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This article is about the Christian rock band. For the car, see Plymouth Reliant.
Relient K

Relient K (IPA: /ɹɛl.aɪ.ɛnt keɪ/) is a band that was formed in 1998 in Canton, Ohio. They are considered to be part of the alternative, pop punk, and Christian rock genres. The band named themselves after guitarist Matt Hoopes' Plymouth Reliant K car. The band has received numerous awards including a Grammy nomination in 2003 for Best Rock Gospel Album and two Dove Awards.[1][2][3]

All the members are Christians, although some fans have questioned the band being in the Christian rock genre. On this subject, lead singer Matt Thiessen stated in an interview:

"Our whole answer is, call us whatever you want. You can call us a Christian band, you can call us a rock and roll band. And we can go out on tour with this band, and we can go out on tour with that band. But we don't care. We're just doing what we do. We're having fun. We write about what we want to write about and, you know, most of the time, that's, you know, our hearts and our faith."

He went on to discuss how one just has to go for faith, and how he compared it to jumping off a cliff in a song ("Life After Death and Taxes (Failure II)").[4]

The band broke into the mainstream in 2004 after Capitol signed them and they released their fourth record, Mmhmm, which debuted at #15 on the Billboard 200, produced three top five hits on Christian radio and two top 20 hits on mainstream radio. Their fifth full length record, Five Score and Seven Years Ago, debuted at #6 on the U.S. Billboard 200. It has sold at least 150,000 copies to date.[5]

Members

Relient K was founded in 1998 by Matthew Thiessen on guitar and piano, Brian Pittman on bass, and Matt Hoopes on guitar.[1] Todd Frescone joined for a short time on the drums in 1998. After All Work and No Play, the band's demo album, Todd Frescone was replaced by Stephen Cushman. Cushman played drums on the band's first EP, 2000 A.D.D., and on their self-titled debut album in 2000, but left later that year to join the Christian metal band Narcissus. Jared Byers, drummer of the Christian rock band Bleach, filled in as the temporary drummer, until Dave Douglas joined in December of 2000. [2] This lineup remained static from the release of The Creepy EP and The Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek in 2001, through the release of Mmhmm in 2004, after which Brian Pittman left to start a landscaping company.[6] Pittman now plays bass for the Christian metal band Inhale Exhale. John Warne, lead singer and guitarist of Ace Troubleshooter, filled in as bassist for the remainder of 2004. He became full-time bassist in 2005. Also in 2005, Jon Schneck joined as a third guitarist, as well as a banjo and bell player, to create a fuller, more distinctive sound. This was also because the band planned to add more piano, and having another guitarist gave Matt Thiessen the freedom to do that.[3]

Current members

Former members

History

Beginnings (1998–2002)

Relient K first formed between the band's junior year in high school and their time at Malone College in Canton, Ohio.[citation needed] The friendships went even further into the past though, since band members Matt Thiessen, Matt Hoopes, and former bass player Brian Pittman have known each other since they were in second grade.[6]

The band's demo, All Work and No Play, caught the attention of dc Talk's Toby McKeehan(Toby Mac). All Work and No Play was recorded by Mark Lee Townsend, the former live guitar player for dc Talk. Townsend knew the band members because his daughter was friends with the band (she later married guitarist Matt Hoopes). After Toby signed the band to his label, Gotee Records, Relient K released their debut EP entitled 2000 A.D.D. EP in 2000. Later that year, they released Relient K, their first full-length CD. It was distinctly Christian rock and featured lyrics with a wide range of pop-culture references.[7]

In 2001, the band released their second album, The Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek. This album launched both Relient K and their sound to a whole new level. There were still plenty of pop-culture references on this album.[7] It contained many more softer songs and slightly lighter guitars. [4] They would continue chords through tracks in order to fluidly transition in between songs, a trend that continued on their later albums. [5]

Rising popularity and mainstream success (2002–2003)

Anatomy landed them in the Christian rock limelight, and Relient K was offered a clothing deal with Abercrombie & Fitch in 2001.[7] Gotee, their label, accepted the offer on Relient K's behalf; Pittman recalls, "The choice was never really given to us. The label made the choice."[6] After significant pressure from conservative Christian organizations such as Focus on the Family, Gotee backed out of the contract.

In 2002 they were then asked to do a rendition of the popular VeggieTales song "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" for the 2002 VeggieTales movie Jonah. The song was released on three different albums, two in single form. The first version also included their song "Breakdown" being sung by Larry the Cucumber. There was also a promotional version which included the original version of "Breakdown". A cut-down version (missing the bridge) was included on the Christian rock compilation Veggie Rocks!. This song mixes the sounds of The Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek and their third album, Two Lefts Don't Make a Right...but Three Do.

