All Saved Freak Band
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The All Saved Freak Band
- Genres: Rock
Biography
The roots of Jesus rock pioneers the All Saved Freak Band date back to 1963, when aspiring pianist Larry Hill met guitarist Joe Markko on a Chicago street corner while ministering for the Christian youth program Teen Challenge; a few years later, the duo began collaborating as songwriters, first enjoying success when their "There Is Still Hope in Jesus" was selected as the closing theme for the local radio program Time Is the Risen Christ. In 1966 Hill broke away from the Assembly of God to found his own independent church, the Church of the Risen Christ, claiming he was the recipient of visions that foretold of a war between Americans and Asians, communism in Australia, impending "enemy advancement," and God's plans to send America "into vast and destructive judgment for her sins." The CRC made its home on a five-acre plot of land in Orwell, OH, raising livestock, stockpiling weapons, and studying martial arts in advance of Communist attack; in the meantime, Hill and Markko continued writing and playing music, with the former convinced rock & roll would serve as the ideal vessel for his spiritual message. With the additions of Markko's brother Randy on bass and drummer Dana Vandernic, they began performing live as Preacher and the Witness, playing coffeehouses and street corners throughout northeast Ohio; eventually, Hill befriended Glenn Schwartz, a phenomenally gifted Cleveland-area guitarist who previously tasted secular success as a member of the James Gang and later Pacific Gas & Electric, only to denounce the mainstream after he discovered Christianity. With Schwartz's addition, the All Saved Freak Band officially launched in 1969. Hill assumed singing and preaching duties, backed by sister vocalists Pam and Kim Massman, while Schwartz shied from the spotlight, contributing poetic, expansive guitar leads to rival those of Jimi Hendrix (at whose final birthday party he once played). The group typically played sidewalks and parking lots outside of secular concerts and festivals. In 1973, the All Saved Freak Band issued its debut LP, My Poor Generation, which it sold at shows and advertised via the Freedom Bell, a free newspaper published and distributed by CRC faithful. Brainwashed followed in 1975, and a year later the group issued its third LP, For Christians, Elves and Lovers; however, music turned secondary as Hill's influence over his followers increased, and he began enforcing a rigid code of behavior on his flock. As Hill's control grew, Schwartz's family tracked him down, forced him into a car, and locked him in a room with a cult deprogrammer. After exiting a mental institution, Schwartz nevertheless returned to the CRC flock, resuming his duties in the All Saved Freak Band. (Guitarist Phil Keaggy filled in during his absence.) In 1973 Markko was zapped by 27,000 volts of electricity, losing his hands in the accident. He remained on board as the ASFB's primary writer and arranger before leaving the church in 1979, disillusioned with Hill's vision. Schwartz left the band and the flock a year later, concurrent with the release of the final All Saved Freak Band album, Sower (a project completed several years earlier); as of this writing, Hill and a few remaining Church of the Risen Christ members still live on the Orwell commune, while the ASFB's original LPs have all seen reissue on compact disc via the Hidden Vision label. ~ Jason Ankeny, RoviWikipedia on Answers.com:
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All Saved Freak Band
| All Saved Freak Band | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | ASFB |
| Origin | Geneva, Ohio |
| Genres | Christian |
| Years active | 1968 - 1978 |
| Labels | Hidden Vision Records |
| Associated acts | Larry Norman, Agape |
| Website | www.AllSavedFreakBand.com |
The All Saved Freak Band was one of the earliest influences in what has since become a distinct sub-category of Rock and Roll, Contemporary Christian Music. Broadcasting their first recorded songs on WREO radio in Ashtabula County, Ohio in the fall of 1968, ASFB joined Larry Norman and the California group, Agape, as one of the original "pioneers" of Jesus music, birthed in that same year.[1]
Unique in many ways, ASFB was a large, ensemble group of 12 musicians. Predating Birmingham's Electric Light Orchestra' by two years, ASFB was one of the first "rock" bands [It's A Beautiful Day, with violinist David LaFlamme, preceded ASFB in 1967] to use violin and cello as an integral part of rhythmic music. Their song, Seek Him, exemplifies the layering of blues and classical strings that characterized much of their sound. "Garnering acclaim for superior songwriting and instrumentation,"[2] ASFB recorded four albums now recognized as classic examples of the earliest "Jesus music." Though courted by RCA and Columbia, ASFB never signed a contract in an effort to maintain control of the band's music and direction - that choice also assuring their esoteric status.
