Stryper

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The 80's lineup of Stryper
The 80's lineup of Stryper
Background information
Origin United States
Genre(s) Heavy metal
Glam metal
Christian metal
Years active 1982 - 1992
2003-present
Label(s) Enigma
Hollywood
Big3
Website Stryper.com
Members
Michael Sweet
Robert Sweet
Tracy Ferrie
Oz Fox
Former members
Tim Gaines

Stryper is a Christian metal band from Orange County, California, USA. Formed in 1983, they are pioneers in the mainstream popularization of Christian rock music.[1] Stryper enjoyed great success during the late 1980s, with two Platinum and four Gold records,[2] before breaking up in 1992 at a time when most metal groups of the 1980s were losing popularity. However, the band reunited in 2003 and are attempting a comeback in the Christian music world.

The name "Stryper" derives from the King James Version of Isaiah 53:5:

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."[1]

The scriptural reference is also part of Stryper's logo on most of their releases. (They also incorporate stripes into most of their outfits and their logo.) In addition, the band's name has been said to stand for:

"Salvation Through Redemption, Yielding Peace, Encouragement, and Righteousness."[2]

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Foundation and mainstream success

The Sweet brothers were converted to Christianity in 1975 by Jimmy Swaggart.[2][3] Inspired by bands such as Van Halen, but distressed by their message, they sought to form a band that would extol their wolldview and beliefs.[3] Stryper was originally known as Roxx Regime and comprised brothers Michael Sweet on lead vocals and guitar and Robert Sweet on drums as well as Oz Fox on lead guitar.[2] The name "Stryper" was adopted when bassist Tim Gaines joined the band, and shortly afterward, they released the EP The Yellow and Black Attack on July 10, 1984. During this period, Stryper opened for bands like Ratt and Bon Jovi, leading some music critics to claim that they were not a true Christian band.[4] Stryper's first full-length album, Soldiers Under Command released on May 15, 1985, was the band's first gold record, selling more than half a million copies. Capitalizing on this unexpected success and in an attempt to make up for the EP's extremely limited release (less than 20,000 copies), their record label, Enigma, re-released The Yellow and Black Attack on August 10, 1986 with two new tracks and new cover artwork.

Reason For The Season Single.
Reason For The Season Single.

Stryper's third album, To Hell with the Devil, was released on October 24, 1986 and went platinum after spending three months on Billboard's album charts,[5] eventually selling more than 2 million copies. In addition to being Stryper's most successful record, it was both the first contemporary Christian music and Christian metal album to achieve this feat.[2] "Calling On You", "Free" and "Honestly" were hugely popular MTV hits in 1987--so much so, that "Honestly" became the most-requested song on MTV [6] and Stryper's best-known song, peaking at #32 on the Top 40 charts.[3] Bassist Tim Gaines did not participate in the recording of this album, and for a period of time prior to the release of the record he was replaced by another bass player, Brad Cobb. [6] However, when the promotional photos for the album were being shot, Gaines decided to return to the band and participated in its successful world tour. In 1987 the band headlined the Dynamo Open Air Festival in the Netherlands.[1]

Their next album, In God We Trust, released on June 28, 1988, also went gold, and the song "Always There for You" briefly entered the lower levels of the pop charts. However, the sound of the album was more pop-oriented than previous releases[2] and a number of critics, as well as Stryper fans, criticized the songs as being too commercial and over-produced. In addition, the image of the band was moving closer to the glam metal look of the era, giving fans something else to criticize. These factors lead to lower sales, and the album spent only 5 weeks charting on Billboard.[5] As with the previous album, Tim Gaines did not participate in the recording of In God We Trust and Brad Cobb once again played bass, but later Tim Gaines rejoined the group for another world tour. In God We Trust also garnered two GMA Dove Awards, for "Hard Music Album" and "Hard Music Song" for the title track.[7]

