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{{refimprove|date=December 2022}}
{{Short description|American Christian punk band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{distinguish|Altar Boyz}} {{distinguish|Altar Boyz}}
{{for|the ministers at religious services|Altar server|Acolyte}} {{for|the ministers at religious services|Altar server|Acolyte}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Altar Boys
| origin = ], US
| genre = ]
| years_active = 1982–1992 (indefinite hiatus)
| label = {{flatlist|
* Ministry Resource Center
* ]
* ]
}}
| associated_acts = The Altar Billies
| website =
| current_members =
| past_members = * Mike Stand
* Jeff Crandall
* Steve Pannier
* Ric Alba
* Mark Robertson
}}
⚫ '''Altar Boys''' were a ] band from ] formed in 1982. The original members were Mike Stand (vocals, songwriting and guitar), Jeff Crandall (drums), Steve Pannier (guitars) and Ric Alba (bass guitar and backing vocals). Mark Robertson later replaced Alba on bass guitar.


⚫ == Background ==
⚫ '''Altar Boys''' were ] ] band from ] formed in 1982. The original members were Mike Stand (vocals, songwriting, and guitar), Jeff Crandall (drums), Steve Pannier (guitars) and Ric Alba (bass, background vocals). Mark Robertson would later replace Alba on bass.
⚫ The Altar Boys helped to pioneer Christian rock music.<ref name="7b_18">{{cite journal |last=Newcomb |first=Brian Quincy |title=History: Altar Boys |date=May–June 1998 |issue=18 |journal=]}}</ref> They were known for their ] punk music which was differed radically from the Christian music common at the time of their formation.<ref name="Powell_Fe">{{cite book |last=Powell |first=Mark Allan |title=Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music |year=2002 |publisher=Hendrickson Publishers |location=], ] |isbn=1-56563-679-1 |edition=First printing |pages= |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofco00mark/page/34 }}</ref> Especially in their early years, they were known for being explicit with their faith in their lyrics.<ref name="Powell_Fe"/> Their sound was heavily influenced by the ] scene in ] and they quickly became one of the best known Christian bands on that scene.<ref name="JJT_RBW_2000">{{cite book |last=Thompson |first=John J. |authorlink=John J. Thompson |title=Raised by Wolves |url=https://archive.org/details/raisedbywolvesst0000thom |url-access=registration |year=2000 |publisher=ECW Press |isbn=978-1-55022-421-4 |page=}}</ref>


⚫ The Altar Boys' first album was issued on various labels (e.g. Ministry Resource Center/MRC, ] and ]) and sold over 7,000 copies with their second selling 20,000 in its first two months of release.<ref name="CCM_8_12">{{cite journal |last=Well |first=Chris |date=June 1986 |title=The Altar Boys Come Out of the Garage |journal=] |volume=8 |issue=12 |pages=14–15 |issn=0746-0066 }}</ref>
⚫ ==Background==
⚫ The Altar Boys helped pioneer Christian rock music.<ref name="7b_18">{{cite journal |last=Newcomb |first=Brian Quincy |title=History: Altar Boys |date=May–June 1998 |issue=18 |journal=]}}</ref> They were known for their ] punk music which was radically different than the Christian music common at the time of their formation.<ref name="Powell_Fe">{{cite book |last=Powell |first=Mark Allan |title=Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music |year=2002 |publisher=Hendrickson Publishers |location=], ] |isbn=1-56563-679-1 |edition=First printing |pages=34–35 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofco00mark }}</ref> Especially in their early years, they were known for being explicit with their faith in their lyrics.<ref name="Powell_Fe"/> Their sound was heavily influenced by the ] scene in ], and they quickly became one of the best known Christian bands on that scene.<ref name="JJT_RBW_2000">{{cite book |last=Thompson |first=John J. |authorlink=John J. Thompson |title=Raised by Wolves |year=2000 |publisher=ECW Press |isbn=978-1-55022-421-4 |page=122}}</ref>

⚫ The Altar Boys' first album issued on various labels (e.g. Ministry Resource Center/MRC, ], and ]) sold over 7,000 copies with their second selling 20,000 units in its first two months of release.<ref name="CCM_8_12">{{cite journal |last=Well |first=Chris |date=June 1986 |title=The Altar Boys Come Out of the Garage |journal=] |volume=8 |issue=12 |pages=14–15 |issn=0746-0066 }}</ref>