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Contents
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Brief history
Based out of a Christian commune near Orwell, Ohio, members included co-founders Joe Markko and Larry Hill, Mike Berkey, Ed Durkos, Tom Eritano, Tim Hill, Morgan King, Norris McClure, Carole King, Randy Markko, Kim Massman, Pam Massman, Tom Miller, and rock guitarist Glenn Schwartz. Schwartz was lead-guitarist for the rock group, the James Gang (later replaced by Joe Walsh) and Pacific Gas & Electric who recorded a top 20 song in 1969, Are You Ready? Temporary replacements for Glenn Schwartz and Tom Eritano were guitarist Phil Keaggy of the Glass Harp and drummer, Val Fuentes from the California band, It's A Beautiful Day.
Prior to recording their first album, three band members - Brett Hill [Larry's son], Joe's brother Randy and Tom Miller - all lost their lives in automobile accidents while traveling to concerts. Singing backup and playing piano, Tom "Aquinas" Miller was one of the "Kent-25" and had been featured in Life magazine as part of the protests on the Kent State campus at the time of the Kent State shootings.[3] Though the music on their first album, My Poor Generation, was written between 1968 and 1972, it wasn't released until 1973 and was dedicated to the memories of Randy Markko and Tom Miller. "The totally essential Jesus rock album featuring some baroque chamber folk with harpsichord, strings, piano and woodwinds, some otherworldly smoky dream psych and some stripped-down electric boogie blues. This was an odd congregation that collectively created an atmosphere representing the best in what was once Jesus rock." [4]
Their second album, For Christians, Elves and Lovers (1976) combined evangelical theology and millennialism with admiration for the fantasy world of Lord of the Rings author, J.R.R. Tolkien. A copy of this album remains part of the Tolkien Collection at Marquette University.[5] "And what is the result of this musical fusion? An absolutely incredible album which might well become a classic in the annals of Jesus music. The credit for this record's brilliance belongs to the artists themselves. Because of their talent and versatility, the 14 cuts never suffer from being repetitious or boring. One need only look at the diversity in style from one selection to the next in order to appreciate the creative abilities of these musicians. This is the 3rd album for ASFB and belongs on the shelf of every Jesus music fan."[6]
The band was shaken again in early 1973 when co-founder and guitarist, Joe Markko, was electrocuted with 27,000 volts of electricity in an industrial accident.[7] Losing both hands and massively burned over 55% of his body, Joe remained in the Burn Unit of Cleveland MetroHealth for 9 months. Rhythm guitarist Ed Durkos learned all of Joe's music and the band moved forward. Following Joe's release he continued writing, singing and arranging for the band.
