Church of Rhythm

Last updated
Church of Rhythm
Origin Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres
Years active1992 (1992)–1999 (1999)
Labels
Past members
  • Jason Gregory
  • Max Hsu
  • Carlton Coleman
  • Nathan Clair
  • Dave Ghazarian
  • Paul Shamoun
  • Jerome Cunningham
  • Matt Miller

Church of Rhythm was an American Christian pop band from Chicago, Illinois, active from 1992 until 1999.

Contents

History

During 1992, singer and guitarist Max Hsu, founder of Superchick, created the group in Willow Creek Community Church, with his friends Jason Gregory, Carlton Coleman, and Nathan Clair. [2] [3] This initial lineup featured Gregory, Coleman, and Hsu singing, while Clair played keyboards. [4] During 1993, Church of Rhythm went to Milwaukee to release a demo tape, expecting to get signed to a record label, but success was limited. However, when Hsu released a music video for "Take Back the Beat", several labels were interested in the band. [2]

By late 1994, the band would be signed onto Reunion Records, who planned to debut them during the middle of 1995. [5] They would release their self-titled debut album during May 1995, which sold over 50,000 copies and peaked at number 40 on the US Top Christian Albums during August that year. [2] [6] It was later rereleased on October the same year as Only the Funky: The Collective Remixes of Church of Rhythm, a remix consisting of dancehall versions of the album's songs. [4] [2]

Clair and Coleman left the band by early 1996, [1] being replaced by Matt Miller on drums, Paul Shamoun as a vocalist and percussionist, Dave Ghazarian playing guitar, and Jerome Cunningham as a bassist. [4] Around that time, the band stopped using backing tracks, transitioning into a live band. [7] They released their second and final album. Not Perfect , in 1996, [7] promoting it by holding concerts throughout the United States. [8] The band eventually disbanded in 1999. [1]

Discography

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Church of Rhythm". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Womer, Kelly (17 December 1995). "Church of Rhythm has method to its message" . Chicago Tribune. p. Tempo Northwest 4. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  3. ↑ Pinkston, Jeanette (5 March 2007). "Christian bands set to rock Youth 2007". United Methodist News. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Powell, Mark Allan (2003). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (2. print ed.). Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson. p. 174. ISBN   978-1-56563-679-8.
  5. ↑ "Artists & Music". Billboard. 1994-12-24. p. 21. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  6. ↑ "Top Contemporary Christian". Billboard. 19 August 1995. p. 31.
  7. 1 2 VanArendonk, Nancy (23 November 1996). "Church of Rhythm on being Not Perfect" . Reporter-Times. p. 14. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  8. ↑ Rogers, Rick (15 September 1996). "More Than 350 Entertainers Performing at Fair". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
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