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We're back for a new year! This is the first in a series of episodes diving into the music of Christian alternative rock artist Steve Taylor. His music was ubiquitous in our youth, and we are going to go deep into his songwriting, both musically and lyrically. Steve Taylor was a pioneer in Christian rock, using his formidable songwriting skills to skewer American culture and Church culture with quick wit and scathing humor, starting with his first EP, I Want To Be A Clone, which was released in 1983. We do a track by track analysis of this album in this episode, and of course this spawns some great conversations.

Bands/ Artists discussed:

Steve Taylor
Chagall Guevara
Larry Norman
Russ Taff
Petra
Silver Jews
Sugar Hill Gang
Grandmaster Flash
Blondie
Eminem
Pedro the Lion
Dire Straits
Sixpence None the Richer

Book: God Gave Rock and Roll To You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music, by Dr. Leah Payne

Podcast: Rock That Doesn't Roll: The Story of Christian Music

Thanks to @christiannightmares for the ad clip at the cold open.

God Gave Rock & Roll To You is a podcast exploring the Christian rock subculture of the late 20th century, hosted by Matt Beaton with co-hosts Doug Dickens and Tony Hormillosa.

We are friends who each grew up in a distinct version of this world, and we want to discuss what it was, where it came from, and what it turned into. We’ll be taking many side roads along the way, while listening to some of the best (and worst) music of the era..

Please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

You can submit questions or comments for the hosts at [email protected].

Show and host information can be found on our website:
https://godgaverock.buzzsprout.com

Send us a text

We continue our conversation with comedian Jeremy Alder. He describes how his preaching stints at Mennonite services primed him for standup, and how his divorce led him to find a connection in the stand up comedy community. He discusses the art of "clean comedy" and how his negotiations with the faith of his childhood have provided a source for his work.

Bands/ Artists discussed:

MC Hammer
Pleasant Grove
Silver Jews
Purple Mountains
Drive By Truckers
Jason Isbell
Ghoti Hook

References:

Book: Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger - Ronald J. Sider

Jeremy's Instagram: jeremy.alder

God Gave Rock & Roll To You is a podcast exploring the Christian rock subculture of the late 20th century, hosted by Matt Beaton with co-hosts Doug Dickens and Tony Hormillosa.

We are friends who each grew up in a distinct version of this world, and we want to discuss what it was, where it came from, and what it turned into. We’ll be taking many side roads along the way, while listening to some of the best (and worst) music of the era..

Please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

You can submit questions or comments for the hosts at [email protected].

Show and host information can be found on our website:
https://godgaverock.buzzsprout.com

Send us a text

We interview the standup comedian Jeremy Alder, who draws comic inspiration from being brought up in a Fundamentalist Christian family and being homeschooled his whole life. He talks about loving Michael Jackson, then being confused when all the cool music and his TV suddenly went away. We explore the dubious science and anthropology lessons from the A-Beka homeschool curriculum, remember the great Christian musician Rich Mullins, and follow Jeremy's journey through the Tooth and Nail catalog, culminating in his forming a Christian Rock band called 9-veh.

Bands/ Artists discussed:

Fleetwood Mac
Michael Jackson
Russ Taff
DeGarmo & Key
Keith Green
Rich Mullins
Carman
Stryper
One Bad Pig
Lust Control
MxPx
Stavesacre
Value Pac
Ghoti Hook
P.O.D.
S.F.C.
Scaterd Few
Poor Old Lu
The Prayer Chain
Larry Norman
Joan Osborne
Black Eyed Sceva/ Model Engine
Gin Blossoms

God Gave Rock & Roll To You is a podcast exploring the Christian rock subculture of the late 20th century, hosted by Matt Beaton with co-hosts Doug Dickens and Tony Hormillosa.

We are friends who each grew up in a distinct version of this world, and we want to discuss what it was, where it came from, and what it turned into. We’ll be taking many side roads along the way, while listening to some of the best (and worst) music of the era..

Please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

You can submit questions or comments for the hosts at [email protected].

Show and host information can be found on our website:
https://godgaverock.buzzsprout.com

Send us a text

We diverge from our usual discussion about music to touch on the intersection of Christian faith and politics. Using Lee C Camp's recent book Scandalous Witness  as a starting point, we discuss the various attempts by Christian religious movements to co-opt U.S. politics from the left and the right, and try to articulate a proper Christian response to political action in a pluralistic, secular democracy.

Sounds like fun doesn't it? We think so..

Bands/ Artists discussed:

Sean Feucht
Danny Gokey
Lost Dogs
Swirling Eddies

References:

Podcast Episode: Faith For Normal People - Lee C Camp

Book: Scandalous Witness - A Little Political Manifesto for Christians by Lee C Camp

Short Film: For Our Daughters

God Gave Rock & Roll To You is a podcast exploring the Christian rock subculture of the late 20th century, hosted by Matt Beaton with co-hosts Doug Dickens and Tony Hormillosa.

