Guardian (band)

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Guardian
Guardian (l to r) - Rowe, Bach, Ney, Palacios
Guardian (l to r) - Rowe, Bach, Ney, Palacios
Background information
Origin USA
Genre(s) Christian Rock
Christian Contemporary
Christian metal
Years active 1982–present
Website Guardian on Myspace
Members
David Bach
Tony Palacios
Jamie Rowe
Karl Ney
Former 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 released six studio albums, three additional albums in Spanish—and toured extensively worldwide. In the late 90's, the members decided to part ways and dedicate time to other personal projects, however they occasionally reunite for a select show.

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.[1] They added drummer Rikk Hart and guitarist James Isham shortly after. The band played a futuristic style of rock, even sporting body armour 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 due to personal issues and was replaced with Tony Palacios. David Caro currently plays guitar at his church 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. This release featured a melodic metal sound in the same veign as Stryper or Van Halen[1] and 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.[1] The response to the album was overwhelming and one of the videos was included in the MTV's Headbangers Ball rotation. After touring with Stryper in 1992,[1] the band released their third album, Miracle Mile in 1993. The album was a departure from their first two releases as the band began to integrate Rhythm and Blues elements into their music.[1] 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. The album was recorded in producer's (John & Dino Elefante) garage and featured a stripped down, blues based sound.[1] Also, the band's first Spanish album Nunca Te Dire Adiós was released in 1995 rising the band's popularity in Latin America.

The band then switched to producer Steve Taylor. Under his direction they returned to a harder sound, adjusting to new trends in the genre, and released Buzz in 1995.[1] 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.

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 and one in English. Bach was not able to take part due to time constraints.

[edit] The later years

Bassist David Bach at Cornerstone in 2001.
Bassist David Bach at Cornerstone in 2001.

In the summer of 2001, Guardian joined other legendary Christian hard rock bands (including Bride) on the HM Stage at the Cornerstone Music Festival near Bushnell, IL. The show was intended to be a tribute to the Christian metal heyday of the 80s and early 90s, however Guardian made the show a reunion of sorts and performed songs spanning their entire catalog.

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 December of 2005, the band recorded an updated remake of their signature ballad "Never Say Goodbye" with producer Phil Madeira.

In April of 2006, producer Dino Elefante told Jesus Freak Hideout that Guardian would release Triple Five, a compilation with a couple new songs on the Selectric Records imprint.[2] More recently, Jamie Rowe said that there may be a complete CD of all new material rather than Triple Five. However, these plans have been put on hold as time restraints make it difficult for the band to get together.

In October of 2006, Guardian made a rare live appearance at the ARPA Awards in Mexico City where they performed a medley of some of their Spanish hits.

In February of 2007, Guardian joined fellow Christian-metal veterans, Bride and Tourniquet onstage in Germany at the Legends of Rock festival.

[edit] Post-Guardian

After the band went on semi-hiatus in the late 90s, bassist David Bach served as VP of A&R for 5 years with EMI's ForeFront Records. He also served in the same capacity for Sony/BMG-owned Reunion Records before reuniting with veteran producers John and Dino Elefante in a production company called 3.1 Productions. Guitarist Tony Palacios mixes and produces records for a diverse blend of CCM acts. Karl Ney is owner of The Bennett Company, an Artist and Business Management Firm which represents international CCM and mainstream recording artists. His latest act to partner with is a new band out of Boise, ID called A Rotterdam November. Jamie Rowe remains active as a solo artist as well as lead singer for power pop band The Ruled. He also works as a part time youth minister while running a successful viral marketing business.

[edit] Band Members

[edit] Current Members

[edit] Former members

[edit] Discography

[edit] Studio & Official Albums

[edit] Spanish Albums

[edit] Independent Releases

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Powell, Mark Allan (2002). "Guardian", Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music, First printing, Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 393-395. ISBN 1-56563-679-1. 
  2. ^ Jesusfreakhideout.com Music News: April 2006 (2006-04-05).
  3. ^ Van Pelt, Doug (March/April 1999). "Indie Album Reviews: GUARDIAN". HM Magazine (76). ISSN 1066-6923. 
  4. ^ a b Van Pelt, Doug (January/February 2000). "Album Reviews: GUARDIAN". HM Magazine (81). ISSN 1066-6923. 

[edit] External links