- ApologetiX
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This article is about the Christian parody band. For the systematic defense of a position, see Apologetics. For other uses, see Apology (disambiguation).
ApologetiX 
The BandBackground information Origin United States Genres Christian rock, CCM, comedy rock, parody Years active 1992–present Labels Parodudes Website www.apologetix.com Members J. Jackson
Keith Haynie
Jimmy Tanner
Bill Hubauer
Tom Milnes
Tom Tincha
Todd WaitesPast members Karl Messner
Jerry Hayostek
Bob Flaherty
Fred Behanna
Jeff Pakula
Rick Servocky
Andy Sparks
Bill "Moose" RiegerApologetiX is a Christian parody band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The band was founded in 1992, and since then, has played in 44 states,[1] released 17 studio albums,[2] and built up a fan club that includes 45,000 people.[1] The band is currently composed of J. Jackson on vocals, Keith Haynie on bass guitar, Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner on drums, Bill Hubauer and Todd Waites on keyboard, and Tom Milnes and Tom Tincha (a.k.a. "TNT"), both on lead guitar.[3]
ApologetiX gets their name from the word "apologetics," which is a defense of the Christian faith.[2] It is based on the Greek word for defense, "apologia." The word is used in 1 Peter 3:15, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer (defense or "apologia") to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." (NIV).[4] Their logo, a triquetra, is an ancient symbol which has gained Christian use for the Holy Trinity.[2] But it alone pre-dates Christianity.
Contents
History
One of the co-founders of ApologetiX, along with lead singer and lyricist J. Jackson,[2] Karl Messner served as the band's lead guitarist and producer from the band's inception until early September 2007.
In the early days of the band, Karl shared lead guitar duties with Andy Sparks, until Andy moved to bass in the fall of 1993. After that, Karl played all lead guitars for the band, with occasional rhythm guitar by J. Jackson (from 1992–97). From 1998 on, he was band's sole guitarist until February 2004, when Bill Hubauer began touring with the band as both a keyboardist and guitarist. Karl was replaced as lead guitarist and producer by Bill Hubauer in September 2007.[2] When ApologetiX added Tom Milnes and Tom Tincha on lead guitars in the fall of 2008, Bill was able to concentrate on keyboards again, while continuing to produce the band's CDs.[2]
ApologetiX has had six official drummers. Jeff Pakula (June 1990-September 1993), Rick Servocky (November 1993-April 1995), Bob Flaherty (May 1995-September 1998), Fred Behanna (February 1999-January 2001), Bill "Moose" Rieger (March 2001-January 2005) and Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner (October 2005-Current).[5]
ApologetiX has had multiple other drummers as well. Their longtime fill-in drummer, Keith Harrold (played on Isn't Wasn't Ain't and Keep The Change), David McKee (played on Jesus Christ Morningstar as well as two concerts in 1998), and Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz (drummer for "Weird Al" Yankovic), who played 7 tracks on Biblical Graffiti.[2] Ron Zanski (two shows in 1993) and Allen Muckle (three shows in 2001) have also played with the band.
According to the band's website, Weird Al himself has told them he thinks they do "fabulous work."[2]
Musical style and lyrical themes
ApologetiX rewrites secular songs with Christian lyrics to create parodies with Christian messages, and, in the song "We're In A Parody Band," ApologetiX refers to itself as a cross between "Weird Al" Yankovic and Billy Graham. Some of their parodies include "Micah No. 5" (Mambo No. 5 by Lou Bega) "Lazy Brain" (Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne), "Hotel Can't Afford Ya" ("Hotel California" by The Eagles), "Corinthians" (based on "In the End" by Linkin Park), "Look Yourself" ("Lose Yourself" by Eminem), "Smooth Grandmama" (based on the Alien Ant Farm cover version of "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson), "Smells Like Thirtysomething Spirit" ("Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana), "The Sounds of Silas" ("The Sounds of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel), and "Bethlehemian Rhapsody" ("Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen).
