The Top 5 Christian Indie Rock Bands You Need to Know About
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We all know that Christian music can be pretty hit or miss. But if you’re looking for some quality indie rock, these are the bands you need to know about.
Anberlin
Anberlin is a rock band that formed in Winter Haven, Florida in 2002. The band’s last album, Lowborn, was released on July 22, 2014. The band’s members are lead vocalist Stephen Christian, guitarists Joseph Milligan and Christian McAlhaney, bassist Deon Rexroat, and drummer Nathan Young.
Band Members
Anberlin is an American rock band formed in Winter Haven, Florida in 2002, and disbanded in 2014. The band consisted of lead vocalist Stephen Christian, guitarists Joseph Milligan and Deon Rexroat, bassist Nathan Young, and drummer Sean Ethnic. The quintet released seven studio albums and were a staple of the modern rock radio format.
Lead vocalist Stephen Christian met guitarists Joe Milligan and Deon Rexroat while all three were attending high school. The trio first played together with Christian on drums and Rexroat on bass while Milligan sang lead vocals. They took the name Anberlin from the city limits sign of the Winter Haven suburb where they lived. The group added bassist Nathan Young in 2002 just prior to embarking on their first tour and later that year released their debut album, Blueprints for the Black Market.
History
Anberlin is a rock band formed in Winter Haven, Florida in 2002, disbanded in 2014, and reformed in 2018. The band’s final lineup consisted of lead vocalist Stephen Christian, guitarists Joseph Milligan and Christian McAlhaney, bassist Deon Rexroat, and drummer Nathan Young. Anberlin is known for their crescendoing sound and their originality; they have been compared to such bands as U2, Muse, Coldplay, and Switchfoot.
The band’s first album, Blueprints for the Black Market, was released in 2003. The album was followed by Never Take Friendship Personal in 2005 and Cities in 2007; both reached the Top 20 of the Billboard 200 chart. New Surrender was released in 2008 and reached the Top 10; it was followed by Dark Is the Way, Light Is a Place (2010) and Vital (2012).
The band’s final album, Lowborn, was released on July 22, 2014. On January 22, 2014 Anberlin announced that they would be going on an “indefinite hiatus” following the release of Lowborn. In June 2015 two members of Anberlin – Stephen Christian and Joey Milligan – started a new project called iglu & hartly.
On February 1st 2018 it was announced via Facebook that Anberlin would be reforming with all original members to play select shows throughout 2018 in celebration of their 15 year anniversary as a band.
Music Style
Anberlin is an American rock band formed in Winter Haven, Florida in 2002, disbanded in 2014, and reformed in 2018. The band’s final lineup consisted of lead vocalist Stephen Christian, guitarists Joseph Milligan and Nathan Young, bassist Deon Rexroat, and drummer Derek Hobbs. Anberlin is known for its passion for touring as well as its eclectic sound which could be described as a mixture of influences ranging from Kanye West to Leonard Cohen. The group was frequently lumped into the Christian rock genre.
The five members of Anberlin met each other at a winter retreat for their local youth group called First Baptist Church Orlando in 1998. They were all around the same age and had similar taste in music. They bonded over their shared love of bands like Radiohead, Blink-182, and Nirvana. The name “Anberlin” comes from the city of Jerusalem’s ancient walls called “the walls of Anberlium.”
Relient K
Relient K is a five-piece Christian indie rock band from Ohio that has been around since 1998. The band has released nine studio albums, with their most recent one, Air for Free, coming out in 2016. Relient K is known for their catchy melodies and thought-provoking lyrics.
Band Members
Relient K is an American rock band formed in 1998 in Canton, Ohio. The band currently consists of Matt Thiessen (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Brian Pittman (bass guitar), Ethan Luck (drums), and Matthew Hoopes (guitar). Originally a duo of Matt Thiessen and Brian Pittman, the band has released eleven studio albums, seven EPs, two Christmas albums, and one collection of rarities. Their self-titled debut album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Four other albums have been certified gold: MMHMM, Five Score and Seven Years Ago, Collapsible Lung, and Air for Free. They have sold over 3 million records worldwide.
The group met while attending grade school and high school in Canton. Matt Thiessen became friends with Matt Hoopes while playing football together; they both shared similar musical interests including punk rock bands such as Green Day and The Descendents. The two entered the music scene together with Thiessen on vocals and Hoopes on guitar. After recruiting their friend Brian Pittman as bassist, they began booking DIY shows around town before releasing their debut EP All Work & No Play in 1997 on Facedown Records. Upon graduating from high school in 1998, they recorded their self-titled full-length debut for Gotee Records with Joey Sturgis as producer; it was released later that year on July 28th.
