Who is Andy Sparks?

Andy Sparks was the fourth member of ApologetiX, joining the group in the summer of 1991. He joined the band as rhythm guitarist, but also shared occasional lead guitar with Karl in concert. Although Andy was a virtuoso player, he switched to bass to fill the void after Jerry Hayostek left the band in 1993.

Andy's bass playing can be heard on the "Radical History Tour" CD, released in August 1994. His rhythm guitar work and some background vocals can be heard on the "Isn't Wasn't Ain't" project which was released on cassette in 1993 and re-released as a limited-edition 10th annniversary CD in 2003. He also played rhythm guitar on the band's early cassettes, "Get Your Wigs," "Parable Guy," and "Want It Dead or Alive?"

Blessed with probably the best natural rock and roll name of any ApologetiX member, Andy had a few things in common with current ApologetiX bass player Keith Haynie: He loved good metal music, he was a guitarist-turned-bassist for the sake of the band, and he was "the quiet one." But, like Keith, that quietness hid a brilliant sense of humor.

Andy actually has known J. the longest of any ApologetiX member. The two met in the early 1980's through J.'s lifelong friend and first collaborater on guitar, Chris Marsh, who was also Andy's cousin. All three young men were in a band that will remain nameless (because they never were able to agree on a name) together with Joe Zellner and Chuck Lizza in the summer of 1983 and even played a few songs that later were spoofed by ApologetiX like "Should I Stay or Should I Go" by the Clash and "Living After Midnight" by Judas Priest.