[edit] Decline

On August 21, 1990, Stryper released the controversial album Against the Law, which drastically changed the band's image and lyrical message.[2] While their earlier albums all had yellow and black colors in the covers and the lyrics spoke of God and salvation, Against the Law featured the band with black leather clothes and with no mention of the word "God" in the lyrics at all.[1] The band's musical sound was also heavier, closer to classic metal.[2] Drummer Robert Sweet said that the change of image and sound was in response to the criticism of the previous album and an attempt to leave behind their glam metal image. But the band's original fan base claimed that they were not being true to their roots,[citation needed] and the album sold poorly. Part of that were some rumors in the press (both mainstream and Christian) that Stryper was not only playing music which was becoming more mainstream, but also becoming less committed as Christians and caught up too much into the Rock and Roll lifestyle.[4][2] However, many critics considered the album to be Stryper's best musical production to date.[citation needed]

On July 20, 1991, after being signed to Hollywood Records, Stryper released a greatest hits collection called Can't Stop the Rock, which featured two new songs. The band continued to tour until February 1992, when frontman Michael Sweet departed the band citing artistic differences and to pursue a solo career.[2]

Stryper continued as a trio for several European dates, with Oz Fox doing lead vocals. However, upon returning to the United States, the remaining members decided to go their separate ways.

Oz Fox and Tim Gaines formed their own band, Sindizzy, and released the album He's Not Dead in 1998. During the 1990s, Michael Sweet released four solo albums which performed well in the Christian music market. Drummer Robert Sweet played in several bands, among them Blissed, who released an album in 2002. Other bands include King James, dbeality, Final Axe, and The Seventh Power.

[edit] Reunion

The former members of Stryper first reunited in 1999, when Michael Sweet and Sindizzy were invited to play at a summer rock festival in Puerto Rico. As an encore, Sweet joined Oz Fox and Tim Gaines on stage and played several Stryper songs. Later, in 2000, the first "Stryper Expo" was held in New Jersey, and for the first time in 8 years the complete line-up of Stryper took the stage. That same year, a concert was held in Costa Rica at which the four members played together. A second "Stryper Expo" took place in Los Angeles in 2001.[2]

When Hollywood Records asked the former members of Stryper to record tracks for a new greatest hits compilation in 2003 Seven: the Best of Stryper which also had 2 new songs, "Something" and "For You". A tour followed in support. The band played 36 shows in the United States and finished the tour in San Juan, Puerto Rico. A live album, titled 7 Weeks: Live in America, 2004, was released the following year, and the concert in Puerto Rico was filmed for a live DVD. However, that show in Puerto Rico proved to be the last for the original line-up of Stryper. Tim left the band in 2004 before they were slated to play Disney's Night of Joy In Orlando. Michael's bassist on his previous solo tours, Tracy Ferrie replaced him.

After the Night of Joy show and with new found energy Stryper decided to go back into the studio to record a new CD. Reborn and another tour followed in the fall of 2004.

Despite their reunion, controversy continued to follow the band. In December 2004, Stryper was scheduled to play in Mexico City at the Palacio de los Deportes. The band cancelled the show, which led to a major disagreement between the band and the promoter. Stryper and their management claimed the promoter was too inexperienced to stage an event of this magnitude, but a group of well-known Christian rock bands, including Saviour Machine, Narnia and Mortification, sided with the promoter. The promoter demanded that Stryper return all the money they had received related to their appearance, but the band refused. Later, Stryper began selling items on their website in part to refund this promoter.

Stryper's latest album, Reborn, was released on August 16, 2005, and was the band's first recording of original material in 15 years. The new album received a positive response from fans and critics, some of whom labeled Reborn as one of the best albums of that year (2). With a more modern sound incorporating aspects of alternative and grunge, along with fewer guitar solos, the new record updates their style while keeping the Stryper identity. The lyrics also have returned to the band's familiar themes of God and salvation.

In 2006, the band released the DVD Greatest Hits: Live in Puerto Rico after two years in production.

In November of 2006, Stryper announced new management. They also announced a follow up to Reborn tentatively due in Spring/Summer 07. However, lead singer Michael Sweet has postponed the release of the new album. Two days before recording of the new album was to begin, Sweet's wife, Kyle was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. The new album has been put on hold so that Sweet may care for his ailing wife.

