ApologetiX
Encyclopedia
ApologetiX is a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...

 parody band
Parody music
Parody music, or musical parody, involves changing or recycling existing musical ideas or lyrics — or copying the peculiar style of a composer or artist, or even a general style of music. Although the result is often funny, and this is the usual intent — the term "parody" in musical terms also...

 from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...

, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. The band was founded in 1992, and since then, has played in 44 states, released 17 studio albums, and built up a fan club that includes 45,000 people. 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.

ApologetiX gets their name from the word "apologetics
Apologetics
Apologetics is the discipline of defending a position through the systematic use of reason. Early Christian writers Apologetics (from Greek ἀπολογία, "speaking in defense") is the discipline of defending a position (often religious) through the systematic use of reason. Early Christian writers...

," which is a defense of the Christian faith. It is based on the Greek word for defense, "apologia." The word is used in 1 Peter 3:15
First Epistle of Peter
The First Epistle of Peter, usually referred to simply as First Peter and often written 1 Peter, is a book of the New Testament. The author claims to be Saint Peter the apostle, and the epistle was traditionally held to have been written during his time as bishop of Rome or Bishop of Antioch,...

, "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
New International Version
The New International Version is an English translation of the Christian Bible. Published by Zondervan in the United States and by Hodder & Stoughton in the UK, it has become one of the most popular modern translations in history.-History:...

). Their logo, a triquetra
Triquetra
Triquetra originally meant "triangle" and was used to refer to various three-cornered shapes. Nowadays, it has come to refer exclusively to a particular more complicated shape formed of three vesicae piscis, sometimes with an added circle in or around it...

, is an ancient symbol which has gained Christian use for the Holy Trinity. But it alone pre-dates Christianity.

History

One of the co-founders of ApologetiX, along with lead singer and lyricist J. Jackson, 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. 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.

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).

ApologetiX has had multiple other drummers as well. Their longtime fill-in drummer, Keith Harrold (played on Isn't Wasn't Ain't
Isn't Wasn't Ain't
Isn't Wasn't Ain't is the debut album by Christian parody band ApologetiX, originally released in 1993. The album was re-released in 2003 and 2005.-Track listing:# "Isn't Wasn't Ain't - 2:31...

and Keep The Change
Keep the Change (album)
Keep The Change is the 7th album by Christian parody band ApologetiX. 4 songs from the album were later featured on the band's greatest hits album, while another 3 were included on the band's first live album.-Track listing:# "Story of A Squirrel" - 2:56...

), David McKee (played on Jesus Christ Morningstar
Jesus Christ Morningstar
Jesus Christ Morningstar is the 4th album by Christian parody band ApologetiX. 4 songs from the album were later included on the band's greatest hits album, 2 others were included on Hits: The Road, while "Narrow Way To Heaven" was later featured on Chosen Ones.-Track listing:# "Hotel Can't Afford...

as well as two concerts in 1998), and Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz (drummer for "Weird Al" Yankovic
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...

), who played 7 tracks on Biblical Graffiti
Biblical Graffiti
Biblical Graffiti is the 5th album by Christian parody band ApologetiX. 5 tracks from this album would later be featured on the band's greatest hits album, while another 2 would later be included on Hits: The Road....

. 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."

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
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...

 and Billy Graham
Billy Graham
William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian evangelist. As of April 25, 2010, when he met with Barack Obama, Graham has spent personal time with twelve United States Presidents dating back to Harry S. Truman, and is number seven on Gallup's list of admired people for...

. Some of their parodies include "Micah No. 5" (Mambo No. 5
Mambo No. 5
"Mambo No. 5" is a mambo and jive dance song originally recorded and composed by Pérez Prado in 1949.The song's popularity was renewed by Lou Bega's sampling of the original, released under the same name on Bega's 1999 debut album A Little Bit of Mambo....

 by Lou Bega
Lou Bega
David Lubega , also known as Lou Bega, is a German musician of Italian and Ugandan descent, and is famous for his song "Mambo No. 5 ". This song is a remake of the Perez Prado instrumental from 1949...

) "Lazy Brain" (Crazy Train
Crazy Train
"Crazy Train" is a song written by Ozzy Osbourne, Randy Rhoads and Bob Daisley. It was released as the first single in 1980 on Osbourne's first solo studio album, Blizzard of Ozz. The song was recorded in 1980, a year after leaving Black Sabbath, and later included on the live album Tribute,...

 by Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...

), "Hotel Can't Afford Ya" ("Hotel California
Hotel California (song)
"Hotel California" is the title song from the Eagles' album of the same name and was released as a single in February 1977. It is one of the best-known songs of the album-oriented rock era. Writing credits for the song are shared by Don Felder, Don Henley and Glenn Frey...

" by The Eagles), "Corinthians" (based on "In the End
In the End
"In the End" is a song by American rock band Linkin Park. The song was released as the fourth single from their debut album Hybrid Theory....

" by Linkin Park
Linkin Park
Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinum in several other countries...

), "Look Yourself" ("Lose Yourself
Lose Yourself
"Lose Yourself" is an Academy Award winning song by American hip-hop artist Eminem, released as the first single from the original soundtrack to the movie 8 Mile on October 22, 2002. It was written and produced by Eminem himself, along with longtime collaborator Jeff Bass, one half of the...

