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lifesavers [2017/09/20 18:17] – adminlifesavers [2017/10/01 02:58] – admin
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 ====== Lifesavers ====== ====== Lifesavers ======
 +{{:the_lifesavors.jpg?nolink|}}
 |**Band:**|Lifesavers / The Lifesavors| |**Band:**|Lifesavers / The Lifesavors|
 |**Origin:**|California| |**Origin:**|California|
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 ==== Formation: 1980 - 1981 ==== ==== Formation: 1980 - 1981 ====
 +{{:the_lifesavors_-_us_kids_-_band_1.jpg?nolink|Band photo from Us Kids insert}}
  
 The Lifesavors were an early Christian pogo punk/new wave band that formed in 1980. According to the liner notes to [[Undercover]]'s //Volume 1// compilation, The Lifesavors were formed by Chris Wimber (the son of Vineyard founder John Wimber) and Ray Hersom. Their first concert as The Lifesavors was at a roller skating rink in Yorba Linda sometime late in 1980. [[Undercover]] and a band called [[The Chosen Ones]] also played at the concert. It is unknown at what point [[Mark Krishchak]] joined the band, but a live demo called //3-14-81 Live// (recorded at a church in Downey, CA) contains at least one song credited to [[Mark Krishchak|Krishchak]] on a later album. [[Mark Krishchak|Krishchak]] served as the early leader of the band performing as lead vocalist, primary songwriter, and lead guitarist. In early 1981, The Lifesavors and [[Undercover]] were both asked to release albums through the [[Ministry Resource Center]] (MRC) label. By the time The Lifesavors released their debut full length album //Us Kids//, Hersom was not in the band and two new members were listed. Joining bass guitarist Wimber and lead vocalist / guitarist [[Mark Krishchak|Krishchak]] were Kevin Lee Annis (brother of [[Mike Stand]] of the [[Altar Boys]]) on drums and [[Michael Knott]] on rhythm guitars. [[Michael Knott|Knott]] has later stated that he was about 16 or 17 years old at this time. [[Michael Knott|Knott]]'s involvement with The Lifesavors on //Us Kids// was minimal at the most. According to Kevin Sorrells, "[[Michael Knott|Mike]] stepped in the middle of the recording. I think he only collaborated on one song." The Lifesavors were an early Christian pogo punk/new wave band that formed in 1980. According to the liner notes to [[Undercover]]'s //Volume 1// compilation, The Lifesavors were formed by Chris Wimber (the son of Vineyard founder John Wimber) and Ray Hersom. Their first concert as The Lifesavors was at a roller skating rink in Yorba Linda sometime late in 1980. [[Undercover]] and a band called [[The Chosen Ones]] also played at the concert. It is unknown at what point [[Mark Krishchak]] joined the band, but a live demo called //3-14-81 Live// (recorded at a church in Downey, CA) contains at least one song credited to [[Mark Krishchak|Krishchak]] on a later album. [[Mark Krishchak|Krishchak]] served as the early leader of the band performing as lead vocalist, primary songwriter, and lead guitarist. In early 1981, The Lifesavors and [[Undercover]] were both asked to release albums through the [[Ministry Resource Center]] (MRC) label. By the time The Lifesavors released their debut full length album //Us Kids//, Hersom was not in the band and two new members were listed. Joining bass guitarist Wimber and lead vocalist / guitarist [[Mark Krishchak|Krishchak]] were Kevin Lee Annis (brother of [[Mike Stand]] of the [[Altar Boys]]) on drums and [[Michael Knott]] on rhythm guitars. [[Michael Knott|Knott]] has later stated that he was about 16 or 17 years old at this time. [[Michael Knott|Knott]]'s involvement with The Lifesavors on //Us Kids// was minimal at the most. According to Kevin Sorrells, "[[Michael Knott|Mike]] stepped in the middle of the recording. I think he only collaborated on one song."
