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Jars of Clay

 
Artist: Jars of Clay
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Jars of Clay

Group Members:

Stephen Mason, Charlie Lowell, Dan Haseltine, Matt Odmark, Matt Bronleewe

Similar Artists:

Delirious?, Creed, Sixpence None the Richer, Caedmon's Call, The Verve Pipe, Live, Matthew West, Getaway Car, Starfield, Graham Colton Band, David Crowder, Downhere, Circadian Rhythm, Matt West, FFH, Burlap to Cashmere, Blessid Union of Souls, Dishwalla, Chagall Guevara

Influenced By:

R.E.M., Toad the Wet Sprocket

Followers:

Jeremy Camp, Leeland, Fear of Isaac, Spur 58, The Myriad, Matt Wertz, Everyday Sunday

Performed Songs By:

Matt Odmark, Stephen Mason, Charlie Lowell, Dan Haseltine, Greg Wells, Mark Hudson
See Jars of Clay Lyrics
  • Formed: 1993, Greenville, IL
  • Genres: Rock
  • Representative Albums: "Jars of Clay," "If I Left the Zoo," "Who We Are Instead"
  • Representative Songs: "Love Song for a Savior," "Flood," "Liquid"

Biography

Jars of Clay were the breakout band of the so-called alternative CCM movement of the '90s, scoring an enormous mainstream hit with the debut single "Flood" and enjoying platinum sales. The group's lyrics may have been exclusively Christian, but their acoustic-oriented music fit perfectly into the folky jangle pop wing of alternative rock radio, at the time a rarity on the contemporary Christian music scene. Such success set the stage for breakthroughs by Christian bands like dc Talk and Sixpence None the Richer, and it's difficult to imagine the later popularity of heavier, Christian-themed hard rockers like Creed and P.O.D. without Jars of Clay's fusion of spiritual themes and mainstream alternative rock sounds. As popular tastes shifted, Jars of Clay found it increasingly difficult to maintain a secular audience, but still commanded a sizable Christian following while remaining one of the highest-profile groups in any gospel-music subgenre.

Jars of Clay were formed at Illinois' Greenville College in 1993 by singer/songwriter Dan Haseltine and keyboardist Charlie Lowell; they soon added guitarist Stephen Mason, who shared Haseltine's fondness for Toad the Wet Sprocket (a good secular reference point for the typical Jars of Clay sound). All three were music majors in the college's new CCM department, and they initially banded together to write a song for a class recording project. Eventually, they chose a name for the band from a verse in the second book of Corinthians, which emphasized the frailty of the physical vessels in which God had placed the human spirit. Second guitarist Matt Bronleewe joined up later, and drummer Scott Savage became part of the band's live lineup, though they continued to use electronic drum loops on some of their recordings. Encouraged by the response to their small repertoire of originals, the band entered a talent competition run by the Gospel Music Association in 1994. After being chosen as finalists on the strength of their demo tape, Jars of Clay traveled to Nashville to perform for industry executives and wound up winning the contest. They returned to Greenville and began selling a self-released demo CD called Frail, leading to interest from record labels (several of whom began calling the musicians' dorm in the hopes of signing them). With such intense interest, the band decided to leave school and relocate to Nashville permanently; at this point, Bronleewe departed the lineup, wanting to finish school and settle down with his fiancée, and was replaced by Lowell's childhood friend Matt Odmark.

After considering several offers, Jars of Clay signed with the smaller Essential label, which nonetheless had ample distribution power through its parent company, Brentwood, as well as its arrangement with the secular label Silvertone. As the group was recording its self-titled debut album, Frail caught the ear of prog rock guitarist (and recent Christian convert) Adrian Belew, who offered to produce a couple of tracks for the record. One of those songs was "Flood," which became a runaway hit on Christian radio upon the album's release in the spring of 1995. When "Flood" began to catch on with secular stations as well (particularly in the Northwest), Silvertone threw its full promotional muscle behind the album, and by early 1996, the song was a major crossover hit on mainstream rock radio, modern rock radio, and the pop charts. (Its peak of number 37 on the latter makes it one of many '90s-era hits whose release formats affected its chart eligibility, thus obscuring how massively popular it really was.) "Flood" helped push sales of Jars of Clay past the double-platinum mark, a stunning showing for a Christian group.

