ApologetiX

This article is about the Christian parody band. For the systematic defense of a position, see Apologetics. For other uses, see Apology (disambiguation).

ApologetiX
The Band
Background information
Origin	United States
Genres	Christian rock, CCM, comedy rock, parody
Years active	1992–present
Labels	Parodudes
Website	www.apologetix.com
Members
J. Jackson Keith Haynie Jimmy Tanner Bill Hubauer Tom Milnes Tom Tincha Todd Waites
Past members
Karl Messner Jerry Hayostek Bob Flaherty Fred Behanna Jeff Pakula Rick Servocky Andy Sparks Bill "Moose" Rieger

ApologetiX is a Christian parody band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The band was founded in 1992, and since then, has played in 44 states, released 17 studio albums, and built up a fan club that includes 45,000 people. The band is currently composed of J. Jackson on vocals, Keith Haynie on bass guitar, Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner on drums, Bill Hubauer and Todd Waites on keyboard, and Tom Milnes and Tom Tincha (a.k.a. "TNT"), both on lead guitar.

ApologetiX gets their name from the word "apologetics," which is a defense of the Christian faith. It is based on the Greek word for defense, "apologia." 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). Their logo, a triquetra, is an ancient symbol which has gained Christian use for the Holy Trinity. But it alone pre-dates Christianity.

History

One of the co-founders of ApologetiX, along with lead singer and lyricist J. Jackson, Karl Messner served as the band's lead guitarist and producer from the band's inception until early September 2007.

In the early days of the band, Karl shared lead guitar duties with Andy Sparks, until Andy moved to bass in the fall of 1993. After that, Karl played all lead guitars for the band, with occasional rhythm guitar by J. Jackson (from 1992–97). From 1998 on, he was band's sole guitarist until February 2004, when Bill Hubauer began touring with the band as both a keyboardist and guitarist. Karl was replaced as lead guitarist and producer by Bill Hubauer in September 2007. When ApologetiX added Tom Milnes and Tom Tincha on lead guitars in the fall of 2008, Bill was able to concentrate on keyboards again, while continuing to produce the band's CDs.

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-Current).

ApologetiX has had multiple other drummers as well. Their longtime fill-in drummer, Keith Harrold (played on Isn't Wasn't Ain't and Keep The Change), David McKee (played on Jesus Christ Morningstar as well as two concerts in 1998), and Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz (drummer for "Weird Al" Yankovic), who played 7 tracks on Biblical Graffiti. 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, Weird Al himself has told them he thinks they do "fabulous work."

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. Some of their parodies include "Micah No. 5" (Mambo No. 5 by Lou Bega) "Lazy Brain" (Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne), "Hotel Can't Afford Ya" ("Hotel California" by The Eagles), "Corinthians" (based on "In the End" by Linkin Park), "Look Yourself" ("Lose Yourself" by Eminem), "Smooth Grandmama" (based on the Alien Ant Farm cover version of "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson), "Smells Like Thirtysomething Spirit" ("Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana), "The Sounds of Silas" ("The Sounds of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel), and "Bethlehemian Rhapsody" ("Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen).

Band members

Current

• J. Jackson - Vocals (1992–present)
• Keith Haynie - Bass guitar (1995–present)
• Bill Hubauer - Keyboardist, producer (1998–present)
• Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner - Drums (2005–present)
• Tom Milnes - Lead guitarist (2008–present)
• Tom Tincha - Lead guitarist (2008–present)
• Todd Waites - Keyboardist (2011–present)

Former

• Karl Messner - Lead guitarist (1990–2007)
• Andy Sparks - Rhythm guitarist, Bass (1991–1995)
• Jerry Hayostek - Bass guitar (1992–1993)
• B.J. Collins - Keyboardist, producer (1997–1998)
• Jeff Pakula - Drums (1990–1993)
• Rick Servocky - Drums (1993–1995)
• Bob Flaherty - Drums (1995–1998)
• Fred Behanna - Drums (1999–2001)
• David McKee - Drums (2001)
• Bill "Moose" Rieger - Drums (2001–2005)

Session

• Steve Kayner - Bass (1993)
• Keith Harrold - Drums (1993–2000)
• Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz - Drums (1999)

Discography

Studio & live albums

Year	Title	Label
1993	Isn't Wasn't Ain't	Parodudes
1994	Radical History Tour	Parodudes
1997	Ticked	Parodudes
1998	Jesus Christ Morningstar	Parodudes
1999	Biblical Graffiti	Parodudes
2000	Spoofernatural	Parodudes
2001	Keep The Change	Parodudes
2002	Grace Period	Parodudes
2003	Adam Up	Parodudes
2005	Apol-acoustiX	Parodudes
2005	Hits: The Road	Parodudes
2006	Wordplay	Parodudes
2007	Chosen Ones	Parodudes
2008	Future Tense	Parodudes
2009	Recovery	Parodudes
2009	The Boys Aren't Backin' Down	Parodudes
2010	Soundproof	Parodudes
2011	Wise Up and Rock	Parodudes

Christmas Albums

Year	Title	Label
2002	Have Yourself A Parody Little Christmas	Parodudes
2008	The 12 Downloads of Christmas	Parodudes

Compilation albums

Year	Title	Label
2004	New & Used Hits: The Best of ApologetiX Vol. 1 & 2	Parodudes

Filmography

Year	Title	Label
2003	Downer of a Sister Video	Parodudes
2005	Samson Comes Alive: An Evening With ApologetiX DVD	Parodudes

Awards

• 2005 Best CD Award: New & Used Hits: The Best of ApologetiX Vol. 1 & 2 (Christianity Today's Reader's Choice Awards)
• 2004 Favorite Indie Artist (CCM Magazine Reader's Choice Awards)
• 2002 Recorded Fringe Song of the Year: "The Real Sin Savior" (American Christian Music Awards/ChristianBEATS)
• 2004 American Christian Music Awards, Alternative Song of The Year: "Lifestyles of The Rich & Nameless"
• 2004 American Christian Music Awards, Outstanding Modern/College Rock Artist

Chart positions of singles & albums

Albums

• Keep The Change

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

• Adam Up

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

• New & Used Hits: The Best of ApologetiX Vol. 1 & 2

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

Year	Title	Album	Parody of
2001	"The Real Sin Savior"	"Keep The Change	"The Real Slim Shady", Eminem
2002	"Smooth Grandmama"		"Smooth Criminal", Michael Jackson	"Grace Period
"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

Karl Messner

Karl Messner in 2007

Karl Messner is a Contemporary Christian Music artist who co-founded ApologetiX in 1992 with J. Jackson. He produced and played lead guitar on their first 14 albums, as well as performing nearly 1,000 concerts with the band in all 50 states and Canada.

Karl was instrumental in establishing ApologetiX as a successful independent Christian band. As a web developer and programmer Karl designed the band's website & created a program called "Dexter" that handles the booking, online sales & other aspects of the band. The internet & tools like Dexter are challenging the notion that for a band to be successful, it needs to be signed to a large record label.

He announced his first solo album, tentatively called Liberty, in March 2009. The album is expected to be released in 2011.

References

• article from HM Magazine
• article from AFA
• Christianity Today - Interview with Apologetix

External links

• Official website
• ApologetiX on Myspace
  • Karl Messner on Myspace
  • Karl Messner Official Website