From: Tom Moellering <moeller@convex.com>
Subject: FAQ
Originator: moeller@neptune.convex.com
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 13:38:05 GMT
Reply-To: moeller@convex.com (Tom Moellering)
Organization: Engineering, CONVEX Computer Corp., Richardson, Tx., USA
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by a user at CONVEX Computer
              Corp. The opinions expressed are those of the user and
              not necessarily those of CONVEX.

This is the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for the rec.music.christian
newsgroup.  Since this is an unmoderated group, it is not by any means the
only FAQ that could exist, but since there has never been one done, this
one has sprung into existence.

New stuff and/or changes since last posting are indicated by vertical
bars '|' in the first column.

For those of you that desire a version number, just look for vertical
bars to see if there are any changes since last time, or use your handy
dandy file comparator programs.  Ok, I repent. ;-)

Oh yeah, and I got rid of the tabs.

Thanks to at least the following people, whose addresses I remembered to
save, for their contributions:
        jlaplant@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu
        clopton5107@iscsvax.uni.edu
        pearsodc@nextwork.rose-hulman.edu
        gt6223b@prism.gatech.edu
        tll6551@zeus.tamu.edu
        chaplin@keinstr.uucp

Forward any comments, corrections, and/or additions to:
Tom (moeller@convex.com)
   "I ain't gonna watch your every move, I ain't gonna dog your every step"
              I Don't Wanna  / The Call / into the woods
--------------------------------cut here-----------------------------------
Version  1.00

Index:
        ) Publications: (size, price, address, etc.)
        ) Where To Buy The Stuff We Talk About:
        ) Secular CCM
        ) The Alternative (is this too broad of a category?)
        ) The all-inclusive released material list
        ) Wedding Songs
        ) Industrial
|       ) Christian Radio
        ) "Is Christian Rock an oxymoron?" 
        ) Artist FAQ


) Publications: (size, price, address, etc.)
  Not intended to be an advertisement.  I do not receive money or
  discounts for mentioning any of the following.  (they probably don't
  even know I exist)

  These are all listed here, in no intended order, for the edification
  of those who can't seem to find a source for information on so-and-so's
  latest release.  Or an interview with favorite musician N.

        Contemporary Christian Music Magazine           1-800-333-9643
        P.O. Box 2070
        Knoxville, IA 50197-2070
        subscription: $19.95 for 1 year, 12 issues.
                This one's scope is rather broad.  They try to hit
                everything and to not be too nasty, although every now
                and then even they have to draw the line.  Positive
                side: once you get to know the reviewers, its a cake-walk.

                They have been accused of mediocrity on the one hand and
                worldliness on the other.  Sounds like they are right on
                target.  You can find Sandi Patti and King's X in the same
                issue.

        Syndicate (used to be Harvest Rock Syndicate)
        P.O. Box 24633
        Nashville, TN 37202
        subscription: 1 Year, 6 issues: $7.50
                Brian Quincy Newcomb is the editor.  Quite a publication.
                This is more of a Christians in rock and roll publication.
                They even include reviews of purely secular material.  (As
                opposed to secular label bands with christians)

        Cornerstone
        939 W. Wilson Ave.
        Suite 202-C
        Chicago, IL  60640
        subscription: $15.00 for 12 consecutive issues (approx. 3-5 times/year)
                Loosely connected with JPUSA.  Not just music here.
                But when they do review and/or interview, they do tend
                to know what they are talking about.

        Heaven's Metal
        P.O. Box 17367
        Austin Texas 78760-7367
        subscription: $12 for 1 year (6 issues)
                The name sez it all.  Published every other month.
                (send $1 for sample issue)

|       Notebored (Subscriptions)        Tel: (215) 593-7176
|       P.O.Box 238                    
|       Atglen, PA  19310-0238           1 yr (6 issues) is $8

        The Chicago Trib
                I don't know if I would subscribe to something with the
                word 'Trib' in the title.  For a Christian thats kind of scary.
                But from what I hear, they seem to have a lot of CCM
                interviews.

|       ACM Journal                             (206) 863-0632        
|       subscription is $5/yr (3 issues and CD)
|               Literally:  Alternative Christian Music
|               Deals with more than just music reviews. Has had some
|               articles on Christians in the arts (painters, theatrics, etc),
|               how to go about putting out an album and such (with a price
|               list for general idea of cost), interviews with radio
|               station owners, such.  Also has a listing by category of
|               alt. Christian bands with their addresses.


