'MINDY'S REVENGE' came out on Word recently. It featured 20 American alternative-orientated bands and soloists who'd made it onto CD but hadn't been picked up by a major CCM label. Mike Rimmer and Dave Derbyshire went in search of info.



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Jesse's Vineyard
Jesse's Vineyard come from Tampa. Florida but like so many budding artists have moved to Nashville. The group's front men, Gerald Alderman and Bobby Marko, credit their five and a half year history due to the fact that no matter what, ministry is first. "Round And Round" is Jesse's Vineyard's debut single but they say that "plans for a full length album release is in the making."

Alison And The Catherine Pierce
Catherine (20) and her elder sister Allison (22) are a living example of how strange the route to a record company can be. They were recommended to Brent Bourgeois when he was still working as an artist. A fan emailed him from Auburn University in Alabama and sent Brent a tape. He remembers, "I got a tape with no picture, no titles and it had 15 songs! It was all wrong!" Despite this when Brent began work at Word, he set about signing the duo. Bourgeois and veteran Wayne Kirkpatrick have just completed producing the debut album, which is currently untitled. It's also a first for the company since Word are planning on launching Allison And Catherine Pierce exclusively into the mainstream. Their album will not have a Christian industry release.

Gorgeous
Gorgeous have been together for four years and their music is best described as guitar soaked modern rock. Working hard mainly in the mainstream club scene, they describe the inclusion of their song "Alien" on 'Mindy's Revenge' as a "fluke!" They explain, "The song was first written as a silly little poem, then put to music with strange but strong lyrics donated by a band friend. The song looks at the strange obsession people have with aliens and UFO lore. The song kind of lampoons the idea that people seek salvation in the stars while dying on earth. Or you could just look at it as a funny little song about an alien."

Chris Taylor
Born in New York and raised in Texas, Chris Taylor fronted the acclaimed group Love Coma who split up last year. At the same time Love Coma was coming to an end, Brent Bourgeois convinced Chris to come to Nashville and record a few new songs. It was the out and out worship song "Bright And Morning Star' that was produced by Brent that was chosen for 'Mindy's Revenge' and Chris has also just released his first solo album 'Down Goes The Day' on Rhythm House Records.

Mindy
Mindy

Prophecy
Prophecy have only been together a couple of years however they have already played support to The Insyderz, Value Pac, Silage and Zilch! They released their debut album 'Supernatural' in 1996 and have recently been in the studio with Mark Nash of PFR in preparation for their next album. "'Mindy's Revenge' is one of the biggest projects we have been involved in," says Jason Velasquez. "We are now working on our summer schedule. Since our drummer is still in high school we can't do anything till then."

Vine
The band Vine as featured on this album were only together from 1996-97 and split after the song "Soap" appeared on "Mindy'. The band was Dan Muckala and Alex Anders. Muckala describes the song as "a different take on salvation. We cannot do any good works that will save us. We need the power of the cross to cleanse us." Word A&R Brent Bourgeois heard the song through a friend and liked it so much he talked to Vine about signing them. However, by then Dan and Alex had split because of "creative differences." This was just as well since another band called Vine were unhappy that Dan had taken their name! Dan has now signed to Essential Records and was so afraid of having the same name as another band he has called the new line up Muckala. He says he was "pretty sure that wouldn't be taken!" Muckala are currently on tour opening for Plumb and then they are due in the studio where Dan will be producing the band's debut which will be a mix of modern rock, techno and R&B! He is no stranger to Christian music as he has already made a name for himself as an inspirational songwriter penning tunes for Bryan Duncan and Amy Morriss. This year his song "He Walked A Mile" recorded by Clay Crosse is up for a Dove award as Song Of The Year. However, the band is his main focus now!

Jeff Deyo
Youth ministries specialist Jeff Deyo graduated in Music Business from 3 Anderson University in 1992. He recently toured the States as a front man for Teen mania's worship band at some selected Acquire The Fire super-conventions and he has gained experience opening for groups like Big Tent Revival, Three Crosses, Bleach, Five Iron Frenzy and Zilch. Jeff describes his song "Overflow" as "a passionate modern rock Sound Garden."

