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 The band formed around the leadership of Michael Bloodgood, who had been active in the local music scene for some time. Directly prior to the formation of Bloodgood, Michael had been involved in a local band called [[Cypress]], what he later described as "basic straight-ahead rock." That effort had disbanded by mid-1984 as Michael Bloodgood felt called to build a Christian metal band. The Seattle area at that time was known for metal bands such as TKO, Queensrÿche, and Metal Church, but Bloodgood felt a need to represent Christ to that audience, and the band was the natural way to do so. The band formed around the leadership of Michael Bloodgood, who had been active in the local music scene for some time. Directly prior to the formation of Bloodgood, Michael had been involved in a local band called [[Cypress]], what he later described as "basic straight-ahead rock." That effort had disbanded by mid-1984 as Michael Bloodgood felt called to build a Christian metal band. The Seattle area at that time was known for metal bands such as TKO, Queensrÿche, and Metal Church, but Bloodgood felt a need to represent Christ to that audience, and the band was the natural way to do so.
  
-Les Carlsen was the lead in the Broadway musical //Hair// long before Bloodogood. He played in various bands such as The Topics, The Worm, The Front Page, Joshua, Fred Shwartz, and The Carlsen-Macek Band lbefore and after his two-year stint with //Hair//. He also released an album with his wife under the name [[Sticker]] in 1983 before joining Bloodgood.  [[David Zaffiro]] had been in a band called [[Crystal City Rockers]] before joining Bloodgood.+Les Carlsen was the lead role "Claude" in the Broadway musical //Hair// around 1971. He played in various bands such as The Topics, The Worm, The Front Page, Joshua, Fred Shwartz, and The Carlsen-Macek Band before and after his two-year stint with //Hair//. He also released an album with his wife under the name [[Sticker]] in 1983 before joining Bloodgood.  [[David Zaffiro]] had been in a band called [[Crystal City Rockers]] before joining Bloodgood.
  
 In 1985, Bloodgood released a demo, //Metal Missionaries//, of which they sold over 5,000 copies at concerts. Their 1986 eponymous debut was produced by [[Darrell Mansfield]]. While Bloodgood was visually similar to other metal bands at the time, it was distinguished by three elements: the vocals of Les Carlsen, the songwriting of Michael Bloodgood, and the guitar techniques of [[David Zaffiro]]. The band's sound was in many ways typical of competent 1980s glam metal bands, but their lyrics were distinctly Christian. Themes often included Armageddon, hope and victory in Christ, and the Grace of living in God, with Biblical language throughout. When asked about the influence of [[Stryper]] upon the band, Michael Bloodgood told an interviewer that the band had formed before [[Stryper]] became well known, and so they were not a musical influence because they played different styles of metal. In 1985, Bloodgood released a demo, //Metal Missionaries//, of which they sold over 5,000 copies at concerts. Their 1986 eponymous debut was produced by [[Darrell Mansfield]]. While Bloodgood was visually similar to other metal bands at the time, it was distinguished by three elements: the vocals of Les Carlsen, the songwriting of Michael Bloodgood, and the guitar techniques of [[David Zaffiro]]. The band's sound was in many ways typical of competent 1980s glam metal bands, but their lyrics were distinctly Christian. Themes often included Armageddon, hope and victory in Christ, and the Grace of living in God, with Biblical language throughout. When asked about the influence of [[Stryper]] upon the band, Michael Bloodgood told an interviewer that the band had formed before [[Stryper]] became well known, and so they were not a musical influence because they played different styles of metal.
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 Their first major United States tour was in 1987 and was protested by groups on the extreme Christian right. The band was more popular in Europe than in the United States and they toured the United Kingdom in 1988. This tour featured lead vocalist Les Carlsen portraying Pontius Pilate during the song "Crucify," as well as a graphic, live-action portrayal of Christ being crucified. The band's position on theatrics, as summed up by Carlsen: "Heavy metal lends itself to visuals and drama... They come naturally from the music we write." Their first major United States tour was in 1987 and was protested by groups on the extreme Christian right. The band was more popular in Europe than in the United States and they toured the United Kingdom in 1988. This tour featured lead vocalist Les Carlsen portraying Pontius Pilate during the song "Crucify," as well as a graphic, live-action portrayal of Christ being crucified. The band's position on theatrics, as summed up by Carlsen: "Heavy metal lends itself to visuals and drama... They come naturally from the music we write."
  
