim Shady", Eminem |
2002 | "Smooth Grandmama" | Grace Period | "Smooth Criminal", Michael Jackson |
"How You Rewind Me" | "How You Remind Me", Nickelback | ||
2003 | "Look Yourself" | Adam Up | "Lose Yourself", Eminem |
"Downer of a Sister" | "Chop Suey", System of a Down | ||
"Lifestyles of the Rich & Nameless" | "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous", Good Charlotte | ||
2005 | "JC's Mom" | Hits: The Road | "Stacy's Mom", Fountains of Wayne |
References
- 1 2 Bonnett, Vaunda (February 25, 2005). "ApologetiX show opens new facility". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "FAQ". ApologetiX.
- ↑ "Bios". ApologetiX.
- ↑ "1 Peter 3:15 - Passage Lookup". BibleGateway.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
- ↑ "Bios - Jimmy". ApologetiX.
- 1 2 Jones, Kim. "American Christian Music Awards, 2004". About.com.