undercover
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undercover [2021/05/30 15:50] – admin | undercover [2021/06/01 01:11] – admin | ||
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==== Early Versions: 1978 - 1979 ==== | ==== Early Versions: 1978 - 1979 ==== | ||
- | Undercover (and [[The Lifesavers]]) formed out of members that came from two earlier bands, [[JC Rose|J.C. Rose]] and [[Boaz]]. Both bands started in 1978. They were described by John J. Thompson as “edgier than Larry Norman and Love Song.” | + | Undercover (and [[The Lifesavers]]) formed out of members that came from two earlier bands, [[JC Rose|J.C. Rose]] and [[Boaz]]. Both bands started in 1978. They were described by John J. Thompson as “edgier than Larry Norman and Love Song.” |
- | Gary Wilson tells what he remembers | + | Jim Nicholson and [[Ojo|Joe Taylor]] had been best friends since high school and were members |
- | Jim Nicolson, | + | Gary Wilson tells what he remembers of [[JC Rose|J.C. Rose]] in the book // |
[[Ric Alba]] had this to say about the two bands: | [[Ric Alba]] had this to say about the two bands: | ||
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==== Early Years of Undercover ==== | ==== Early Years of Undercover ==== | ||
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+ | Jim Nicolson, [[Ojo|Joe Taylor]], Danny Pavlis (drums), and [[Ric Alba]] (bass) started [[Undercover]] in about 1979 or 1980. The band decided they needed a real lead singer, so they put an ad in their church bulletin. After auditioning a number of singers, Bill Walden answered the ad and he completed the lineup. [[Undercover]] started rehearsing in a greenhouse owned by Danny' | ||
After a couple of months of practice, Undercover had their first concert along with The [[Lifesavors]] (also their first concert) and another group, [[The Chosen Ones]] (which consisted of Chris Pavlis (Danny' | After a couple of months of practice, Undercover had their first concert along with The [[Lifesavors]] (also their first concert) and another group, [[The Chosen Ones]] (which consisted of Chris Pavlis (Danny' | ||
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When Undercover released its first album in 1982, it was described by some as " | When Undercover released its first album in 1982, it was described by some as " | ||
- | After the first album, [[Ric Alba]], Ray Hersom, and Danny Paylis all left the band. Alba joined [[The Altar Boys]] and also released a solo album called //Holes in the Floor Of Heaven// in 1991. Hersom left [[The Lifesavors]] before they recorded their first album and joined Undercover after their first one was recorded... but before the photo session, so he never actually played on Undercover (hence the “After Tracks" | + | The first Undercover album had very limited distribution - mostly local stores and out of the back of the band members' |
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+ | After the first album, [[Ric Alba]], Ray Hersom, and Danny Paylis all left the band. Alba joined | ||
"God Rules," | "God Rules," | ||
- | In 1984, Undercover continued to grow lyrically with //Boys and Girls Renounce the World//. Right after the recording of the album, Bill Walden felt a calling to leave the group. Several different reasons probably contributed to his departure, including the growing pains of the band, a hectic road schedule, and starting a family. He remained a close friend to the band, occasionally even joining them onstage. At some point he joined [[Fourth Watch]] with Steve Pannier of [[The Altar Boys]]. They released one album - //Dare to be the One// - in 1986. Walden was replaced by Sim Wilson. | + | In 1984, Undercover continued to grow lyrically with //Boys and Girls Renounce the World//. Right after the recording of the album, Bill Walden felt a calling to leave the group. Several different reasons probably contributed to his departure, including the growing pains of the band, a hectic road schedule, and starting a family. He remained a close friend to the band, occasionally even joining them onstage. At some point he joined [[Fourth Watch]] with Steve Pannier of the [[Altar Boys]]. They released one album - //Dare to be the One// - in 1986. Walden was replaced by Sim Wilson. |
==== Transitions and the Break-Up/ | ==== Transitions and the Break-Up/ | ||
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After the release of // | After the release of // | ||
- | Undercover played what the band initially saw as its last concert as a functioning band on June 5, 1987. One live show was recorded and released as //3-28-87//. Two songs from the //You & I EP// were played at the concert. Joey "Ojo" Taylor recorded and released a solo album as [[Ojo]] called // | + | After Blue Collar records went under, [[Gene Eugene]] had the idea to start a music label with [[Ojo| JoeyTaylor]] and Barry Hill. The name of the corporation was [[Brainstorm Artists International]], with Marantha Music initially agreeing to sell [[Broken Records]] to them. Their first release was Undercover' |
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+ | Undercover played what the band initially saw as its last concert as a functioning band on June 5, 1987. [[Ojo|Joey Taylor]] later had this to say about the decision: | ||
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+ | Taylor recorded and released a solo album as [[Ojo]] called // | ||
In 1988, Undercover contributed a cover of "Come All Ye Faithful" | In 1988, Undercover contributed a cover of "Come All Ye Faithful" | ||
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In 1993, Undercover released a new studio version of "One to One" on the //Third Wave: Reality Rock Collection// | In 1993, Undercover released a new studio version of "One to One" on the //Third Wave: Reality Rock Collection// | ||
- | For 1994's //Forum//, Undercover split drum duties between Chuck Cummings and David Raven of [[The Swirling Eddies]]. The album was still alternative, | + | For 1994's //Forum//, Undercover split drum duties between Chuck Cummings and David Raven of [[The Swirling Eddies]]. The album was still alternative, |
