Tag: 1987

Boys Club – Demo 2 – 1987

In 1987 when their Branded tour was over Gym and Sim from Undercover decided to form a new project and cut a couple demo’s. Ojo was off doing is own thing and took Gary with him. Gym and Sim were joined on Drums by Rod Learned (Berlin, yes that Berlin “Sex”) on Drums, Jeff Sheets (Dead Artist Syndrome) on Keyboards, and Fred MacGregor (no idea who he is) on Bass. This is the second of these 2 demos. It has 3 tracks that would make it oneto the Undercover album “Balance Of Power”. Land of Luxury, Time, and Love Me Dangerously which is a really great tune. Also strangely there is a cover of Clapton’s “White Room”.This is all I know about this project. The demo itself has an excellent new wave feel and sound. I don’t understand why someone didn’t pick this album up and release it. The quality of the mix/production is as good as anything else that came out at the time. Maybe it was legal issues due to two members being signed to Broken Records but that’s just a guess. Anyway it’s a great demo and a treat for Undercover fans who want a little more.

Tracklist
1 – You And I – 3:01
2 – Love Game – 4:14
3 – Land Of Luxury – 5:49
4 – Hope It Never Comes To This Again – 3:49
5 – Here Comes The Fire – 4:42
6 – Time – 7:47
7 – Used To Be – 4:11
8 – White Room – 4:14
9 – Once Is Never Enough – 3:34
10 – We Ride – 3:37
11 – Love Me Dangerously – 3:00
12 – Crazy – 3:28

Credits
Bass – Fred MacGregor
Drums – Rod Learned
Keyboards – Jeff Sheets
Vocals, Guitar – Gym Nicholson
Vocals – Sim Wilson

Newsboys – [He’s Coming Back] – 1987

The Newsboys formed in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia in 1985. They called themselves “The News” but when recording their demo changed the name to Newsboys to avoid confusion with Huey Lewis and the News. They recorded this demo at Windsong Studios and sold it at their concerts. I have also heard that they did do some distribution at local Christian stores also. After it’s release they moved to the USA in search of fame and fortune. Well fame, there wasn’t much fortune in the industry except for the record companies. Several songs from this demo found their way onto later albums as their success and popularity rose. The band continues to go strong today making them one of the longest lasting band in CCM. This recording is from cassette so please forgive some of the poor audio.

Tracklist
1 – He’s Coming Back – 3:50
2 – Listen For The Shout – 3:35
3 – Stand Up – 4:20
4 – You’re Still There – 2:54
5 – Victory – 4:21
6 – It’s Joy – 3:32
7 – Read About It – 4:20
8 – He Died For You – 3:40

Credits
Bass – Sean Taylor
Drums – Peter Furler
Engineer – Kim Horne
Guitar – George Perdikis
Lead Vocals – John James
Lyrics By – John James, Peter Furler
Music By – George Perdikis, Sean Taylor

Companies, etc.
Engineered At – Windsong Studios

Altar Boys – Against The Grain – 1987

The 4th offering from Altar Boys is a transition album for the guys. They have drifted away from 2 minute punk sounds to a more Rock and at times New Wave sound. I was surprised when I went surfing to read up on the album and actually found very little commentary on it. I find this surprising as I was under the understanding that this was one of their best selling albums. I quite enjoy this album as I’m sure many others did. If your looking for a bit of the older Altar Boys sound listen to “Hearts Lost in Nowhere”. If you needed proof the band was evolving how about “Where’s The New World?” coming in at a whopping 5:18, an incredible long song for the band that started out specializing in two and a half minute songs. My personal favourite track is “Kids Are On the Run” in which I can hear a bit of their original sound but really it has a more “The Alarm” feel.

Tracklist
1 – Fallen World – 4:05
2 – Kids Are On The Run – 3:48
3 – Hearts Lost In Nowhere – 4:01
4 – Broken – 3:56
5 – Where’s The New World? – 5:18
6 – Against The Grain – 2:28
7 – Human Sound – 4:21
8 – Take Control – 3:11
9 – Shout Louder! – 3:33
10 – Count On Love – 4:27

Credits
Band [Altar Boys Are Still] – Jeff Crandall, Mike Stand, Ric Alba
Bass, Backing Vocals, Piano – Ric Alba
Design [Cover], Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Drums, Backing Vocals – Jeff Crandall
Guitar, Vocals – Mike Stand
Mixed By – Doug Doyle, Rob Watson
Photography By – Linda Baley
Producer – The Altar Boys, Terry Scott Taylor
Tambourine, Instruments [Other] – Al-x

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Frontline Records (3)
Copyright (c) – Frontline Records (3)
Copyright (c) – Broken Songs
Published By – Broken Songs
Produced At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Mixed At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Distributed By – The Benson Company
Distributed By – The Master’s Collection
Distributed By – Kingsway Publications Ltd.
Mastered At – Record Technology Incorporated – 24139
Mastered At – Record Technology Incorporated – 24140

2nd Chapter of Acts – Far Away Places – 1987

This was the last album from 2nd Chapter of Acts that featured original material. The supporting tour for this album was also their last live performance. That performance was on August 12th of 1988. There were quite a few comments at the time of release that it was a final album only recorded to finish out a contract, i.e. mailed it in. I don’t think so, the album has a bit more upbeat than their previous albums and felt fairly progressive for them. I almost wonder if this more upbeat sound would have been a great direction for them which could have provided a but more life for the band. Matthew Wards solo career was well under way at this point and maybe he found it all just too overwhelming to be in both bands. Anyway give this one a listen if you like your easy listening with some keyboards.

