Retro Insider - "Stryper"

They were the ultimate crossover metal band of the 80's as they actually got legitimate attention from the secular world. Two-thirds of their millions of records sold were bought by non-Christians, and they were the Christian party band who impressed mainstream fans with their sincerity. Known for their big hair, make-up and yellow and black spandex, we can only be talking about the band Stryper.
Stryper consisted of drummer Robert Sweet, bassist Tim Gaines, guitarist Oz Fox, and vocalist Michael Sweet. The Sweet brothers came to Christ through evangelist Jimmy Swaggart's ministry. For their original demo, they recorded their songs without explicit Christian lyrics. After they signed, they presented their record label Enigma with the same songs, but with different lyrics. Albums included Yellow and Black Attack, Soldiers Under Command, To Hell with the Devil, In God We Trust, and Against the Law. Hits included "Honestly", "I Believe in You", "Together As One", and "Always There for You".
Christian bookstores carried their records until backlash occurred. Swaggart spearheaded the Christian mission against Stryper, saying that Stryper's in-concert practice of throwing Bibles to the fans was "like casting pearls among swine". Then in 1990, Rolling Stone magazine reported that Stryper had gone the way of the world, openly smoking and drinking, however, the band would later refute the story. More rumours circulated in 1992, that Michael was leaving the band to be replaced by Dale Thompson of Bride, although this never happened.
Recently, Stryper has played reunion shows, and has released a new record in the last year, Murder by Pride. Michael Sweet has released four solo records, and recently released a hymn project called Him.
Not gone, and definitely not forgotten, Stryper has made an impact on the world around them, for better or for worse. Interestingly enough, in 1987, a teenage female student in New Jersey wore a Stryper To Hell with the Devil tour shirt to school. Although other classmates wore satanic shirts, because her shirt had the word "hell" on it she received a three day suspension!
For more information, check out their website at www.stryper.com