In 2003, Relient K released Two Lefts Don't Make a Right...but Three Do. The album had multiple covers of different colors, each depicting a car in some kind of wreck. As pop-culture references became less specific, sound and vocals became far more defined. [7] [8] Two Lefts Don't Make a Right...but Three Do (often called Two Lefts by fans) combined the soft, meaningful songs of The Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek and threw in fast-paced songs with deep lyrics. [9] [10] It was nominated for a Grammy in the category of "Best Rock Gospel Album"[1] and won the Dove Award for "Modern Rock Album of the Year" in 2004.[2]

During this time, Relient K also released a limited edition red vinyl EP entitled The Vinyl Countdown, only released in one printing. The EP included two versions of the song, "Five Iron Frenzy is Either Dead or Dying." The same year, Relient K made a special appearance at the final Five Iron Frenzy concert at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, Colorado where they performed, for the very last time, "Five Iron Frenzy is Either Dead or Dying."[citation needed] The album was dedicated to Jesse Alkire, contest winner and friend of Matthew Thiessen, who inspired the song "The Vinyl Countdown."[8]

Since Two Lefts Don't Make a Right...but Three Do was released in March of 2003, Relient K released a bonus disc for Christmas, entitled Deck the Halls, Bruise Your Hand. The album was packaged with Two Lefts Don't Make a Right...but Three Do from November 2003 to December 2003. [11]

Mmhmm (2004–2006)

In late 2004, the group released their long-expected fourth album, Mmhmm. Pop-culture references were even less specific than on their third album, if not non-existent. The album was significantly more on the serious side with very few of the silly songs the band was known for.[12] The album is much more piano-driven in parts (including an entire song, "Let It All Out"),[13] but more hard rock in others ("Which to Bury, Us or the Hatchet").[14] In July 2005, the album was certified gold for shipping over 500,000 copies. It is reported that it has sold approximately 796,000 copies.[9] Driven by newfound recognition from Mmhmm, Two Lefts Don't Make a Right...but Three Do was also certified gold in spring 2005. Also, it was announced in 2006 that their second record, The Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek, had reached the Gold rank as well. It achieved certification by the RIAA. In Norway Relient K was one of the 2004's best new bands along with Bloc Party, Hawthorne Heights, and Motion City Soundtrack.

Mmhmm features two top 40 hits which both made it on MTV's Top Ten. The track "Be My Escape," which can be found on Mmhmm, is the band's most popular mainstream song to date. Its music video entered MTV's Top Ten, and landed them an appearance on The Tonight Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live. "Be My Escape" is also featured on Now! 19, a popular secular and quasi-annual compilation series. It was classified as a gold single in October of 2005. [15] The music video for "Who I Am Hates Who I've Been," also from Mmhmm, has also made its way onto the TRL countdown,[10] many top 40 radio stations, and was included on Now! 21. In early June 2005, the band was featured on MTV's 10 Spot Drop, which gave the band a boost in its popularity, as did their Spring 2005 tour opening for Simple Plan and Good Charlotte and having the main stage slot on the 2005 Van's Warped Tour.[citation needed] Mmhmm was awarded a Dove Award in 2006 for the "Rock Album of the Year."[3] The band was also nominated for "Artist of the Year" and "Band of the Year" at GMA Canada's 2006 Covenant Awards[11] and Canada's Juno Awards for "Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year."[12] The band qualifies for these awards because Matt Thiessen was born in St. Catharines, Ontario in Canada.[citation needed]

Between September and November 2006, Relient K played on the Nintendo Fusion Tour with Hawthorne Heights, Emery, Plain White T's, and The Sleeping.[13]

Five Score and Seven Years Ago (2006–present)

Relient K live at the Christian rock festival Purple Door 2006

Recording for the new album, Five Score and Seven Years Ago, started (according to Thiessen at the Ichthus Music Festival 2006)[citation needed] on June 18, 2006 and continued for parts of July and August. Some tracks on the album were produced by Howard Benson (All-American Rejects, My Chemical Romance, P.O.D.). Matt Thiessen, the lead singer, has been quoted as saying that the title of the album comes from the fact that it's the band's fifth album, it is the first time all five of them are on a record together, and it has been seven years since they formed the band.[14] Relient K headlined Onefest 2006.