) Where To Buy The Stuff We Talk About:
  Not intended to be an advertisement.  I do not receive money or
  discounts for mentioning any of the following.  (they probably don't
  even know I exist)

  No attempt has been made here to list the sale-du-jour since that kind
  of thing changes over time.


        Long's Christian Music          407-649-1914 (Mon-Sat 9AM-6PM EST)
        2306 Edgewater Drive,
        Orlando, FL 32804               average CD price: $11.50
                Infinite selection.  Their catalog is a must if you want to
                have a list of everything that is available.

        CDM (Christian Digital Music)   (up to $5.00 credit for trade-ins)
        4051 Berrywood Drive            send a S.A.S.E. for a free catalog.
        Santa Maria, CA 93455           average CD price: $8.99
                Sure the selection isn't as great, but who else is going to
                give you $5 credit for your used CCM CDs?

        Christian Book + Supply         1-800-323-3947 (10AM-5PM  EST)
        481 Great Rd
        Acton, MA  01720
                Their mail order is mostly music, but you _can_ order just
                about any Christian merchandise from them.  Their average
                CD prices are $9.98 to $10.98 (and if you buy five, I
                believe you do get one free).

        True Tunes                      1-800-669-TRUE
        210 W. Front St.
        Wheaton, IL 60187
                Tend to go after the 'alternate' crowd a little more, in that
                they offer sales on artists that mainstream outfits don't.

        Rad Rocker's Emporium

        Family Record & Tape Club
        A Division of Word DMS, Inc.
        P.O. Box 10659
        Des Moines IA 50380-0659
                If you don't have any CDs yet, then get in on their
                no-commitment membership.  4 for $1 apiece (+ shipping).
                Selection is limited and prices in general are not that
                great to warrant staying with the club, unfortunately.
                But for the first time CCM CD purchaser, this is a deal
                you shouldn't pass up.

        Christian Music Buyers Club     1-800-695-2622 (Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM CST)
        P.O. Box 121916
        Nashville, Tennessee 37212      average CD price: $10.49
                Never have tried this, but they say they have posters, too.

        Phydeaux
        1482 DeTracey Street
        San Jose CA 95128
                Mostly Larry Norman and/or produced by him.

        Christian Book Distributors
        PO Box 6000
        Peabody MA 01961-6000
                Orders: 508 977 5000 M-F 8am-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm
                Customer service: 508 977 5050 MF 9-5:30
                Technical assistance (for books?): 508 977 5040 MF 9-5:30

                Admittedly, mostly a book seller, but they do sell some music.
                Recent issue (bimonthly catalog) had about 1000,
                predominantely mainstream, titles.

                Don't overlook their W-I-D-E variety of christian books:
                        fundamentalist, charismatic, mainline,
                        scholarly, devotional, practical

  Don't forget to check out the cut-out sections at your local secular music
  outlets, since they sometimes will be getting rid of CCM at low prices:
  $2.88, $1.44, etc.  Also don't forget to check out the used stores which,
  believe it or not, do carry quite a bit of CCM.  I don't know who buys this
  stuff and then sells it at such a loss to them, but you should take advantage
| of this wherever and whenever you can.  And don't forget pawn shops.
| Especially if you don't have a used record shop in your town, this will be
| the place that all of the used CDs go to.

| Or:
|        The used music server (used-music-server@cs.ucsb.edu) maintains a
|        database of used music (CDs, records, tapes, etc.) for sale and a
|        separate (but equal) database of used music that is wanted.  In
|        addition to HELP (this message), there are currently 11 commands:
|        LIST, LIST OTHER, LIST ALL, LIST CHANGES, LIST WANTED,
|        LIST WANTED OTHER, ADD, REFRESH, DELETE, SUBSCRIBE, and UNSUBSCRIBE.
|
|        The server mails out an updated list every Monday morning.  Send mail
|        to used-music-server@cs.ucsb.edu with `HELP' in the Subject: line and
|        nothing in the body.


) Secular CCM
  Well, this is a really tough category to write.  Though I consider myself
  to have a rather healthy exposure to this category, I still haven't listened
  to all of these bands.  So I can't really pass judgement on them.  But then
  again that isn't my job description, is it? ;-)

  Suffice it to say that if you ever get to this category you will find
  yourself dealing with one or more of the following questions:

                 What am I really listening to music for anyway?
                 What makes music christian?
|                Was the sole use of music in the bible evangelical?
|                Does a Christian recording label make something more holy?

