DC Talk is one of the most innovative Christian rock bands in history. They went from being CCM's premiere rap group to an alternative act almost flawlessly.
Toby McKeehan (Toby Mac), Michael Tait (Tait), and Kevin Max all came together while at Jerry Falwell's Liberty University. Their name is short for Decent Christian Talk. Their debut record, DC Talk, in 1989 was not good, but is still the highest selling CCM debut of all time. In 1990, their next record, Nu Thang, was much better, with the title track being one of Christian rap's first major hits, but it was 1992's record, Free At Last, that would change CCM forever. This hit rap record had no less than six hit songs.
In 1995, DC Talk blew the roof off Christian rock again. Jesus Freak would become the defining Christian song and album of the 90's decade. Even secular radio stations were flooded with requests to hear it.
In 1997, the band released a live album, Welcome to the Freakshow, and it was one of the most rocking live albums ever by a Christian artist. Then there was 1998's Supernatural, which was also a masterpiece. Later, a greatest hits package, Intermission, was released before the three members made Solo, and then solo they would go.
DC Talk successfully covered Larry Norman's "I Wish We'd All Been Ready" so good that many fans actually thought it was their orignal. All three members have been active in the battle against racism, and they've all written books about outstanding Christians called "Jesus Freaks". 2006 saw the release of the 10th anniversary edition of Jesus Freak, and 2007 saw another greatest hits package released.
Currently, all three members continue with their solo careers, although Michael Tait has recently joined the band Newsboys, and Kevin Max with Audio Adrenaline which makes hopes for a DC Talk reunion tour unlikely for die-hard fans.
For more information, check out their website at www.dctalk.com
No comments:
Post a Comment