ApologetiX is an American Christian parody band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The band was founded in 1990, and since then, has played in almost all 50 states,[1] released 40 studio albums,[2] and built up a fan club that includes over 65,000 people.[1] The band is currently composed of J. Jackson on vocals, Keith Haynie on bass guitar, Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner on drums, Bill Hubauer and Chris VonBartheld on keyboard, and Tom Milnes and Tom Tincha (a.k.a. "TNT"), both on lead guitar.[3]
ApologetiX | |
|---|---|
 2009 lineup - Rear: Tom Milnes, Tom Tincha, Jimmy Tanner, Front: J. Jackson, Keith Haynie, Bill Hubauer | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Genres | Christian rock, CCM, comedy rock, parody |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Labels | Parodudes |
| Members | J. Jackson Keith Haynie Jimmy Tanner Bill Hubauer Tom Milnes Tom Tincha Chris VonBartheld |
| Past members | Karl Messner Jerry Hayostek Bob Flaherty Fred Behanna Jeff Pakula Rick Servocky Andy Sparks Bill "Moose" Rieger Todd Waites |
| Website | www.apologetix.com |
The name ApologetiX is a play on apologetics, the defense of a religious doctrine, in particular, Christian apologetics.[2] 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).[4] Their logo, a triquetra, is an ancient symbol that has been appropriated by Christians to represent the Holy Trinity.[2]
History
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 – present).[5]
ApologetiX has had multiple other drummers as well, including: their longtime fill-in drummer, Keith Harrold (who played on Isn't Wasn't Ain't and Keep the Change); David McKee (who played on Jesus Christ Morningstar as well as two concerts in 1998); and Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz (the drummer for "Weird Al" Yankovic), who played on seven tracks on Biblical Graffiti.[2] 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, Yankovic himself has told them that he thinks they do "...fabulous work".[2]
Since 2014, the band has been following a quarterly release schedule, producing a new studio album about every three months by releasing double singles bi-weekly. From 2014 to 2017, they were able to produce four albums per year. In 2018, their studio computers started to have speed issues,[citation needed] which slowed down the production of their albums. So far they have released two albums, with a third album on its way.
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.
The band's lyrical content is derived solely from Biblical passages and practices, frequently in a tongue-in-cheek manner. It is also noteworthy that lyrics are often embedded with Scripture references for further exploration of the song's content.
Some of their parodies include:
| Song | Parody of | Original artist |
|---|---|---|
| "Lazy Brain" | "Crazy Train" | Ozzy Osbourne |
| "Don't Be Fooled" | "Don't Be Cruel" | Elvis Presley |
| "Hotel Can't Afford Ya" | "Hotel California" | Eagles |
| "Christmasnite" | "Kryptonite" | 3 Doors Down |
| "Enter Samson" | "Enter Sandman" | Metallica |
| "The Real Sin Savior" | "The Real Slim Shady" | Eminem |
| "Smells Like Thirtysomething Spirit" | "Smells Like Teen Spirit" | Nirvana |
| "Bethlehemian Rhapsody" | "Bohemian Rhapsody" | Queen |
| "Story of a Squirrel" | "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" | Nine Days |
| "More Than a Healing" | "More Than a Feeling" | Boston |
| "The Devil Went Down to Jordan" | "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" | Charlie Daniels Band |
| "We're Not Goin' to Canaan" | "We're Not Gonna Take It" | Twisted Sister |
| "Set Him Free" | "Let It Be" | The Beatles |
| "This Is From Paul" | "This Is a Call" | Foo Fighters |
| "One More Wall" | "Wonderwall" | Oasis |
| "Schoolhouse (for Prophets)" | "School's Out" | Alice Cooper |
| "One Night in Bethlehem" | "One Night in Bangkok" | Murray Head |
| "Drop Your Knife and Hurry Man" | "Rock You Like a Hurricane" | Scorpions |
Band members
- Current
- J. Jackson - Vocals, lyricist (1990–present)
- Keith Haynie - Bass guitar (1995–present)
- Jimmy Tanner - Drums (2005–present)