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 [[Michael Knott|Knott]] described the band's early sound as "psuedo punk rock songs." Many outlets refer to //Us Kids// as the first Christian Punk album (although //No Sham!// by the [[Bill Mason Band]] preceded it by two years). The album's producer Thom Roy refers to the sound as Power Pop. The band had its fair share of controversy in the early days, including being banned from playing at Calvary Chapels because [[Michael Knott|Knott]] would dance on stage during concerts. But the band also played local California rock clubs with other punk icons, including Darby Crash. [[Michael Knott|Knott]] described the band's early sound as "psuedo punk rock songs." Many outlets refer to //Us Kids// as the first Christian Punk album (although //No Sham!// by the [[Bill Mason Band]] preceded it by two years). The album's producer Thom Roy refers to the sound as Power Pop. The band had its fair share of controversy in the early days, including being banned from playing at Calvary Chapels because [[Michael Knott|Knott]] would dance on stage during concerts. But the band also played local California rock clubs with other punk icons, including Darby Crash.
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 ==== Transition: 1982 ==== ==== Transition: 1982 ====
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 At some point in 1982, [[Mark Krishchak|Krishchak]] leaves the band and [[Michael Knott|Knott]] takes over to record the two song //You and Me// single. John and Brandon are not listed on this release. The line-up for the single is just the trio of [[Michael Knott|Knott]], Wimber, and Annis. The full story of what happened is unknown at this time, but Kevin Sorrells had this to say at one time about internal disagreements within the band: "[[Mark Krishchak|Mark]] got jealous of [[Michael Knott|Mike]] and quit after [he had] invited [[Michael Knott|Mike]] in the band in the first place.... We begged [[Mark Krishchak|Mark]] not to leave. [Chris] Wimber always had to be the boss, and that caused tension. But Chris was a very creative guy [with a] strong personality and a trendsetter. I love the guy and miss him." [[Mark Krishchak|Krishchak]] was also known to later refer to [[Michael Knott|Knott]] on discussion boards as a "spawn of Satan" that he would never work with again. At some point in 1982, [[Mark Krishchak|Krishchak]] leaves the band and [[Michael Knott|Knott]] takes over to record the two song //You and Me// single. John and Brandon are not listed on this release. The line-up for the single is just the trio of [[Michael Knott|Knott]], Wimber, and Annis. The full story of what happened is unknown at this time, but Kevin Sorrells had this to say at one time about internal disagreements within the band: "[[Mark Krishchak|Mark]] got jealous of [[Michael Knott|Mike]] and quit after [he had] invited [[Michael Knott|Mike]] in the band in the first place.... We begged [[Mark Krishchak|Mark]] not to leave. [Chris] Wimber always had to be the boss, and that caused tension. But Chris was a very creative guy [with a] strong personality and a trendsetter. I love the guy and miss him." [[Mark Krishchak|Krishchak]] was also known to later refer to [[Michael Knott|Knott]] on discussion boards as a "spawn of Satan" that he would never work with again.
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 ==== Constant Changes: 1983 ==== ==== Constant Changes: 1983 ====
  
 At some point after they recorded the 1982 single, Brian Goins was brought into the band. One live photo with [[Michael Knott|Knott]], Wimber, Annis, and Goins does exist, but according to Annis there was only one concert with this line up. The band began recording the first version of //Dream Life// with [[Michael Knott|Knott]] on lead vocals and guitars. At some point after they recorded the 1982 single, Brian Goins was brought into the band. One live photo with [[Michael Knott|Knott]], Wimber, Annis, and Goins does exist, but according to Annis there was only one concert with this line up. The band began recording the first version of //Dream Life// with [[Michael Knott|Knott]] on lead vocals and guitars.