Some secular listeners and radio programmers hadn't realized that Jars of Clay were a Christian band, and there was something of a backlash when that fact became more widely publicized. What was more, the group was criticized in some Christian quarters for touring with secular alternative rock bands during 1996. Jars of Clay spent most of the year on the road before taking a break to work on material for a second album, having already released the Christmas EP Little Drummer Boy at the end of 1995. After enlisting the help of British producer Steve Lipson, Jars of Clay released the sophomore effort Much Afraid in 1997. The record debuted in the Top Ten on the pop charts and not only went platinum, but won a Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album. Despite some success with the singles "Five Candles" and "Crazy Times," however, Much Afraid didn't gain the same level of mainstream exposure as its predecessor. Nonetheless, the band's Christian audience remained loyal, sending the 1999 effort If I Left the Zoo (produced by Dennis Herring, who'd also worked with Counting Crows) to gold status. By this time, Savage had left the band's concert lineup in order to back Jaci Velasquez, and was replaced by Joe Porter. Jars of Clay self-produced their fourth studio album, The Eleventh Hour, which was released in early 2002 and followed by a live DVD.

The next year, the band issued the impressive double-disc set Furthermore: From the Studio/From the Stage, which highlighted fresh acoustic-driven classics as well as cuts from some of Jars of Clay's live shows. In November 2003, the group released its fifth album proper, Who We Are Instead. Redemption Songs followed in early 2005, comprised of the band's take on significant church hymns and popular spirituals, and Jars of Clay returned in fall 2006 with Good Monsters. Three albums arrived the following year -- the compilation Essential Jars of Clay, Live Monsters, and the holiday-themed Christmas Songs -- while 2009 saw the band release another studio album, Long Fall Back to Earth, whose sound paid homage to such '80s icons as Tears for Fears and the Cure. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
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Jars of Clay

Background information
Origin Greenville, Illinois, U.S.
Genres Rock
Pop rock
Christian rock
Alternative rock
Acoustic rock
Years active 1993–present
Labels Essential/Silvertone (1995–2007)
Gray Matters/Nettwerk (2007–present)
Website www.jarsofclay.com
Members
Dan Haseltine
Stephen Mason
Matthew Odmark
Charlie Lowell
Former members
Matt Bronleewe
Scott Savage
Aaron Sands
Joe Porter

Jars of Clay is a Grammy Award winning Christian rock band from Franklin, Tennessee. They met at Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois.[1]

Jars of Clay consists of Dan Haseltine on vocals, Charlie Lowell on piano and keyboards, Stephen Mason on lead guitars and Matthew Odmark on rhythm guitars. Although the band has no permanent drummer or bassist, Jeremy Lutito and Gabe Ruschival of Disappointed By Candy fill these roles for live concerts. Past tour band members include Aaron Sands, Scott Savage, and Joe Porter. Jake Goss was recently added to the band to play drums for their summer tour. Jars of Clay's style is a blend of alternative rock, folk, acoustic, and R&B.

The band's name is derived from the New International Version's translation of 2 Corinthians 4:7:

“ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ”

This verse is paraphrased in their song "Four Seven," which appears on Frail and as a hidden track on the CD release of their self-titled album.

Contents

Band history

Formation

Dan Haseltine, Steve Mason, Charlie Lowell and Justin Gabriel formed Jars of Clay at Greenville College, in Greenville, Illinois in the early 1990s.[1] Charlie Lowell first met Dan Haseltine after noticing that he was wearing a Toad the Wet Sprocket shirt. Pursuing a career in music together was not necessarily their original goal; some of the first songs they wrote together were for music and recording classes they were taking at the time.[1] Their second guitarist Matt Bronleewe joined some time later, and drummer Joseph Quevedo occasionally joined them for some of their early public performances. While in college playing together at local Christian coffee houses, Jars gained quite a reputation for their very original arrangement of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" which had been deftly adapted to the tune of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit".

