The Christian Underground Encyclopedia

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====== Perry & the Poor Boys ======

Alternative Rock\\
Vista, California, USA

"Perry Springman, a native of Saskatchewan, Canada, was born into a Jewish family where, thanks to his mother’s love for music, there was always music to be heard somewhere in the home. After completing his Hebrew studies Perry completed his Jewish faith by accepting Christ. He later went on to bible school and started playing guitar and piano, and composing songs.

Growing up in a conservative Jewish home, Perry's decision while in high school to accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah brought considerable grief and division into his traditional family. Perry later enrolled in the "Lutheran Bible Institute Of Seattle." Though this decision caused a great degree of alienation from his family, Perry faith in his Lord had a God-breathed outlet… his music. Out of his struggles and sorrow resounded the beautiful and powerful lyrics that would later be featured on future albums, and sung in thousands of churches, town squares, halls, prisons, high schools and youth camps across North America, Europe, Russia and Australia.

After graduation from bible college Perry accepted the position of youth director at a Lutheran Church in San Diego, California. It was here that "Perry And The California Cool Rays", as they were first called, began. With humble yet spirited origins the band agreed to a visit to communist Russia. What they experienced there challenged Perry to create songs that would touch lives instead of merely entertaining audiences. A switch to full-time music ministry followed, and to date, the group has now played in over 20 countries!

John Lassen of Denmark YFC comments, "I have never met a band or a person, who was able to connect that immediately with a crowd of kids… Perry has a gift to communicate. The band has the integrity and calling to be appealing, direct and fresh into teenagers lives, and they succeed at living it out."

Some of the events the Poorboys have played at include The Alliance Music Festival and The Flevo Festival in Holland, Sonfest in Vancouver, Rock Summer in Estonia and TomFest in Washington State. They have shared stages with Bob Geldoff, Michael W. Smith, [[Sixpence None the Richer]], The Newsboys, [[PFR]], [[The 77s]], and Carolyn Arends.

Over the past five years the band has played at a number of the District and National Youth Gatherings for both the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) and The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) including the 2003 ELCA Gathering in Atlanta and the LCMS Gathering in Memphis. They also tour regularly through many European countries, Australia and the USA.

In April of 2000 the band was invited by Youth For Christ to Venezuela. They helped to raise funds for aid and distributed care packs to forlorn citizens after a flood and mud-slides killed more than 100, 000 people within a few weeks. “Despite their losses the people gave us a warm welcome and encouraged us. All we could give them was some supplies and clothing,” says Perry. This trip, along with outreach visits to prisons and homeless shelters in various countries continued to refresh his faith in our God who can grant peace even through calamity.

Perry and the Poorboys, now with eight albums to their credit, have gained an extensive international following. In fact, the 4th album Poor is Better, (on vinyl) recorded in Estonia, (a former Soviet republic) sold more than 30,000 copies; an exceptional accomplishment for an ‘un-signed’ band. Further success was found on the albums //No Fear In Love// and //Saturn Light//.

//Deep Blue Sea// marked a fresh colourful turning point for the group with a more acoustic-style pop sound. Some of the songs found their origins in biblical passages, while all songs are based on biblical values. Produced by [[Michael Roe]], ([[The 77s]]) they also enlisted the late [[Gene Eugene]] ([[Adam Again]], [[The Lost Dogs]]) for some additional recording and in the mixing of this absorbing collection of unforgettable songs.

And now, their newest release, entitled //Unknown//, a compilation of 12 Poorboy favourites that have opened the doors, (and continue to open doors) for this versatile, engaging artist. Beautifully written, with powerful vocals and lush instrumentation, this album takes us from rock, to folk-pop and Irish-lilt, Appalacia and Slavic ballad, and back to rock again while we barely notice the time pass." (from [[http://www.perryandthepoorboys.com/band.html]]) 

===== Discography =====

| 1988 | [[https://christiantapeunderground.wordpress.com/2020/11/24/perry-and-the-poor-boys-perry-and-the-poor-boys/|Perry and the Poor Boys]] |
| 1989 | [[https://christiantapeunderground.wordpress.com/2020/11/24/perry-and-the-poor-boys-only-humans-stand-in-line/|Only Humans Stand in Line]] |
| 1990? | What |
| 1991 | [[https://christiantapeunderground.wordpress.com/2020/12/13/perry-and-the-poor-boys-poor-is-better/|Poor is Better]] | Forte |
| 1992 | No Fear in Love |
| 1996 | Saturn Light |
| 1999 | Deep Blue Sea |
| 2003 | Unknown |
| 2003 | Live! |
| 2008 | Half Way Around |