In February 1975, after lead guitarist Glenn Schwartz's family grew concerned about the deteriorating social conditions at the church's communal farm, they had him kidnapped for an intense, three day "deprogramming" effort by famed cult deprogrammer, Ted Patrick.[8][9] The attempt was unsuccessful and the Band issued their third album, Brainwashed in, as what one ex-member termed, "a cynical response" to critics of the band's lifestyle. Brainwashed is listed as album #4 on the "Top 50 Collectible Jesus Music Albums of all Time," compiled by contemporary Church historian, David DiSabatino.[10] "This is a tough band to figure out. With some of the best Christian 70s rock by anyone anywhere their music is stunningly powerful with a dark, creeping psychrock menace achieved via songwriting and guitar/organ arrangements that spell big league all the way. If "For Christians, Elves & Lovers" is the mellower side of ASFB, "Brainwashed" is the flip side of the coin. This album is non-stop sizzling stuff with plenty of heavy organ, harmonica and, of course, Glenn Schwartz's searing guitar fireworks. This is an incredible album folks. So much variety here, too - it never gets boring." [11]
Their fourth album, Sower, was released in 1980 after all the band members had departed except for Hill and the Massmann sisters. Especially influential on the lyrics of this recording were Larry Hill's apocalyptic visions. "Man, these guys were just so good! Wailing away one minute - folk mood, jazz lightness the next. Seems impossible on paper, but with ASFB it works. Showing maturity in sound and lyric, all tracks are standouts. All their albums are treasures with layers of interest both musically and lyrically." [4]
ASFB mastered their albums at Cleveland Recording. Housed in an older building on Euclid Avenue it was eventually torn down to make way for the burgeoning growth of Cleveland State University. ASFB recorded alongside some well-known "Great Lakes" rock groups. The Outsiders' "Time Won't Let Me", Wild Cherry's "Play That Funky Music", The Lemon Pipers' "Green Tambourine", The Human Beinz' "Nobody but Me", Grand Funk Railroad's first seven albums, and the James Gang's albums were all recorded here, using the Cleveland Orchestra whenever needed. The engineer and owner, Ken Hamann, teamed up with Nashville producer, Rob Galbraith, on all of ASFB's recordings. The band met Rob while on tour in Nashville in 1971 when Glenn, Larry, Randy and Joe taped a demo of a few songs at the Columbia Studio. Rob also recorded an impromptu version of Old Rugged Cross that appears on more than one album.
Independently produced and distributed, the music of the All Saved Freak Band had been played on hundreds of radio stations in more than 14 different countries by the time they disbanded in the winter of 1978-79. Ministering in the street, in concert and across denominational lines for more than a decade, the band's demise was based on irreconcilable differences between band members and the leadership of their home church that involved legally prosecuted charges of child abuse.[12][13] Larry, Ed and the Massmann sisters would attempt to continue the effort until 1980 but the All Saved Freak Band was gone following the departures of Joe Markko and Glenn Schwartz.
In 2006, after several years of legal efforts,[14] former band members united to regain control of their music and end Hill's 35-year control of their collective efforts. Releasing a "Best of" collection, Harps On Willows, ASFB has established an ongoing musical legacy. The album was honored when selected by Cross Rhythms Magazine as one of the Top 20 CD Releases of 2006 along with releases from Bob Dylan and Switchfoot.[15] "Here's a welcome collating of the best performances from one of America's greatest hippie Christian bands. While bands like Petra (band) and Resurrection Band spent the '70s perfecting a heavy rock'n'roll, ASFB ploughed a blusier furrow with ace blues guitarist Glenn Schwartz exemplifying his renowned skills. One joy is the fact that they wrote songs that were simple in their message. These are songs to get people to think about the Gospel, an art that seems to be missing in modern Christian music. These recordings are very much of their time so they are a little ragged around the edges production wise but the band certainly fulfilled their ambition to create music that would stop people in their tracks and make them respond to the Gospel."[16]
The 2006 Emmy-nominated documentary, Lonnie Frisbee: Life and Death of a Hippie Preacher, by David Di Sabatino features two songs by the All Saved Freak Band (Sower and My Poor Generation), and the soundtrack to the documentary also includes Ode To Glenn Schwartz.
Ministry
The All Saved Freak Band played throughout the eastern portion of North America and Canada. As guests of the city of New Orleans, they played and testified at Mayor Moon Landrieu's private Mardi Gras reception held at City Hall, playing in Jackson Square and other venues during the day. ASFB also performed at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, playing as headliners at the Man and His World pavilion. Following a series of concerts at "Spring Break" in Fort Lauderdale, national publications as diverse as Christianity Today, Rolling Stone Magazine and the National Courier began carrying articles about the group.
