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God Gave Rock & Roll To YouNo Holds Bar-Mitzvah'd: Bob Dylan's Christian Rock Albums (#027)Send us a textWe're back! In this episode we discuss the Christian Rock period of Bob Dylan's discography: the trilogy of albums Slow Train Coming, Saved, and Shot of Love. Did you know that Dylan played harmonica on a Keith Green song? Also, learn how Dylan tried to convert his producer Jerry Wexler while recording Slow Train at Muscle Shoals. Is Bob Dylan still saved?Bands/ Artists discussed:Bob DylanGrateful DeadSinead O'ConnorKeith GreenDire StraitsConor Oberst...2025-06-2358 minGod Gave Rock & Roll To YouSteve Taylor Blew Up The Clinic Real Good: The "I Predict 1990" Album, Side A (#026)Send us a textWe finally get to Matt and Doug's all-time favorite Steve Taylor album, 1987's I Predict 1990. We cover the first three songs, beginning with "I Blew Up The Clinic Real Good", about an ice cream salesman who blows up an abortion clinic to make sure he still has a clientele to sell to. Next, "What Is The Measure Of Your Success" skewers the big business Wall Street culture of the 1980's, and remains even more relevant today. Finally, "Since I Gave Up Hope, I Feel A Lot Better" tackles higher education (maybe?) and explores...2025-04-281h 03God Gave Rock & Roll To YouSteve Taylor Throws Grandpa Off The Lifeboat: The "On The Fritz" Album, Side B (#025)Send us a textWe cover the second half of Steve Taylor's album On The Fritz, focusing on two songs: "I Manipulate", which tackles the warped theology of Bill Gothard, a minister who preached strict hierarchy in the family, and "Lifeboat", which critically discusses Values Clarification, a movement in the early 80's that emphasized personal values over values given from authority figures like parents or the Church. Plus, are Christians the new moral relativists? Is empathy a sin?Bands/ Artists discussed:Steve TaylorDocumentary: Shiny Happy People, about the Duggar family...2025-04-1457 minGod Gave Rock & Roll To YouSteve Taylor's "To Forgive" is the Magnolia of Christian Rock: The "On the Fritz" Album, Side A (#024)Send us a textWe continue our comprehensive exploration into Steve Taylor's ouvre, this time tackling his second full-length album, 1986's On The Fritz. We cover the secularization of the sacred with "This Disco (Used To Be A Cute Cathedral)". We try to figure out what "On The Fritz" means. We discuss whether "It's A Personal Thing" makes sense anymore in our current political climate. Then we go deep on one of our all-time favorite Christian Rock songs, the stone-cold classic "To Forgive", which is a reminder of what is true and beautiful about the Gospel, and...2025-03-2257 minGod Gave Rock & Roll To YouSteve Taylor Drinks Milk From A Christian Cow: The "Meltdown" Album, Side B (#023)Send us a textWe continue our ridiculous in-depth, track by track analysis of Steve Taylor's first full length album, 1984's Meltdown, covering the last five tracks. Standouts include the great song "Sin For A Season" and "Guilty By Association".Bands/ Artists discussed:Steve TaylorStarflyer 59Dance House ChildrenPixiesThe SmithsMorrisseyMountain GoatsThe WeakerthansGod 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...2025-02-031h 07God Gave Rock & Roll To YouSteve Taylor Solves Racism: The "Meltdown" Album, Side A (#022)Send us a textWe continue our track by track analysis of Steve Taylor's work. We only get halfway through his classic first full-length album, 1984's Meltdown, because there is so much to talk about. Highlights on this side include Taylor's groundbreaking song "We Don't Need No Colour Code" which boldly takes on racism in the Church, and "Am I In Sync", which is one of our all-time favorite Steve Taylor songs.Bands/ Artists discussed:Steve TaylorChicago Bears Shufflin' CrewThe Fat BoysRun DMCPublic Enemy2025-01-201h 04God Gave Rock & Roll To YouSteve Taylor is the Eminem of 80's Christian Rap: The "I Want To Be A Clone" EP (#021)Send us a textWe'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...2025-01-061h 18God Gave Rock & Roll To YouMennonites Were Rolling In The Aisles: Interview with Comedian Jeremy Alder Part 2 (#020)Send us a textWe 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 HammerPleasant GroveSilver JewsPurple MountainsDrive By TruckersJason IsbellGhoti Hook...2024-11-1847 minGod Gave Rock & Roll To YouCarman Had the Rizz: Interview with Comedian Jeremy Alder