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==== Perry & The Poor Boys ====

1988 Independent

Perry Springman - Vocals, backing vocals, rhythm guitar\\
Eric Engerbretson - Guitar, bass, backing vocals\\
Wayne Haas - Guitars, bass, backing vocals, drum programming\\
Brad Hansen - Keyboards, backing vocals\\
Eric Hause - Vocals, percussion\\
Cory Johnson - Drums

  - Live Like You Mean It
  - We're So Sure
  - The Lust....
  - House in the Hills
  - Marleen
  - Wayfaring Stranger
  - Days
  - Romans
  - I Will Call Upon the Lord
  - Shame on You

Note: Side B (songs 6-10) are copyrighted 1987.

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==== Only Humans Stand in Line ====

1989 Independent

Perry Springman - Vocals, backing vocals, rhythm guitar\\
Eric Engerbretson - Guitars\\
John Porter - Guitars\\
Wayne Haas - Bass, backing vocals, keyboards\\
Jim Morrison - Bass\\
Brad Hansen - Keyboards\\
Dave Hill - Drums

Tami Haas - Backing vocals\\
Keith Fentress - Backing vocals\\

Produced by Perry Springman and Wayne Haas

  - This Little Light
  - The Poor Boys (in Spirit) Church
  - Eh, Eh Mon
  - I'm All Alone and It's Okay
  - Shame on You
  - Fortune Traveler
  - It Must Be Hard for God
  - The Picture of Laura
  - Will I Wait for You
  - Marleen
  - Vessel of Life

Note: Track #2 is actually "Wipeout" (The Ventures cover), but it is not listed with that title on the sleeve, other than in the credits.

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==== What ====

1990? Independent

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==== Poor is Better ====

1991 Forte

Produced by Enno Maemets, Leho Verk, Bo Hallbeck

Perry Springman - Voice, guitar abuse\\
Bo "Tex" Hallbeck - Harp, guitarstuff\\
Bugs (Wayne Kroeplin) - Bass, guitarstuff\\
[[Stef Loy]] - Keyboards, bass, some voice\\
James Orvis - Drums, vocals

  - Guns
  - What
  - Air
  - I am Where You Stand
  - Ransomed
  - Winter
  - School is Cool
  - Live like You Mean It
  - It must be Hard for God
  - Waiting in Time

"//Poor is Better// was recorded in Estonia, a small country in Eastern Europe. To this day, Perry has yet to see any of the money made from this album. Apart from those who bought it in Estonia, most people haven't had the opportunity to listen to this album because it's only in record format. Yes, record. There are only a few copies, so if you want to purchase one, contact Perry." (from [[http://www.perryandthepoorboys.com/disc.html]]) 

"Recorded in Tallinn, Estonia this vinyl recording sold over 30,000 copies in the USSR! After years of working in the Soviet Union, the evangelical band's triumph was to make an album for the people of this small country that they could purchase in their own currency. Proceeds were donated to a reputable church in the town square of Tallinn. The songs were recorded fast and cheap, and the photos are horrendous but what great sentiment! Makes better coasters than an AOL starter pack, too."

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==== No Fear in Love ====

1992 Independent

  - Guns (3:27)
  - Lada (4:09)
  - Live Like You Mean It (5:22)
  - The Picture of Laura (5:05)
  - Where Can I Hide From You (3:34)
  - Winter (4:35)
  - It Must Be Hard for God (4:05)
  - No Fear in Love (4:03)
  - I Am Where You Stand (3:42)
  - Ransom (5:54)

Produced by [[Michael Roe]]\\
Mike played additional guitars on "Live", "Guitars", and "LADA". He also did some bgv's.

"//No Fear in Love// is a roots/pop record with infectious melodies, which may drive you mad. Songs like “LADA,” “Guns,” and “No Fear in Love” demonstrate Perrys' gift of writing memorable four-chord pop that you can do nothing but sing along to. “Ransom” and “Where Can I Hide From You” will move your soul. The instrumentation, provided by a band of Swedes, is acoustic based and remains fairly organic. The pennywhistles and accordion give some of the songs a Celtic flavor. If you like memorable organic pop with great harmonies, reminiscent of the BareNaked Ladies, this is the record for you.