We are friends who each grew up in a distinct version of this world, and we want to discuss what it was, where it came from, and what it turned into. We’ll be taking many side roads along the way, while listening to some of the best (and worst) music of the era..

Please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

You can submit questions or comments for the hosts at [email protected].

Show and host information can be found on our website:
https://godgaverock.buzzsprout.com

Send us a text

We talk with Doug Van Pelt, frontman of the Christian hardcore punk band Lust Control and founder of Heaven's Metal Magazine. In Episode 6, we did a critical takedown of what we consider to be troublesome content in the Christian Rock of our youth, specifically relating to shame and guilt-inducing themes, and singled out Lust Control as one of the worst offenders. Doug Van Pelt offered to come on as a guest to discuss our criticisms and explain his background and point of view. A great conversation came out of this, and it lands in some unexpected places.

Bands/ Artists discussed:

Lust Control
One Bad Pig
Townes Van Zandt
Minor Threat
Violent Femmes
Cyndi Lauper
Amy Grant
Michael Knott
Henry Rollins
Megadeth
Type O Negative
Korn
Dream Theater
Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Video Series: Nobody Liked Paul

Doug Van Pelt's Interview Series: Rock Stars on God

God Gave Rock & Roll To You is a podcast exploring the Christian rock subculture of the late 20th century, hosted by Matt Beaton with co-hosts Doug Dickens and Tony Hormillosa.

We are friends who each grew up in a distinct version of this world, and we want to discuss what it was, where it came from, and what it turned into. We’ll be taking many side roads along the way, while listening to some of the best (and worst) music of the era..

Please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

You can submit questions or comments for the hosts at [email protected].

Show and host information can be found on our website:
https://godgaverock.buzzsprout.com

Send us a text

We have a great and wide ranging conversation with Brett Tohlen, Matt's songwriting partner from their band Lewis. Brett talks about growing up listening to the local Christian radio station, then discovering U2 and James. Matt and Brett discuss their years spent writing songs together, and Brett describes some of the themes behind the lyrics of their album "Even So". Doug outsmarts a Brooklyn hipster in 2004. Tony recounts how "speaking in tongues" was translated in his Pentecostal church. 

Bands/ Artists discussed:

Sandi Patty
Michael W Smith
Petra
U2
Pixies
Public Enemy
Pop Poppins
Tripping Daisy
Trash Can Sinatras
Ned's Atomic Dustbin
The Cure
R.E.M.
James
Tim Booth & the Bad Angel
The 77's
MJ Lenderman
Wednesday
Midlake
Lewis
Pleasant Grove
Lift To Experience
Bedhead
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
Stephen Malkmus
Catherine Wheel
The Ocean Blue
Sunny Day Real Estate
The Smiths 

God Gave Rock & Roll To You is a podcast exploring the Christian rock subculture of the late 20th century, hosted by Matt Beaton with co-hosts Doug Dickens and Tony Hormillosa.

We are friends who each grew up in a distinct version of this world, and we want to discuss what it was, where it came from, and what it turned into. We’ll be taking many side roads along the way, while listening to some of the best (and worst) music of the era..

Please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

You can submit questions or comments for the hosts at [email protected].

Show and host information can be found on our website:
https://godgaverock.buzzsprout.com

Send us a text

We talk to the Oklahoma musician and filmmaker Beau Jennings of the bands Lasso, Cheyenne, and Beau Jennings & The Tigers. Beau talks about Christian ska, youth group rallies about "taking our country back", and religion and faith as a backdrop to music writing. Tony & Beau talk about Okie Noodling, Will Rogers and all things Oklahoma. We create a string-map connecting Sufjan Stevens, Fleet Foxes, The National, and even Taylor Swift back to the Christian music festival called Cornerstone. Doug tries to convince Beau to listen to Voivod.

Beau's new album is called "American Stories Major Chords" and comes out on October 18th.

Bands/ Artists discussed:

Ester Drang
Lasso
Cheyenne
Beau Jennings & The Tigers
Lassie Foundation
The Prayer Chain
Michael Knott/ L.S.U.
Geoff Moore & The Distance
Johnny Cash
Elvis Presley
REZ Band
O.C. Supertones
Stavesacre
Scientific
Fleet Foxes
Father John Misty
The National
Taylor Swift
Unwed Sailor
Pedro the Lion
Damien Jurado
Sufjan Stevens
Denison Witmer
Reels of White Softly Flow
Flaming Lips
Turnpike Troubadours
Wilco
Son Volt
Night Reports
Derrick C Brown
Pleasant Grove
Lewis
Yours For Now
John Wilkes Kissing Booth
Broncho
Waylon Jennings
Sparklehorse
Aerosmith
Voivod
Spacehog

God Gave Rock & Roll To You is a podcast exploring the Christian rock subculture of the late 20th century, hosted by Matt Beaton with co-hosts Doug Dickens and Tony Hormillosa.