While the band hoped for a November 2006 release, the official release date was announced as March 6, 2007.[14] The album features 14 songs and is considered, by the band, to be their happiest record. On March 2, 2007 the entire album (except "Deathbed") was made available for streaming on the band's MySpace. Five Score and Seven Years Ago debuted at #6 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling about 64,000 copies in its first week.[5] The album also debuted at #2 on the iTunes best-selling albums chart, under Neon Bible by Arcade Fire.

The band's first single from the album, "Must Have Done Something Right," was released on iTunes on November 28 and to radio on January 9, 2007. "Forgiven," a radio single directed at Christian stations, is also being aired now. "Forgiven" was the most added song on Christian radio and entered Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart on January 11, 2007. In Britain, under EMI which Relient K is signed to, Relient K has decided to sell their songs in MP3 format. The single "Must Have Done Something Right" went on sale December 5, 2006 via Yahoo's online music service. This download also includes the song "Fallen Man."[15]

"Must Have Done Something Right" was performed on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on March 2, 2007. They performed "The Best Thing" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on April 12, 2007.

It has been announced by the band's manager on the band's forums that the second single from the album will be "The Best Thing." It was released to radio on April 10, 2007. It took the 7th most adds in its first week and it is currently at #49 on the Top 40 charts. Matt Thiessen, the lead singer, has said that "The Best Thing" is "the anti-Daniel Powter 'Bad Day' song. It's straight-up positive." The video for this song has recently been released. It features the band in an abandoned warehouse performing the song while a girl is taking pictures of them. The video is currently posted on the band's MySpace page.[16]

Members of both Switchfoot and Relient K have been talking about touring together, and Switchfoot confirmed the rumors this fall during the ALIVE Festival. Relient K and Switchfoot will be co-headlining, but Switchfoot will be playing last every night. Ruth will be opening for them. It is expected to be given an official announcement complete with tour dates soon. Matt Thiessen stated in a blog entry on the Relient K website that there will be a fall tour but did not hint at any details except the two bands are trying to figure out a way to incorporate Habitat for Humanity into the tour [17]. On July 12, 2007, Switchfoot's website released a new video podcast[18] and blog, and in the middle of the video podcast there is a short intermission where all the band members of Switchfoot and Relient K announced there will be a tour in the fall of 2007 with more details to come. Relient K and Switchfoot both played at the Los Angeles premier of the movie Evan Almighty on June 22, 2007.[19] They will be playing at the Lizard Fair in Midland, Michigan on August 15, 2007 with Chris Daughtry.

In the early morning of June 28, 2007, Relient K's bus caught fire. Everyone made it out safely, but the band lost many instruments, laptops, cameras, phones, iPods, clothes, and merchandise. Matt Thiessen said he lost a laptop that had roughly 100 unfinished songs on it, and Dave Douglas lost his Battlefield drum set. In the midst of it, the band still laughed at the situation, calling it "cinematic". [20] On a blog post on their website, Matt Thiessen stated that the next day after the fire, the band went to view the damage of their van and found 85% of their gear was intact, Douglas's drum kit set was not salvageable.[21] A member of the Switchfoot forums first announced it, asking everyone to pray for the band. The band had just played Creation Northeast, and had to cancel their appearance at Cornerstone Festival in Illinois, which the band has named as one of their favorite shows to do. They have not said if they did, but they still planned to play their next show on Saturday, June 30.

The band is releasing a new Christmas album on October 23, 2007. The new Christmas album will be a re-released version of their 2003 Christmas album, Deck the Halls, Bruise Your Hand but it will contain 7 new songs.[22] Matt Thiessen confirmed this on RelientK.com on August 5, 2007. [23] The CD is titled Let it Snow, Baby... Let it Reindeer. Jesus Freak Hideout announced it all in detail on August 21, 2007.[24] [25]

The Band also took part in McDonald's Summer 2007 music tour. Every band involved in the tour has the chance to be involved in a future McDonald's ad. Votes by viewers will be counted to decide who will win. The band encourages fans to vote for them. All live shows are available for viewing at http://www.mcdlive.com/.

Relient K as a Christian band

It has been debated among some fans and critics whether or not Relient K is a Christian band. On the subject of the band's music, Matt Thiessen said, "Call us whatever you want. Like you can call us Christian band, you can call us a rock and roll band, we can go on tour with this band, we can go on tour with that band. But, we don't care, we're just doing what we do, we're having fun, we write about what we want to write about and, you know, most of the time, that's, you know, our hearts and our faith and stuff like that."[4]

In the February 2007 edition of CCM Magazine, there is an article discussing Christian artists in the mainstream industry. Matt Thiessen was interviewed on the subject, and had a few quotes mentioned throughout the article.