Part 1 (#019)Send us a textWe 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:2024-11-1149 minGod Gave Rock & Roll To YouAn Epistle of Tony to the Church at Newsmax: Christianity and Politics (#018)Send us a textWe 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 FeuchtDanny G...2024-10-2851 minGod Gave Rock & Roll To YouLust Control Responds! Doug Van Pelt Interview (#017)Send us a textWe 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...2024-10-121h 22God Gave Rock & Roll To YouCharismatic Interpretation of Tongues is the Brian Eno of Prayer: Brett Tohlen Interview (#016)Send us a textWe 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 PattyMichael W SmithP...2024-09-281h 31God Gave Rock & Roll To YouIf Taylor Swift Killed You, Would You Go To Heaven? Beau Jennings Interview (#015)Send us a textWe 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...2024-09-141h 35God Gave Rock & Roll To YouSorta Christian: Danny Balis Interview (#014)Send us a textWe 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:2024-08-311h 08God Gave Rock & Roll To YouWrite Drunk, Edit Sober: Daniel Hopkins Interview Part 2 (#013)Send us a textWe 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 ...2024-08-171h 06God Gave Rock & Roll To YouChik-Fil-A is the Christian Rock of Fast Food: Daniel Hopkins Interview Part 1 (#012)Send us a textWe 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:RadiantDenim Wo...2024-08-101h 05God Gave Rock & Roll To YouThe Throes - All The Flowers Growing In Your Mother's Eyes (#011)Send us a textWe discuss the video of the Mike Knott tribute concert that just dropped on YouTube. Matt listens to Starflyer 59 for the first time ever. We take a survey of secular songs that were co-opted by Christians for their own purposes. Matt describes his teenage initiation into the Cult of R.E.M. We take a deep dive into the seminal Christian alt-rock album "All The Flowers Growing In Your Mother's Eyes" by The Throes. A heated argument ensues about whether or not Neutral Milk Hotel was from Athens. Bands/ Artists discussed:2024-07-141h 02God Gave Rock & Roll To YouLord Have Mercy On Me: Christian Themes in Secular Music (#010)Send us a textIn this episode, we explore the spiritual roots of popular music and listen to examples of Christian themes that have shown up outside of the Christian Rock cloister throughout the decades, from Black Gospel quartets, through Elvis, Johnny Cash, and into the modern rock of the 1990's and 2000's.Plus, another edition of "We Were Wrong", Tony's idea for a rock band comprised of middle aged Dads that used to be cool, the final word on whether humans are good or evil, and a discussion about the Robert Morris scandal at...2024-06-301h 12God Gave Rock & Roll To YouBowl of Wrath: Questioning the Theology of Christian Rock (#009)Send us a textWe revisit some of our favorite Christian rock songs from our youth and discuss the lyrics and theological messages that were being communicated through the music. Also, did Dante create our modern conception of Hell? Why do we talk about Adam Again so much? How was one of the most uplifting hymns of all time written by a man who lost everything? Does God hate us?Bands/ Music discussed:Lauren DaigleGungorAdam AgainLewisLeonard CohenThe Innocence MissionCowboy Junkies...2024-06-161h 10God Gave Rock & Roll To YouSatanic Panic! The Evils of Backward Masking (#008)Send us a textSPOOKY ALERT: We delve into the Devil-obsessed 80's, when demonic messages were deciphered by playing rock music backwards. We listen to some of the most notorious tracks and test for ourselves whether nefarious incantations were being subliminally infiltrated into the minds of the youth. Also, was skate culture Satanic? Did Led Zeppelin record Stairway to Heaven in Aleister Crowley's house? Do demons live in vinyl or cassettes?Bands discussed:Def LeppardThe BeatlesLed ZeppelinSlayerQueenPetraGene EugeneKing Crimson...2024-05-261h 04God Gave Rock & Roll To YouOh My Sweet Rapture! Christian Rock at the End of the World (#007)Send us a textThe Apocalypse is here in this week's episode! We discuss how Premillennial Dispensationalism informed the American Evangelical culture in the 70's and 80's, and how the End of Days affected the Christian music of the time. Also: what do you do when the Rapture doesn't happen in the middle of 7th grade Bible class? Is not sinning more important than loving your neighbor? What's with all the white