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 At some point during the recording, [[Michael Knott|Knott]] says that John Wimber told them that he wanted the band to travel around the United States planting churches. [[Michael Knott|Knott]] didn't feel led to do that, so he left the band and formed [[Idle Lovell]]. Kirk Heiner joined the band after [[Michael Knott|Knott]] left. According to Heiner, at this point they decided to re-record the vocals on //Dream Life//, with Goins singing lead vocals on about five songs and Heiner handling lead vocals on about six. [[Michael Knott|Knott]]'s background vocals were left in the mix, as well as some of his guitar work. Most songs on the //Dream Life// album are credited in part to [[Michael Knott|Knott]]. At the time of the album's release, Annis and Wimber are still listed as members, with Kirk Heiner now listed as guitarist and Brian Goins listed as the new vocalist. At some point during the recording, [[Michael Knott|Knott]] says that John Wimber told them that he wanted the band to travel around the United States planting churches. [[Michael Knott|Knott]] didn't feel led to do that, so he left the band and formed [[Idle Lovell]]. Kirk Heiner joined the band after [[Michael Knott|Knott]] left. According to Heiner, at this point they decided to re-record the vocals on //Dream Life//, with Goins singing lead vocals on about five songs and Heiner handling lead vocals on about six. [[Michael Knott|Knott]]'s background vocals were left in the mix, as well as some of his guitar work. Most songs on the //Dream Life// album are credited in part to [[Michael Knott|Knott]]. At the time of the album's release, Annis and Wimber are still listed as members, with Kirk Heiner now listed as guitarist and Brian Goins listed as the new vocalist.
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 Goins was not able to tour for //Dream Life//, so [[Mark Krishchak|Krishchak]] was brought back in for the tour. Goins was not able to tour for //Dream Life//, so [[Mark Krishchak|Krishchak]] was brought back in for the tour.
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 At some point between 1984 and 1986, several changes occurred: [[Mark Krishchak|Krishchak]] left the band (with [[Michael Knott|Knott]] taking over as leader), Wimber also left (to be replaced by Brian Doidge - formerly of [[The Chosen Ones]] - on bass), and the name of the band was changed slightly. In 1986, Lifesavers signed to [[Frontline Records]] and released //Kiss of Life//. The name was not the only thing to change - [[Michael Knott|Knott]] also steered the band in a more alternative direction, drawing comparisons to The Psychedelic Furs. Some sources also claim that [[Michael Knott|Knott]] no longer likes this album, even though some songs do occasionally make it in to his solo live shows from time to time. At some point between 1984 and 1986, several changes occurred: [[Mark Krishchak|Krishchak]] left the band (with [[Michael Knott|Knott]] taking over as leader), Wimber also left (to be replaced by Brian Doidge - formerly of [[The Chosen Ones]] - on bass), and the name of the band was changed slightly. In 1986, Lifesavers signed to [[Frontline Records]] and released //Kiss of Life//. The name was not the only thing to change - [[Michael Knott|Knott]] also steered the band in a more alternative direction, drawing comparisons to The Psychedelic Furs. Some sources also claim that [[Michael Knott|Knott]] no longer likes this album, even though some songs do occasionally make it in to his solo live shows from time to time.
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 +{{:lifesavers_-_kiss_of_life_-_band_2.jpg?nolink|}}
 +{{:lifesavers_-_1985-1986_napa_high_school_concert_1986_yearbook_page_113.jpg?nolink|}}
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 ==== Side Project: 1987 - 1999 ==== ==== Side Project: 1987 - 1999 ====
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   * [1984] The Lost Nashville Demo (demo)   * [1984] The Lost Nashville Demo (demo)
  
-== as "The Lifesavers" ==+== as "Lifesavers" ==
  
   * [1986] Kiss of Life ([[Frontline Records]])   * [1986] Kiss of Life ([[Frontline Records]])
- 
-== as "Lifesavers" == 
- 
   * [1991] Poplife ([[Blonde Vinyl Records]])   * [1991] Poplife ([[Blonde Vinyl Records]])
   * [1995] Huntington Beach ([[Brainstorm Artists International]]}   * [1995] Huntington Beach ([[Brainstorm Artists International]]}
lifesavers.txt · Last modified: 2024/02/10 16:08 by admin