"It's time to move on," according to Relient K's Matt Thiessen. "It's time for Christian music to bleed into everything."

Relient K's Thiessen sees it as a very good sign. "Bands don't have to go through the Christian music door," he says, "to express what they believe in through a song."

"That's what Christianity is all about," Thiessen adds. "C.S. Lewis wasn't about just writing to Christians to make them better. He was about writing books that everyone could read and expand their minds. That's what music is all about, too. [Not long] ago it was absurd that P.O.D. was doing Ozzfest or that Sixpence None the Richer was all over the radio. Then, all the sudden, it's all changed."[citation needed]

Discography

Main article: Relient K discography

Albums

Release Date Album US Billboard Peak RIAA Certification
April 25, 2000 Relient K Gold
August 25, 2001 The Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek #158 Gold
March 11, 2003 Two Lefts Don't Make a Right...but Three Do #38 Gold
November 2, 2004 Mmhmm #15 Gold
March 6, 2007 Five Score and Seven Years Ago #6

Other projects

The Complex Infrastructure Known as the Female Mind

In 2004, Relient K released a book entitled The Complex Infrastructure Known as the Female Mind. The book clues in the confused male Relient K fans on some of the inner workings of the female species. The band gives advice on the opposite sex through personal experience, stereotypes (including Rocker and Vanilla Pudding), and Biblical advice—presented in the fun attitude found in their music. The title of the book is taken from the last line of the song "Mood Rings," which is found on their third album, Two Lefts Don't Make a Right...but Three Do.

Woodland Forest

In June 2006, Relient K released the first episode of their own flash cartoon. The cartoon features all five band members, and takes place in a fictional land known as Woodland Forest. It is animated by bassist John Warne. Episodes will continue to be released on a regular basis (at least, according to the band; so far there has only been one episode), and can be found on YouTube.[26] The cartoon also features "Merle the Squirrel," who is now on Relient K t-shirts, and has his own MySpace page.[27]

Not much is known about the history of the forest, nor its size or exact location. It is most likely somewhere in northern Ohio, as the band hails from that area.[citation needed]

Only seven living things have ever been spotted within its borders. They are: Matt Thiessen, Dave Douglas, Jon Schneck, Matt Hoopes, and John Warne, as well as Merle the Squirrel and a mysterious talking tree.

Strange happenings occur within Woodland Forest, such as magically appearing cabbages, flying bassists, and people made of glass. It is not uncommon for weights to fall from the sky. The scientific nature behind these events has yet to be explained. Possibly they will be touched upon in later episodes. Some new animation is said to be done for episode 2 and maybe even episode 3, as Matt Thiessen recently talked about it. He said he is done recording his voice for episode 2.[citation needed]

Podcasts

Relient K has made a total of nine audio podcasts and five video podcasts. The nine audio podcasts were made during the band's time on the Matt Hoopes Birthday Tour. They included interviews with the band members, their guitar techs, and various other people who help them on tour. There were also interviews with the other touring bands, The Rocket Summer and Maxeen.

The five video podcasts include various scenes in the studio, as well as the band doing things outside the studio, much like the video podcasts made by Switchfoot. The first two video podcasts showed the band in the studio preparing for the recording of Five Score and Seven Years Ago, and Dave Douglas recording the drum parts, respectively. The third video podcast was a collection of footage and discussions from the Nintendo Fusion Tour, and a Mario Kart DS Tournament between the five band members. The fourth video podcast showed Jon Schneck and Dave Douglas preparing for a boxing match (which is also included and completed in the Wal-Mart "Devastation and Reform" video), and the fifth video podcast showed the completion of the battle. There is a sixth unreleased video podcast including John Warne fulfilling his lifelong dream of walking into a room with the AutoZone Theme Song playing. It shows Warne recording the song with the assistance of Dave Douglas and Jon Schneck. It can be found on YouTube at the present time, and it is currently unofficially released on the site, as it has not made it to the band's official site.

Side projects

Both Matt Thiessen and Dave Douglas each have two of their own side projects, respectively.

Matt Thiessen has Matthew Thiessen and the Earthquakes, a soft and sometimes emotional project that primarily features Thiessen on the piano. He started it in 1998, around the time Relient K was started. He has released seven songs either online or on various CD releases. Thiessen also has The Makeout Girls, a less serious side project that features his friend, Kevan Peden. They have done one known song, which was the hidden track known as "Silly Shoes" from Two Lefts Don't Make a Right...but Three Do, and almost never mention this as a side project.