Their third and fourth releases, ''Gut Level Music'' and ''Against the Grain'', propelled them to national standing.<ref name="7b_18"/><ref name="Powell_Fe"/> ''Gut Level Music'' was explicitly aimed at a secular audience, and marked changes designed to enhance their credibility with that audience.<ref name="CCM_8_12"/> Their lyrical approach changed toward a more subtle expression of their faith.<ref name="CCM_10_6">{{cite journal |last=Newcomb |first=Brian Quincy |date=December 1987 |title=Altar Boys Make A Human Sound |journal=] |volume=10 |issue=6 |page=25 |issn=1524-7848 }}</ref> They also refined their sound in an attempt to distance themselves from the punk "]" image that they had acquired early on.<ref name="CCM_10_6"/> Their third and fourth releases, ''Gut Level Music'' and ''Against the Grain'', propelled them to national standing.<ref name="7b_18"/><ref name="Powell_Fe"/> ''Gut Level Music'' was explicitly aimed at a secular audience, and marked changes designed to enhance their credibility with that audience.<ref name="CCM_8_12"/> Their lyrical approach changed toward a more subtle expression of their faith.<ref name="CCM_10_6">{{cite journal |last=Newcomb |first=Brian Quincy |date=December 1987 |title=Altar Boys Make A Human Sound |journal=] |volume=10 |issue=6 |page=25 |issn=1524-7848 }}</ref> They also refined their sound in an attempt to distance themselves from the punk "]" image that they had acquired early on.<ref name="CCM_10_6"/>


Their final studio album, ''Forever Mercy'', was released in 1989 and supported with another tour. Sometime after the tour, Ric Alba left the band and was replaced by Mark Robertson. Work had begun on a follow-up album, tentatively titled ''No Substitute'', when the Altar Boys went on an "indefinite hiatus" in 1992.<ref name="JJT_RBW_2000"/> Their final studio album, ''Forever Mercy'', was released in 1989 and supported with another tour. Some time after the tour, Alba left the band and was replaced by Mark Robertson. Work had begun on a follow-up album, tentatively titled ''No Substitute'', when the Altar Boys went on an "indefinite hiatus" in 1992.<ref name="JJT_RBW_2000"/>


The group did a number of reunion concerts; most notable was Cornerstone 2000 and 2002,{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}} and the Broken Records reunion event in July 2005.{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}} The group's final performance occurred in June 2006 at the Corona del Mar Fairgrounds.{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}} The group did a number of reunion concerts of which the most notable were Cornerstone 2000 and 2002,{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}} and the Broken Records reunion event in July 2005.{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}} The group's final performance was in June 2006 at the Corona del Mar Fairgrounds.{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}}


The group of four performed live for their final show{{citation needed|date=September 2018|reason=in a recent interview, Stand indicated that he was open to touring in 2019.}} on September 16, 2018 at House of Blues - Anaheim for the new record release of the ''No Substitute'' album. At the sold-out performance, the Altar Boys performed crowd favorites ''Gut Level Music'', a few new songs from ''No Substitute'', and other well-known songs from their other albums. Mike Stand's son also made guest appearances on both drums and backing guitar.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} The show's opening act was ], which was their first reunion since 2011.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} The group of four performed live for their final show <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wazQCWeO90 |title= The Altar Boys LIVE at the Anaheim House of Blues 09 16 2018 |website=Youtube |accessdate=August 23, 2024}}</ref> on September 16, 2018, at House of Blues in Anaheim for the new release of the ''No Substitute'' album. At the sold-out performance, the Altar Boys performed crowd favorites ''Gut Level Music'', a few new songs from ''No Substitute'', and other well-known songs from their other albums. Stand's son made guest appearances on both drums and backing guitar.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} The show's opening act was ], which was its first reunion since 2011.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}


Stand has resurrected many of the Altar Boys songs with a "]" project called The Altar Billies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myspace.com/altarbillies |title=The Altar Billies|website=Myspace |date=November 1, 2011 |accessdate=February 1, 2012}}</ref>
Mike Stand continues to be an active artist in the Southern California area in a group "]" called The Altar Billies. Formed in 2010, The Altar Billies simply rearranged a number of songs by the Altar Boys in the rockabilly/country genre. Their first effort was released in 2010 and was simply called "The Altar Billies" In 2014 they released "Head'n out West" which contained only 2 songs by the Altar Boys ("World Burning," and "Ride this Train"), and 1 song found on Mike Stand's solo record "Full circle" ("Always on my Mind"). In 2016 the band released "Long, Long Road." Their song "Ballad of the Big Boy (Titan of the Wasatch)" has been unofficially adopted as the theme song for the Union Pacific Railroad steam locomotive "Big Boy 4014." In May, 2019 the group was invited by Union Pacific Railroad to be a part of the 150 year anniversary of the Golden Spike in Ogden, UT. <ref>{{cite web|author=Un |url=http://www.myspace.com/altarbillies |title=The Altar Billies &#124; Gratis muziek, tourneedata, foto's, video's |publisher=Myspace.com |date=2011-11-01 |accessdate=2012-02-01}}</ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/headn-out-west-mw0002785044 |title=The Altar Billies: ''Head'n Out West''|publisher=]|accessdate=2019-11-11}}</ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/long-long-road-mw0003017232 |title=The Altar Billies: ''Long, Long Road'' |publisher=] |accessdate=2019-11-11}}</ref>


Drummer and Stand's cousin, Jeff Crandall, is currently a connector with Worship Catalyst in ] who acts as a mentor, coach and trainer to worship leaders in Tucson and across the country.{{Citation needed|date=February 2018}} Drummer and Stand's cousin, Jeff Crandall, is currently{{when|date=December 2022}} a connector with Worship Catalyst in ], who acts as a mentor, coach and trainer to worship leaders in Tucson and across the US.{{Citation needed|date=February 2018}}