History
Relient K is an American rock band formed in 1998 in Canton, Ohio. The band consists of Matt Thiessen (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Matt Hoopes (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), and Brent Maupin (drums). The band has released eleven albums: seven studio albums, one live album, two EPs, and one compilation album. Their seventh studio album, Collapsible Lung, was released on July 2, 2013.
Relient K’s sound incorporates punk rock with pop and their lyrics often contain Christian themes. The group has been heavily influenced by artists such as Blink-182 and Weezer.
Music Style
Relient K is a Christian indie rock band from Canton, Ohio. The band was formed in 1998 by Matt Thiessen and Matt Hoopes while the two were attending high school. The name “Relient K” comes from the 1988 Nissan Reliant KP 30, which is the car that Thiessen and Hoopes used to drive to their early shows.
Relient K’s musical style has evolved throughout the years, but has generally been described as a mix of pop punk, punk rock, power pop, and alternative rock. The band has released ten studio albums, with their most recent being air for free (2016). They have also released three EPs and one live album.
Relient K is one of the most successful Christian indie rock bands of all time, and have had several songs chart on both Christian and mainstream radio stations. They have been nominated for four Grammy Awards, winning one for Best Gospel Performance/Song in 2007 for their song “Less Than Awesome.” In addition to their musical success, the band is also known for their charitable work, particularly with Compassion International.
Switchfoot
Switchfoot is a Christian rock band from San Diego, California. The band was formed in 1996 and has released ten studio albums. They have sold over five million copies of their albums worldwide.
Band Members
Switchfoot is made up of five incredibly talented musicians: Jon Foreman (lead vocals, guitar), Tim Foreman (bass guitar, backing vocals), Chad Butler (drums, percussion), Jerome Fontamillas (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), and Drew Shirley (guitar, backing vocals). They have been making music together for over two decades and show no signs of slowing down.
Their unique blend of alternative rock and Christian faith has resonated with fans all over the world. They have released ten studio albums, three live albums, and one compilation album. Their most recent album was released in 2016 and peaked at number four on the Billboard 200 chart.
If you’re looking for a band that is as talented musically as they are spiritually, then you need to check out Switchfoot.
History
Switchfoot formed in San Diego, California in 1996. The band currently consists of brothers Jon Foreman (lead vocals, guitar) and Tim Foreman (bass guitar, backing vocals), Chad Butler (drums, percussion), Jerome Fontamillas (guitar, keyboard, backing vocals), and Drew Shirley (guitar).
Switchfoot has released eleven studio albums, one live album, three compilation albums, one extended play (EP), and thirty-two singles. Their first three albums, The Legend of Chin (), New Way to Be Human (), and Learning to Breathe (), were released by Re: Think Records. In 2002, Switchfoot’s major label debut was released by Columbia Records on the A&M Octone Records sub-label. The band’s next five albums—Nothing Is Sound (), Oh! Gravity., Hello Hurricane (), Vice Verses (), and Fading West ()—were all released on Columbia.
Music Style
When you think of Christian music, what comes to mind? For many people, the first thing that pops into their heads is a specific genre or style of music. Often, people think of Christian music as being either worship music or gospel music. However, there is a whole world of Christian music out there that doesn’t fit neatly into either of those categories.
One genre of Christian music that is often overlooked is Christian indie rock. Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that typically consists of singer-songwriter musicians and bands who are signed to independent record labels. While Christian indie rock may not be as commercially successful as some other genres of Christian music, it is gaining in popularity.
If you’re looking for something new to listen to, here are five Christian indie rock bands you need to know about:
1. Needtobreathe: Needtobreathe is a Southern rock band from South Carolina. The band has released six studio albums, the most recent of which debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.
2. Switchfoot: Switchfoot is a alternative rock band from San Diego, California. The band has released 10 studio albums, including their 2003 album The Beautiful Letdown, which went platinum.
3. Anberlin: Anberlin was an alternative rock band from Winter Haven, Florida. The band disbanded in 2014 but released seven studio albums during their time together. Their 2006 album Cities peaked at number 19 on the Billboard 200 chart.