Recorded in Sacramento, California and produced by [[Michael Roe]] of [[The 77s]]. Favorite Poor Boy standards like "Guns" and "Lada" are perfected on this recording, plus an invaluable alternative version of "Live Like You Mean It." The backward ambience at the end of "Live" that leads into "The Picture of Laura" is breathtaking, and at the end of "Laura" Jim Orvis's drumming along with BoH's guitars are very loud and frenzied, capturing perfectly the torment of the song's heroine. A little more experimental than previous Poor Boy recordings is the instrumentation itself, with a few of the tunes favoring accordions and recorders. The best version of "Ransom" is also on this record. “Ransom” is messianic storytelling at it's best. It's a song describing the death of Christ -- a tribute to his death and the "ransom paid for me and you." It is a fitting ending to a solid Poor Boy CD."

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==== Saturn Light ====

1996 Independent

Produced by [[Michael Roe]]\\
Mike played bass, some electric and acoustic guitars, and some vocals

  - Everyone is in Love (4:14)
  - St. Augustine (5:26)
  - All (6:10)
  - Somehow (4:35)
  - The Sweater (4:58)
  - The Singer (5:43)
  - Love / Hate (4:41)
  - Saturn Light (6:05)
  - The Heaven (5:28)
  - Say More (4:59)
  - Will I Wait (20:35)

"[[Michael Roe]] calls //Saturn Light// "the garage band record I've always wanted to do." This "rough around the edges" rock record puts Perrys' pop sensibilities in a sea of great rock guitar and bass. Saturn is the work of three guys, two weeks and lots of instrumental versatility. The rock solid drumming by Magnus Sjolander (from [[The Miscellaneous]]) and the "out there" solos by Mike accentuate Perrys' strong writing and melodies. Mike is all over this record in instrumentation and production." (from [[http://www.perryandthepoorboys.com/disc.html]])

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==== Deep Blue Sea ====

1999 Independent

Produced by [[Michael Roe]]\\
Mixed by [[Gene Eugene]] at The Green Room, Huntington Beach, CA

Perry Springman - Vocals, acoustic and electric guitars\\
Jonathan Perkins - Vocals, bass, acoustic and electric guitars\\
[[Michael Roe]] - Vocals, acoustic and electric guitars\\
Tim Bonikowsky - Guitars, vocals\\
Oskar Johnsson - Drums

[[Michael Roe]] also co-wrote "Reason" and "We Live Inside" with Perry Springman

  - Reason (4:26)
  - Three Fine Days (4:48)
  - We Live Inside (4:35)
  - Make Me Fall (5:10
  - Fortune Traveller (4:50)
  - House in the Hills (5:00)
  - Sweet Tree (3:26)
  - Once Upon a Lifetime (5:24)
  - Ransom (7:16)
  - You Gave Me Life (5:11)
  - God Let (4:40)

"[[Michael Roe]] and the Poorboys are proud to present their latest record, //Deep Blue Sea// (mixed by [[Adam Again]]'s [[Gene Eugene]]). This CD features Roe's production, songwriting as well as more of the beautiful guitar playing which we all expect from Roe. You might also hear his voice on some of the tracks. Mike and Gene both think that this is by far Perry's best release." (from [[http://www.perryandthepoorboys.com/disc.html]]) 

Review:

Two pairs of sandaled feet dangle precariously above the sea; 900 feet above the sea

The cover image, rich with colour and creating a bold, spirited mood, reflects the newly released album inside from Perry and the Poorboys... //Deep Blue Sea//. This latest CD from the "Poorboys" is a real gem. Its as if the artists, themselves, have dug long and hard to finally secure their jewel and //DEEP BLUE SEA// is the diamond of all diamonds. But getting to this point was not easy.

Front man, Perry Springman. a native of Saskatchewan, Canada, was born into a Jewish family. Growing up in a conservative Jewish home, Perry's decision while in high school to follow Jesus Christ and accept the Messiah, brought considerable grief and division into his traditional Jewish family. Perry later enrolled in the "Lutheran Bible Institute of Seattle". This decision would also cause anxiety for his family. But through these difficulties Perry had a God-breathed outlet… his music. Out of his struggles and alienation resounded the beautiful and powerful lyrics that would later be featured on future albums, and sung in hundreds of churches, town squares, halls, prisons, high schools and youth camps across North America, Europe and Australia.

After graduation Perry accepted the position of youth director at a Lutheran Church in San Diego California. It was here that "Perry and the California Cool Rays", as they were first called, began. With humble yet spirited origins the band agreed to a visit to communist Russia. It was during this tour that the "Poorboys" and their ministry was truly formed. Burdened by the trials and hardships of those suffering there, the band began to create and produce songs that would touch lives instead of merely entertaining audiences.