In 1994, the band submitted a demo to a talent competition run by the Gospel Music Association and were selected as finalists.[1] They traveled to Nashville to perform and won the contest.[1] Back in Greenville, they self-released a limited-run of the same demo, which they named Frail, after their song of the same name. The buzz from their performance in Nashville and the demo's popularity resulted in offers from record labels, so the band decided to drop school and move to Nashville. At this time, Bronlewee left the band to finish school and settle down with his fiancée. He was replaced with Matt Odmark, Lowell's childhood friend and fellow McQuaid Jesuit High School alum.

Jars of Clay performing at The University of Texas at Austin.

Jars of Clay & Drummer Boy EP

Jars of Clay signed with Essential Records and started recording their first full-length studio album, titled Jars of Clay. King Crimson prog-rocker Adrian Belew heard the band and offered to produce, leading to him producing two songs - "Liquid" and "Flood."[2][3] The band's self-titled debut released in 1995. When the single "Flood" began to climb the charts on mainstream radio stations, Silvertone Records (Essential's parent company) started to heavily promote the song, turning it into one of the biggest mainstream hits ever by a band on a Christian label.[3] The album has since reached multi-platinum certification according to the RIAA.[4]

The band toured in support of other Christian acts, such as PFR, and aside mainstream acts like Matchbox Twenty, Duncan Sheik, and Sting. This resulted in a small backlash from fundamentalist Christian groups.[5] The band released a Christmas EP entitled Drummer Boy at the end of 1995. The EP was re-released in 1997 with a slightly different track listing on Silvertone.

Much Afraid

The year 1997 also saw the release of the band's sophomore album, Much Afraid, which was produced by Stephen Lipson.[6] The album sold very well and went on to earn a Grammy award for "Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album".[7] The album has since earned platinum certification by the RIAA.[4] They released two music videos for this album, Crazy Times and Five Candles (You Were There).

If I Left The Zoo

Jars of clay .jpg

In 1999, Jars of Clay released their third album, If I Left The Zoo, which was produced by Dennis Herring.[8] The record earned the band their second Grammy award.[7] It was during this time that touring drummer Scott Savage left the band's touring group to play for Jaci Velasquez and was replaced by Joe Porter. Lead radio single, "Unforgetful You", was also featured on the soundtrack to the motion picture Drive Me Crazy.[9] "Collide" was also featured on the motion picture "Hometown Legend". Upon the release of If I Left The Zoo they also released Front Yard Luge and after a year The White Elephant Sessions. If I Left The Zoo so far has the most single released by Jars of Clay.

In 2001, the four members of the band received honorary degrees at Greenville College.[10] However, only three of them, Haseltine, Lowell, and Mason had studied at the college before dropping out in 1994 to move to Nashville, while Odmark still received an honorary degree, despite having attended university in New York.[11]

The Eleventh Hour

In 2002, the band self-produced and released their fourth album entitled The Eleventh Hour, which earned the band a Grammy award for the third album in a row.[7][12] The album relied on studio musicians and the band's touring musicians to fill in for the band's lack of drummer and bass player.

Furthermore & Who We Are Instead

The year 2003 saw the band taking a look back at their career. The double-disc Furthermore: From the Studio, From the Stage features an acoustic disc and a live disc. The acoustic disc consisted of reworked and rearranged fan favorites, two The Eleventh Hour b-sides, and a cover of Adam Again's "Dig".[13] The latter was actually intended for a tribute album for Gene Eugene, who had died recently. The live disc features a recent concert recording that include songs from throughout the band's career. The video of this same concert would later be released via DVD on 11Live: Jars of Clay in Concert.

The band continued the acoustic and organic approach that was featured on Furthermore for their fifth studio album entitled Who We Are Instead, which released on November 4, 2003. On the album, the band revisited various styles they had used previously, as well as experimenting with new influences, such as gospel, hymns, and Nickel Creek's "newgrass" style.

Redemption Songs

In early 2005, the band released Redemption Songs, a collection of hymns and traditional songs. The band wrote new melodies to some old hymns and rearranged the music for several others. "God Will Lift Up Your Head", reworked as an acoustic rocker, was a hit for the band on Christian radio. They also covered five hymns from the Indelible Grace CD series (a series which originated from the work of Reformed University Fellowship).[14]

Good Monsters

In late 2005, the band announced that the writing process for a new studio album was nearing completion, and that they would be returning to the studio to record the album in the spring. This new project, entitled Good Monsters, was released on September 5, 2006. Backstage at the 2006 GMA Awards, Jars of Clay labeled the album their first ever rock record.[15] In the September 2006 edition of CCM Magazine, the band credited fellow artist Ashley Cleveland with inspiring the improvisational sound of the album.[16][17] The magazine called it "the most profound album the Christian music community has released in years."

