The Christian Underground Encyclopedia

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====== Split Level ======

Alternative Rock\\
Northern Ireland

Split Level were a Christian rock band from Northern Ireland, active from 1986 to 2000.

Split Level first began their career in the mid-1980s, playing local Christian gatherings and festivals in Northern Ireland. A song of theirs appeared on a 1985 [[Word Records]] compilation called //The Buzz on the Streets//. Their debut recording appeared in 1986 on Big Feet Records, followed by the 1987 release //Sons of Liberty// on [[What Records]].

They began playing events in England soon after, and eventually relocated to England permanently. In 1991 they released //View of a World//, their first record to be pressed on CD, on German label [[Pila Music]]. Working with renowned producer Andy Piercy, the full-length //Boomerang// followed in 1992 to critical acclaim in the Christian music press. The //European Christian Booksellers' Journal// named //Boomerang// its Album of the Year in 1993. Their 1994 EP, //Call Me White Call Me Black//, was first recorded with the intent of selling during their Artists Against Racism tour in Germany, but was later tapped for general release. In 1995, the European Christian Booksellers' Journal gave Split Level its award for Best Christian Rock Band. Their next full-length, //glo.bal//, was released in both the UK and the U.S. in 1997 on [[Organic Records]]. Their 2000 live release was recorded in Ennepetal, Germany at the Christmas Rock Night festival 1998.

===== Discography =====

| 1986 | [[https://christiantapeunderground.wordpress.com/2020/04/25/split-level-break-the-chains/|Break the Chains]] | Big Feet Records |
| 1987 | Sons of Liberty | [[What Records]] |
| 1989 | Bootleg Demos |
| 1991 | View of a World | [[Pila Music]] |
| 1992 | Boomerang | [[Pila Music]] |
| 1994 | Call Me White Call Me Black | [[Pila Music]] |
| 1997 | glo.bal | [[Organic  Records]] |
| 2000 | Live! | ICC |
| 2001 | Simply the Best |

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==== Break the Chains ====

1986 Big Feet Records

Adrian Thompson – Vocals, guitars\\
Derek Curie – Bass guitar, vocals\\
Shane Jackson – Keyboards\\
Barrie Kennedy – Drums, percussion, vocals

  - Stand Firm
  - Easter Rising
  - Risen Lord
  - Touch
  - Messenger of Love
  - Future Kingdom
  - Fear of Falling
  - Wishing
  - Tonight
  - Forgiveness
  - Shout the Victory
  - Break the Chains

------

==== Sons of Liberty ====

1987 [[What Records]] (WHA R 1238)

Adrian Thompson - Vocals, guitar\\
Derek Currie - Vocals, bass guitar\\ 
Barry Kennedy - Vocals, drums

Brian Jones - Keyboards\\
Enda Walsh - Keyboards

  - Land of Freedom	
  - Peace of Home	
  - I Will Live	
  - Into the Fire	
  - It Won't be Long	
  - Sons of Liberty	
  - View of a World	
  - Desertland	
  - God Is	
  - Dove

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==== Bootleg Demos ====

1989 Independent

Possible song list:

  - Into the Fire (live)
  - Messenger of Love (live)
  - Holy Fire
  - Josie

------

==== View of a World ====

1991 [[Pila Music]] (CD 60124)

Adrian Thompson - Lead vocals, guitar\\
Gary Preston - Bass\\
Rob Craner - Drums

  - Why? (3:03)
  - Come So Far (3:35)
  - Your Blood (3:04)
  - Julia (4:15)
  - Dying Days (4:02)
  - Autumn Leaves (3:16)
  - Talking About Love (3:16)
  - This Old Town (4:00)
  - Selfish Ways (4:05)
  - Heaven's Shore (4:46)

------

==== Boomerang ====

1992 [[Pila Music]] (27181)

Adrian Thompson - Vocals, guitar\\
Gary Preston - Bass, vocals\\
Rob Craner - Drums, percussion, vocals

Jean-Pierre Rudolph - Fiddle, penny whistle\\
[[Dan Donovan]] - Cover design and artwork

  - Holy Fire (3:51)
  - Nicholas Says (2:57)
  - Borderland (3:30)
  - Lasting Hope (3:37)
  - Alone (3:44)
  - Messenger of Love (4:37)
  - Twist (In My Sobriety) (3:41)
  - Miracle (3:43)
  - I Found Love (4:08)
  - This Time (4:08)
  - Stay (5:59)
  - Carry You (5:35)

------

==== Call Me White Call Me Black ====

1994 [[Pila Music]] (27244-2)

Adrian Thompson - Vocals, guitar\\
Gary Preston - Bass, vocals\\
Rob Craner - Drums, vocals

Jean-Pierre Rudolph - Fiddle, cymbal\\
[[Dan Donovan]] - Sleeve design

  - Call Me White Call Me Black (5:03)
  - Pocket of Change (3:47)
  - Colour Wheel (3:43)
  - Twist in My Sobriety (Mondo Mix) (3:43)
  - Borderland (Non-Stop Mix) (3:52)
  - Alone (Penny Whistle Mix) (3:26)

------

==== glo.bal ====

1997 [[Organic  Records]] (ORCD-9702)

  - Everything
  - Twister
  - Emily
  - Healed
  - The Things I Do
  - Shrinking Brain
  - Circles
  - If I Should Leave
  - Fly
  - Pinlight
  - Got Your Number

------

==== Live! ====

2000 ICC (ICCD43030)

  - Intro (1:20)
  - Twister (4:02)
  - Julia (5:27)
  - If I Should Leave (4:54)
  - Got My Number (5:35)
  - Healed (5:35)
  - Window Shopping (4:17)
  - I Found Love (4:47)
  - Miracle (3:47)
  - Everything (4:59)
  - Shrinking Brain (5:06)
  - Holy Fire (7:52)
  - Window Shopping [studio recording] (4:20)
  - Every Breath [studio recording] (3:36)

------

==== Simply the Best ====

2001 Independent

  - Lasting Hope (3:37)
  - Holy Fire (3:51)
  - Miracle (3:43)
  - Healed (4:40)
  - Call Me White - Call Me Black (5:03)
  - Emily (3:54)
  - Pocket of Change (3:47)
  - Julia (Neil Costello Mix) (3:35)
  - Nicholas Says (2:57)
  - Dying Days (Heppenheim Mix) (4:29)
  - Come So Far (3:35)
  - Borderland (Non Stop Mix) (3:52)
  - Carry You (5:35)

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===== Links =====

  * [[https://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Split_Level_Rock_music_survivors_and_Milton_Keynes_musicianaries_/36545/p1/|Split Level: Rock Music Survivors and Milton Keynes Musicianaries]]
  * [[https://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Split_Level_Going_Global/40720/p1/|Split Level: Going Global]]
  * [[https://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Split_Level_Trackbytrack_rundown_of_Global/32940/p1/|Track-by-Track Rundown of "glo.bal"]]
  * [[https://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Split_Level/View_Of_A_World/8100/|Review of "View of a World"]]
  * [[https://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Split_Level/Boomerang/3631/|Review of "Boomerang"]]
  * [[https://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Split_Level/Call_Me_White_Call_Me_Black/3630/|Review of "Call Me White Call Me Black"]]
  * [[https://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Split_Level/global/6236/|Review of "glo.bal"]]
  * [[https://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Split_Level/Live/1567/|Review of "Live!"]]