-After five studio albums and three live releases, the group officially disbanded in 1994The group reformed in 2006 and have been performing several times year since in the U.S. and Europe. They are currently working with Oz Fox from [[Stryper]] in this newly formed lineup. Michael Bloodgood, the group's bass player and namesake, also released a comparatively mellow worship solo album, //The Cross Changes Everything//in early 2008under the name "Michael Bloodgood and Friends", featuring the guest talents of other musicians, including bandmates Les Carlsen, Oz Fox, Paul Jackson, Mark Welling, and Michael's son, Paul Michael Bloodgood on drums and vocals.+Mark Welling joined the band on drums for //Detonation// and //Rock in a Hard Place// after J.T. Taylor left. After WellingKevin Whisler played drums on //Out of the Darkness//, //Alive in America//, and //Shakin' the World//Whisler was in a Tacoma-based Christian pop-metal band called [[Watchmen]] before joining Bloodgood. [[Watchmen]] released two albums: //Fear No Evil// in 1988 and //Generation// in 1990both on [[Regency Records]]. Paul Roraback of [[Grammatrain]] fame also played drums on the //To Germany With Love// live album in 1993. [{David Zaffiro]] left the band in 1989 to pursue other projectsand Paul Jackson joined the band on guitar. David McKay (keyboards) and Kent Walstead (guitar) also joined the band of their 1992 tour. Les Carlsen performed as a guest vocalist with the American Christian metal band [[Tourniquet]] on //Intense Live Series, Vol. 2// in 1993.
  
-Bloodgood was 2010 Inductee into the Christian Music Hall of Fame.+After five studio albums and three live releases, the group officially disbanded in 1994. The group reformed in 2006 and have been performing several times a year since in the U.S. and Europe. They are currently working with Oz Fox from [[Stryper]] in this newly formed lineup with Paul Jackson and Kevin Whisler. Michael Bloodgood, the group's bass player and namesake, also released comparatively mellow worship solo album, //The Cross Changes Everything//, in early 2008, under the name "Michael Bloodgood and Friends", featuring the guest talents of other musicians, including bandmates Les Carlsen, Oz Fox, Paul Jackson, Mark Welling, and Michael's son, Paul Michael Bloodgood on drums and vocals.
  
-In 2010, //HM Magazine// listed //Detonation// at No. 23 on its //Top 100 Christian Rock Albums of All Time// list. stating that it has "quite an original metal sound." It singles-out "Crucify," "Messiah," "Self-Destruction," and the ballad "Alone in Suicide." //Heaven's Metal// fanzine ranked it No. 8 on its //Top 100 Christian Metal Albums of All-Time// list.+Bloodgood was a 2010 Inductee into the Christian Music Hall of Fame. Also in 2010, //HM Magazine// listed //Detonation// at No. 23 on its //Top 100 Christian Rock Albums of All Time// list. stating that it has "quite an original metal sound." It singles-out "Crucify," "Messiah," "Self-Destruction," and the ballad "Alone in Suicide." //Heaven's Metal// fanzine ranked it No. 8 on its //Top 100 Christian Metal Albums of All-Time// list.
  
 Michael Bloodgood is currently senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Redmond, Washington. Guest artists at CCR have inlcuded long time friend and lead singer Les Carlsen, [[Randy Stonehill]], Buck Storm, and [[Darrell Mansfield]]. Michael Bloodgood is currently senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Redmond, Washington. Guest artists at CCR have inlcuded long time friend and lead singer Les Carlsen, [[Randy Stonehill]], Buck Storm, and [[Darrell Mansfield]].
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-Les Carlsen was the lead in the Broadway musical //Hair//. He performed as a guest vocalist with the American Christian metal band [[Tourniquet]] on //Intense Live Series, Vol. 2// in 1993. Kevin Whisler was in a Tacoma-based Christian pop-metal band called [[Watchmen]] before joining Bloodgood. [[Watchmen]] released two albums: //Fear No Evil// in 1988 and //Generation// in 1990, both on [[Regency Records]]. 
  
 On October 19, 2013, Bloodgood released the first video, "Lamb of God," from their comeback album //Dangerously Close// (also released in 2013). On October 19, 2013, Bloodgood released the first video, "Lamb of God," from their comeback album //Dangerously Close// (also released in 2013).
  
 A full-length documentary, //Trenches of Rock// is currently touring the film festival circuit. Produced by Bloodygood Pictures, the film features exclusive interviews, music, and photos, as well as covering all of the controversy surrounding the band. Executive producer is James Moll. The official trailer was released in March 2017. A soundtrack was also released along with the documentary in late 2017. A full-length documentary, //Trenches of Rock// is currently touring the film festival circuit. Produced by Bloodygood Pictures, the film features exclusive interviews, music, and photos, as well as covering all of the controversy surrounding the band. Executive producer is James Moll. The official trailer was released in March 2017. A soundtrack was also released along with the documentary in late 2017.
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 +In 2019, a cassette of music recorded by Les Carlsen in 1971 while touring with //Hair// was discovered and released by Girder Music. This was the first recording Les had ever made.
  
 ===== Discography ===== ===== Discography =====
bloodgood.txt · Last modified: 2020/12/13 05:37 by admin