        The Alarm
        T Bone Burnett
        The Call
        Larry Carlton  
        Peter Case
        Ashley Cleveland
        Bruce Cockburn
        Galactic Cowboys
        John Hiatt
        Innocence Mission
        King's X
        Lillian Axe
        Midnight Oil
        The Ocean Blue
        Paul Oversreet
        Sam Phillips
        Ricky Van Shelton
        Ricky Skaggs
        Stryper
        U2
        Victoria Williams


) The Alternative (is this too broad of a category?)
  Alternative is a hard thing to nail down.  One man's alternative, is another
  man's mainstream.  And one man's alternative is another man's amusical trash.
  I know that I have been guilty of the charge of not liking
  anything that was popular.  However, for purposes of categorization, anathema
  to the true outsider anyway, if it isn't available to the buying public
  through normal retail channels, it may be too alternative for its own good.

  These artists tend to have more creative ideas than a label can ever
  hope to contain.  So the various aliases, alter egos and founding member
  names are given for better tracking of their musical careers.
  In no particular order:

        Daniel Amos, DA, Da, da, Swirling Eddies  (Terry Scott Taylor)
        Adam Again (Riki Michelle, Gene Eugene)
        The 77's (Mike Roe)
        Lifesavors, Lifesavers, LSU (Michael Knott)
        The Choir (Derri Daughtery, Steve Hindalong)
|       Veil Of Ashes (Sean Doty)
        the violet burning
        Steve Scott
        Charlie Peacock
        Vector
        Mad At The World
        Undercover (Joey Ojo Taylor)
        The Throes
        The Altar Boys (Ric Alba, Mike Stand)
        The Swoon
        Painted Orange
|       Breakfast With Amy (Chris Colbert)
|       Dead Artists Syndrome (Brian Healy)

) The all-inclusive released material list
  This category is intended to serve as the list of all commercial releases
  for the people who seem to get asked about the most.  Listed from oldest
  to most recent.  I have a feeling that this category will be a mistake,
  but here goes:


  Steve Taylor (everything is sparrow, unless otherwise indicated)
        I Wanna Be A Clone (CD)
        Meltdown
        Meltdown Remixes
        Meltdown & Meltdown Remixes (CD)
        On The Fritz (CD) (out-of-print)
        Limelight (live)
        Transatlantic Remixes
        I Predict 1990 (CD) (myrrh)
        The Best We Could Find + 3 that never escaped (includes entire IWBAC) (CD)
        (for anything more, see Chagall Guevara)


  Chagall Guevara
        Pump Up The Volume soundtrack: Tale Of The Twister (on the CD only)
        Chagall Guevara  (CD)

  Tonio K.

        Life in the Foodchain (pre-conversion)
        Amerika (post-coversion)
        Romeo Unchained
        Notes from the lost civilization
        (Current status: supposedly fronting an unsigned band
                         called 16 Tons of Monkeys)

  Bruce Cockburn (there is a email group for him:
                         humans-request@death.corp.sun.com)

|       (sure wish someone would order this list by release date for me ;-)

        Bruce Cockburn
        Further Adventures of ...
        Joy Will Find A Way
        Sunwheel Dance
        Salt Sun and Time
        High Winds White Sky
        Circles in the Stream
        In The Falling Dark
        Inner City Front
        Night Vison
        Stealing Fire
        Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws
        Resume
        World of Wonders
        Humans
        Bruce Cockburn Live
        Trouble with Normal
        Waiting for a Miracle
        Big Circumstance
        Nothing But a Burning Light

  Sam (Leslie) Phillips
        Beyond Saturday Night
        Dancing With Danger
        Black and White In A Grey World
                significant_style_change_at_this_point
        The Turning                     (myrrh)
        The Indescribable Wow           (virgin)
        Recollections                   (myrrh)
        Cruel Inventions                (virgin)

) Wedding Songs
        This list is posted monthly, usually the first Monday of each month by
        ee2g@andrew.cmu.edu


) Industrial
        I have changed my mind on this section again, I have severly condensed
        the comments of clopton5107@iscsvax.uni.edu.  If you want more information
        than that given here, email him and/or tll6551@zeus.tamu.edu.

                  "Is there any Christian industrial music?"

