The Miscellaneous
Encyclopedia
The Miscellaneous was a Christian rock
band composed of members from Europe and the United States. The band was fronted by a male and a female vocalist, and produced music that is said to "transcend the boundaries" of its genre in creativity. CCM magazine likened their music to that of Sixpence None the Richer
, Jars of Clay
and Out of the Grey
.
), who were in a band called Perry and the Poor Boys. This band released one album, No Fear in Love, in 1992. After a worldwide tour with a Canadian artist, the band found themselves back in Sweden. They began adding members, including Sooi Groeneveld van der Laan (Dutch) as vocalist.
Their debut, She Walks Alone With Me, was released in 1994. The song "Black Lips Saturday" was their biggest hit, earning the band airplay in Europe. The band experienced some success through Europe, and the release was picked up by a British label. However, they found roadblocks from the American market, and were unable to book shows due to the diversity of countries that they lived in.
Their sophomore effort was produced by Armand John Petri to build an American-friendly pop sound. This process was agonizing for the band, who at one point described the process as working with Hitler. According to frontman Stef Loy "Armand... thought we should settle down on the first [U.S.] effort. He helped me relearn how to write pop songs." "He stripped down the music, and we had to rebuild it again." The effort was successful as the band gained the attention of multiple American labels. They eventually signed with Atlanta based gray dot records, releasing All Good Weeds Grow Up in 1998.
The band once again produced themselves for the third album, Moth & Rust, released in 1999. According to the band, this record became more of a lyrical than musical an exploration. "Previous CDs have been either therapy for the songwriter or fun lyrical meanderings. This... is the first time I actually have a message [directed toward] the listener," songwriter Stef Loy explained, "Now I’m trying purposely to give the listener something to think about." The albums' title and primary message were taken from Matthew 6:19-20. The album is themed on philosophical and spiritual points such as the decline of morality
and absolutes
, and hidden dangers in the American Dream
.
, with music samples from their CDs, to promote their music. The site attempts to display where, if anywhere, their music still may be purchased.
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...
band composed of members from Europe and the United States. The band was fronted by a male and a female vocalist, and produced music that is said to "transcend the boundaries" of its genre in creativity. CCM magazine likened their music to that of Sixpence None the Richer
Sixpence None the Richer
Sixpence None the Richer is an American rock/pop band that formed in New Braunfels, Texas, eventually settling in Nashville, Tennessee. They are best known for their songs "Kiss Me" and "Breathe Your Name" and their covers of "Don't Dream It's Over" and "There She Goes". The name of the band is...
, Jars of Clay
Jars of Clay
Jars of Clay is a Christian rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. They met at Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois.Jars of Clay consists of Dan Haseltine on vocals, Charlie Lowell on piano and keyboards, Stephen Mason on lead guitars and Matthew Odmark on rhythm guitars...
and Out of the Grey
Out of the Grey
Out of the Grey is a husband-and-wife Contemporary Christian music project consisting of Scott and Christine Denté. Christine provides lead vocals, while Scott plays guitars and sings background, along with the occasional lead vocals. They have released six studio albums, one best-of compilation...
.
Background
The band began with the trio of Stef Loy (an American), BoH, and Mangus Sjolander (both SwedesSwedes
Swedes are a Scandinavian nation and ethnic group native to Sweden, mostly inhabiting Sweden and the other Nordic countries, with descendants living in a number of countries.-Etymology:...
), who were in a band called Perry and the Poor Boys. This band released one album, No Fear in Love, in 1992. After a worldwide tour with a Canadian artist, the band found themselves back in Sweden. They began adding members, including Sooi Groeneveld van der Laan (Dutch) as vocalist.
Their debut, She Walks Alone With Me, was released in 1994. The song "Black Lips Saturday" was their biggest hit, earning the band airplay in Europe. The band experienced some success through Europe, and the release was picked up by a British label. However, they found roadblocks from the American market, and were unable to book shows due to the diversity of countries that they lived in.
Their sophomore effort was produced by Armand John Petri to build an American-friendly pop sound. This process was agonizing for the band, who at one point described the process as working with Hitler. According to frontman Stef Loy "Armand... thought we should settle down on the first [U.S.] effort. He helped me relearn how to write pop songs." "He stripped down the music, and we had to rebuild it again." The effort was successful as the band gained the attention of multiple American labels. They eventually signed with Atlanta based gray dot records, releasing All Good Weeds Grow Up in 1998.
The band once again produced themselves for the third album, Moth & Rust, released in 1999. According to the band, this record became more of a lyrical than musical an exploration. "Previous CDs have been either therapy for the songwriter or fun lyrical meanderings. This... is the first time I actually have a message [directed toward] the listener," songwriter Stef Loy explained, "Now I’m trying purposely to give the listener something to think about." The albums' title and primary message were taken from Matthew 6:19-20. The album is themed on philosophical and spiritual points such as the decline of morality
Societal collapse
Societal collapse broadly includes both quite abrupt societal failures typified by collapses , as well as more extended gradual declines of superpowers...
and absolutes
Moral absolutism
Moral absolutism is an ethical view that certain actions are absolutely right or wrong, regardless of other contexts such as their consequences or the intentions behind them. Thus stealing, for instance, might be considered to be always immoral, even if done to promote some other good , and even if...
, and hidden dangers in the American Dream
American Dream
The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States in which freedom includes a promise of the possibility of prosperity and success. In the definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each...
.
Discography
- 1994: She Walks Alone With Me (Megaphone Records (Sweden))
- 1998: All Good Weeds Grow Up (gray dot records)
- 1999: Moth & Rust
Members
- Stef Loy - guitar, vocals
- Sooi Groeneveld van der Laan - vocals
- BoH - guitar
- Mangus Sjolander - drums
- Oyvind Eriksen - bass
- Patric Jonasson - organ
Fansites
In 2000 Johnny Solbu created an unofficial fansiteFansite
A fansite, fan site, or fanpage is a website created and maintained by a fan or devotee interested in a celebrity, thing, or a particular cultural phenomenon...
, with music samples from their CDs, to promote their music. The site attempts to display where, if anywhere, their music still may be purchased.