Author: Timo Cuoco
November 14, 2023
This pop rock 2 piece (Scott Riggan & Ben Bauman) had a couple songs hit Christian AC radio in the 90s. They remind me of a few bands that were big at the time including Jason Ingram Band. Their song Talk About Love was featured on a Word records comp called Mindy’s Revenge which y’all gotta check out the CD cover!. Scott became a worship pastor in Idaho & still released praise & worship music to this day. Check out this fun rare SOTD & Scott’s website. … Continued →
November 11, 2023
Song of the Day: Balance - How Can I
This hard rock band hails from Minnesota and released 1 LP back in ’03. Took a while to track it down, but received it this past week from drummer Donn Kranz. The music has a tad of prog feel which changes it up from other similar releases. Highlights for me also include The Light and Quietly. The lyrics are very Godly. This SOTD speaks of God’s grace & mercy as we can’t please God with our sin nature. Only Jesus can per His atonement for our sins on the cross.… Continued →
November 9, 2023
Song of the Day: Three Cord Wonder - Jellybeans (in a Jar)
This song is a cover of a pop punk band called S.O.K. which I am guessing was the band’s former name. I looked for this song for years as was a great pop punk tune. The lyrics reference the weight of sin that can be broken by asking forgiveness & following Jesus.
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September 12, 2023
Song of the Day: Same Hauge - Can't Find A Way Out
Imagine a pop punk solo artist. There have been a few over the years, but Sam seems to have entered the scene with an air that he has been doing this for years. TBH, I found out about him through this site & Jesus Freak Hideout. I jumped on the bandwagon so check out his whole LP Out of Isolation as it’s way nifty!
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September 10, 2023
Song of the Day: All Access - What I Want (Always Ends Up Wrong)
Here’s a funk pop punk band that I have enjoyed a few tunes from over the years. They released 1 LP & an EP that I know of. They hailed from Kentucky & were produced by none other than Dale Thompson of Bride fame!
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September 7, 2023
Song of the Day: Poor Old Lu - More vs The Great Unwound
This band was one of my faves back in the 90s. Had a few of their cassettes. Hailing from a church youth group in Washington state, many would know Jeremy Enigk from emo Sunny Day Real Estate who moved on from a pre band name change. Scott Hunter’s vocals set the band apart from many of the 90s alternative rock bands. Anyways, enjoy one from their early career to their last (that I know of).
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September 6, 2023
Song of the Day: Random Hero - Lost Cause
This song goes out to all those like myself who have thought life is hopeless sometimes. I think we all feel that way sometimes. Remember to lift your head & talk to the God who created us. He is just a prayer away. I totally want that dude’s dreads also! Also, check out prior drummer Patrick Madsen’s solo stuff. Goes by his creative last name reversed Nesdam! He’s also married to Zahna who is awesome live.
I know the truth, It’s not hard to deny, But somewhere, My heart got lost in the lies, My faith, Is dying to see like you see, I’m on a one-way ticket, To the dark side of me.… Continued →
September 4, 2023
Song of the Day: Johnny Respect - Ball & Chain
This pop punk band also went by The Adventures of Johnny Respect. They hailed from Michigan & early 90s punk aficionado’s like myself found them on a lot of comp cds at Christian Bookstores before they went extinct. This song is a Social Distortion cover. Hope y’all like it. Also, happy Labor Day!
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September 2, 2023
Song of the Day: Collision of Innocense - Took My Place vs In Between
Modern rock band CoI has its roots in Myrtle Beach, SC where I used to hang out a lot back in the day. They have released a slew of singles over the past few years & I keep anticipating a full-length, but have yet to seen one arise. From what I gather the band history branched from 2 different artists: Hands of Elohim which released the awesome song Never Alone & Voices at Midnight (you can read my review of their song Open Wounds on this site also).… Continued →
August 9, 2023
Song of the Day: Lecrae - Jesus Muzik
So Lecrae is a decent gospel rapper that has done pretty well in the industry. I saw him live & talked to him in Chicago a few years back where he autographed a book I bought that was about his story. I like tons of rap genres & artists, but all of them have come from the Christian industry. That’s just my choice & I think it’s a good thing for Christians to be crossover artists as many people can relate & an artist’s dream is then a ministry.… Continued →
July 3, 2023
Song of the Day: Cricket - Dad
Finally saw this band live last year around this time. But, by then they are called The Huntingtons. The wannabee Ramones band played some very catchy punk music that seemed to influence so many bands. This one is dedicated to my dad Peter Cuoco whom I love very much.
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July 1, 2023
Song of the Day - One21 - Don't Fear the Liars
This band started out as Uzziah after a king in 2 Chronicles. They released music on labels such as Facedown, Dwarf, Bulletproof, Flying Tart, etc… Their style was a mix, behind pop & oi! punk. Have a gander & check this band out if you haven’t already.
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June 29, 2023
Song of the Day: Secular End - Junkie
Here is a rare band that came out on this comp. They seemed to have done some stuff under Boot To Head records also before disbanding, but didn’t seem to find the Christian niche market that other bands on the comp did. Took me circa 25 years to track this one down so enjoy! And my son Tyler will be flying down to see me in a few hours EST!
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June 28, 2023
Song of the Day: Afewloosescrews - Confidence
This 90’s pop/hxc punk band was awesome. This song came out on a very rare comp called Sam.antha on Dwarf records along with old version of the Huntingtons & One-21. Enjoy!
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June 14, 2023
Song of the Day: Blood Brotherz - Wi Nuh Wicked Man
This reggae song released in 1999 was music to my ears literally. I didn’t know too many people back then who was into reggae & if they were knew only about Christafari which was rare. Of the 2 rappers, one actually hails from Jamaica which is probably the reason for the influence. Anyways, uploaded to YouTube so check out this SOTD.