Several of the band members were credentialed ministers, licensed with the Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches and Ministers International in Irving, Texas. With evangelistic fervor, they were obsessively focused on the work of "winning the lost," stressing personal evangelism at all concert events. Indian reservations in Canada, mental institutions in Maine, prisons in Ohio, rotundas and halls of State office buildings, International Exposition Halls, camps of migrant workers, tents at County Fairs, Churches in most states east of the Mississippi, open-air platforms, Music Halls, military bases, colleges, amphitheaters, nursing homes, parking lots, street corners and hay lofts ― the band's flexibility allowed it to present a variety of musical expressions best serving the needs of evangelism. Creating their own label, Rock the World Enterprises [changed to War Again on the final recording], the group was entirely self-financed.
Discography
- My Poor Generation, 1973 (Rock The World)
- For Christians, Elves, and Lovers, 1976 (Rock The World)
- Brainwashed, 1976 (Rock The World)
- Sower, 1980, (War Again)
- Harps On Willows: Best of the All Saved Freak Band, July 4, 2006 (Hidden Vision)
References
- ^ The Liturgical Renewal Movement, John W. Riggs, Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Eden Theological Seminary http://reformedtheology.org/SiteFiles/Summer2002/Essay_Megachurch.html
- ^ Jesus is Just Alright, Brian Collins, The Martin Marty Center for the advanced Study of Religion, University of Chicago Divinity School, June 12, 2008 http://divinity.uchicago.edu/martycenter/publications/sightings/archive_2008/0612.shtml
- ^ Kent 25: The Accused, http://www.burr.kent.edu/archives/may4/twentyfive/twentyfive1.html, from the Archives of Kent State University, posted online, Oct-08
- ^ a b Bob Felberg, New Creation Radio, WVOF and co-author of The Archivist:Guide to Christian Rock Music. http://www.lysergia.com/AcidArchives/index.htm
- ^ Marquette University Libraries, Department of Special Collections and University Archives, http://www.marquette.edu/library/collections/archives/Mss/JRRT/mss-jrrt-s-5.html, October, 2008.
- ^ Russ Proctor, Harmony Magazine, May, 1976, Page 33. http://allsavedfreakband.com/images/Elvesreview_6_76.jpg
- ^ Sally McGovern, Then we have our share of miracles, Page 1C, The Sunday Paper, July 14, 1974. Published by the Lake-Geauga Printing Company, 84 North State St., Painesville, Ohio.
- ^ Dick Feagler, Kidnap plan fails to bring back son to family, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 26, 1975, Copyright 1975, 27, The Cleveland Plain Dealer.
- ^ Richard C. Widman, Son's kidnap prompted by judge, mother says, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 13, 1975, Copyright 1975, 2007, The Cleveland Plain Dealer
- ^ Top 50 Collectible Jesus Music Albums of all Time http://www.one-way.org/jesusmusic/index.html
- ^ Ken Scott, Archivist:Guide to Christian Rock Music. http://www.lysergia.com/AcidArchives/index.htm
- ^ John Griffith, Taught to use whip, The Willoughby News Herald, October 3, 1978, Willoughby, Ohio.
- ^ Lucille Donley, Hearings continue in abuse case, Ashtabula Star Beacon, August 30, 1978.
- ^ Brouse and McDowell, Akron, Ohio http://www.brouse.com/
- ^ Tony Cummings and Mike Rimmer survey all the releases to find the best Christian music albums of 2006,Cross Rhythms Direct, December 4, 2006, posted online [10/08] at http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/The_20_Best_Albums_Of_2006/25014/p1/
- ^ Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms U.K. http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/All_Saved_Freak_Band/Harps_On_Willows_Vol_1_The_Best_Of_The_All_Saved_Freak_Band/18390/
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