On their alternative rock releases, the band would continue to explore aspects of Christian life not frequently addressed by the CCM musicians who were finding increasing acceptance on secular airwaves and with secular audiences. These three albums each differed slightly in musical tone from the others, but the introspective lyrics would be a constant through the rest of the band's career. | On their alternative rock releases, the band would continue to explore aspects of Christian life not frequently addressed by the CCM musicians who were finding increasing acceptance on secular airwaves and with secular audiences. These three albums each differed slightly in musical tone from the others, but the introspective lyrics would be a constant through the rest of the band's career. | ||
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In 1996 and 1997, [[Innocent Media]] released two box set collections of most of the music by Undercover up until that point. //Anthology Volume 1// (1996) was a 2-disc set that contained their first four albums (plus a three bonus tracks). //Anthology Volume 1// (1997) was a 4-disc set that contained their live album and final three albums (plus three bonus tracks). The //You and I EP// was not included on either box set. | In 1996 and 1997, [[Innocent Media]] released two box set collections of most of the music by Undercover up until that point. //Anthology Volume 1// (1996) was a 2-disc set that contained their first four albums (plus a three bonus tracks). //Anthology Volume 1// (1997) was a 4-disc set that contained their live album and final three albums (plus three bonus tracks). The //You and I EP// was not included on either box set. | ||
- | In 2000 and 2001, the band reunited to play two concerts. One was at Cornerstone 2000, and the second was at a [[Gene Eugene]] Benefit | + | A live reunion with Sim Wilson happened |
- | The 2001 cover track also ended up serving as a prelude to an entire new album by the Nicholson / Taylor / Olson / Wilson line-up. In 2002, Undercover released //I Rose Falling//, an album that pushed farther into complex, artist rock. | + | After the funeral for Eugene, [[Dan Michaels]] of [[The Choir]] convinced Taylor to let him try to get Undercover a show at the upcoming Cornerstone Festival. Taylor said that if that concert would happen, he would take it as a sign that he should be making music again. That concert did happen. The Cornerstone 2000 set was initially released by M8 music, but was quickly released with a new cover and the //You and I EP// as bonus tracks by [[Innocent Media]] in 2000. In the liner notes for the re-issue, Taylor spoke about how the band would be making music, but he wasn't sure how. |
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+ | Undercover also played a set at the [[Gene Eugene]] Benefit concert in 2001. This concert was also released as a CD-R by [[Galaxy 21 Music]] and [[Innocent Media]] with one new studio track - a cover of " | ||
Undercover played two reunion shows in California in August 2005. In a message posted on the band's forum that month, Taylor wrote, "We are internally, as a band, trying to figure out where to go from here and what that might look like, given our life realities and burning desire to fulfill whatever musical calling we might have, too. We appreciate your prayers." | Undercover played two reunion shows in California in August 2005. In a message posted on the band's forum that month, Taylor wrote, "We are internally, as a band, trying to figure out where to go from here and what that might look like, given our life realities and burning desire to fulfill whatever musical calling we might have, too. We appreciate your prayers." | ||
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+ | Around 2010, [[Ojo|Joe Taylor]] and Gym Nicholson had been working on an Undercover re-worked version of the [[Boys Club]] song "I Love You." A rough version of the song with Rob Gallas on vocals and [[Ric Alba]] on bass was posted to the band's MySpace page, with plans to get Sim Wilson to record some vocals as well. At the time, Down the Line magazine asked if there were new plans for music, but Taylor responded they were working on occasional singles but no album. | ||
In 2011 Intense Millennium Records released a newly remastered stand-alone CD of // | In 2011 Intense Millennium Records released a newly remastered stand-alone CD of // | ||
In 2018, Lo-Fidelity Records completed a successful KickStarter for deluxe vinyl and CD remastered reissues of // | In 2018, Lo-Fidelity Records completed a successful KickStarter for deluxe vinyl and CD remastered reissues of // | ||
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+ | ==== Outside of Undercover ==== | ||
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+ | [[Ojo|Joey Taylor]] received his MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles and MM from California State University, Fullerton. He moved to the East coast in 2007 to teach at James Madison University is Harrisonburg, | ||
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+ | Lithium Saints was a 2012 collaboration between veteran alternative Christian rockers Sim Wilson of Undercover, [[Jesse Sprinkle]] of [[Poor Old Lu]] and Todd Olsen of [[The Waiting]]. They created a BandCamp page featuring a painting from [[Chris Taylor]], but have released no music yet. | ||
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+ | [[Ric Alba]] independently released a second solo album called // | ||
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+ | Bill Walden teamed up with Allie Hammond to release //The Long Winter// in 2018. He has also been working on new music since then. | ||
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+ | Gym Nicholson formed a band called Moral DK with Rob Gallas, [[Ric Alba]], Jeff Sheets, and Gary Olsen. Their first release was //Cold in August// in 2019 - produced by [[Ojo|Joe Taylor]]. The band is currently working on a follow-up release. | ||
===== Discography ===== | ===== Discography ===== | ||
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* [[https:// | * [[https:// | ||
+ | * [[https:// |
undercover.txt · Last modified: 2021/06/01 03:08 by admin