Dave Douglas has Agnes, a solo rock project that somewhat features the sound of Relient K's earlier music and a sort of sound of his own, for which he has released three songs. Douglas also has started a project called Gypsy Parade, a softer project that he started with his wife. They have released two demo songs on their MySpace with more on the way.

Three tracks were featured on the compilation album My Other Band, Vol. 1 on Mono vs Stereo records in 2006, from both Matt Thiessen's side project Matthew Thiessen and the Earthquakes, and Dave Douglas' side project Agnes.

Trivia

  • The band's name was intentionally misspelled to avoid trademark infringement over the Reliant name. When they later found out that the trademark wouldn't be an issue, they kept the name, as they found the misspelling funny.[citation needed]
  • Not only does Matt Hoopes still have his old Plymouth Reliant, but Matt Thiessen has also said that after the band started, he bought his own Reliant K.
  • The advanced version of their self-titled album had a slightly altered tracklisting order and a later-omitted vocal track titled "Ed Sullivan."
  • Matt Thiessen doesn't play his guitar with a pick, but with his thumb.
  • As a homage to their own song, the band used to encourage fans to bring Skittles and Combos to shows. While they no longer encourage it, fans still do, and often throw packages to the band. In addition, small packages of each are sometimes placed on the stage by the crew prior to performances. Thiessen also later on admitted that he despised Skittles and had no idea what Combos were.
  • Jeremy Thiessen, the drummer for the band downhere, is not related to Matt Thiessen, though Matt does have a brother named Jeremy.[16]
  • The band has a trend of playing cover songs at their shows, and they usually pick well known songs from the 1980s or TV and movie themes. Songs they have covered live include "Danger Zone," "Take My Breath Away," "That Thing You Do," "Everywhere You Look" (the theme from Full House)," "I Want It That Way," and music from Super Mario Bros.. They have also covered such artists as MC Hammer and Shania Twain in their first few years of touring.[citation needed] During the band's tour following the release of Five Score And Seven Years Ago they covered "Surf Wax America", which was originally performed by Weezer, and "Sloop John B" which was originally performed by The Beach Boys. For the summer Christian festivals in 2007, they also performed "Head Over Heels", originally by Tears for Fears, as an intro to "In Love With the 80's".
  • Hollister Co. stores allow customers to choose music to play in the store from a touch-screen computer on the wall, which sometimes includes music from Relient K's releases Mmhmm, Apathetic EP, and Five Score and Seven Years Ago.
  • The band supports the organization Invisible Children Inc., with some of the members playing benefit shows for it.[citation needed]
  • In August 2007, Relient K's song "The Best Thing" appeared in a one-minute commercial for ABC's fall season, with the song playing through the entire length of the commercial.[28]

References

  1. ^ a b "Complete List of Grammy Awards Nominations". Associated Press. 2003-04-12. Retrieved 2007-03-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b "Dove Award Recipients for 2004". Gospel Music Association. Retrieved 2007-02-21.
  3. ^ a b "Dove Award Recipients for 2006". Gospel Music Association. Retrieved 2007-02-13.
  4. ^ a b "Relient K Interview". Ichthus Music Festival. 2005. Retrieved 2007-03-27. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ a b Hasty, Katie (2007-03-14). "Notorious B.I.G. 'Great' Again On The Billboard 200". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2007-03-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ a b Mansfield, Brian (2004-11-29). "Can this punk-pop band make it big? 'Mmhmm'". USA Today. Retrieved 2007-03-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ a b c Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (First printing ed.). Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. pp. 750–751. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
  8. ^ "Music News: July 2003". Jesus Freak Hideout. 2003-07-24. Retrieved 2007-03-26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ "Relient K draws fans in Christian, mainstream markets". Billboard. 2007-02-10. Retrieved 2007-03-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ "TRL: October 3, 2005". TV.com. 2005-11-03. Retrieved 2007-03-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ "28th Annual Covenant Awards Nominees". GMA Canada. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
  12. ^ "2006 Juno Winners". CTV.ca. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
  13. ^ "Hawthorne Heights Headlines Nintendo Fusion Tour". Nintendo. 2006-07-18. Retrieved 2007-03-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ a b Montgomery, James. "Relient K Pump Serious Rock, Sugary Pop In The Tank For Upcoming LP". MTV News. January 2, 2007. Retrieved January 15, 2007.
  15. ^ Veiga, Alex. "Major labels to offer music in MP3 format". MSNBC. December 6, 2006. Retrieved January 15, 2007.
  16. ^ Brandt, Randy (2003-05-11). "Interview with Relient K". Contend 4 The Faith. Retrieved 2006-12-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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