" by Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...

), "Smooth Grandmama" (based on the Alien Ant Farm
Alien Ant Farm
Alien Ant Farm is an American alternative rock band that formed in Riverside, California, in 1995. Their name comes from an idea original guitarist Terry Corso had about aliens and the earth: "I was daydreaming at my dull desk job with my feet up, and I thought to myself, 'Wouldn't it be cool if...

 cover version of "Smooth Criminal
Smooth Criminal
"Smooth Criminal" is the seventh single from Michael Jackson's 1987 Bad album. The song contains a fast-paced beat intertwined with Jackson's lyrics about a woman named Annie, who has been attacked in her apartment by a "smooth" assailant. It was released as a single on October 24, 1988 and peaked...

" by Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...

), "Smells Like Thirtysomething Spirit" ("Smells Like Teen Spirit
Smells Like Teen Spirit
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana. It is the opening track and lead single from the band's second album, Nevermind , released on DGC Records...

" by Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...

), "The Sounds of Silas" ("The Sounds of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel), and "Bethlehemian Rhapsody" ("Bohemian Rhapsody
Bohemian Rhapsody
"Bohemian Rhapsody" is a song by the British rock band Queen. It was written by Freddie Mercury for the band's 1975 album A Night at the Opera...

" by Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...

).

Band members

Current
  • J. Jackson - Vocals (1992–present)
  • Keith Haynie - Bass guitar (1995–present)
  • Bill Hubauer - Keyboardist, producer (1998–present)
  • Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner - Drums (2005–present)
  • Tom Milnes - Lead guitarist (2008–present)
  • Tom Tincha - Lead guitarist (2008–present)
  • Todd Waites - Keyboardist (2011–present)

Former
  • Karl Messner - Lead guitarist (1990–2007)
  • Andy Sparks - Rhythm guitarist, Bass (1991–1995)
  • Jerry Hayostek - Bass guitar (1992–1993)
  • 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
  • Steve Kayner - Bass (1993)
  • Keith Harrold - Drums (1993–2000)
  • Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz - Drums (1999)


Studio & live albums

Year Title Label
1993 Isn't Wasn't Ain't
Isn't Wasn't Ain't
Isn't Wasn't Ain't is the debut album by Christian parody band ApologetiX, originally released in 1993. The album was re-released in 2003 and 2005.-Track listing:# "Isn't Wasn't Ain't - 2:31...

Parodudes
1994 Radical History Tour
Radical History Tour
Radical History Tour is the 2nd album released by Christian parody band ApologetiX. It was originally released in 1994, only on cassette, but was re-released on CD in 1999.-History:...

Parodudes
1997 Ticked
Ticked
Ticked is the third album released by Christian parody band ApologetiX. It was also their first album to be released on CD. Later, two songs from the album would be released on the band's greatest hits album.-History:...

Parodudes
1998 Jesus Christ Morningstar
Jesus Christ Morningstar
Jesus Christ Morningstar is the 4th album by Christian parody band ApologetiX. 4 songs from the album were later included on the band's greatest hits album, 2 others were included on Hits: The Road, while "Narrow Way To Heaven" was later featured on Chosen Ones.-Track listing:# "Hotel Can't Afford...

Parodudes
1999 Biblical Graffiti
Biblical Graffiti
Biblical Graffiti is the 5th album by Christian parody band ApologetiX. 5 tracks from this album would later be featured on the band's greatest hits album, while another 2 would later be included on Hits: The Road....

Parodudes
2000 Spoofernatural
Spoofernatural
Spoofernatural is the 6th album by Christian parody band ApologetiX. 5 songs from the album were later included on their greatest hits album.-Track listing:# "Play That Funny Music" - 3:15#* Parody of "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry...

Parodudes
2001 Keep The Change
Keep the Change (album)
Keep The Change is the 7th album by Christian parody band ApologetiX. 4 songs from the album were later featured on the band's greatest hits album, while another 3 were included on the band's first live album.-Track listing:# "Story of A Squirrel" - 2:56...

Parodudes
2002 Grace Period
Grace Period
Grace Period is the 8th album by Christian parody band ApologetiX. 4 songs from the album would later be included on New & Used Hits: The Best of ApologetiX Vol...

Parodudes
2003 Adam Up
Adam Up
Adam Up is the 9th studio album by ApologetiX released in 2003. 4 songs would be featured on their next album , while another 3 were later included on their first live album.- Track listing :...

Parodudes
2005 Apol-acoustiX
Apol-acoustiX
Apol-acoustiX is the 10th studio album & 11th album overall by Christian parody band ApologetiX. "Yes Today" would be included on their next album, while "Two-Time Baby/Lord'sHouse Blues" would be later be featured on Chosen Ones.-Track listing:...

Parodudes
2005 Hits: The Road
Hits: The Road
Hits: The Road is the 1st live album & the 12th album overall by Christian parody band ApologetiX. This album features 3 new songs: "With A Harp David Writes", "Walk On The Water" , & "Found God".-Track listing:# "We're In A Parody Band" - 3:33#* Parody of "We're an American Band" by Grand...