- Tom Milnes - Lead guitarist (2008–present)
- Tom Tincha - Lead guitarist (2008–present)
- Rich Mannion - Keyboardist, BGV, Drum Programming (2018–present)
- Former
- Chris VonBartheld - Keyboardist, Pianist, bgv's (2013–2018)
- Bill Hubauer - Keyboardist, producer (1998–2018)
- 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)
- Todd Waites - Keyboardist (2011–2013)
- Jeff Pakula - Drums (1990–1993)
- Luke "Abaddon" Wienecke - Drums (1994–1996)
- Rick Servocky - Drums (1993–1995)
- Bob Flaherty - Drums (1995–1998)
- Fred Behanna - Drums (1999–2001)
- David McKee - Drums (2001)
- Bill Rieger - Drums (2001–2005)
- Session
- Steve Kayner - Bass (1993)
- Keith Harrold - Drums (1993–2000)
- Jon Schwartz (drummer)|Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz - Drums (1999)
- Everlife - Vocals (2003)
- Janna Jackson - Vocals (2013-)
- Elaine Heitzer - Vocals (2014)
- Keely Singer - Vocals (2014)
- John Marcinizyn - Slide guitar (2016)
Timeline
Discography
Studio 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 |
| 2006 | Wordplay | Parodudes |
| 2008 | Future Tense | Parodudes |
| 2009 | Recovery | Parodudes |
| 2011 | Wise Up and Rock | Parodudes |
| 2012 | Orchard Avenue | Parodudes |
| 2013 | Hot Potato Soup | Parodudes |
| 2013 | Handheld Messiah | Parodudes |
| 2014 | Singles Group | Parodudes |
| 2014 | Loaded 45s | Parodudes |
| 2014 | Apoplectic | Parodudes |
| 2014 | Unconditional Releases | Parodudes |
| 2015 | Easter Standard Time | Parodudes |
| 2015 | Music Is As Music Does | Parodudes |
| 2015 | Play Nice | Parodudes |
| 2015 | You Can't Say Euphrates Without The 80s | Parodudes |
| 2016 | Doves In Snakes' Clothing | Parodudes |
| 2016 | Minor League | Parodudes |
| 2016 | Quilt | Parodudes |
| 2016 | Only A Glorified Cover Band | Parodudes |
| 2017 | Very Vicarious | Parodudes |
| 2017 | Zebraic | Parodudes |
| 2017 | From Hair to Eternity | Parodudes |
| 2017 | Xit Ego Lopa | Parodudes |
| 2018 | I Know You Are But What Am I? | Parodudes |
| 2018 | Nichey | Parodudes |
| 2018 | That's Too Bad | Parodudes |
| 2019 | Double Take | Parodudes |
| 2019 | Sandwich Platter | Parodudes |
| 2019 | Conspiracy No. 56 | Parodudes |
| 2019 | Prehysterical | Parodudes |
| 2020 | Alien Invasion | Parodudes |
| 2020 | Braggadocious | Parodudes |
| 2020 | Decent Alternative | Parodudes |
| 2020 | Overdue Books | Parodudes |
EPs
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Orchard Avenue | Parodudes |
| 2013 | Churchigo II | Parodudes |
| 2013 | Transformed Soul | Parodudes |
| 2017 | Churchigo III | Parodudes |
| 2017 | Churchigo IV | Parodudes |
Live albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Hits: The Road | Parodudes |
| 2007 | Chosen Ones | Parodudes |
| 2009 | The Boys Aren't Backin' Down | Parodudes |
| 2010 | Soundproof | Parodudes |
| 2012 | 20:20 Vision | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Rare, Not Well Done: ApologetiX Rarities, Vol. 1 & 2 | Parodudes |
| 2004 | New & Used Hits: The Best of ApologetiX Vol. 1 & 2 | Parodudes |
| 2010 | ApologetiX Classics -- The 60's | Parodudes |
| 2010 | ApologetiX Classics -- The 70's | Parodudes |
| 2010 | ApologetiX Classics -- The 70's, Vol. 2 | Parodudes |
| 2010 | ApologetiX Classics -- The 80's | Parodudes |
| 2010 | ApologetiX Classics -- The 90's | Parodudes |
| 2010 | ApologetiX Classics -- The 2000's | Parodudes |
| 2010 | ApologetiX Classics -- Oldies | Parodudes |
| 2010 | ApologetiX Classics -- Country | Parodudes |
| 2010 | ApologetiX Classics -- Lite | Parodudes |
| 2010 | ApologetiX Classics -- Heavy | Parodudes |
| 2010 | ApologetiX Classics -- Party | Parodudes |
| 2013 | ApologetiX Classics -- Christmas | Parodudes |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Downer of a Sister Video | Parodudes |
| 2005 | Samson Comes Alive: An Evening With ApologetiX DVD | Parodudes |
| 2012 | 20:20 Video 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"[6]
- 2004 American Christian Music Awards, Outstanding Modern/College Rock Artist[6]
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" | Grace Period | "Smooth Criminal", Michael Jackson |
| "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 |