==Album discography== ==Album discography==
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*2000: ''Live at Cornerstone'' (M8 Distribution) *2000: ''Live at Cornerstone'' (M8 Distribution)
*2000: ''Mercy Thoughts'' (M8 Distribution) *2000: ''Mercy Thoughts'' (M8 Distribution)
*2015: ''Gut Level Music'' (Girder Records)
*2018: ''No Substitute'' (Lo-Fidelity Records) *2018: ''No Substitute'' (Lo-Fidelity Records)


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==External links== ==External links==
*{{MusicBrainz artist|id=252bc006-a0eb-4db5-ab67-3bbd50886930|name=Altar Boys}} *{{MusicBrainz artist|id=252bc006-a0eb-4db5-ab67-3bbd50886930|name=Altar Boys}}
* - Altar Boys Facebook page *
* - Official Altar Boys YouTube channel *
* - Altar Billies Facebook page *
* - Altar Billies YouTube Channel *



{{Authority control}} {{Authority control}}

Latest revision as of 15:26, 23 August 2024

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American Christian punk band

Not to be confused with Altar Boyz. For the ministers at religious services, see Altar server and Acolyte.
Altar Boys
OriginSouthern California, US
GenresChristian punk
Years active1982–1992 (indefinite hiatus)
Labels
Past members
  • Mike Stand
  • Jeff Crandall
  • Steve Pannier
  • Ric Alba
  • Mark Robertson

Altar Boys were a Christian punk band from California formed in 1982. The original members were Mike Stand (vocals, songwriting and guitar), Jeff Crandall (drums), Steve Pannier (guitars) and Ric Alba (bass guitar and backing vocals). Mark Robertson later replaced Alba on bass guitar.

Background

The Altar Boys helped to pioneer Christian rock music. They were known for their Ramones-style punk music which was differed radically from the Christian music common at the time of their formation. Especially in their early years, they were known for being explicit with their faith in their lyrics. Their sound was heavily influenced by the punk rock scene in Southern California and they quickly became one of the best known Christian bands on that scene.

The Altar Boys' first album was issued on various labels (e.g. Ministry Resource Center/MRC, Maranatha! Music and Broken Records) and sold over 7,000 copies with their second selling 20,000 in its first two months of release.

Their third and fourth releases, Gut Level Music and Against the Grain, propelled them to national standing. Gut Level Music was explicitly aimed at a secular audience, and marked changes designed to enhance their credibility with that audience. Their lyrical approach changed toward a more subtle expression of their faith. They also refined their sound in an attempt to distance themselves from the punk "garage band" image that they had acquired early on.

Their final studio album, Forever Mercy, was released in 1989 and supported with another tour. Some time after the tour, Alba left the band and was replaced by Mark Robertson. Work had begun on a follow-up album, tentatively titled No Substitute, when the Altar Boys went on an "indefinite hiatus" in 1992.

The group did a number of reunion concerts of which the most notable were Cornerstone 2000 and 2002, and the Broken Records reunion event in July 2005. The group's final performance was in June 2006 at the Corona del Mar Fairgrounds.

The group of four performed live for their final show on September 16, 2018, at House of Blues in Anaheim for the new release of the No Substitute album. At the sold-out performance, the Altar Boys performed crowd favorites Gut Level Music, a few new songs from No Substitute, and other well-known songs from their other albums. Stand's son made guest appearances on both drums and backing guitar. The show's opening act was Crumbacher, which was its first reunion since 2011.

Stand has resurrected many of the Altar Boys songs with a "punktry" project called The Altar Billies.

Drummer and Stand's cousin, Jeff Crandall, is currently a connector with Worship Catalyst in Tucson, Arizona, who acts as a mentor, coach and trainer to worship leaders in Tucson and across the US.

Album discography

  • 1984: Altar Boys (Ministry Resource Center)
  • 1985: When You're a Rebel (Alarma Records)
  • 1986: Gut Level Music (Alarma Records)
  • 1987: Against the Grain (Alarma Records)
  • 1989: Forever Mercy (Alarma Records)
  • 1990: The Collection (Alarma Records)
  • 2000: Live at Cornerstone (M8 Distribution)
  • 2000: Mercy Thoughts (M8 Distribution)
  • 2018: No Substitute (Lo-Fidelity Records)

References

  1. ^ Newcomb, Brian Quincy (May–June 1998). "History: Altar Boys". 7ball (18).
  2. ^ Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (First printing ed.). Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. pp. 34–35. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
  3. ^ Thompson, John J. (2000). Raised by Wolves. ECW Press. p. 122. ISBN 978-1-55022-421-4.
  4. ^ Well, Chris (June 1986). "The Altar Boys Come Out of the Garage". CCM Magazine. 8 (12): 14–15. ISSN 0746-0066.
  5. ^ Newcomb, Brian Quincy (December 1987). "Altar Boys Make A Human Sound". CCM Magazine. 10 (6): 25. ISSN 1524-7848.
  6. "The Altar Boys LIVE at the Anaheim House of Blues 09 16 2018". Youtube. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  7. "The Altar Billies". Myspace. November 1, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2012.

External links


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