Christian rappers?Bands discussed:Terence Trent DarbyThe New YearBenny HesterIris DeMentDaniel Amos...2024-05-121h 03God Gave Rock & Roll To YouLust Control! Guilt, Sin and Shame in Christian Rock (#006)Send us a textIn this episode, we explore how ideas about Christian guilt and shame found their way into Christian rock. Also, have you ever seen 60,000 grown men weeping like babies? What is "The Big M"? What's so bad about music with a message? Is Ringo Starr still alive?Bands discussed:Altar BoysKeith GreenLust ControlOne Bad PigThe 77'sMike KnottSteve TaylorThe BeatlesPrayer ChainBright EyesNeil YoungJon Guerra77's - The...2024-04-281h 06God Gave Rock & Roll To YouWe Get A Big Warm Sweet Interior Glowing: The Music of Terry Scott Taylor (#005)Send us a textIn this episode, we dive into the catalog of Christian alt-rock artist Terry Scott Taylor, who began his career fronting the band Daniel Amos, and went on to make albums with the Swirling Eddies and Lost Dogs, as well as recording many solo albums. We courageously face eternal conundrums such as, was Amy Grant into the occult? What are the Seven Mountains of cultural dominance, and how can we use them to boss our families around? Was St Paul half Italian? We start by discussing Daniel Amos' first album Shotgun Angel, which came out...2024-04-141h 07God Gave Rock & Roll To YouChurch Chad Would Not Approve: Crossing Over into the Secular World (#004)Send us a textIn this episode, we dig into the concept of “crossing over”, when Christian artists would try to break into the mainstream music world. We dig into crucial topics like, were all of the founders of CCM on drugs? Is David Bazan too preachy? Can God be embarrassed? We open this episode with an exhortation from our brother Church Chad, who just wants to keep his brother in line. Bands discussed:Leslie Phillips/ Sam PhillipsAmy GrantGrant Lee BuffaloPeter CeteraDaniel AmosSwirling Eddies...2024-03-311h 05God Gave Rock & Roll To YouI Don't Wanna Get Kicked Out: RIP Michael Knott (#003)Send us a textMichael Knott passed away on March 12, 2024. He was a highly prolific musician and label owner who fronted many bands, including Lifesavers, Life Savers Underground, L.S. Underground, L.S.U., Cush, Bombay Babies, and more. He also released many solo albums under his own name. For the three of us, he is important as the main force behind Blonde Vinyl Records. For a couple of glorious years in the early 90's, he somehow bypassed the Christian music industry's gatekeepers and convinced Christian bookstores to stock his label's releases. These included bands with original music s...2024-03-2447 minGod Gave Rock & Roll To YouIf You Can Go Without Sinning For Just One Minute, Then You Can Go Two (#002)Send us a textIn this episode, we dive into each of our backgrounds and how we were introduced to the Christian alt rock world. We wrestle with hard-hitting questions like, how do you know which album to buy based on the cover art alone? If you can go just one minute without sin, can you go two? What was the best Christian album of the era and why was it Adam Again's Homeboys?Bands discussed:Eddie Murphy (really)Tears For FearsPetraThe Police 2024-03-171h 13God Gave Rock & Roll To YouThe Choir is the Sex Pistols of Christian Rock (#001)Send us a textIn this first episode, we tackle the important questions like; Is backwards masking real? Do Catholics speak in tongues? Was Keith Green too preachy? Was it more punk rock to be in a Christian band than to be a punk? Is The Choir the Sex Pistols of Christian rock?Bands discussed:LSUAltar BoysU2The SundaysThe ChoirAdam AgainDaniel AmosKeith GreenSteve TaylorTwisted SisterRadioheadRun DMCThe PixiesSunny...2024-03-051h 05
Fanatic PromotionPleasant Grove - Disintegration (Consider Your Brother)“We have been down a difficult road,” explains Marcus Striplin of the near-decade that has passed between commencing work on the upcoming Pleasant Grove album "The Heart Contortionists" (February 5th, We Know Better Records), the group’s untimely dissolution, and the album’s ultimate completion.
Recorded by Grammy-award winners John Congleton (St. Vincent, Modest Mouse, War On Drugs) and Stuart Sikes (Loretta Lynn, White Stripes, Cat Power), "The Heart Contortionists" reminds listeners of what they loved about the Pleasant Grove sound – a folk band’s command of melody and a psych band’s command of reverb – while also giving clues to what led to t...2016-02-0403 min