Guardian (band)
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| Guardian | |
|---|---|
 Guardian (l to r) - Jamie Rowe, David Bach, Tony Palacios, Karl Ney |
|
| Country | United States |
| Years active | 1982 - present |
| Genres | Christian Rock Christian Contemporary Christian metal |
| Members | David Bach Tony Palacios Jamie Rowe Karl Ney |
| Past members | Paul Cawley David Caro James Isham Rikk Hart |
Guardian is a Contemporary Christian Music hard-rock band that was originally formed in the 80's. The band has released six studio albums and three additional albums in Spanish. After struggling in the late 90's, the members decided to part ways and dedicate time to other personal projects. They officially announced their comeback in 2004.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] The early years
The band was founded in 1982 under the name Fusion, by bassist David Bach and singer Paul Cawley. They added drummer Rikk Hart and guitarist James Isham shortly after. The band played a futuristic style of rock, even sporting body armor when they played. In 1984, they recorded a six song EP called Rock In Victory. Some time later, they replaced Isham with David Caro. Caro arrived just in time for one of the first shifts in the band's trajectory.
The band managed to strike a record deal with Enigma Records in 1985. When they found out there was a band going by the same name, they changed theirs to Gardian (with no "U"). According to Bach, the "U" was omitted "to keep the spelling at 7 letters in line with the playful Stryper numerology of the day". The band played the Sunset Strip relentlessly "being both laughed at, as well as marvelled at, for wearing full body armor on stage at the Whisky-A-Go-Go" according to Bach. Still, they managed to release another EP called Voyager in 1987.
Some time later, Caro left to pursue a different style and was replaced with Tony Palacios. David Caro is currently a worship leader in Hesperia, CA. The band added the "U" to their name and in 1989 released their first album called First Watch, produced by Stryper's Oz Fox. The release was followed by extensive touring through the United States and Japan. When the tour finished in 1990, Cawley and Hart were unable to handle the stresses of touring and left the band.
[edit] The New Guardian
Bach and Palacios asked to be freed of their Enigma contract, requesting a more Christian label. After they were released, singer Jamie Rowe and drummer Karl Ney joined the band. They started working with new producers Dino and John Elefante on their second album, finally releasing Fire and Love in 1991 under the Pakaderm label. The response to the album was overwhelming and one of the videos was included in the MTV's Headbangers Ball rotation. After another successful tour, the band released their third album, Miracle Mile in 1993. The album quickly rose the charts, and reached the CCM Top Five.
After a new deal with Myrrh Records, they followed with an experimental acoustic album Swing, Swang, Swung in 1994 and their first Spanish album Nunca Te Dire Adios in 1995.
The band then switched to producer Steve Taylor, adjusted their sound to new trends in the genre and released Buzz in 1995. They supported the release with yet another tour. In 1997, the band released Bottle Rocket and their second Spanish album, Promesa. These are the last original albums to date to feature all current members.
It is rumored that at this time, David Bach left the band due to some differences, but this has never been confirmed. However, with growing shifts in the rock genre, the band decided to take some time off and dedicate to other personal projects. During this time, the band released a self-produced tribute to Stryper called The Yellow and Black Attack Is Back. The album is a direct remake of Stryper's album of the same name. In 2001, the band members (sans Bach) released their third Spanish album called Dime. It featured nine songs written in spanish exclusively for this album.
[edit] Guardian Is Back
In 2004, it was announced that the band will start to tour again in 2005, and will probably record a new album in the near future.
In April of 2006, producer Dino Elefante told jesusfreakhideout.com that in August Guardian would release Triple Five, a compilation with a couple new songs. More recently, Jamie Rowe said that there may be a complete CD of all new material rather than Triple Five. The Guardian recording contract states that the album must be delivered no later than November.
[edit] Band Members
[edit] Current Members
- David Bach - bass guitar (1982 - present)
- Tony Palacios - guitars (1989 - present)
- Jamie Rowe - vocals (1990 - present)
- Karl Ney - drums (1990 - present)
[edit] Former members
- Paul Cawley - vocals (1982 - 1990)
- David Caro - guitars (1985 - 1988)
- James Isham - guitars (1982 - 1984)
- Rikk Hart - drums (1982 - 1990)
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio & Official Albums
- First Watch (1989)
- Fire and Love (1991)
- Miracle Mile (1993)
- Swing, Swang, Swung (1994)
- Buzz (1995)
- Bottle Rocket (1997)
- Smashes: The Best of Guardian (1999)
[edit] Spanish Albums
[edit] Independent Releases
- Kingdom of Rock (1996)
- Delicious Bite-Size Meat Pies (1997)
- The Yellow and Black Attack Is Back!! (1998)
- Sunday Best (1999)
- Guardian Live! (2000)
- Live at Cornerstone (2001)
- Voyager and Fusion: The Early Years' (2001)