        Here is a list.  Not all of these bands fit everybody's definition of
        industrial, but most of it is at least of interest to most fans of
        industrial music.

                Mortal
                Deitiphobia
                Circle of Dust
                Blackhouse*
                Mental Destruction*
                Global Wave System*
                Gadget/ Mark Planquet*
        
        *These bands have music for sale, but it is not as easy to get as
        the first three.  These bands have either indi releases, or demos.
        Mail me for more data.  The first three bands have fully distributed
        albums that can be gotten in Christian bookstores.  Circle of Dust may
        not be on the shelfs yet, but is is on REX Records, and is coming, and
        will be HUGE!

        A good purchase for Christian's who like techno and or industrial music
        is the SLAVA Music sampler avialable on Blonde Vinyl records called
        "Voice of the People."

) Christian Radio
|       If someone has a good list of these, I could include them.  I am,
|       admittedly, a little jaded in this area.  My experience with Christian
|       radio has been sanctified top 40 garbage, or 1 hour shows with bad
|       reception and inconsistent programming and schedules.
|
|       So I am very hesitant to include something like this since they seem
|       to change with the weather, and like the weather, are extremely
|       regional in scope.  (i.e. 99% of the list is useless to everyone)


) "Is Christian Rock an oxymoron?" 
   One possible response that should be considered:
        "only people can be Christians"

   We will not attempt to answer this question here, but instead refer
   your questioning to other (more-complete) treatments of the subject:

        Steve Lawson            _Rock Reconsidered_
        Francis Schaeffer       _Art and the Bible_
        Frankie Schaeffer       _Addicted to Mediocrity_

) Artist FAQ
        This section is meant to house all of the silly little questions
        that seem to get asked about specific artist:

        Q: What's Steve Taylor up to?
        A: He's in a band called Chagall Guevara on the secular label MCA.

        Q: Who are the people in Chagall Guevara?
        A: Steve Taylor, Lynn (Arthur) Nichols, Dave Perkins,
           Mike Mead, Wade Jaynes

        Q: What's King's X mean?
        A: Like all good Rock & Roll, it has multiple meanings, but
        it seems that for the members of the band it has no intended
        meaning.

        In Vol. 19, Issue 94 of the Christian magazine 'Cornerstone', two of the 
        band menbers were interviewed by Chris Ramsey, Dave Canfield, and Brian
        Grover.  Doug Pinnick, lead vocalist and bass player, and Ty Tabor, lead
        guitarist, had this to say when asked "What does the name King's X mean?

        Doug: Actually, I wanted a name that didn't mean anything, a name that
        you can't pinpoint.  And we thought it didn't mean anything when we
        started, but when we moved to Texas we found out that king's X is a
        safety . . . you know, in the game of tag.

        Also we found out that in medieval times in England there was a practice
        where a messenger would go to another kingdom to give a message to the
        king.  And if the king receiving the message didn't like the message, he
        would kill the messenger . . . unless he had the mark of the king.  It
        was called the king's X.

        Ty:  The X simply translated a message from one king to the other king.
        It said, "Please spare my messenger; it's not his fault if the message
        is not what you want to hear."

        Q: Is Amy Grant possessed?
        A: Not to the best of our knowledge.  If your opinion is that
        she is going after filthy lucre, pray for her.  If you think what
        she is doing is great, support her (and pray for her, too.)

        Q: Whatever happened to Leslie Phillips?
        A: She is recording on the secular label Virgin under the name
        Sam Phillips.

        Q: Did Leslie (Sam) Phillips backslide?
        A: Depends on your point of view I guess.  If you can believe
        what she has to say of herself, no.

        Q: Did Petra write "God Gave Rock and Roll to You?"  
        A: No, Russ Ballard of the band Argent wrote the song in 1973.  Petra
        covered it (for the first time) in 1976 on their "Come and Join Us"
        album and Kiss covered it in the eighties.

        Q: Are the members of Kiss Christians?
        A: Give me a break.  When people use the word 'God' they can mean all
        kinds of things, including but not limited to: themselves, some other
        deity besides the Judeo-Christian acknowledged one, women, money, etc.

        It is not probable, to the best of my understanding of the bible, for
        someone to boast of their continuing multiple-hundreds of illicit sexual
        encounters (as one of the members of KISS does) and be an actual
        Christian.

        Q: Did Petra write the song for "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure?"
        A: see above.