Band members
- Current
- Keith Haynie - Bass guitar (1995–present)
- Tom Milnes - Lead guitarist (2008–present)
- J. Jackson - Vocals (1992–present)
- Tom Tincha - Lead guitarist (2008–present)
- Bill Hubauer - Keyboardist, producer (1998–present)
- Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner - Drums (2005–present)
- Todd Waites - Keyboardist (2011–present)
- Former
- Jerry Hayostek - Bass guitar (1992–1993)
- Karl Messner - Lead guitarist (1990–2007)
- Andy Sparks - Rhythm guitarist, Bass (1991–1995)
- B.J. Collins - Keyboardist, producer (1997–1998)
- Jeff Pakula - Drums (1990–1993)
- Rick Servocky - Drums (1993–1995)
- Bob Flaherty - Drums (1995–1998)
- Fred Behanna - Drums (1999–2001)
- David McKee - Drums (2001)
- Bill "Moose" Rieger - Drums (2001–2005)
- Session
- Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz - Drums (1999)
- Keith Harrold - Drums (1993–2000)
- Steve Kayner - Bass (1993)
Discography
Studio & live albums
Year Title Label 1993 Isn't Wasn't Ain't Parodudes 1994 Radical History Tour Parodudes 1997 Ticked Parodudes 1998 Jesus Christ Morningstar Parodudes 1999 Biblical Graffiti Parodudes 2000 Spoofernatural Parodudes 2001 Keep The Change Parodudes 2002 Grace Period Parodudes 2003 Adam Up Parodudes 2005 Apol-acoustiX Parodudes 2005 Hits: The Road Parodudes 2006 Wordplay Parodudes 2007 Chosen Ones Parodudes 2008 Future Tense Parodudes 2009 Recovery Parodudes 2009 The Boys Aren't Backin' Down Parodudes 2010 Soundproof Parodudes 2011 Wise Up and Rock Parodudes Christmas Albums
Year Title Label 2002 Have Yourself A Parody Little Christmas Parodudes 2008 The 12 Downloads of Christmas Parodudes Compilation albums
Year Title Label 2004 New & Used Hits: The Best of ApologetiX Vol. 1 & 2 Parodudes Filmography
Year Title Label 2003 Downer of a Sister Video Parodudes 2005 Samson Comes Alive: An Evening With ApologetiX DVD Parodudes Awards
- 2005 Best CD Award: New & Used Hits: The Best of ApologetiX Vol. 1 & 2 (Christianity Today's Reader's Choice Awards)
- 2004 Favorite Indie Artist (CCM Magazine Reader's Choice Awards)
- 2002 Recorded Fringe Song of the Year: "The Real Sin Savior" (American Christian Music Awards/ChristianBEATS)
- 2004 American Christian Music Awards, Alternative Song of The Year: "Lifestyles of The Rich & Nameless"[6]
- 2004 American Christian Music Awards, Outstanding Modern/College Rock Artist[6]
Chart positions of singles & albums
Albums
- Keep The Change
National Christian Retail Bestsellers Rock Chart, published by CCM (#15, November 2001)
- Adam Up
National Christian Modern/College Rock Album Chart, ChristianBEATS (#1, May/June 2004)
- New & Used Hits: The Best of ApologetiX Vol. 1 & 2
National Christian Newest Rock Album Chart, American Christian Music Journal (#1, December 2004) National Christian Modern/Alternative Album Chart, American Christian Music Journal (#1, December 2004)
Singles
- "JC's Mom"
Christian Alternative/Modern Singles, American Christian Music Journal (#1, January 2005)
- "Look Yourself"
Christian Rap/Hip Hop Singles, ChristianBEATS (#1, January 2004) Christian-hiphop.net (#1) R & R National Christian Rhythmic Charts (Top 10)
- "Lifestyles of the Rich & Nameless"
R & R National Christian Rock Charts (Top 30, April 2004) ChristianBEATS National Christian Modern/College Singles (#2, May 2004)
- "The Real Sin Savior"
ChristianBEATS National Christian rock charts (Top 30, Fall 2002)
Other Top 40 Hits on the National Christian Rock Charts:
- "Smooth Grandmama" (R & R. Top 30, September 2002)
- "How You Rewind Me" (R & R, Top 30, July 2003)
- "Downer of a Sister" (R & R, Top 40, October 2004)
Karl Messner
Karl Messner in 2007
Karl Messner is a Contemporary Christian Music artist who co-founded ApologetiX in 1992 with J. Jackson. He produced and played lead guitar on their first 14 albums, as well as performing nearly 1,000 concerts with the band in all 50 states and Canada.[7]
Karl was instrumental in establishing ApologetiX as a successful independent Christian band. As a web developer and programmer Karl designed the band's website & created a program called "Dexter" that handles the booking, online sales & other aspects of the band.[8][9] The internet & tools like Dexter are challenging the notion that for a band to be successful, it needs to be signed to a large record label.
He announced his first solo album, tentatively called Liberty, in March 2009. The album is expected to be released in 2011.[dated info]
References
- ^ a b Bonnett, Vaunda (February 25, 2005). "ApologetiX show opens new facility". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/s_307319.html. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "FAQ". ApologetiX. http://www.apologetix.com/faq/faq.php.
- ^ "Bios". ApologetiX. http://www.apologetix.com/bios/bios.php.
- ^ "1 Peter 3:15 - Passage Lookup". BibleGateway.com. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+3%3A15&version=NIV. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
- ^ "Bios - Jimmy". ApologetiX. http://www.apologetix.com/bios/jimmy.php.
- ^ a b Jones, Kim. "American Christian Music Awards, 2004". About.com. http://christianmusic.about.com/od/awards/a/aaACMaward04.htm.
- ^ "Fan Club News". ApologetiX. http://www.apologetix.com/news/news-details.php?news_id=1299.
- ^ "Fan Club News". ApologetiX. http://www.apologetix.com/news/news-details.php?news_id=406.
- ^ "Fan Club News - Phound Photos!". ApologetiX. http://www.apologetix.com/news/news-details.php?news_id=579.
- article from HM Magazine
- article from AFA
- Christianity Today - Interview with Apologetix
External links
Live Albums Other Albums Have Yourself A Parody Little Christmas · The 12 Downloads of Christmas · New & Used Hits: The Best of ApologetiX Vol. 1 & 2Related articles Categories:- American Christian musical groups
- Musical groups established in 1992
- Musical groups from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Parody musicians
- Religious parodies and satires
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