Perry and the Poorboys, now with seven albums to their credit, have gained an extensive international following. In fact the 4th album Poor is Better, recorded in Estonia, sold more than 30,000 copies, an exceptional accomplishment for a band. Further success was found on the albums //No Fear in Love// (1993) and //Saturn Light// (1996).

Along with their album success, the band has great relationships with a variety of organizations such as Youth For Christ, Lutheran Youth Encounter, Christian Outreach International, LCMS, Youth With A Mission, Operation Mobilization, and hundreds of churches throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia. John Lassen of Denmark Youth for Christ comments, "I have never met a band or a person, who was able to connect that immediately with a crowd of kids...Perry has a gift to communicate. The band has the integrity and calling to be appealing, direct and fresh into teenagers lives and they succeed at living it out." Jim Burns; author, speaker and President of the National Institute of Youth Ministry, writes "Perry And The Poorboys take todays Christian music straight to the heart with a message relevant to this generation and a lifestyle that models Christian leadership."

Some of the events Perry and the Poorboys have played at include the National Lutheran Youth Gathering in Atlanta in 1998 in connection with the LCMS (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod), and the Alliance Music Festival and Flevo Festival in Holland where they had the opportunity to share stages with Michael W. Smith, DC Talk, [[Sixpence None the Richer]], Carolyn Arends, Steven Curtis Chapman and Phil Keaggy.

In the fall of 1999 the band will tour Germany, Holland , Denmark and Lithuania, as well as the western states in the U.S. The year 2000 will find the "Poorboys" touring Canada and on stage at the LCMS District Youth Gathering in Hawaii.

In April of 1999 Perry and the Poorboys released //Deep Blue Sea//. The album marks a fresh colourful turning point for the group. Produced by [[Michael Roe]] ([[The 77s]]) they also enlisted [[Gene Eugene]] ([[Adam Again]], [[The Lost Dogs]]) for some additional recording and in the mixing of this absorbing collection of unforgettable songs. The album combines lyrical genius, and catchy singable melodies. Two songs on the album were inspired by the wedding of Perry to Vancouver actress Julia Ocenas in the summer of 1998. Julia brought a joy and peace to Perry, and their new found love has inspired him to write the songs "Sweet Tree" and "Once Upon A Lifetime" which are both featured on Deep Blue Sea. Other tracks such as "Make Me Fall" and "We Live Inside" take us between what is true, and the logic of our hearts.

Hear the newly released //Deep Blue Sea//. With singer/songwriter Perry Springman, bassist Jonathan Perkins, Swedish drummer Oskar Johnson, and guitarist [[Michael Roe]], Deep Blue Sea has a freshness and depth reflective of its title. (from [[http://www.perryandthepoorboys.com/band.html]]) 

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==== Unknown ====

2003 Independent

  - Three Fine Days (4:44)
  - Everyone is in Love (3:40)
  - Lada (3:04)
  - Let It Go (5:18)
  - Every Good Gift (4:39)
  - The Heaven (5:28)
  - Where Can I Hide (4:02)
  - St. Augustine (5:41)
  - Will I Wait for You (7:33)
  - Say More (5:27)
  - Live Like You Mean It (4:23)
  - Make Me Fall (14:12)

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==== Live! ====

2003 Independent

Perry Springman - Vocals, acoustic guitar\\
Steve Davis - Electric guitar\\
Mike Hill - Bass guitar\\
Carlin Lemon - Keyboards, vocals\\
Danny Walker - Drums, vocals

  - 3 Fine Days (5:14)
  - 1st Introductions (1:56)
  - Live Like You Mean It (7:02)
  - Every Good Gift (4:34)
  - Let It Go (6:16)
  - Intro for Will I Wait for You (1:02)
  - Will I Wait for You (5:35)
  - 2nd Introductions (1:06)
  - Everyone is in Love (3:39)
  - Lada (4:43)
  - St. Augustine (5:53)
  - Where Can I Hide From You (4:19)
  - Make Me Fall (5:32)
  - Ransom (11:13)
  - Tuning Solo (1:32)

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==== Half Way Around ====

2008 Independent

Recorded and Produced by Ryan McAllister\\
Words and Music: Perry Springman and Ryan McAllister

Perry Springman - Vocals, BGVs, and ukulele\\
Ryan McAllister - Bass, electric guitars, acoustic guitars, BGVs\\
Jared Falk - Drums, percussion\\

  - Lost and Found
  - Happy Beach
  - I Can't Say No to You
  - All in Your Name
  - That's How I Knew You
  - Maybe You Should Know
  - All I Am
  - Life is Beautiful
  - Where Will You Sleep Tonight
  - Lord of Me

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