Audio Adrenaline – The Band That Shaped a Genre

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The Christian Music genre has seen few artists that have made an impact that lasted for more than a few years. Most anyone who is adamantly involved in the listening of Christian music, especially alternative, has at the very least heard of Audio Adrenaline. From a small-time Kentucky band, to Grammy-winners, the band has seen a lot in its 17 year existence. Their journey and music helped to shape the “Alternative” Christian music genre, and their story is quite remarkable.

In 1986, Mark Stuart, Barry Blair, Will McGinniss, David Stuart, and Phil Vaughn, all attendee’s of  Kentucky Christian University, form the band A-180. After a brief Hiatus and line-up change – Ron Gibson now on drums – they began to play shows. Becoming a household name at their school, they played every weekend, and eventually went on to play across the U.S. in over 100 shows. During this time, they released two independent albums.
Now, at this point, any band would have been happy to find someone to record their music and help promote them. Living out of a van for days on end, hoping that your next meal won’t be a bag of chips and a slurpee from some local convenience store starts to wear away at a person. Not to mention the fact that most of it you’re paying for yourself, barring whatever you can sell to people after your show is over.

After finding a new song-writer and recording new tracks, a certain Toby McKeehan (from DC-Talk) heard their song and brought it to the attention of up-and-coming record label ForeFront Records, whose parent company was EMI CMG, a subsidiary of  EMI, one of the largest Record Companies. For those not familiar, EMI owns most of the rights to this little band from Liverpool’s songs. This band was The Beatles, yeah, that band.  After a name change, from A-180 to Audio Adrenaline (inspiration thanks to their song-writer Bob Herdman), the band started their journey towards fame.

The ‘90’s began for the now Audio Adrenaline in an eclectic blur of record-releases, number one singles, and certified gold records. Beginning with their self-titled released in 1992, which sold 75,000 units, followed by their very successful Don’t Censor Me, which sold twice the number of units their self-titled album had, and featured “Big House” – which is arguably one of the best hits of Christian music. Up until this point, their records experimented a lot with rap, so the band decided to get back to their rock roots with the release of Bloom, which was certified gold by the RIAA in 1999. More Line-up changes (the addition of Tyler Burkum as new guitarist) and tours rocketed the band to the forefront of Christian music stardom. Coupling new album releases with a world tour with DC-Talk, the bands future for the 2000’s looked just as bright as their past.
The band went on a short break starting in 2000, most likely due to the stress of constant touring.
The band also released a “Hits” album, probably to stymie fans from losing interest. The loss of their  song-writer, Bob, did not prevent them from releasing two new albums.

Lift in November of 2001, and Worldwide in 2003. With the release of Worldwide, however, they experienced national acclamation in the form of a Grammy for Best Rock Gospel Album in 2004. After more awards and tours the band finally decided to put to rest the dream they had started in the late 1980’s.

Audio Adrenaline played their final show on April 28, 2007 in Honolulu, Hawaii. While bittersweet, it was a great end for the band, and the CD-DVD combo released won nominations the 39th GMA Dove Awards. This wasn’t the final chapter for the band, though, as they played one reunion show in 2008. Thus, however, ended the final chapter in the bands story. From amateur rock band, to well-renowned experimental-alternative band, they came a long way.  Powering through numerous line-up changes, countless tours, and critically-acclaimed records, they accomplished what some bands can only dream of. They didn’t end in a fiery blaze like most bands do, they didn’t all fall away to drugs and alcohol, they just decided that it was time to put to rest their musical project, and for some, pursue new careers.
Bob Herdman went on to start a new record company of his own. Two of the founding members, Mark Stuart and Will McGinniss are now Public Speakers who hope to inspire the next generation to get out and do something with their lives. From small-time students, to house-hold names, the members of Audio Adrenaline set standards that Christian bands set to fulfill today, and probably will for many years to come.

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