ApologetiX

Last updated

ApologetiX
ApologetiX 2009.jpg
2009 lineup - Rear: Tom Milnes, Tom Tincha, Jimmy Tanner, Front: J. Jackson, Keith Haynie, Bill Hubauer
Background information
Origin Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Genres Christian rock, CCM, comedy rock, parody
Years active1990–present
LabelsParodudes
MembersJ. Jackson
Keith Haynie
Jimmy Tanner
Bill Hubauer
Tom Milnes
Tom Tincha
Chris VonBartheld
Past membersKarl Messner
Jerry Hayostek
Bob Flaherty
Fred Behanna
Jeff Pakula
Rick Servocky
Andy Sparks
Bill "Moose" Rieger
Todd Waites
Website www.apologetix.com

ApologetiX is an American Christian parody band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The band was founded in 1990, and since then, has played in almost all 50 states, [1] and as of 2024 has released 75 studio albums, [2] and built up a fan club that includes over 65,000 people. [1] The band is currently composed of J. Jackson on vocals, Keith Haynie on bass guitar, Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner on drums, Bill Hubauer and Chris VonBartheld on keyboard, and Tom Milnes and Tom Tincha (a.k.a. "TNT"), both on lead guitar. [3]

Contents

The name ApologetiX is a play on apologetics , the defense of a religious doctrine, in particular, Christian apologetics. [2] The word is used in 1 Peter 3:15: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer [defense or "apologia"] to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." (NIV). [4]

History

ApologetiX has had six official drummers. Jeff Pakula (June 1990 – September 1993), Rick Servocky (November 1993 – April 1995), Bob Flaherty (May 1995 – September 1998), Fred Behanna (February 1999 – January 2001), Bill "Moose" Rieger (March 2001 – January 2005) and Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner (October 2005 – present). [5]

ApologetiX has had multiple other drummers as well, including: their longtime fill-in drummer, Keith Harrold (who played on Isn't Wasn't Ain't and Keep the Change); David McKee (who played on Jesus Christ Morningstar as well as two concerts in 1998); and Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz (the drummer for "Weird Al" Yankovic), who played on seven tracks on Biblical Graffiti. [2] Ron Zanski (two shows in 1993) and Allen Muckle (three shows in 2001) have also played with the band.

According to the band's website, Yankovic himself has told them that he thinks they do "...fabulous work". [2]

Since 2014, the band has been following a quarterly release schedule, producing a new studio album about every three months by releasing double singles bi-weekly. From 2014 to 2017, they were able to produce four albums per year. In 2018, their studio computers started to have speed issues,[ citation needed ] which slowed down the production of their albums. So far they have released two albums, with a third album on its way.

Musical style and lyrical themes

ApologetiX rewrites secular songs with Christian lyrics to create parodies with Christian messages, and, in the song "We're In A Parody Band," ApologetiX refers to itself as a cross between "Weird Al" Yankovic and Billy Graham.

The band's lyrical content is derived solely from Biblical passages and practices, frequently in a tongue-in-cheek manner. It is also noteworthy that lyrics are often embedded with Scripture references for further exploration of the song's content.

Some of their parodies include:

SongParody ofOriginal artist
"Lazy Brain""Crazy Train" Ozzy Osbourne
"Don't Be Fooled""Don't Be Cruel" Elvis Presley
"Hotel Can't Afford Ya""Hotel California" Eagles
"Christmasnite""Kryptonite" 3 Doors Down
"Enter Samson""Enter Sandman" Metallica
"The Real Sin Savior""The Real Slim Shady" Eminem
"Smells Like Thirtysomething Spirit""Smells Like Teen Spirit" Nirvana
"Bethlehemian Rhapsody""Bohemian Rhapsody" Queen
"Story of a Squirrel""Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" Nine Days
"More Than a Healing""More Than a Feeling" Boston
"The Devil Went Down to Jordan""The Devil Went Down to Georgia" Charlie Daniels Band
"We're Not Goin' to Canaan""We're Not Gonna Take It" Twisted Sister
"Set Him Free""Let It Be" The Beatles
"This Is From Paul""This Is a Call" Foo Fighters
"One More Wall""Wonderwall" Oasis
"Schoolhouse (for Prophets)""School's Out" Alice Cooper
"One Night in Bethlehem""One Night in Bangkok" Murray Head
"Drop Your Knife and Hurry Man""Rock You Like a Hurricane" Scorpions