[edit] Legacy

Stryper is recognized as the first openly Christian heavy metal band to gain recognition in the mainstream music world.[1] Their hit ballad "Honestly" is often ranked among the greatest ballads of the 1980s. Their message of salvation and religion has also made them popular with some elements of the media.

However, Stryper has not been free of controversy. Many conservative religious groups criticized the group for being members of the heavy metal industry, which some of them saw as being close to Satanic music.[4] Others saw the band's non-conservitave dress as contridictory to the faith they claimed to represent.[8] Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart led opposition to the group, likening their practice of distributing the New Testament at their shows to "casting pearls before swine".[2] In 1990 Rolling Stone Magazine reported that the band was disillusioned with Christian music.[2] This, along with the groups lyrical shift, lead to Against the Law being banned from many Christian bookstores.

Many of their peers in the metal music world recognized them as a great musical group, but some argued that their message was incompatible with heavy metal.[citation needed] In fact, this argument is generally used in pop culture when referring to the music of Stryper.[citation needed] Stryper has sold over 8 million recordings worldwide,[6] and it is estimated that two-thirds of their albums were bought by non-Christians.[2]

[edit] Current members

  • Michael Sweet - guitars and vocals (1983 - 1992, 2003 - present)
  • Oz Fox - lead guitars (1983 - 1992, 2003 - present)
  • Robert Sweet - drums, "Visual Time Keeper" (1983 - 1992, 2003 - present)
  • Tracy Ferrie - bass (2004 - present)

[edit] Past members

[edit] Discography

[edit] Studio Albums

The Yellow and Black Attack (EP)
July 10, 1984
Soldiers Under Command
May 15, 1985
Certified: US - Platinum
The Yellow and Black Attack (re-release)
August 10, 1986
To Hell with the Devil
October 24, 1986
Certified: US - Platinum
In God We Trust
June 28, 1988
Certified: US - Gold
Against the Law
August 21, 1990
Reborn
August 16, 2005

[edit] Live Albums

7 Weeks: Live in America, 2003
May 18, 2004

[edit] Compilations

Can't Stop the Rock
July 20, 1991
Seven: the Best of Stryper
March 26, 2003
Extended Versions
October 31, 2006

[edit] Home videos

  • Live in Japan (1985)
  • In The Beginning (1987)
  • Stryper Expo (2000)
  • Stryper Expo II: West Side Story (2001)
  • Greatest Hits: Live in Puerto Rico (2006)

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Hale, Mark (1993). "2869", Headbangers, First edition, second printing, Ann Arbor, Michigan: Popular Culture, Ink., 336. ISBN 1-56075-029-4. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music, First printing, Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 891-895. ISBN 1-56563-679-1. 
  3. ^ a b c George-Warren, Holly, ed; Jon Pareles, Patricia Romanowski Bashe (1995). "Stryper", The New Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll, Second Edition, New York City: Fireside, 962-963. ISBN 0-684-81044-1. 
  4. ^ a b c Watkins, Terry (1995). "Stryper", Christian Rock: Blessing or Blasphemy?. Dial-the-Truth Ministries. 
  5. ^ a b Larkin, Colin, ed. [1992, 1995] (1998). "Stryper", The Encyclopedia of Popular Music, Third edition, New York City: Muze, 5203. ISBN 0-333-74134-X. 
  6. ^ a b c Erickson, Sturdevant (2006). Stryper: Loud n' Clear, unabridged audio, Maryland: Classic CD Books. ISBN 0976480549. 
  7. ^ Dove Award Recipients for 1989. Gospel Music Association. Retrieved on 2007-03-12.
  8. ^ Kyle, Richard (2006). "If You Can't Beat 'em Join 'em", Evangelicalism : an Americanized Christianity. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Transaction Publishers, 285. ISBN 0-7658-0324-0. 

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../s/t/r/Stryper.html"