Kosmos Express

Kosmos Express was a Christian rock band from the 1990s.

Biography

From early 1997 to mid-1998, Kosmos Express released two critically acclaimed records, "Now", featuring the hit song “Beautiful”, co-produced by Craig Nepp (Save Ferris, The Ventures, Sense Field, Jeffries Fan Club) and "Simulcast", featuring the smash-hit song “The Force”, produced by Gene Eugene (Aunt Bettys, Starflyer 59) both on Zomba Music Group labels.

Kosmos Express toured an intense live show; enjoyed airplay of its singles and videos around the world; appeared on television and movie soundtracks and various compilations; received favorable press internationally, including book inclusions; but decided to call it quits in 2000, though the group continues to receive airplay and attention to this day, especially overseas.

Frontman Rob Goraieb went on to lead the rock/pop group, The Get Set, and now writes for TV/film, most recently on NBC Universal. Guitarist Beau Burchell joined L.A. band Open Hand before co-forming the post-hardcore band Saosin. Mark Powell now drums for The Kite-Eating Tree.

Goraieb also released a solo record, "Apartment 305" (B/R/M Records and Not Lame Recordings). Guests on the record included bassist Dan Schwartz (Sheryl Crow, Susanna Hoffs, Jon Hassell, Brian Eno), and drummer Mark Powell, who played in both Kosmos Express and The Get Set.

Goraieb got his start with Gleaming Spires, the band for the legendary eccentric duo, Sparks, performing on Gleaming Spires' record, "Funk For Children" (released on the Posh Boy Records/Vodka Label). Gleaming Spires is best known for their hit song, "Are You Ready for the Sex Girls?"

Band Members

*Rob Goraieb: Lead Vocals, Guitar, Songwriter
*Beau Burchell: Guitar
*G.J. Torres: Bass, Backing Vocals
*Mark Powell: Drums, Piano, Percussion

Additional Musicians

*Ron Alayra: Drums, Percussion
*The Greek: Bass, BGV's
*Debbi Devore: Vocals
*Melissa Hasin: Cello
*Chris Diede: Trombone
*Biff Vincent: Piano
*Gene Eugene: Rhodes, Mellotron
*David Stenske: Viola
*John Acosta: Cello

Discography

*"Now" (1997, Reviews: [http://www.tollbooth.org/mini/kosmos.html The Phantom Tollbooth] , [http://direct.crossrhythms.co.uk/cd.php?cd=3703 crossrhythms.co.uk] )
*"Simulcast" (1998, Reviews: [http://www.tollbooth.org/reviewm/kosmos2.html The Phantom Tollbooth] , [http://direct.crossrhythms.co.uk/cd.php?cd=3702 crossrhythms.co.uk] , [http://www.geocities.com/mjareviews/kosmos.html Kevin Baker] , [http://web.archive.org/web/20000302052844/www.ameth.org/coolfools/kosmos.html Cool Fools] )

Compilations:
*"The Buzz" (1997)
*"Statements From The Green Planet" (featuring the unreleased song, "I Don't Have A Gun" 1997)
*"Apple "Modern Rock For Those With Taste" (1997)
*"Express Your Worship" Survivor Records Sampler (U.K. 1997)
*"7-Ball Gas Collection 1" (1997)
*"The Future CCM" (1997)
*"Nothing But........Rock" Label: CMC (Canada 1997)
*"Various Sampler, Rock - Release 40" (1997)
*"Heavenly Hits" Zomba Records (Singapore 1997)
*"Cornerstone '98 Sampler Disc #1" (1998)
*"Razor Cuts" (1998)
*"Transmitter Sampler CD Vol. 1" (1999)
*"Propska One" (1999)
*"Power: Songs For The Soul" (2002)
*"Radio Christian Hits/Best Of" Madacy Records (2006)

Radio Singles

*"Beautiful"
*"Little Tree"
*"Just Say It"
*"Miss America"
*"The Force"
*"Gone"
*"Emotional"

Videos

*"Beautiful" (1997)
*"The Force" (1998)
*"Gone" (1998)

Compilations:
*"Jars, Plumb, and Then Some" (featuring "Beautiful" 1997)

T.V./Movies

Kosmos Express songs have appeared in:
* "" (Truth Soul Armor 1997)
* "ESPN Extreme" (ESPN 1998)
* "The Climb" (World Wide Pictures 2002)
* "Today Show" (NBC 2007)

Trivia

* Rob was signed as a songwriter to the band's label prior to Kosmos being formed. The first record was written before there was a band or even the name Kosmos Express. (Source: "Fuel" Magazine)
* Acclaimed Los Angeles group Neve (band) (Portrait/Sony/Columbia) paid to borrow the concept of the Kosmos Express “Gone” video (Director: Michael Peleaux) for the video of their hit song "It's Over Now" (Director: Jeff Gordon). Both group's videos worked well.
* Crooner/lounge singer, John Jonethis, covered two Kosmos Express songs. He recorded "Love Is Me" and "Little Tree." "Love Is Me" was also included as a bonus track on the "Now" CD. He did such a good job with them that writer Rob Goraieb said he prefers listening to Jonethis' versions over the Kosmos Express ones.

References

*
* Hosted at [http://www.christianitytoday.com ChristianityToday.com] .
*cite journal |last=McGovern |first=Brian Vincent |year=1998 |month=July/August |title=Album Reviews: Kosmos Express "Simulcast" |journal=HM Magazine |id=ISSN|1066-6923 |issue=72 |pages= |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20010713013634/www.hmmagazine.com/issue72/72Albums.htm |accessdate=2007-04-24

External links

*Discogs artist | artist = Kosmos+Express | name = Kosmos Express
*MusicBrainz artist|id=73dfe826-62cc-4573-9127-74456dc785e0|name=Kosmos Express