We are friends who each grew up in a distinct version of this world, and we want to discuss what it was, where it came from, and what it turned into. We’ll be taking many side roads along the way, while listening to some of the best (and worst) music of the era..

Please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

You can submit questions or comments for the hosts at [email protected].

Show and host information can be found on our website:
https://godgaverock.buzzsprout.com

Send us a text

We interview the Texas musician and radio personality Danny Balis, from the bands Sorta, King Bucks, Bastards of Soul and Silver Skylarks, and from his long tenure on Dallas' talk radio show The Ticket. We talk about his journey through Christian Rock as a youth under the tutelage of Brother Bruce, throwing his secular records away, returning to Satan by buying an Iron Maiden record, and getting bamboozled by his Denton bandmates who got saved and tried to turn their band Sahara Rain into a Christian act.

Bands/ Artists discussed:

Journey
Foreigner
Foghat
AC/DC
David Meece
Sandi Patti
REZ Band
Petra
Styper
One Bad Pig
Voivod
Whitecross
RATT
Iron Maiden
Sahara Rain
King's X
Sorta
Bastards of Soul
Silver Skylarks

God Gave Rock & Roll To You is a podcast exploring the Christian rock subculture of the late 20th century, hosted by Matt Beaton with co-hosts Doug Dickens and Tony Hormillosa.

We are friends who each grew up in a distinct version of this world, and we want to discuss what it was, where it came from, and what it turned into. We’ll be taking many side roads along the way, while listening to some of the best (and worst) music of the era..

Please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

You can submit questions or comments for the hosts at [email protected].

Show and host information can be found on our website:
https://godgaverock.buzzsprout.com

Send us a text

We continue our conversation with musician Daniel Hopkins of the band Radiant, also known as Denim Wonder. Daniel recounts how Radiant got to play in Times Square on New Years Eve for the Jimmy Kimmel Show. We discuss the current state of Christian music. We talk about what is was like to be a Christian on tour, including encountering softball-sized mounds of cocaine. Tony wants to know what Daniel thinks about double bass drumming. Daniel expounds upon his middle school love of gangster rap.

Intro comedy bit: Jeremy Alder

Bands/ Artists discussed:

Radiant
Denim Wonder
James
Danny Gokie
The Afters
Brandon Lake
Shane & Shane
Chris Tomlin
Pleasant Grove
Lewis
Yours For Now
Garage Sale Poets
Songs: Ohia
Yo La Tengo
The Prayer Chain
Sigur Ros
Explosions In The Sky
At The Close Of Every Day
The World Is A Beautiful Place & I'm No Longer Afraid To Die
Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre
Scaterd Few
Violet Burning

God Gave Rock & Roll To You is a podcast exploring the Christian rock subculture of the late 20th century, hosted by Matt Beaton with co-hosts Doug Dickens and Tony Hormillosa.

We are friends who each grew up in a distinct version of this world, and we want to discuss what it was, where it came from, and what it turned into. We’ll be taking many side roads along the way, while listening to some of the best (and worst) music of the era..

Please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

You can submit questions or comments for the hosts at [email protected].

Show and host information can be found on our website:
https://godgaverock.buzzsprout.com

Send us a text

We have our first guest!!  We talk with the musician Daniel Hopkins of the band Radiant, also known as Denim Wonder. He talks about growing up with Christian music, sneaking secular CD's into the house, loving Creed and The Dave Matthews Band, listening to great music in spite of the lyrics, and songwriting. We discuss the "dangerous songs" of our youth. Matt keeps talking about Counting Crows. Daniel talks about working at Chik-Fil-A, which is the Christian Rock of fast food restaurants. 

Bands/ artists discussed:

Radiant
Denim Wonder
Eric Clapton
The Beach Boys
R.E.M.
P.I.D. (Preachers In Disguise)
D-Boy Rodriguez
Nirvana
Newsboys
Starflyer 59
The Prayer Chain
Plankeye
Luxury
Hum
Roger McDuff
Ride
Sugar Ray
James
Atahualpa Yupanqui
Creed
Alanis Morrissette
Counting Crows
Cyndi Lauper
The Flaming Lips
Smashing Pumpkins
Hi Fi Drowning
Blur
Oasis
The Catherine Wheel
Radiohead
Jawbreaker
Jets to Brazil
Jawbox
Fugazi
Built to Spill
Grandaddy
Ester Drang
Hall & Oates
Tears For Fears
Phil Collins

God Gave Rock & Roll To You is a podcast exploring the Christian rock subculture of the late 20th century, hosted by Matt Beaton with co-hosts Doug Dickens and Tony Hormillosa.

We are friends who each grew up in a distinct version of this world, and we want to discuss what it was, where it came from, and what it turned into. We’ll be taking many side roads along the way, while listening to some of the best (and worst) music of the era..

Please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

You can submit questions or comments for the hosts at [email protected].

Show and host information can be found on our website:
https://godgaverock.buzzsprout.com