Jeanette Sullivan
Jeanette Sullivan grew up in a family of eight children in Stockton, California and moved to Nashville in the early '90s after graduating from California State University at Fresno. She worked in radio and marketing for a couple of years before asking Barry Blair (formerly of Audio Adrenaline) to produce "Up And Down The River" for her as a demo. Jeanette's husband. Bob Herdman of Audio Adrenaline, wrote this song. While he was playing it at home. Jeanette decided she really liked it and so recorded it. It appeared on 'Mindy's Revenge' but Jeanette's debut solo project, 'Planet', was released independently in December. The entire album again produced by Barry Blair.

According To John
The four members of the Fayetteville-based band According To John tour extensively playing to youth, colleges, churches and conferences. They have ' opened for Jars Of Clay. NewSong, Rebecca St James. Skillet and Audio Adrenaline. Currently they are touring America, supporting the hugely popular girl group Sierra. The song "Follow" is a personal testimony for According To John that they have "decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back."

Kings Road
The songwriting duo of vocalist Eve Marie Selis-De La Isla and guitarist Marc Intravaia first collaborated while touring Europe before forming Kings Road! The band have made a name for themselves playing locally in the San Diego area. Intriguingly, all of the band members also play in Top 40 cover bands to earn a crust or two. Their previous attempt to get wider exposure was in 1994 with the release of their debut album 'Where Angels Walk" which was released on Broken Records. 'Mindy' features "Mary Mary" which is taken from 'Heaven And Earth' which was released independently last year. Eve jokes about the band's songwriting, "I live it and Marc writes it! Our songs are about our life experiences. We write what's inside."

MIndy
MIndy

Dog Named David
Two college graduates Andy Cloninger and John Wallace, who was bound for Episcopal seminary, began as an acoustic duo in 1995. Dog Named David now alternate between the original duo and working as a full band, including bass and drums. They have quickly gained the reputation as one of the finest Christian acts in the Southeast States. The track on 'Mindy's Revenge', "It's Alright", is the title track from their debut independent album released in February 1997.

Thread
Eddie Willis, Steve Rude, Scott Leger, Nate Navarro and Curtis Ryker were just five guys with different occupations and backgrounds, serving together in their local church worship team in Marysville, WA in the US. Since performing together at the 1996 Northwest Talent Contest they have now played at churches, community events and festivals including opening for such names as All Star United, Cyndy Morgan. Carolyn Arends and Susan Ashton. The song "Let Me Out" is also available as a single and Thread hope to have an album out next year.

Human
This five-piece band came together gradually between 1992 and 1997, deciding on the name by the flip of a coin! Human have opened for Petra, Audio Adrenaline, Geoff Moore And The Distance and gone against the modern rock trend by developing elaborate stage shows. "You can take any bad situation and make something good out of it," says Vic, explaining the meaning of their song "Lemonade" which was featured on the 'Mindy' album. "When life hands you a bag of lemons, make lemonade."

The Nobodys
Coming from the Pacific Northwest, Scott C Riggan grew up in northern California, Ben Bauman on a small farm in Oregon. They met and both graduated from Boise Bible College in Idaho. Recently in a bid to develop their music they relocated to Nashville. Ben has spent a number of years as a youth minister. Scott has worked as a programme director for Christian Radio in Idaho and together they have received songwriting and talent awards while performing and ministering in churches, coffee houses, youth rallies and other community festival events. About their song "Talk About Love" they say, "There is no love greater than that which would lay its own life down for someone who doesn't even yet love in return."

The Forty Days
The Forty Days were playing for their church youth group and slowly finding other churches opening 'heir doors to them when they were asked by former White Heart guitarist Brian Wooten to record their first album. 'Downpour'. The band consists of lead singer and primary lyricist Christopher Martin, with Heath Migliore and Tom Robson on guitars. Stephen Sisk on drums and Jody Spain on bass. It was Chris who dipped into his own past to come up with the song "Why?" which the Forty Days describe as "a musical interpretation of one boy's struggles with his parents' divorce."

Sacred Sky
Genie and Troy Nilsson are Sacred Sky. The couple have been making music together since 1988 and married in 1990. In the past they have worked with Bobby McFerrin. Michael W Smith and DC Talk. But they are best known for their children's lullaby albums for Everland Entertainment, Angels All Around'. Perhaps it's no surprise that Everland have signed the duo for their adult project which they have recently finished recording. Reverting back to their own names rather than continuing as Sacred Sky, Genie And Troy Nilsson will release 'Whisper' in April. They are currently touring in the Northwest USA and have been recently nominated for a Dove Award for one of their children's recordings. 'Scripture Rock' which they recorded for Brentwood. CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.