PAX217
Encyclopedia
PAX217 was a Christian
Alternative rock
band from Orange County, California
. The band's music was well known in the underground Christian scene at the time for its unique sound and optimistic lyrics. The name comes from "Pax" which is Latin for "peace" and the Bible verse Ephesians 2:17. The band's style consists of a mix of punk rock and rap with some reggae influences. PAX217's lineup consisted of David Tosti on vocals, Jesse Craig on guitar, Josh Auer on bass and Joey Marchiano on drums. Former members include "Tito" on keyboards, Bobby "Bobbito the Chef" Duran as disc jockey, Ethan Luck on guitar, Dan Sessum on guitar, and David Tosti's younger brother Aaron "Skwid" Tosti on drums, who eventually played in Hawk Nelson
. The band began in 1999 and broke up in 2005.
PAX217 was similar in sound to 311
, Skindred
, Christian rock peers Earthsuit
and P.O.D.
PAX217 released two albums: Twoseventeen (2000) and Engage (2002), and was signed to Forefront Records
. They also released an EP
titled Check Your Pulse in 2004
independently. Dave Tosti's rapping was compared to that of fellow Christian rocker Sonny Sandoval
.
Former members include "Tito" on keyboards
, Bobby "Bobbito the Chef" Duran as disc jockey
, Ethan Luck on the guitar or drums, Dan Sessum on guitar, Frank Ortiz (lead vocals), and Lance Lathrop on drums.
The band members (except David Tosti) went on to form the pop punk
band Avner.
David Tosti is now pursuing photography, covering primarily weddings, engagements, and some editorial work. The name of his company is TOSTI STUDIOS.
AVNER was a short lived rock band fronted by Josh Auer [also playing bass]. Jesse Craig joined the group as a 2nd guitarist [which was started by drummer Joey Marchiano and Auer shortly after the breakup of PAX217 for a few months before moving on himself. Todd Cooper played lead guitar and sang background vocals for the group. They were best known for their comical stage demeanor and their lively commercials/promotions/interactions with fans. AVNER broke up shortly after Marchiano signed on to tour as a roadie with some large-name acts and Cooper got married in '08. The band was around, in total, about 2 solid years before letting it fizzle out.
Avner's MySpace
Christian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
Alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band from Orange County, California
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
. The band's music was well known in the underground Christian scene at the time for its unique sound and optimistic lyrics. The name comes from "Pax" which is Latin for "peace" and the Bible verse Ephesians 2:17. The band's style consists of a mix of punk rock and rap with some reggae influences. PAX217's lineup consisted of David Tosti on vocals, Jesse Craig on guitar, Josh Auer on bass and Joey Marchiano on drums. Former members include "Tito" on keyboards, Bobby "Bobbito the Chef" Duran as disc jockey, Ethan Luck on guitar, Dan Sessum on guitar, and David Tosti's younger brother Aaron "Skwid" Tosti on drums, who eventually played in Hawk Nelson
Hawk Nelson
Hawk Nelson is a Christian rock band from Peterborough, Ontario. The band has become very popular in the Christian music scene and was voted "Favorite New Artist" by CCM Magazine in their February 2006 Reader's Choice Awards. In 2006 Hawk Nelson won a No...
. The band began in 1999 and broke up in 2005.
PAX217 was similar in sound to 311
311 (band)
311 is an American rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Nick Hexum, lead guitarist Jim Watson , bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills and drummer Chad Sexton...
, Skindred
Skindred
Skindred is a Welsh rock band from Newport. The band was formed in 1998 following the disbandment of vocalist Benji Webbe's previous band, Dub War. Skindred's musical style mixes alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock and reggae...
, Christian rock peers Earthsuit
Earthsuit
Earthsuit was a short-lived New Orleans-based Christian rock band formed in 1995. The band consisted of guitarist Dave Rumsey, keyboardist/vocalist Paul Meany, bassist Roy Mitchell, drummer David "Hutch" Hutchison, and vocalist Adam LaClave...
and P.O.D.
P.O.D.
Payable on Death is an American Christian metal band formed in 1992. The band's line-up consists of vocalist Sonny Sandoval, drummer Wuv Bernardo, guitarist Marcos Curiel, and bassist Traa Daniels. Their Christian faith is an important part of their music.They have released seven studio albums and...
PAX217 released two albums: Twoseventeen (2000) and Engage (2002), and was signed to Forefront Records
ForeFront Records
ForeFront Records is a Christian Music record label founded in 1987 by Dan R. Brock, Eddie DeGarmo, Dana Key, and Ron W. Griffin. It was purchased by EMI in 1996 from current owners Dan R. Brock and Eddie DeGarmo and is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group.In 1998, ForeFront released a 2-CD...
. They also released an EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
titled Check Your Pulse in 2004
2004 in music
See also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
independently. Dave Tosti's rapping was compared to that of fellow Christian rocker Sonny Sandoval
Sonny Sandoval
Paul Joshua "Sonny" Sandoval is an American singer and rapper. He is best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band P.O.D..-Biography:...
.
Former members include "Tito" on keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, Bobby "Bobbito the Chef" Duran as disc jockey
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
, Ethan Luck on the guitar or drums, Dan Sessum on guitar, Frank Ortiz (lead vocals), and Lance Lathrop on drums.
The band members (except David Tosti) went on to form the pop punk
Pop punk
Pop punk is a fusion music genre that combines elements of punk rock with pop music, to varying degrees. Allmusic describes the genre as a strand of alternative rock, which typically merges pop melodies with speedy punk tempos, chord changes and loud guitars...
band Avner.
David Tosti is now pursuing photography, covering primarily weddings, engagements, and some editorial work. The name of his company is TOSTI STUDIOS.
Avner
Avner is the new band of most of the PAX217 members. Avner sports Jesse Craig on guitar, Josh Auer on bass, and BGV's, Joey Marchiano on drums. Avner also includes Todd Cooper on guitar and vocals. With the switch of vocalist, Avner has many immediately noticeable differences from PAX217: The pop/punk sound is a lot more clear, the rap is gone, and the change of the singer is obvious.AVNER was a short lived rock band fronted by Josh Auer [also playing bass]. Jesse Craig joined the group as a 2nd guitarist [which was started by drummer Joey Marchiano and Auer shortly after the breakup of PAX217 for a few months before moving on himself. Todd Cooper played lead guitar and sang background vocals for the group. They were best known for their comical stage demeanor and their lively commercials/promotions/interactions with fans. AVNER broke up shortly after Marchiano signed on to tour as a roadie with some large-name acts and Cooper got married in '08. The band was around, in total, about 2 solid years before letting it fizzle out.
Discography
- TwoseventeenTwoseventeenTwoseventeen is the debut album of the American Christian Rock band Pax217, released in 2000 .-Track listing:-Personnel:*David Tosti - Vocals*Jesse Craig - Guitar*Josh Auer - Bass Guitar*Aaron "Skwid" Tosti - Drums...
, 2000 (ForeFront) - Engage, 2002 (ForeFront) U.S. #191
- Check Your Pulse EP, 2004 (independent)
Music videos
- Prism From Twoseventeen
- A.M. From Twoseventeen
- No Place Like Home From Twoseventeen
See also
PAX217's Official PageAvner's MySpace