Parodudes
2006 Wordplay
Wordplay (album)
Wordplay is the 11th studio album & 13th album overall by Christian parody band ApologetiX. It was their 1st album of entirely new music since 2003's Adam Up.-Track listing:# "Somebody Sold Me" – 3:18#* Parody of "Somebody Told Me" by The Killers...

Parodudes
2007 Chosen Ones
Chosen Ones
Chosen Ones is the 2nd live album & 14th album overall by Christian parody band ApologetiX. It was their last album to feature long-time lead guitarist & producer Karl Messner, who left in September 2007 to focus on his family.-History:...

Parodudes
2008 Future Tense
Future Tense (album)
Future Tense is the 12th studio album & 15th album overall by Christian parody band ApologetiX. The album is their 1st without long-time lead guitarist & producer Karl Messner, who left in September 2007 to focus on his family.-Track listing:...

Parodudes
2009 Recovery
Recovery (ApologetiX album)
Recovery is the 13th studio album & 16th album overall by Christian parody band ApologetiX. The album art parodies the album art to Electric Light Orchestra's Discovery.-Track listing:# "Keep Your Arms Steady" - 3:33...

Parodudes
2009 The Boys Aren't Backin' Down
The Boys Aren't Backin' Down
The Boys Aren't Backin' Down is the 3rd live album & 17th album overall by ApologetiX. The title references Thin Lizzy's smash hit "The Boys Are Back in Town".-Track listing:# "Strangest Folks" - 5:03#* Parody of "Stranglehold" by Ted Nugent...

Parodudes
2010 Soundproof
Soundproof (album)
-Track listing:# "Lions" - 4:15#* Parody of "Signs" by Five Man Electrical Band & Tesla#* Rewritten version of song which originally appeared on Isn't Wasn't Ain't.# "Sin of The World" - 2:42#* Parody of "Cinnamon Girl" by Neil Young# "I'm Cured" - 3:54...

Parodudes
2011 Wise Up and Rock
Wise Up and Rock
Wise Up and Rock is the 14th studio album and 19th album overall by ApologetiX. All the songs parodied were released in the 1980's. This is the 1st album to feature Todd Waites on keyboards.-Track listing:# "Working For The Weakened"...

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"
  • 2004 American Christian Music Awards, Outstanding Modern/College Rock Artist

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

{|class="wikitable"
!rowspan="1"| Ano
!rowspan="1"| Título
!colspan="1"| Album
!rowspan="1"| Paródia
|-
|2001
|"The Real Sin Savior"
|rowspan="3"|"Keep The Change
|align="center"|"The Real Slim Shady", Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...


|-
|2002
|"Smooth Grandmama"
|align="center"|"Smooth Criminal", Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...


|rowspan="3"|"Grace Period
|-
|"How You Rewind Me"
|align="center"|"How You Remind Me", Nickelback
Nickelback
Nickelback is a Canadian rock band from Hanna, Alberta. Since 1995 the band has included guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, guitarist and back-up vocalist Ryan Peake and bassist Mike Kroeger.. The band's current drummer and percussionist is Daniel Adair who has been with the band since 2005....


|-
|2003
|"Look Yourself"
|align="center"|Adam Up
|align="center"|"Lose Yourself", Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...


|-
|"Downer of a Sister"
|align="center"|"Chop Suey", System of a Down
System of a Down
System of a Down, also known by the acronym SOAD and often shortened to System, is a rock band from Southern California. The band was formed in 1994. It consists of Serj Tankian , Daron Malakian , Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan...


|-
|"Lifestyles of the Rich & Nameless"
|align="center"|"Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous", Good Charlotte
Good Charlotte
Good Charlotte is an American rock band from Waldorf, Maryland that formed in 1996. Since 1998, the band's constant members have been lead vocalist Joel Madden, lead guitarist and back-up vocalist Benji Madden, bass guitarist Paul Thomas and rhythm guitarist and keyboardist Billy Martin...


|-
|rowspan="1"| 2005
| "JC's Mom"
|align="center"|Hits: The Road
|align="center"|"Stacy's Mom", Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne is an American power pop band that formed in New York City in 1996. The band consists of members Chris Collingwood, Adam Schlesinger, Jody Porter and Brian Young.-Early years:...


Karl Messner

Karl Messner is a Contemporary Christian Music
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...

 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
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

.

Karl was instrumental in establishing ApologetiX as a successful independent Christian band. As a web developer
Web developer
A web developer is a software developer or software engineer who specializes in, or is specifically engaged in, the development of World Wide Web applications, or distributed network applications that are run over HTTP from a web server to a web browser....

 and programmer
Programmer
A programmer, computer programmer or coder is someone who writes computer software. The term computer programmer can refer to a specialist in one area of computer programming or to a generalist who writes code for many kinds of software. One who practices or professes a formal approach to...

 Karl designed the band's website & created a program called "Dexter" that handles the booking, online sales & other aspects of the band. 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
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...

.

He announced his first solo album, tentatively called Liberty, in March 2009. The album is expected to be released in 2011.

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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