Artist description Pioneers of Christian Hard Rock

Music Style Hard Rock

Musical Influences Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Kiss

Similar Artists STP, Lifehouse, P.O.D., Creed, Mana, Incubus, U2

Artist History With diverse musical influences centered around such bands as Led Zeppelin, Van Halen and U2, Guardian was a long-standing and powerful force in both mainstream and gospel music. The Christian rockers, best known for such seminal Christian Rock hits as "Power of Love" and "Shoeshin e Johnny," forged their way into the '90s with an eclectic gospel hard rock sound. Guardian was originally founded in Santa Ana, CA as "Fusion" by its founders, bassist David Bach and vocalist Paul Cawley in 1982. Along wit h drummer Rikk Hart and guitarist David C aro, the band played at local gigs in the Los Angeles area throughout the early '80s before finally obtaining a record deal from the Enigma/Capitol label in 1985. When they found that there was already a band of the same name, they changed to Guardian and added g uitarist Tony Palacios to replace Caro. Their album "First Watch", produced by Stryper's Oz Fox, was released in 1989 and was followed by extensive worldwide touring. When the band finished their tour in Japan, both Cawley and Hart left in 1990 after bein g unable to handle the stresses of touring. Bach and Palacios asked to be freed of their Enigma contract, requesting a more Christian label. They would be released later that year, and vocalist Jamie Ro w e and drummer Karl Ney would be added around that sa me time. The new lineup began to record, finally releasing their second album ?Fire and Love?, in 1991 on their friends?John and Dino Elefante?s new Pakaderm label. The response to the album was overw he lming, and the video filmed for their hit "Power of L ove" was added to MTV's Headbangers Ball. After a more successful tour, ?Miracle Mile? was released in early 1993 to critical acclaim, and the album reached the CCM Top Five. Miracle Mile was quickl y f ollowed by ?Swing Swang Swung? in 1994, the band's exp eriment with acoustic music. By 1995, the band had finally accepted the modern '90s mainstream rock/grunge that had become such a strong fad, and in a new agreement with Myrrh Records, they releas ed B uzz that fall. After another tour and two Spanish records (?Nu nca Te Dire Adios? and ?Promesa?, Guardian released Bottlerocket, their sixth studio album, in the spring of 1997. Founding member Bach departed the following year to become VP of A&R at Fore front Records--home to dcTalk and many other breakthrough Christian artists and Palacios released a solo guitar album ?Epic Tales of Whoa!? on the Cadence label. In 1999, Myrhh released ?Smashes? an anthology of Guardian radio hits. The band countered wit h ?Guardian Live? recorded in South America and released it on their own label G-Man records. (www.guard-dog.com). Guuardian is one of the more "bootlegged" of Christian bands. Rare bootleg releases include "Kingdom of Rock" (mostly early demos), "Bite-si ze meat pies" (Live in Australia '94 circa Miracle Mile) "The Y ellow and Black Attack is Back" (Guardian's own faithful tribute to the first Stryper record) and Sunday Best" (unreleased tracks, B-sides, rare versions etc.) To date, the three rem aining m embers (sans Bach) have released a third soanish record "Dime". Currently, Rowe remains the most musically active, guesting on many records and is currently negotiating a solo deal. Rowe also released the pop-flavored "Beautiful E.P." in late '99 and did a short stint with metal giants Ratt. Rumors of a new Guardian studio album and reunion tour with founding member David Bach are still floating at this writing. In closing, if there is a Led Zeppelin of Christian Music. this verstaile rock band is surely it!?Barry Weber, All-Music Guide =p

Group Members Vocals - Jamie Rowe Guitar - Tony Palacios Bass - David Bach Drums - Karl Ney›››

Instruments Guitar, Bass, Drums & Voice...rock & roll baby!

Albums 12 albums (inclusive of bootlegs)

Press Reviews Guardian ruled Christian Rock in the early 90's!...any good CCM archive should have enuff press to make yer eyes pop!›››

Additional Info Most Guardian albums are available from these fine online dealers:www.guard-dog.comwww.radrockers.comwww.crossrhythmsmusic.com

Location Franklin, TN - USA

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