Tag: 1987

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

Mylon LeFevre & Broken Heart – Crack The Sky – 1987

The fifth album from Mylon LeFevre and Broken Heart did not disappoint. They continued their trip through the 80’s with an album with a sound perfectly suited to 1987. The album had 3 CCM singles, Closer Than A Heartbeat, I Belong, and For My Growing. I swear if you want to know what tracks to skip on an album just look at the CCM charts. The rest of the album was excellent and played well on real Christian radio. The album also received a Dove Award for 1988 Rock Album.

Tracklist
1 – Crack The Sky – 4:00
2 – Love God, Hate Sin – 3:35
3 – Closer Than A Heartbeat – 3:41
4 – Give It Up – 3:01
5 – I Belong – 3:47
6 – Let Me Be The One – 3:45
7 – Reach For The Sky – 5:47
8 – Heart On Fire – 3:11
9 – For My Growing – 4:42

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Kenneth Bentley
Drums [Digital], Percussion – Ben Hewitt
Guitar, Vocals – Scott Allen, Trent Argante, Michael Tyrrell
Producer – Joe Hardy, Mylon LeFevre
Synthesizer, Vocals – Paul Joseph
Vocals, Guitar – Mylon LeFevre

Companies, etc.
Mastered At – Masterdisk
Recorded At – Ardent Studios

Trytan – Celestial Messenger – 1987

Trytan were often referred to as the Christian Rush. This was their first album and apparently was just a straight remix of one of their Demos. Surprisingly it turned out very well. While the album was missing some dynamic range the mix is really good. It handles the excellent guitar work of Lary Dean as well as the outstanding drumming of Scotty Blackman very well. While the vocals are very “Rush” like I find the music to be it’s own animal and I like it. This is actually the 2000 CD re-release that included 3 bonus tracks. Point of trivia is that Trytan was apparently an acronym for “To Reach Youth Through the Almighty Nazarene”.

Tracklist
1 – Gettin’ Ready – 3:44
2 – Don’t Turn Away – 4:08
3 – Mr. Electric – 5:14
4 – It’s War – 5:19
5 – Rip Van Winkle – 4:22
6 – Chains – 4:47
7 – Nowhere To Run – 4:57
8 – Genesis – 7:07
Bonus tracks
9 – In Her Eyes
10 – The Grinch
11 – To Be Free

Credits
Bass – Steve Robinson
Drums – Scotty Blackman
Guitar – Lary Dean
Keyboards – Steve Robinson
Lead Vocals – Lary Dean
Vocals – Scotty Blackman, Steve Robinson

Tempest – A Coming Storm – 1987

Tempest was where brothers Jamie and Mick Rowe cut their teeth. This is a raw Heavy Metal album that is lightly engineered and produced much to the delight of Heavy Metal fans. The problem, or perhaps the best part of the album was the band had a bit of an inconsistent sound and rough vocals. Maybe it is the best part. Oddly Joe English (Hard to imagine) provided additional drum tracks. The story goes that Pure Metal records actually signed the band by accident thinking they had actually signed an entirely different band out of Ohio.

Tracklist
1 – Kids Are Gonna Rock
2 – Gologatha
3 – Watch Out
4 – Games With God
5 – Tell Me
6 – Metal Mission
7 – God’s Will Be Done
8 – All My Days
9 – In HIs Name (Rock On)

Credits
Backing Vocals – Glen Marchese, Jeff Toone, Joe English, Martin Bass
Bass – Darren Lee
Bass [Additional] – Steve DeAcutis
Drums – Bobby Andrews
Drums [Additional] – Joe English
Engineer – Chris McCollum, Glen Marchese, Jeff Toone
Guitar – Mick Rowe
Vocals – Jamie Rowe
Written-By – Chris McCollum (tracks: A3, A5, B4), J.R. Rowe (tracks: A3, B1), Michael Millett (tracks: B4), Mick Rowe (tracks: A1, A2, A4, A5, B1-B4)

Various – Voices – 1987

This was a sampler from Myrrh that featured known and unknown artists. Here is a bit about these artists and their respective tracks;

Tata Vega – “In Your Light” – Tata Vega is a secular artist who had great success in the 70’s with stage musicals. As far as I can tell she never released a Christian album. The track appears to be unreleased.

Bob Carlisle – “Heaven Is Waiting” & “Teach Me How” – Bob Carlisle is best known for being in the band Allies in the 80’s and had several solo projects in the 90’s. Both tracks appears to be unreleased.

Bryan Duncan – “Come As You Are” – Bryan is well known for being in Sweet Comfort Band and then a very successful solo career. The track appears to be unreleased.

Matthew Ward – “Light Of The World” – Matthew is well known for being in
2nd Chapter Of Acts and then a very successful solo career. The track appears to be unreleased.

Howard McCrary – “In Your Presence” – Howard released a solo album in 1985 but is better known for being a member of The California Raisins. This track Appears to be unreleased.

Kim Boyce/John Elefante – “Helpless” – Kim Boyce had several Pop Christian albums in the 80’s. John Elefante is well known as a member of Kansas and as a very successful producer in the Christian music scene. The track appears to be unreleased.

Rick Riso – “Heaven Must Have Sent You” – Rick has released 3 Christian albums and this track appeared on “Shouting At The Walls” as a CD Bonus Track.

