The O.C. Supertones
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox musical artist
The Orange County Supertones (a.k.a. The O.C. Supertones, or simply The Supertones) were a Christian ska band from Orange County, California. The band was signed to Tooth & Nail Records and its imprint, BEC Recordings, before becoming an independent band. The band temporarily disbanded in 2005, reunited in 2010 to resume touring and recording, and permanently disbanding in 2017. The OC Supertones were one of the first widely successful Christian ska bands.
HistoryEdit
The band began in the early 1990s as Saved.<ref name="allmusic.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Originally formed by Matt Morginsky, Jason Carson and Tony Terusa while in junior high school,<ref name="Powell_Fe">Template:Cite book</ref> the band played a mix of many styles including punk, rap, metal, disco, and funk.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Powell_Fe"/> Although drummer Jason Carson had known Tooth & Nail founder Brandon Ebel for years, the label was reluctant to sign them. As characterized by Ebel: "The Supertones were good, but Saved was not good. I had years of Saved in my head."<ref name="7b_18">Template:Cite journal</ref>
The Supertones' debut release, Adventures of the O.C. Supertones, received a 1997 Dove nomination for the "Alternate / Modern Rock" category.<ref name="TTN_W_1998">Template:Cite journal</ref> 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 No. 3 and No. 2 respectively. In the fall of 1997 the Supertones headlined a tour with Ghoti Hook and Stavesacre, and the next spring opened for Audio Adrenaline,<ref name="CCM_20_1_CS">Template:Cite journal</ref> with whom they recorded "Blitz" with on the Audio Adrenaline album Some Kind of Zombie, also in 1997.
In late 1998 they embarked on the all-Christian-ska "Skamania 98" tour with The Insyderz and Five Iron Frenzy.<ref name="CCM_21_8"/> In 1999 the Supertones played for the papal visit to St. Louis by Pope John Paul II.<ref name="CCM_21_10">Template:Cite journal</ref>
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. The band explained the musical evolution to CCM: "pop culture has the attention span of a flea... ska's time in the white-hot spotlight has come and gone."<ref name="CCM_23_5_K">Template:Cite journal</ref> When saxophonist Dave Chevalier joined The Dingees in 1998, the band made the decision not to replace his position. Rap and R&B influences also became more prevalent in their sound, which remained "about 40 percent reminiscent of the older stuff."<ref name="CCM_21_8">Template:Cite journal Quote by Brandon Ebel.</ref> Their next two albums, 1999's Chase the Sun and 2000's Loud and Clear, each charted on the Billboard 200 chart.<ref name="AMG_Albums">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Lyrically, they were known as having a straightforward approach to songwriting, with a minimal use of metaphor.<ref name="CSTONE_25_109">Template:Cite journal</ref> Even so, their songs were cited as being thought-provoking and containing deep theology.<ref name="Powell_Fe"/> One of the major focuses for the band was evangelism;<ref name="CCM_3_4">Template:Cite journal</ref> they included segments of preaching in each performance.<ref name="CCM_20_1_CS"/><ref name="CCM_23_12">Template:Cite journal</ref> Originally these were fronted by drummer Jason Carson, who had been active in youth ministry before the Supertones found their break.<ref name="CCM_21_8"/> In 2000 when he went back into ministry full-time the band split the responsibilities among remaining members.<ref name="HM_01_87">Template:Cite journal</ref> Adam Ferry, formerly of Plankeye, took Carson's spot on drums.
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 2Template:Frac hours at their final show, playing close to 30 songs.
HiatusEdit
On March 11, 2008 BEC Recordings, Inc. released "The Ultimate Collection," a sort of greatest hits album with select songs from each of the band's 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 pop-punk 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 iTunes and MySpace on April 20, 2008. He also released a CD entitled "Everything Will Be Made Right" with the band October Light, as Mojo and October Light.
Former guitarist Kevin "Slim" Chen now plays in the rock/pop punk band New Liars Club with former members of Gameface and the rock band Follow Your Failure.
Original drummer Jason Carson is founder and senior pastor of Encounter Church in Orange County, California.
Reunion and second disbandmentEdit
In 2010, The Supertones announced that most of the original members would be reuniting for a handful of dates that year and then going back into retirement. The ensuing tour had fifteen shows, including Joshua Fest in Quincy, CA, Soulfest in New Hampshire and Spirit West Coast in Del Mar, CA.<ref name="SupertonesTourDates2010">archive of Supertones Official Web Site originally Supertones Official Web Site</ref> Reunite, another greatest hits album, was released during this time as well. At the end of 2010, the band announced that they would continue to play ten or so shows a year going forward.
On March 3, 2012, original members Matt Morginsky, Tony Terusa, Jason Carson and Darren Mettler along with new band members<ref name="BecrecordingsForTheGlory">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> announced progress on the full-length album, For the Glory funded via Kickstarter. "On the Downbeat" was released in advance of the album on March 9, 2012, as a teaser.<ref name="SupertonesKickstarter">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The album released on November 6, 2012.