Band members

Current
Former
Session

Timeline

ApologetiX

Discography

Studio albums

YearTitleLabel
1993 Isn't Wasn't Ain't Parodudes
1994 Radical History Tour Parodudes
1997TickedParodudes
1998Jesus Christ MorningstarParodudes
1999Biblical GraffitiParodudes
2000SpoofernaturalParodudes
2001Keep the ChangeParodudes
2002Grace PeriodParodudes
2003Adam UpParodudes
2005Apol-acoustiXParodudes
2006WordplayParodudes
2008Future TenseParodudes
2009RecoveryParodudes
2011Wise Up and RockParodudes
2012Orchard AvenueParodudes
2013Hot Potato SoupParodudes
2013Handheld MessiahParodudes
2014Singles GroupParodudes
2014Loaded 45sParodudes
2014ApoplecticParodudes
2014Unconditional ReleasesParodudes
2015Easter Standard TimeParodudes
2015Music Is As Music DoesParodudes
2015Play NiceParodudes
2015You Can't Say Euphrates Without The 80sParodudes
2016Doves In Snakes' ClothingParodudes
2016Minor LeagueParodudes
2016QuiltParodudes
2016Only A Glorified Cover BandParodudes
2017Very VicariousParodudes
2017ZebraicParodudes
2017From Hair to EternityParodudes
2017Xit Ego LopaParodudes
2018I Know You Are But What Am I?Parodudes
2018NicheyParodudes
2018That's Too BadParodudes
2019Double TakeParodudes
2019Sandwich PlatterParodudes
2019Conspiracy No. 56Parodudes
2019PrehystericalParodudes
2020Alien InvasionParodudes
2020BraggadociousParodudes
2020Decent AlternativeParodudes
2020Overdue BooksParodudes
2021Get Rich QuickParodudes
2021Never Before, But Then AgainParodudes
2021Apolog80s: Back From The FutureParodudes
2022Come See, Come SawParodudes
2022Rock's In Their HeadsParodudes
2022Kinda StuffyParodudes
2022Vision Gets Clearer As We Get CloserParodudes
2023EclecticParodudes
2023SeptuagintParodudes
2023Just RewordParodudes
2023Play It Again, SamsonParodudes
2024Unchained MedleyParodudes
2024Apologetix '74Parodudes
2024Zedekiah, Hezekiah, Jeroboam & Other GuysParodudes
2024X-TractParodudes
2025Apologetix '77Parodudes

EPs

YearTitleLabel
2012Orchard AvenueParodudes
2013Churchigo IIParodudes
2013Transformed SoulParodudes
2017Churchigo IIIParodudes
2017Churchigo IVParodudes

Live albums

YearTitleLabel
2005Hits: The RoadParodudes
2007Chosen OnesParodudes
2009The Boys Aren't Backin' DownParodudes
2010SoundproofParodudes
201220:20 VisionParodudes

Christmas albums

YearTitleLabel
2002Have Yourself A Parody Little ChristmasParodudes
2008The 12 Downloads of ChristmasParodudes

Compilation albums

YearTitleLabel
1992Rare, Not Well Done: ApologetiX Rarities, Vol. 1 & 2Parodudes
2004New & Used Hits: The Best of ApologetiX Vol. 1 & 2Parodudes
2010ApologetiX Classics -- The 60'sParodudes
2010ApologetiX Classics -- The 70'sParodudes
2010ApologetiX Classics -- The 70's, Vol. 2Parodudes
2010ApologetiX Classics -- The 80'sParodudes
2010ApologetiX Classics -- The 90'sParodudes
2010ApologetiX Classics -- The 2000'sParodudes
2010ApologetiX Classics -- OldiesParodudes
2010ApologetiX Classics -- CountryParodudes
2010ApologetiX Classics -- LiteParodudes
2010ApologetiX Classics -- HeavyParodudes
2010ApologetiX Classics -- PartyParodudes
2013ApologetiX Classics -- ChristmasParodudes

Filmography

YearTitleLabel
2003Downer of a Sister VideoParodudes
2005Samson Comes Alive: An Evening With ApologetiX DVDParodudes
201220:20 Video DVDParodudes

Awards

Chart positions of singles & albums

Albums

National Christian Retail Bestsellers Rock Chart, published by CCM (#15, November 2001)

National Christian Modern/College Rock Album Chart, ChristianBEATS (#1, May/June 2004)

National Christian Newest Rock Album Chart, American Christian Music Journal (#1, December 2004) National Christian Modern/Alternative Album Chart, American Christian Music Journal (#1, December 2004)

Singles

YearTitleAlbumParody of
2001"The Real Sin Savior"Keep The Change"The Real Slim Shady", Eminem
2002"Smooth Grandmama"Grace Period"Smooth Criminal", Michael Jackson
"How You Rewind Me""How You Remind Me", Nickelback
2003"Look Yourself"Adam Up"Lose Yourself", Eminem
"Downer of a Sister""Chop Suey", System of a Down
"Lifestyles of the Rich & Nameless""Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous", Good Charlotte
2005"JC's Mom"Hits: The Road"Stacy's Mom", Fountains of Wayne

References

  1. 1 2 Bonnett, Vaunda (February 25, 2005). "ApologetiX show opens new facility". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on December 17, 2005. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "FAQ". ApologetiX.
  3. "Bios". ApologetiX.
  4. "1 Peter 3:15 - Passage Lookup". Bible Gateway. Archived from the original on November 15, 2010. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  5. "Bios - Jimmy". ApologetiX.
  6. 1 2 Jones, Kim. "American Christian Music Awards, 2004". About.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012.