Benny Hester – “Then You Call My Name” – Benny is a well known solo Christian artist. This track Appears to be unreleased.

Tommy Funderburk – “Lift Up My Voice” – Tommy is best known for being one of the members of The Front. He did also have a solo album in 2005. This track Appears to be unreleased.

Tracklist
1 – Tata Vega – In Your Light – 3:50
2 – Bob Carlisle – Heaven Is Waiting – 4:29
3 – Bryan Duncan – Come As You Are – 4:32
4 – Matthew Ward – Light Of The World – 4:30
5 – Howard McCrary – In Your Presence – 4:23
6 – Kim Boyce, John Elefante – Helpless – 3:28
7 – Rick Riso – Heaven Must Have Sent You – 3:48
8 – Bob Carlisle – Teach Me How – 4:29
9 – Benny Hester – Then You Call My Name – 3:19
10 – Tommy Funderburk – Lift Up My Voice – 4:14

Connie Scott – Hold On – 1987

This is Connie Scott’s third solo album. For this one she moved to Vancouver based Image 7 Records after leaving Sparrow. The president of Image 7 (aka Image VII) Gerry Scott.

Connie shows up for this one with a Modest-Madonna look and a Dionne Warwick sound. Roy Salmond produces on this album, making it a high quality all-Canadian affair.

 

Tracklist
1 – You’ll Never Know – 4:42
2 – You Never Leave Me Longing – 3:20
3 – Run To The Light – 4:10
4 – Don’t Curse The Darkness – 4:10
5 – Lost Affections – 3:15
6 – Hold On – 5:40
7 – Heartsound – 4:30
8 – Love Is All That Matters – 3:17
9 – Heaven Is My Home – 4:30
10 – More Love – 2:03

Credits
Arranged By – Roy Salmond
Design, Layout – Stan Buchanan
Photography By – Francis Cheng
Producer – Roy Salmond

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Image 7 Records Inc
Manufactured By – Word Records Limited
Recorded At – Inside Trak Studios
Mixed At – Inside Trak Studios
Recorded At – Profile Sound Studios

Leon Patillo – Brand New – 1987

This is the 8th album from Leon and his first on Sparrow after moving over from Myrrh. It really continues his previous work with some easy listening songs with a funk feel and some funk songs with an easy listening feel. The album had 3 singles. Isn’t It Crazy peaked at #4 with 14 weeks on the charts. I’m Brand New made it to #9 while staying on the charts 14 weeks. The 3rd single Strong Tower spent 10 weeks on the charts peaking at #30. I’d like to comment more on the album but really it’s very difficult to pick out anything to comment on this album vs his other albums. Bottom line if you liked Leon’s previous work you’ll like this one.

Tracklist
1 – I’m Brand New – 4:39
2 – Isn’t It Crazy – 4:36
3 – Deliver Me – 4:48
4 – Strong Tower – 3:24
5 – Melody Of Praise – 5:58
6 – Alpha & Omega – 4:52
7 – Blessed Are You – 3:30
8 – Golden City – 3:35
9 – New Thrill (Extended Version) – 3:53
10 – Try, Try Again – 4:08

Lifesavers Underground – Shaded Pain – 1987

Shaded Pain is Lifesavers’ fourth album, and it has its own unique sound, darker and more musically mature than their original works.

The band started out with a sound reminiscent of 1970s punk and with this 1987 release, they sound completely like the late 80s punk scene.

The record starts out with a somewhat chilling version of “Michael Row The Boat Ashore” in the opening track “Jordan River.” Lyrically, this album strives to tie contradictions together and it does so quite well in songs such as “Tether To Tassel” and “Our Time Has Come.”

The sound on this album is a rich, full guitar sound throughout with drums that pop, and a vocal that carries it all in a soothing/creepy fasion, depending on how the beat strikes you every moment.

Tracklist
1 – Jordan River – 3:55
2 – Bye Bye Colour – 4:02
3 – Die Baby Die – 2:25
4 – Lonely Boy – 3:49
5 – Our Time Has Come – 3:37
6 – Tether To Tassle – 3:36
7 – I’m Torn – 3:52
8 – Plague Of Flies – 1:27
9 – More To Life – 3:39
10 – Shaded Pain – 4:10

Credits
Art Direction, Layout – Ed McTaggart
Artwork – Mike Knott
Drums, Cymbal – Kevin Lee
Electric Guitar [Les Paul Gold Top], Twelve-String Guitar [Ibanez Acoustic], Acoustic Guitar [Yamaha], Bass [Black] – Brian Doidge
Engineer – Chris Brigandi (tracks: B5), Joey Taylor
Photography By – Colleen Hammond
Producer – Chris Brigandi
Vocals – Bridgett Knott (tracks: A1, A4)
Vocals, Keyboards – Mike Knott
Written-By – Brian Doidge (tracks: A4, B3, B4), Kevin Lee (4) (tracks: B3), Mike Knott

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Recorded At – Asylomar Studios
Copyright (c) – Broken Songs
Copyright (c) – Frontline Records (3)
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Frontline Records (3)
Distributed By – The Benson Company
Distributed By – The Master’s Collection
Distributed By – Kingsway Publications Ltd.