Tracklist
1 – Humble Yourself – 3:57
2 – It’s No Masquerade – 3:30
3 – Sing Over Me – 4:05
4 – You Are All In All – 4:59
5 – A Tender Heart – 2:21
6 – I Reach Out – 3:43
7 – Fallin’ In On You – 4:25
8 – Maybe Some Other Day – 3:45
9 – Take It To All The World – 3:03
10 – Far Away Places – 3:44

Credits
Art Direction – Bradley Grose
Bass – Lee Jones (tracks: 1), Leon Gaer
Creative Director [Set Direction] – Buddy Owens
Design Concept [Cover Concept], Design – Bradley Grose, Buddy Owens
Drums – Jack Kelly (tracks: 5, 6), Michael Celenza (tracks: 1), Mike Baird
Engineer – Buck Herring, Greg Hunt
Guitar – Dann Huff (tracks: 4), Marty Walsh, Michael Thompson (tracks: 5, 6)
Keyboards, Arranged By [Instruments] – John Andrew Schreiner (tracks: 5, 6), Smitty Price
Percussion – Charles Barnett (tracks: 1, 3)
Photography By – Mark Engbrecht
Producer – Buck Herring

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Live Oak Records
Copyright (c) – Live Oak Records
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Made By – Discovery Systems – 1760100A
Recorded At – Easter Song Studios
Recorded At – Rosewood Studio

Leviticus – Setting Fire To The Earth – 1987

Björn Stigsson returns with his latest version of Leviticus. Ez Gomér was brought in to replace Håkan Andersson on bass, and vocalist Terry Haw was added. Terry’s vocals really shine thorough on this album and he was an excellent addition. The album does take a more commercial turn but it worked well for them and their die hard fans did not abandon them which often happens when bands take a more commercial sound. If you like your CCM with lots of hair this one is for you.

Tracklist
1 – Flames Of Fire – 3:23
2 – Saved – 4:11
3 – The First And The Last – 3:43
4 – I’m A Believer – 4:00
5 – Don’t Go Out – 3:39
6 – Elijah On Carmel – 4:54
7 – The Suffering Servant – 4:53
8 – Get Up – 3:42
9 – Love Is Love – 4:03

Credits
Arranged By – Leviticus
Arranged By, Recorded By – Peo
Artwork By – Ez Gomér
Bass, Vocals – Ez Gomér
Drums, Vocals – Kjell Andersson
Guitar, Vocals – Björn Stigsson
Lead Vocals – Terry H.
Mixed By – Pontus Olsson
Producer – Peo Pettersson
Recorded By – Benny Lundin
Written-By – Björn Stigsson (tracks: 1, 3-7, 9)

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Royal Music Productions
Copyright (c) – Royal Music Productions
Recorded At – Royal Music Studio
Mixed At – Sonet Studios, Stockholm
Made By – Discovery Systems

Divine Right – Tongues Of Fire – 1987

This is one of 3 demos from Divine Right who was really just Kevin Brandow playing all of the instruments. I couldn’t find out much about Kevin other than he joined Petra for their 1998 album, God Fixation. He is obviously a very talented musician as evidenced by him playing all the instruments on this demo which is no easy feat. The album has a Hard Rock/Metal feel and the songs themselves are first rate but the quality of the recordings is a bit questionable. This may or may not be a result of production but more likely it’s that the source copy was a cassette. Anyway head bangers give this one a listen, I bet you’ll like it.

Tracklist
1 – Tongues Of Fire
2 – On Guard
3 – Far Far Away
4 – One Way
5 – Mystery Uncovered
6 – Silent Victory
7 – Lightning

Credits
Cover Art – Julie Alvaro
Instruments and Vocals – Kevin Brandow
Mixed By – Mark Goyette
Produced By – Traci Leigh
Rhythm Guitar – Bob Alvaro

Stryper – Free (12″) – 1987

This was the 12 Inch Single for Stryper’s upcoming Album To Hell with the Devil. It features the Album Single “Free” and the B side had “Calling on You” and “The Rock That Makes Me Roll” which was actually from their previous album “Soldiers Under Command”

Tracklist
1 – Free – 4:00
2 – Calling On You – 3:42
3 – The Rock That Makes Me Roll – 5:03

Gredits
Michael Sweet- Lead vocals, guitar
Robert Sweet- Drums
Oz Fox- Lead guitar, backing vocals
Tim Gaines- Bass, keyboards, piano, backing vocals

The Awakening – Sanctified – 1987

The Awakening were a group of lads from southern Ontario Canada. They came together in 84/85 and started doing some recording. In 1986 they set out to record a demo album later entitled “Two Worlds”. It was recorded in 16 tracks which was rare for a demo of that period by some unknown Canadian Christian band. The whole album was produced for $14,000. The boys went out and supported the album playing gigs where and when they could selling the demo album along the way. In early 1987 Reunion Records contacted the band with an interest in signing them. After a successful signing the band recorded two alternative tracks for the album but the other tracks were all just remixed from their demo. I believe that attests to the quality of that demo. This album is the result of all that work and it is an excellent New Wave/Pop album. This is another one I missed in the 80’s which is a pity because it is so good.

