Grammatrain

Last updated
Grammatrain
Origin Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Genres
Years active1994–1998, 2009–present
Labels ForeFront, independent
Members Pete Stewart
Dalton Roraback
Paul Joseph Roraback

Grammatrain is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington that formed in 1994. The band was active in the Christian rock industry during the 1990s. Grammatrain disbanded in 1998 and reunited in 2009.

Contents

History

Grammatrain formed in 1994 with vocalist/guitarist Pete Stewart, drummer Paul Joseph Roraback and his brother, bassist Dalton Roraback. Paul was previously a drummer for the Christian metal band Paragon; [1] he performed on the band's two releases, Just Believe in 1984 and Dead and Alive in 1988, both of which were demos released exclusively on cassette. Grammatrain recorded a self-titled three-song demo cassette tape in 1994. After hearing the demo, ForeFront Records label executive Eddie DeGarmo signed the band. Before releasing their first studio album, Grammatrain released a self-titled demo CD on Zoe Worldwide Records containing four studio recordings and six live acoustic songs. In 1995, Grammatrain's first studio album, Lonely House, was released and produced by Aaron Sprinkle. [2] "Believe" and "She Don't Know" were released as singles from the album. [3] [4] Lonely House achieved success on Christian radio. [5]

Grammatrain's second studio album, Flying, was released in 1997. Critics cited the album's "lighter, more polished feel" when compared to Lonely House. [6] At the end of a tour promoting the album, Grammatrain officially broke up following their final live performance on December 7, 1998 in Germany. An announcement of the breakup can be heard on the band's live album. Grammatrain's live album, Live 120798, was released in 1999. [7] [8] The band appeared on ForeFront Records' Ten, The Birthday Album compilation, [9] as well as tribute albums to Stryper, [10] Petra, [11] and Larry Norman. [12]

Reunion

In early 2009, Grammatrain announced they reunited and were in the process of recording a new album. [13] Pete Stewart had left the Christian faith, however, and the album was not directed at Christian audiences. [14] Shortly after the announcement, the band played two reunion shows: one in Seattle and one in Germany. A limited-edition EP with songs from the forthcoming album was released at the shows and on the band's website.

In 2010, the single "The Last Sound" was released; the video was debuted at a Seattle Sounders FC match. [15] The song has been played at Qwest Field before the kickoff of Sounders matches, [16] and Sounders FC owner Drew Carey endorsed the song and promised to get a "proper video" made of it. [17] The video was produced and directed by Nik Venet, who had previously done videos for U2, Jane's Addiction and The White Stripes. [18] The song was also picked up by and released through Rock Band Network for the Xbox 360. [19]

Grammatrain's third studio album, Imperium, was released independently on October 10, 2010. [15]

Side projects

Following the breakup of Grammatrain in December 1998, Paul and Pete released several solo albums. In 1999, Pete Stewart released a self-titled solo album on ForeFront Records, followed by two independent solo albums, I Gave You a Desert and Under North Sky, released in 2007 and 2010. [20] Pete produced Michael Tait's band, Tait, performing on their first album. He also produced four tracks on the debut solo album for TobyMac, Momentum. In 2003, Stewart reemerged with The Accident Experiment.

Paul has released four solo albums under the name PJ Bostic: [21] [22] Bullies at the Border in 2008, 3MS (Three Minute Song) in 2013, Light Me On in 2015, and Faith of Least Resistance in 2021.

Discography

Grammatrain discography
Studio albums3
Live albums1
Video albums1
Music videos2
EPs2
Singles3
Demo albums2

Studio albums

Live albums

Video albums

Extended plays

Singles

Music videos

Demo albums

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References

  1. ↑ https://jesusfreakspodcast.buzzsprout.com/1223213/8255609-paul-roraback-grammatrain
  2. ↑ "Grammatrain, "Flying" Review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  3. ↑ ""Believe" (Grammatrain Official Website)". Archived from the original on May 7, 1999.
  4. ↑ ""She Don't Know" (Grammatrain Official Website)". Archived from the original on February 21, 1999.
  5. ↑ "Grammatrain Biography & Awards". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  6. ↑ "Grammatrain, "Flying" Review". www.jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  7. ↑ HM Magazine
  8. ↑ Gordon (a girl called) (January–February 2000). "Album Reviews: GRAMMATRAIN, Live 120798". HM Magazine (81). ISSN   1066-6923.
  9. ↑ Forefront Records#Trivia
  10. ↑ Sweet Family Music: A Tribute to Stryper
  11. ↑ Never Say Dinosaur
  12. ↑ "Music Search Feature" . Retrieved 2010-06-02.
  13. ↑ "Grammatrain: Behind The Tracks » Grammatrain: Behind the tracks, Part 1". Grammatrain.podbean.com. 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  14. ↑ "Music News, February 2009: GRAMMATRAIN TO RELEASE NEW STUDIO ALBUM IN 2009". Jesusfreakhideout.com. 2009-02-02. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
  15. 1 2 "[official Grammatrain site]". Grammatrain.net. Archived from the original on 2013-12-25.
  16. ↑ "Sounders: Sounders FC New Rock Anthem: "The Last Sound" (Grammatrain) - KCPQ". Q13fox.com. 2010-04-01. Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
  17. ↑ @DrewFromTV (November 4, 2010). "Make Way For The Sounders!!! Bitchin' tune by Seattle's Grammatrain: http://bit.ly/df8MeA I WILL get them a proper video for this" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. ↑ "THE LAST SOUND video « [official Grammatrain site]". Grammatrain.net. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  19. ↑ "The Last Sound by Grammatrain // Songs // Rock Band®". Rockband.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-05. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  20. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/artist/347089-Pete-Stewart-2
  21. ↑ https://pjbostic.com/music
  22. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/artist/4640307-PJ-Bostic
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