4. Relient K: Relient K is an alternative rock band from Canton, Ohio. The band has released eight studio albums since forming in 1998, including their 2004 album Mmhmm which went gold in the US.
5. The Devil Wears Prada: The Devil Wears Prada is a metalcore band from Dayton, Ohio. The band has released six studio albums since 2006, including their 2010 album With Roots Above and Branches Below which peaked at number 11 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The Classic Crime
Band Members
1. Matt MacDonald – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
2. Alan Clark – lead guitar
3. Paul Erickson – bass
4. Andy Horst – drums
5. Robert Rowe – keyboard, backing vocals
History
The Classic Crime is an American indie rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 2004. Their fourth album, Phoenix, was released on April 5, 2011. On February 14, 2014, the band’s fifth album, Virtue, debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Hard Rock Albums chart and No. 20 on the Alternative Albums chart.
The band has been nominated for two Dove Awards and have won one. In 2006 they were nominated for “Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year” for their song “What I Didn’t Say”. In 2008 they won “Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year” for their albumAlbatross.
Music Style
The classic crime is a subgenre of rock music that has its origins in the British Invasion of the 1960s. The classic crime sound is characterized by a combination of Beatles-esque pop hooks, heavy guitars, and a strong focus on melody. The classic crime is often seen as a more “mature” and “serious” alternative to the more youthful and energetic sound of punk rock.
The classic crime has been home to some of the most popular and influential bands in rock history, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and The Who. While the genre has remained popular throughout the years, it has recently seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to the success of bands like Arcade Fire, Muse, and Radiohead.
If you’re a fan of indie rock music, then you need to check out these five classic crime bands that you need to know about.
1. The Beatles
2. The Rolling Stones
3. Led Zeppelin
4. Pink Floyd
5. The Who
Thousand Foot Krutch
You may not have heard of them yet, but Thousand Foot Krutch is quickly becoming one of the biggest names in Christian music. The Canadian rock band has been making music for over a decade, and they show no signs of slowing down. Their latest album, “Exhale,” debuted at #4 on the Billboard Top 200 chart.
Band Members
Thousand Foot Krutch is a Canadian rock band, formed in 1997 in Peterborough, Ontario. The band currently consists of lead vocalist Trevor McNevan, bassist Joel Bruyere, guitarist Steve August and drummer tyson Gentry.
McNevan and original drummer/vocalist Stuart McLean formed the band in 1997. Their debut self-titled album was independently released in November 2001 with McNevan as the primary singer and Gentry on drums. The album was re-released by Tooth & Nail Records after signing to the label in 2002. This version included four new tracks and a remix of “Rhinoceros”, which was included on the compilation Punk Goes Metal. In 2003, the band released their second album Set It Off; Gentry did not participate in the album’s recording due to scheduling conflicts, but contributed to its writing. Drummer Steve Augustine replaced him for touring purposes until he rejoined permanently in 2005 to record their next album The Art of Breaking.
History
Thousand Foot Krutch is a Canadian Christian rock band formed in 1997. The group has been nominated for seven Juno Awards and have won two, including Group of the Year in 2009. In 2013, the band was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Rock Gospel Album category for their album The End Is Where We Begin.
Music Style
Christian music comes in many different styles and genres, from classic hymns to modern pop. While some Christian artists stick to more traditional styles of music, others have embraced alternative sounds, including indie rock.
If you’re looking for a new Christian band to check out, here are five of the best Christian indie rock bands you need to know about:
1. Thousand Foot Krutch: This Canadian band has been making music since 1997 and has released nine studio albums. They are known for their high-energy live shows and their positive, uplifting message.
2. Anberlin: Anberlin was formed in 2002 in Florida and released six albums before disbanding in 2014. They were one of the most successful Christian bands of their time, with a string of hit songs like “Feel Good Drag” and “Never Take Friendship Personal.”
3. Copeland: Copeland is a five-piece band from Lakeland, Florida that formed in 2001. They have released six albums, with their most recent being 2016’s Ixora. Copeland is known for their catchy melodies and emotional lyrics.
4. The Classic Crime: The Classic Crime is a five-piece band from Seattle, Washington that formed in 2003. To date, they have released six studio albums and one live album. The band is known for their anthemic songs and powerful live performances.
5. Mae: Mae is a five-piece band from Norfolk, Virginia that was formed in 2001. To date, they have released seven studio albums and one live album. Mae is known for their catchy pop hooks and positive messages.
