Remembering Audio Adrenaline - A Final Farewell It’s always a strange feeling when a band that you grew up on decides to throw in the towel and move on to other things.
Audio Adrenaline, love them or hate them, have defined Christian music for a generation.
Audio Adrenaline is releasing their final album, Adios: The Greatest Hits. It's always a strange feeling when a band that you grew up on decides to throw in the towel and move on to other things. I vividly remember attending a youth group party at a friend's house and hearing for the first time "We're A Band" from Audio A's debut release. The mix-tape (note tape, not CD) contained other Christian artists, but the energy filled track (not their best work, mind you) stuck with me and I made my very first Christian music purchase the next day. Don't Censor Me became my second tape and traded frequent plays with Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA.
The debut album, released 13 years ago (has it been that long?), has not stood up well against the test of time. If it were not for many connections to my early discovery of Christian music, songs like "AKA Public School," "Don't Censor Me" and the ever popular "Big House" would be borderline unbearable. However, these songs bring me back to some wonderful memories and I've enjoyed going back to Don't Censor Me, many times.
When Bloom came out, I think everyone started to realize the potential of this band. The CD spawned many hits including "Never Gonna Be As Big As Jesus," "I'm Not The King" and "Walk On Water" and established Audio Adrenaline as a pioneer in leading the way for Christian rockers of the future.
The next ten years were very kind to Audio A as they released five more albums containing hit after hit like "Ocean Floor," "Mighty Good Leader," "Chevette," "Some Kind Of Zombie," and my personal favorites, "Get Down," "King," "Leaving 99" and "Hands and Feet."
Audio Adrenaline never ceased to amaze on stage as well. I had the opportunity to see them a number of times. The first was at Jesus Northwest 12 years ago (which was later replaced by the Creation West music festival). I remember three things from that four day event. Falling in love with Rebecca St. James (things never worked out), being floored by PFR (they also didn't stick around to see me grow up) and sweating up a storm rocking out to Audio Adrenaline. The last time I saw them perform was last year, at Creation West. My wife and I, who are not uber-fans by any definition, were expecting an ok show from a solid group. What we got was a huge surprise as they performed one of the best sets of the event.
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Audio Adrenaline, love them or hate them, have defined Christian music for a generation, much like label mates dc talk. They gave kids something different to listen to than what was dominating Christian music in those days (Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith). And they have stuck with it for 15 solid years.
With the release of Adios, comes a special edition CD/DVD that includes a third new song, a cover of Charlie Peacock's "Down in the Lowlands." Additionally, the DVD includes eight Audio Adrenaline videos, an extensive interview with the band and some of the top artists in Christian music talking about the impact of AudioA's music. Among those sharing their thoughts and some reminiscences are tobyMac, Steven Curtis Chapman, Relient K, MercyMe and Pillar.
So with 15 years of ministry wrapping up this year, I'm sure there are others reading this who have similar stories about how you were introduced to the band and how they have affected your Christian music experiences. I'd love to see hundreds of comments on this post so that in a few months, we can share with the band how they have impacted our lives. Take a second and post your "Adios" to Audio A.
Posted August 01, 2006 | Kevin McNeese started NRT in 2002 and has worked in the industry since 1999 in one form or another. He has been a fan of Christian music since 1991.
NRTeam Comments (30) Average NRTeam Article Rating:
Great music with God's presence felt| Posted April 12, 2008
Audio A was always one of my favorite bands at Creation West. Seeing them for the final time in 2006 was very moving. I know these guys will all continue their ministry in other ways.
Thank You Audio A!| Posted February 13, 2008
I just want to post my thanks to Audio A for there many years of great music making! My favorite memory of Audio A is when they came to play at Lee University when I was in middle school! It was the best concert I had ever been to, and afterward the band threw the football with me and my dad and younger brother! My mom was in charge of running the concerts that were at Lee at the time so we got to chill with the band! And they were really nice guys! So thanks Audio A! You will be greatly missed!
