Need A Bizkit Alternative?

Home > 2000 > January/February

Chris Lutes

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I'm into bands like Limp Bizkit and Insane Clown Posse. But I'm trying to straighten out my life, and I believe this change should include the music I listen to. What kind of Christian bands can you suggest for my wild taste?

—Tam

i think it's great that you want to toss out the tunes of Limp Bizkit and Insane Clown Posse. Unlike many other people, you've come to understand that the music you listen to does have an effect on your life. In the case of LB and ICP, the effect is anything but positive. I'm amazed at how much garbage these two bands can pack into their lyrics. And for both bands, the "explicit content" label means pornographic imagery and other demeaning statements about women. It's so sad to think that Limp Bizkit has become one of the most popular acts around.

As for your "wild" taste in music, I'm happy to say that there are Christian bands with that rap-core sound. First, I'd like to mention Payable On Death (P.O.D.). You can hear this band's metal-laced rap on its latest release, The Fundamental Elements of Southtown (Atlantic). Another metal-laced rap album worth giving a listen is Seventh Vision's Shock of tha Hour (Screaming Giant).

P. O. D.

Then there's .rod laver—a rap-core band bearing the same name as an Australian pro tennis player. Along with its similarities to LB and ICP, .rod laver's lead vocals on Essence of the Game (Screaming Giant) remind me of Korn and Pantera.

.rod laver

Two other bands worth checking out are Every Day Life and Channel Surfers. Style-wise, Every Day Life's Moment of Clarity (KMG) comes with a hardcore guitar sound, like the bands mentioned above. In contrast, Channel Surfers' Where I Wanna Be (Organic) leans a bit in the funky, bass-driven direction. If you're ever looking for a lighter, less-intense vibe, "surf" your way toward these guys.

Every Day Life

So, yeah, I think you'll find a lot of "wild" sounds out there—with lyrics that will help you, as you put it, straighten out your life.

—Chris Lutes

Campus Life would like to thank high school junior Josh Kennedy for his help in finding most of the Christian alternatives mentioned above. Send your questions about music; we'll do our best to track down an answer: "Tell Me About It," Campus Life, 465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188. You can also reach us via fax (630-260-0114).

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