On March 11, 2017, the band announced plans for a concert on Facebook Live in which they would be performing Supertones Strike Back in its entirety recognizing the album's 20th anniversary, as well as serving as their final performance as a band. Held at Shoreline Church in San Clemente, California, the show was recorded for a live album and DVD release.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Band membersEdit
Template:Div col Final lineup
- Matt Morginsky - lead vocals (1995–2005, 2010–2017)
- Jason Carson - drums (1995–2001, 2010–2017) formerly of Unashamed
- Tony "Toneman" Terusa - bass guitar (1995–2003, 2010–2017)
- Darren "Chief" Mettler - trumpet (1995–2004, 2010–2017)
- Nathan Spencer - trombone (2010–2017)
- Jesse Craig - guitar (2010–2017)
- Josh Auer - guitar (2011–2017)
Past members
- Daniel Spencer - trombone (1995–2005)
- Ethan Luck - guitar (2000–2005) formerly of Demon Hunter and other bands
- John Wilson - drums (2001–2005)
- Chris Beaty - bass guitar (2003–2005)
- Bret Barker - trumpet (2004–2005)
- Kevin "Slim" Chen - guitar (1995–1997) formerly of Bloodshed<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Jason Joel Lautenschleger - saxophone (1996–1997)
- Dave Chevalier - saxophone (1996–1998)
- Brian "Bronson" Johnson - guitar (1999)
- Ron Tennison (1999)
- Adam Ferry - drums (2001)
- Bram Roberts - trumpet (mid-2002)
- Jung Park - guitar
- Tom Kieft - guitar (1998–1999)
- Jordan Stroup - saxophone (1998–1999)
Timeline <timeline> ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:90 bottom:80 top:0 right:5 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1995 till:11/03/2017 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Colors =
id:Vocals value:red legend:Vocals id:Guitar value:green legend:Guitar id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums id:Trumpet value:skyblue legend:Trumpet id:Trombone value:coral legend:Trombone id:Saxophone value:tan2 legend:Saxophone id:album value:black legend:Studio_album id:bars value:gray(0.95)
BackgroundColors = bars:bars
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4 ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1995 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1995
BarData =
bar:MM text:"Matt Morginsky" bar:KC text:"Kevin Chen" bar:TK text:"Tom Kieft" bar:BJ text:"Brian Johnson" bar:EL text:"Ethan Luck" bar:JCr text:"Jesse Craig" bar:JA text:"Josh Auer" bar:DM text:"Darren Mettler" bar:BB text:"Bret Barker" bar:DS text:"Daniel Spencer" bar:NS text:"Nathan Spencer" bar:DC text:"Dave Chevalier" bar:JS text:"Jordan Stroup" bar:TT text:"Tony Terusa" bar:CB text:"Chris Beaty" bar:JCa text:"Jason Carson" bar:AF text:"Adam Ferry" bar:JW text:"John Wilson"
PlotData=
width:11 bar:MM from:01/01/1995 till:07/10/2005 color:Vocals bar:MM from:01/01/2010 till:end color:Vocals bar:KC from:01/01/1995 till:30/06/1997 color:Guitar bar:TK from:01/07/1997 till:31/12/1998 color:Guitar bar:BJ from:01/01/1999 till:31/12/1999 color:Guitar bar:EL from:01/01/2000 till:07/10/2005 color:Guitar bar:JCr from:01/01/2010 till:end color:Guitar bar:JA from:01/01/2011 till:end color:Guitar bar:DM from:01/01/1995 till:31/08/2004 color:Trumpet bar:DM from:01/01/2010 till:end color:Trumpet bar:BB from:01/09/2004 till:07/10/2005 color:Trumpet bar:DC from:01/01/1996 till:31/12/1998 color:Saxophone bar:JS from:01/12/1998 till:31/12/1999 color:Saxophone bar:DS from:01/01/1995 till:07/10/2005 color:Trombone bar:NS from:01/01/2010 till:end color:Trombone bar:TT from:01/01/1995 till:01/03/2004 color:Bass bar:TT from:01/01/2010 till:end color:Bass bar:CB from:01/07/2004 till:07/10/2005 color:Bass bar:JCa from:01/01/1995 till:01/03/2001 color:Drums bar:JCa from:01/01/2010 till:end color:Drums bar:AF from:01/03/2001 till:31/08/2001 color:Drums bar:JW from:01/09/2001 till:07/10/2005 color:Drums
LineData =
color:album layer:back at:24/04/1996 at:03/06/1997 at:23/02/1999 at:10/10/2000 at:26/03/2002 at:22/10/2002 at:15/06/2004 at:25/01/2005 at:06/11/2012
</timeline>
DiscographyEdit
Studio albums
- Adventures of the O.C. Supertones (1996)
- Supertones Strike Back (1997)
- Chase the Sun (1999)
- Loud and Clear (2000)
- Hi-Fi Revival (2002)
- Revenge of the O.C. Supertones (2004)
- Faith of a Child (2005)
- For the Glory (2012)
Live albums
- Live! Volume One (2002)
- Live! Vol 2 (2017)
Compilations
- Absolute Favorite Christmas
- 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
- Unite (2005)
- No Lies
- The O.C. Supertones: The Ultimate Collection (2008)
ChartsEdit
Billboard (North America)<ref name="AMG_Albums"/>
| 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 |
Video compilationsEdit
- Supertones at the Movies
- Hi-Fi Revival DVD
- See Spot Rock