Tag: Altar Boys

One of the few rockabilly bands in the Christian rock scene, This Train was even more rare in that they focused on more traditional rockabilly sounds, as opposed to its faster, punked-up cousin psychobilly, which was better represented in our scene (The Calicoes, Ruby Joe, Prophecy, Blaster the Rocketman). I’ve always found it curious how certain subgenres really catch on in faith circles (metalcore, metallic industrial, emo), while others go largely untouched (EBM, post-rock, folk-punk, etc.) Maybe someone could analyze that and write a PhD dissertation on it!… Continued →

Some exciting news has just surfaced. A couple independent filmmakers have moved forward with their plan to document the 2nd big revival that took place 1980-1995 which featured a collection of Christian Artists on a mission to reach the lost and seeking youth who were very much looking for answers and in need of a savior. Click this link here for the GoFundMe campaign that seeks to raise funds to cover some production costs. This follows on the heels of the recent box office success of the “Jesus Revolution” film as well as others like I Still Believe, I Can Only Imagine, and the Jesus Music documentary.… Continued →

THE great Southern California rockabilly trio – The Altar Billies, just released a new song back in December titled “High Iron in The Hills” which is a fitting tribute to Steam Locomotives, the C&O 1309 Steam Locomotive to be exact. You can watch the video and listen to the song below. Make sure to read the full description on YouTube for information on this glorious Train and it’s full restoration. Way to go guys!… Continued →

I don’t know why it took me so long, but recently a very simple thought has helped me out immensely in my spirituality and my walk with Christ. It’s simply this: choose love. That’s it. When I am tempted to sin, choose love instead. When I want to be selfish, choose love. When I want to do something that would only please or elevate myself and not others, choose love. Mike Stand was singing about it decades ago. And of course, the ultimate trump card here is Jesus himself.… Continued →

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: this is one of the greatest songs our scene has ever produced! It gets straight to the heart of what it’s all about: “Hey I’m talkin’ to you/Yeah, I’m trying to get through/God cares about you more than think . . . You are loved! You are loved!” It was the first song I ever heard from the Altar Boys, in the late 80s. Ironically, it was on a metal compilation where I first heard them. Though the song is nowhere near metal, it has that late 80s post-punk/power pop sound from SoCal that has loads of energy.… Continued →

Altar Boys have just released their new album “No Substitute” which is available for purchase in a variety of formats including CD, Vinyl, and Digital right here. This is the album everyone is talking about and a perfect introduction to the long running group in case you haven’t heard. Check out the album below and make sure to purchase a copy today.… Continued →

The long running, “legends in the making” Christian band known as The Altar Boys who have survived for decades and somehow come out on top with their best album ever, “No Substitute”. The group has just offered a behind the scenes glimpse of just why it is they returned with this new album after a nearly 25 year absence from new recorded music. The fact that their music has endured for different generations and continued to influence youth who are now adults with families of their own is testament to the power of music and Faith.… Continued →

Altar Boys have officially dropped their first new album in 25 years titled “No Substitute”. This new album is actually a collection of songs written after “Forever Mercy” and before they went on hiatus. The bare bones tracks have been re-recorded and freshened up for the world to hear. The songs run the style divide between their hit albums “Gut Level Music”, “Against The Grain”, and “Forever Mercy” while mixing in modern elements and a much fuller sound. It’s everything you’ve come to love about these legendary song makers and your expectations will be blown away.… Continued →

Altar Boys have just announced a very special reunion gig and album release show for their long awaited new album “No Substitute”. The show will take place September 16th 2018 at House of Blues Anaheim with Crumbacher opening. Tickets and info can be found here. More info below. “No Substitute” is the new album featuring fully completed songs the band were working on toward the end of their run in the early 90’s after the release of “Forever Mercy”. The band ran a very successful kickstarter campaign to fund the release of this album showing that no matter the age good music is good music.… Continued →

Legendary punk rock n’ roll band – Altar Boys, have just launched a kickstarter for their “new” album “No Substitute” through Lo Fidelity Records. The album will be available in several different bundles/options including CDs, Vinyl, Shirts, and more. There will be several different Vinyl color options at different price levels that look super cool. For me personally, this is one of the most exciting crowd funding campaigns of 2018 and one I definitely want to back. If you’ve never heard the band before or are just a casual listener, don’t pass up this opportunity.… Continued →

Altar Boys have announced their first “new” album in over two decades titled “No Substitute”. The album is actually a bunch of new songs written after their final album “Forever Mercy” but was never finished. The band has regrouped to finish that album with some new recorded parts, mixing, and mastering. It’ll be the best you’ve ever heard from these gentlemen since their last recorded effort. Read all about this new release below and when the crowd funding campaign goes live, we will post about it right here.… Continued →

I had been patiently awaiting this 3 song acoustic release since it was first announced via Thumper Punk Records. So much about this little ep spells perfection to me. I have been a fan of Mike’s work since as long as I can remember. I first heard “Against The Grain” (Altar Boys) as a mere youngster just discovering what music was like in the 80’s and especially what “Christian” music would mean to me in later years. Mike’s extremely diverse discography over the years with everything from Altar Boys, solo work, Clash Of Symbols, Altar Billies, and now this new rockabilly-acoustic leaning release, is nothing short of extraordinary and dare I say, LEGENDARY.… Continued →

June 13, 2017, Santa Cruz, California. Thumper Punk Records is thrilled to announce the release of Michael W. Stand’s contribution to the 3 Song Acoustic EP series. Michael W. Stand is a pioneer in gospel music, with a distinguished career that spans several decades and multiple genres. Founded in the early 1980s, his band The Altar Boys developed a worldwide following as they boldly expressed their faith over Orange County style punk and alternative rock. In the 1990s, his band Clash of Symbols stood at the forefront of hard hitting rock, with catchy and accessible pop melodies.… Continued →

As part of their “3 Song Acoustic Series”, Michael W Stand (Ex-Altar Boys/The Clash of Symbols/The Altar Billies) will release a very special 3 song acoustic set of songs through Thumper Punk Records. The release will be available on a very limited 7″ vinyl and digitally. The next two releases in the 3 song acoustic series will be by Mike Liberty (of the band True Liberty), and Lupe Gtrz (of The Lonely Revolts/Kings Kids). Pre-Order Michael W Stand “3 Song Acoustic Recording” on Vinyl here.… Continued →

The So. Cal. rockabilly band – The Altar Billies, release “Long, Long Road” available now from CD Baby. Look for the album on all digital networks soon. … Continued →

Mike Stand and Steve Pannier of Altar Boys did a little facebook talk that included question/answer time and some classic songs done acoustic. This is all for the Kickstarter campaign to fund the DVD release of the 2005 Broken Reunion Show. It has been 30 years since the release of the band’s defining album “Gut Level Music” and next year will be the 30th for “Against the Grain”. Speaking of legacies, this band definitely has a bright one. Speaking of “Gut Level Music” if you want it on vinyl, it’s hard to pass up $6.00 for an LP!… Continued →

Check out this toe tappin’, swing dancin’ new video from The Altar Billies for the song “Aim’n High” off their 2014 release “Head’n Out West”. Video can be found below.… Continued →