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June 12, 2023
Song of the Day: DJ Jireh - Among Us
Trance master DJJireh aka DJ Jireh aka HeavenlyTrance aka Mauritz has quite a catalog under his moniker. Find his stuff on Beatport site under Deepsink Digital Records. Originally hailing from London, he now resides in South Africa. Most, if not all, his music is composed on dance music to phrases from the Bible. This one appears to contain portions of both John 1 & Ephesians 1.
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June 10, 2023
Song of the Day: Above Only - Listen Friend;
This Christian modern rock band has been heard around the country with songs such as Evil Never Sleeps & Change. This catchy SOTD was released back in 2021 so here’s to hoping to hear more. As far as the lyrics go, they hit hard:
Can I show you my monsters
Can I show you my pain
And the addictions that strangle the life from my veins
Can I tell you my secrets and confess every sin
I don’t need another hero I just really need a friend
You don’t need all of the reasons
You don’t need the right words to say
Sometimes the hardest part of reaching out is when your hand gets pushed away
But I’m begging you to hear me now while there’s still a little time
If you care enough to listen friend
You might just save my life
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June 7, 2023
Song of the Day: The Rocky Valentines - Driving Blind
Just releasing in April, this artists is Jason Martin’s son. Jason & Ronnie Martin have put out some of imho the best music the world has & will ever hear. Find the EP on Jeff Cloud’s Velvet Blue Music label. Also, check out Brandon’s take on July 30, 2022.
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June 5, 2023
Song of the Day: Upstanding Youth - Better Than You or Me
Hailing from Hawaii, this fun 6 piece ska band has all the elements that drove probably most of us to love ska. Crowd vocals, music to skank to & mean guitars melding w/ horns. They released 2 LPs, an EP & a few songs on the IVM Ska Lives comps. Here is my fave. & btw, check out current ska band Must Build Jacuzzi from Peoria, Illinois whom I have seen I believe thrice live now.
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June 3, 2023
Song of the Day: Worth Dying For - Savior
This modern rock worship band made waves with their Love Riot album. To me they were kinda like Sonic Flood but, with a rockier twist & half female vocals. They changed their named to FearlessBND later.
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May 31, 2023
Song of the Day: Deitiphobia - TV
I’ve listened to this industrial band for many years now. You may also know them by their other band Massivivid. I have always liked songs that include preaching & this SOTD is off a remix album & combines their songs Red Society & World From an Altar.
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May 29, 2023
Song of the Day: Broken Flesh - Yeshua
Warning-Do NOT listen to this SOTD at full volume if you don’t like heavy worship music. I’ve know musician Kevin Tubby for a few years now since seeing him at several Audiofeed’s. I have also listen to his bands Obliteration & Death List before Broken Flesh. BF just released a live album which cleans up their live sound. I wanted to show the live video to show how fast their drummer is. Check em out if you already haven’t. & these lyrics too.
Yeshua without you there is no life, father messiah into your hands i put my life, lion of the tribe of judah.… Continued →
May 27, 2023
Song of the Day: Jhonny Vergel - Conviction
I love trance music. There are so many awesome EDM artists out there. Jhonny aka DJ Jhonny Vergel hails from Columbia & has released tons of music so check him out if you dig this SOTD. I always like the extended mixes.
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May 24, 2023
Song of the Day: Darrell Mansfield - Million Dollar Feeling
I love Blues Festivals. Darrel is probably the biggest blues musician along with Glenn Kaiser in CCM & has been around since the 80s. I actually saw on social media the other day that it was his Birthday! Also check out his Born to be Wild which contains a collection of blues covers.
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May 22, 2023
Song of the Day: Gawvi - Closer
Gawvi aka Gabriel Azucena has parents from El Salvador & the Dominican Republic. He was raised a Christian & it shows though his lyrics. Check him out.
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May 20, 2023
Song of the Day: Hospital - Pages
This nu metal band released some decent music in their 2001 release Stare. They fell off the music radar after they released a couple songs on some compilations. Then, The Charon Collective filled in the blanks when they released the band’s follow up If, Then a month or so ago. It contains those comp tracks Fault & Pages along with 3 more.
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May 17, 2023
Song of the Day: Siloam - Apathy
I first heard this song probably circa 1995 & was immediately intrigued. This Canadian band takes their name from John 9:7 where it talks about the pool of Siloam. Their drummer has a story of where he came to Jesus after almost dying of a drug overdose. This SOTD contains the following lyrics that still make sense to this day: Let’s blame the world’s demise on God’s design, Apathy.
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May 15, 2023
Song of the Day: Dominic Balli - Again and Again
This pop reggae artist has some cool dreads! For real, his music is very catchy & has gathered a positive following over the years. Currently he serves as pastor for worship life in Ventura, Cali.
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May 13, 2023
Song of the Day: Love Like Gravity - Dig
This ministry modern rock band has released many singles that have charted well over the past few years. Their song Adrenaline was even the inspiration for a film of the same name. Their records producers are none other than Petra’s Jim Cooper & Guardian’s Tony Palacios. Check out their latest album Break the Silence.
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May 10, 2023
Song of the Day: Olivia the Band - 39
This pop punk band made waves back in the mid 2000s. This SOTD has always been my fave per its catchy music & lyrics. Check em out.
Every time it came He took the pain,
He took away,
And in our place He stands,
Everyday, all day,
He lived to die,
He died to pay,
And in our place He stands,
Forty minus one,
Sin caused undone,
Black eye and spit,
Innocence they hit,
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