Tracklist
1 – You Can’t Hide – 4:06
2 – All You Need To Know – 3:33
3 – My Only Hope – 2:49
4 – Two Worlds – 5:04
5 – Distant Light – 4:09
6 – Turn Them Away – 3:28
7 – Fireside – 5:16
8 – The Only Way – 4:33
9 – The Forest – 5:32

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Heather Brown
Bass – Allan Powell
Co-producer – Glenn Koehler
Drums, Vocals – Mike Powell
Engineer – Andrew Horrocks, Lloyd Walker
Executive Producer – Dan Harrell, Jeff Moseley, Michael Blanton
Guitar, Vocals – Andrew Horrocks
Lead Vocals, Keyboards – Ian Tanner
Photography By – Deborah Samuel
Producer, Engineer – Richard J. Hutt

Stryken – First Strike – 1987

Stryken appeared in 1986 with a self released 12″ of Rock on/Surprise. They followed this up with this self released album in 1987. The band were originally called Stryker but changed their name for reasons unknown. The band was Dale Streiker (vocals, lead guitar), Stephen Strieker (vocals, rhythm guitar), Joey Knight (drums), and Ezekiel Vade (bass guitar) though these names were all apparently stage names. In 2006 the album was released on CD by Girder records with “Surprise” as a bonus track. In 2009 Girder Records in conjunction with Retroactive Records released a CD Collectors Edition with 10 bonus tracks. Personally I liked these bonus tracks more than I liked the original album. The original album was a decidedly heavy metal affair but the bonus tracks had a far more commercial metal sound. In 1987 the band was detained by police at a Mötley Crüe concert in San Antonio, Texas for causing a disturbance. Apparently they went to the front of the stage with a large wooden cross while clad in full body armor attempting to spread an evangelical message. They were released without charge. The lead singer of the band (Stephen Hopkins) went on to be a Pastor in Texas and fathered 16 children.

Tracklist
1 – Crush The Head Of Satan
2 – One Way
3 – The Answer
4 – State Of Emergency
5 – First Strike
6 – Rock On
7 – The Young Men Have A Vision
8 – Riot
2006 CD Bonus Track
9 – Surprise
2009 Collectors Edition Bonus Tracks
10 – Blitzkrieg
11 – Look Away
12 – I’m Alright
13 – Need Your Love
14 – Circus Man
15 – Right Of Way
16 – Cross The Line
17 – Played
18 – It’s Over

Credits
Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals – Ezekiel Vade
Drums [Thunder Drums], Backing Vocals – Joey Knight
Engineer – Kevin Myers
Producer – Stryken
Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards – Stephen Streiker
Vocals, Lead Guitar – Dale Streiker

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Third Coast Sound
Recorded At – Studio West, Austin, TX.
Recorded At – Studio D, Austin
Mixed At – Studio D, Austin

Various – California Metal – 1987

This 1987 Regency Records sampler featured some of the best California Metal bands of the time and some very exclusive tunes. I have listed below where you can find the albums with the songs.

Tracklist
1 – Barren Cross – Deadlock – On 1988 album “Atomic Arena
2 – Guardian – Marching On – Unreleased until 2009 on “First Watch” re-release as a bonus track
3 – Neon Cross – I Need Your Love – Unreleased until 2001 on “Neon Cross” re-release as a bonus track
4 – Hero – I Surrender – Unreleased Band
5 – Deliverance – A Space Called You – Unreleased until 2008 on “Deliverance” re-release as a bonus track
6 – Mastedon – Wasn’t It Love – Unreleased until 2009 on “It’s A Jungle Out There” re-release as a bonus track
7 – Guardian – Spiritual Warfare – Unreleased until 2009 on “First Watch” re-release as a bonus track
8 – Deliverance – Attack – Unreleased until 2008 on “Deliverance” re-release as a bonus track
9 – Hero – Sing It Out – Unreleased Band
10 – Neon Cross – Son Of God – Unreleased until 2001 on “Neon Cross” re-release as a bonus track

Tracklist
1 – Barren Cross – Deadlock – 4:33
2 – Guardian – Marching On – 3:38
3 – Neon Cross – I Need Your Love – 3:08
4 – Hero – I Surrender – 3:47
5 – Deliverance – A Space Called You – 3:51
6 – Mastedon – Wasn’t It Love – 4:42
7 – Guardian – Spiritual Warfare – 4:13
8 – Deliverance – Attack – 3:44
9 – Hero – Sing It Out – 3:02
10 – Neon Cross – Son Of God – 4:15