The O.C. Supertones
The O.C. Supertones |
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The Orange County Supertones (a.k.a. The O.C. Supertones a.k.a. The Supertones) was a Christian ska band hailing from Orange County, California. The band was signed to Tooth & Nail Records before becoming an independent band for its final tour. The OC Supertones was one of the first widely successful Christian Ska bands.
History
The band began in the early 1990s as Saved.[1] Originally formed by Matt Morginsky, Jason Carson and Tony Terusa while in Junior High School,[2] the band played a mix of many styles including punk, rap, metal, disco, and funk.[3] In 1995 they formed as The Orange County Supertones and settled on a ska based sound, similar to Operation Ivy or Mike Park's Skankin' Pickle.[2]
In the late 1990s The Supertones achieved wide popularity in the Christan Rock community. Their second album, 1997's release Supertones Strike Back, was a surprise smash hit, peaking on both Billboard's Heatseekers and Top Christian Albums charts at #3 and #2 respectively.
Beginning with a more traditional ska sound, The Supertones moved next to a harder rock sound, which eventually changed again with more of a pop-rock influence. Their next two albums, 1999's Chase the Sun and 2000's Loud and Clear, each charted on the Billboard 200 chart.[4]
They continued to release albums until 2005, when they announced plans to break up. The band released Unite, a greatest hits compilation, and played their last show at Biola University in La Mirada, California on October 7, 2005. former members Jason Carson, Darren Mettler and Tony Terusa re-joined the band on stage for three songs. Kevin "Slim" Chen was on hand but did not play with the band. The Supertones played for 2 1/2 hours at their final show, playing close to 30 songs.
On March 11, 2008 BEC Recordings, Inc. released "The Ultimate Collection," a sort of greatest hits album with select songs from each of the bands studio albums, with the exception of "Revenge of the O.C. Supertones," which has no tracks represented.
On February 12, 2008 former Supertones guitarist Ethan Luck became the newest member playing drums for the Christian Punk Pop band, Relient K.
Former front man Matt Morginsky released his debut solo album, "Doctorate in Cold Rockin' It" under the moniker Mojo & the Info via his MySpace page on April 20th, 2008.
Band Members
Final Line-Up
- Matt Morginsky - vocals (1995 - 2005)
- Daniel Spencer - trombone (1997 - 2005)
- Ethan Luck - guitar (2000 - 2005) in Saved (1993-1995)
- John Wilson - drums (2002 - 2005)
- Chris Beaty (Formerly of Seven Day Jesus) - bass guitar (2003 - 2005)
- Bret Barker (Formerly of The W's) - trumpet (2004 - 2005)
Former Members
- Tony "Toneman" Terusa - bass guitar (1995 - 2002)
- Kevin "Slim" Chen - guitar (1995 - 1997)
- Brian "Bronson" Johnson - guitar (1999)
- Dave Chevalier - saxophone (1996 - 1998)
- Jason Carson - drums (1995 - 2000)
- Darren "Chief" Mettler - trumpet (1995 - 2004)
- Adam Ferry - drums (2000 - 2001)
Discography
Compilations
- Any Given Day
- Veggie Rocks!
- Tooth and Nail 4th anniversary Box Set
- Tooth and Nail 10th anniversary Box Set
- Art Core Vol.2
- Cheapskates Vol. 2
- Cheapskates Vol. 3
- Cheapskates Vol. 4
- X 2003
- Moms Like Us Too Vol. 1
- Happy Christmas Vol. 1
- Happy Christmas Vol. 2
- Seltzer Vol. 1
- Seltzer Vol. 3
- WOW 1999
- WOW 2000
- Dominate in 98
- Steady Sounds From The Underground
- BEC Sampler Vol. 1
- Songs from the penalty box Vol. 2
- No Lies
Charts
| Year | Album | US Hot 200 | US Heatseekers | Top Contemporary Christian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | The Adventures of The O.C. Supertones | - | - | 36 |
| 1997 | The Adventures of The O.C. Supertones | - | - | 35 |
| 1997 | Supertones Strike Back | 117 | 3 | 2 |
| 1999 | Chase the Sun | 95 | - | 2 |
| 2000 | Loud and Clear | 168 | 9 | 10 |
| 2002 | Hi-Fi Revival | - | - | 28 |
| 2002 | Live! Vol. 1 | - | - | 20 |
| 2004 | Revenge of the O.C. Supertones | - | - | 17 |
| 2005 | Unite | - | - | - |
Video Compilations
- Supertones at the Movies
- Hi-Fi Revival DVD
- See Spot Rock
References
- ^ All Music Guide bio
- ^ a b Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (First printing ed.). Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. pp. 902–904. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
- ^ "Profile - The Supertones". 1999. Retrieved 2007-02-15.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ a b "( The O.C. Supertones > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )". Allmusic. Retrieved 2007-02-15.