Best Festival Band period| Posted February 05, 2008
I went to Alive Festival the previous five years and Ichthus the past two years. Two years ago I did back to back shows seeing Audio A. At Iggy it was phenominal as the IO (Ichthus ONline people like myself) we petitoned the head folks to have them close the festival. Needless to say it was awesome. A very moving tribute to me the best festival band there is. I am a Third Day Gomer and I have to say Audio A. at a festival was always great. Both shows were good but man o man if you were at Ichthus you sensed it as there were times it seemed you could hear a pin drop when Mark was talking. Wow!
Audio A| Posted August 14, 2007
I started with "Never Gonna Be As Big As Jesus" and have bought every CD they've put out and even copied some of the videos from TV. I got my son listening and Audio and DC Talk became his favorite groups. We were able to finally see them last year at Spirit West Coast and we agreed it was the saddest and best night of the concert. We will really miss them but wish each one the very best and look forward to seeing some of them in new bands. It also has given us a charity we are wanting to help...the Hands and Feet school. Guys...you have trulky blessed us...thank you!
Previous Comment| Posted June 12, 2007
Here is a comment from when this article was originally posted on NRT.
Roberts family - May 15th, 2007
Guys, You’ve made such a positive imact on my kids. We saw your gig at Wilkes-Barre in March. Mark put the microphone up to my son who was petrified but mystified-we were 4 rows from the stage!!! We had such a great time, and truly wish you all the best, and thank you for the positive impact you’ve had on me over the years, and now my kids. May God continue to use you for His kingdom.
Previous Comment| Posted June 12, 2007
Here is a comment from when this article was originally posted on NRT.
Danny - August 28th, 2006
I have been listening to Audio A since their first CD came out (the one before Don’t Censor Me), so at 44 I am probably one of their oldest fans. I got my daughters hooked on AudioA at a young age. It’s been great listening to your music, guys. I know that you will follow God wherever He may lead. Thank the Lord, I got to see you one more time in Tucson the other night. ttfn!
Previous Comment| Posted June 12, 2007
Here is a comment from when this article was originally posted on NRT.
Ryan - August 9th, 2006
Well, I guess my intro to Audio A cam a bit later than most people’s. The first time I ever really knew about them was when I saw them in concert, and I must admit, I was absolutely blown away. Then, to make things even better, they invited our youth group backstage after the concert, which I actually missed because I was buying their CD Lift in the back, and then was asked to leave by security guards when I tried to meet up with my youth group. One year later, they came to Iowa, and by this time, I knew all of their hits by heart, and was a huge fan. We showed up for the show 4 hours earlier, and Cheese, the guy who had introduced the band at the first concert, and who had gotten us backstage because of my friend’s Cheese Is Good T-shirt, walked out, and recognized us, and let us in early. We got a tour of the setup, and I got to meet Mark, Ben, and Tyler. I may have seen Will, but I don’t think I talked to him before the concert. Anyways, Cheese got us to work selling t-shirts for Kutless, who was in the concert alongside Toby Mac, Hawk Nelson and Audio A. When Audio-A’s concert came up, I fought my way to the front, and got to sing on stage. After the concert, Cheese got us to talk to the band. They signed stuff, told us about Until My Heart Caves In, and even hugged us all. It was by far the coolest thing that had ever happened to me. We saw them again in Branson a year later. Ben waved, and I think so did Mark, but we didn’t get backstage that time. Still, we were front row again, and I got on stage again. They’ve been my favorite band since that first concert. I plan on seeing them one more time. I want to talk to them again, cuz that was unbelievably freakin awesome! But who knows. I just want to see them one more time.
Previous Comment| Posted June 12, 2007
Here is a comment from when this article was originally posted on NRT.
Lindsay - August 7th, 2006
hey all… if you’re looking for a way to make sure your messages reach the AA guys themselves, please check out the MEMORY BOOK thread on the AA message board (http://www.junkiesunite.com/index.php?showtopic=4303) for information on how you can be involved!! going out in a blaze of glory, indeed…..
