What's the story behind Apol-acoustiX?

ApologetiX (That Christian Parody Band) released its eleventh CD, "Apol-coustiX," to Christian bookstores nationwide on June 1. "Apol-acoustiX" features 12 acoustic parodies of some of the biggest names in rock history, including Elvis, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, the Doors, the Monkees, Led Zeppelin, Kid Rock and Green Day.

"We all remember those 'Unplugged' projects back in the '90's," says lead singer/lyricist J. Jackson, who co-founded the band with lead guitarist/producer Karl Messner in 1990. "Everyone from Clapton to KISS put one out, except us. That's ironic, because Karl and I played a lot of acoustic stuff in our early days at Bible studies and coffee houses.

"Our fans have been clamoring for some of our earlier material, but we weren't keen on releasing any of those old performances. We couldn't rewrite history, but we realized that we could rewrite, re-perform, and re-record some of those old parodies (and some newer ones), but with a decade and a half's worth of experience. So that's what we did on 'Apol-acoustiX.'"

Jackson says the project started in a similar way to Third Day's hugely successful "Offerings" project -- something especially for the band's online fan club (50,000 strong as of June 2005), but "we really liked the way it was turning out, so we spent a lot of extra time polishing it. And the response from our fans was so great that we decided to release it to stores."

"We hope our fans will enjoy this trip down memory lane with us," adds Messner. "We repaved the roads for a smoother ride, but our mission is the same as when we started -- to reach the lost and teach the rest. "

HERE'S WHAT'S ON "APOL-ACOUSTIX"

1. Talk About the Lord ((We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley & His Comets)
2. Don't Be Fooled (Don't Be Cruel by Elvis Presley)
3. The Sounds of Silas (The Sounds of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel)
4. We're Not Gonna Drown (When I Come Around by Green Day)
5. Mediterranean Wholebook News (Subterranean Homesick Blues by Bob Dylan)
6. Scripture (Picture by Kid Rock & Sheryl Crow)
7. Last Rain the Clouds Spill (Last Train to Clarksville by the Monkees)
8. Eight Ways to Be (Eight Days a Week by the Beatles)
9. More Than Works (More Than Words by Extreme)
10. The Trinity (Thank You by Led Zeppelin)
11. Two-Time Baby/Lord's House News (Love Me Two Times/Roadhouse Blues by the Doors)
12. Yes Today (Yesterday by the Beatles)


HERE ARE SOME OF THE FAN RESPONSES:

"I LOVE 'Apol-acoustiX'!!!!  I honestly think that it is my favorite so far. There is something really special about this one!!  There were a couple of songs that brought tears to my eyes because they touched me so deeply. " 

Dottie Bell
Columbia, LA


"I opened my mail box to find I had received my copy of Apol-acoustiX. In a word, AMEN! To hear 'Thank You' done in such an awesome manner - WOW. Keep it up guys.."

Mike "Joby" Franczek
New Cumberland WV


"Awesome! What can I say? Totally awesome -- you guys are and so is Jesus the Lord! The parodies are 'outta sight.' The guitar work on the 'Last Rain the Clouds Spill' is dynamite!"

Charles North
Austin TX

"The 'Apol-acoustiX' CD is amazing. There is something about guitars and harmonized vocals that is so beautiful. Kinda like every word is sung from the heart."

Angela Morgan
Bellevue NE


"I love 'Apol-acoustiX!' What a beautiful song 'Scripture' is and how it reminds us of God's love and longing for us. My family and I cracked up over the lyrics in 'Mediterranean Wholebook News.'"

Jena Gartin
Louisville, KY


"I just got your new CD, 'Apol-acoustiX.' This is your best work. What you did with Zep's 'Thank You' is my fav, from all your CDs you have made."

Philip Piperakis
Largo, FL


"Oh -- my -- goodness! You guys have done it again. The sounds of the music from my youth and the lyrics from God. It just doesn't get much better than this."

Larry Wilson
Tyler TX