On September 4, 2007, two albums from the band were released simultaneously. The first was a mainstream release of Live Monsters, which is an EP of live concert recordings of songs that were originally recorded for Good Monsters. The EP had been previously released through the iTunes Store and through the official Jars of Clay online store. The second album released on this date was a greatest hits album, entitled The Essential Jars of Clay, which was released through Essential/Legacy.

On April 1, 2008, Essential Records released the band's third greatest hits album (the second in the past year), entitled Greatest Hits. Included was the new song "Love is the Protest".

In Summer of 2007, the song 'Good Monsters' was featured in the pilot of the television show 'Eli Stone' Additionally, the song 'Work' was used in promotional material for the Fox Television network shows 'Bones' and 'House'.

Gray Matters

In March 2007, the band announced at a concert in Des Moines, Iowa that they were no longer on Essential Records and would now be releasing music independently. Later, press releases announced the name of their label as Gray Matters, which would be a partnership with Nettwerk Music Group.[18] Along with the announcement of their new label, the band mentioned that they are planning to record the soundtrack to Sons of Lwala, a documentary about Milton and Fred Ochieng' - brothers from the African village training to be doctors in the States, working to build a clinic in their home town.[19]

The band's first release through Gray Matters was a Christmas album that was released on October 16, 2007, entitled Christmas Songs.

Most recently, the band's song "Love came down at Christmas" was sampled in the Samuel Victor song "Stars and Angels".

On July 29, 2008, Gray Matters Records released their latest record Closer EP exclusively through online digital music stores. It was subsequently released on CD on August 19, 2008. Closer EP included reworked versions of "Flood" (called "Flood (New Rain)) and "Love Song For A Savior ('08)" from their debut album. It also included "Prisoner of Hope", which is not found on any other Jars album.

On December 8, 2008, the song "Closer" was featured in the 12th episode of the television show Privileged.

The Long Fall Back To Earth

Jars of Clay's tenth studio album was released on April 21, 2009. The new record contains 14 songs, including Closer and Safe to Land from the Closer EP, and is influenced by 80s music, specifically Tears For Fears and The Cure. It is entitled The Long Fall Back to Earth.[20]

The song "Hero" was featured on a trailer for NBC's Kings.[21]

"The Long Fall Back To Earth" debuted at #29 on the Billboard 200 mainstream charts, which was Jars of Clay's highest debut since "The Eleventh Hour" which debuted at #28 in 2002.[22]

The first radio single off the album is Two Hands, which peaked at #6 on the Hot Christian Songs chart.

The second single off the album is "Heaven".[23]

Band members

Current members

Former member

Current touring members

  • Gabe Ruschival – bass (2006–present)
  • Jake Goss – drums (2009–Present)

Former touring members

  • Aaron Sands – bass (1995–2005)
  • Jeremy Lutito – drums (2005–2009)
  • Joe Porter – drums (1999–2005)
  • Scott Savage – drums (1995–99)

Discography

Main article: Jars of Clay discography

Studio albums

Awards

Main article: List of Jars of Clay awards

Jars of Clay has been successful in being nominated for and winning several awards, including prestigious Grammy Awards and several of the Christian music awards, known as the GMA Dove Awards.[24] Some of these successes have been collaborative efforts, including two City on a Hill albums and the inspired collaboration for the 2005 film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The group has won five Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) awards.

In June 2009, Jars of Clay was named as one of PeaceByPeace.com's first peace heroes.[25]

Blood:Water Mission

Main article: Blood:Water Mission

Lead singer Dan Haseltine visited Africa in 2002, which in turn inspired the founding of Blood:Water Mission, a non-profit organization created to raise awareness and money for the poverty and AIDS stricken regions of the continent.[26] The name is derived from, as Haseltine says, "The two things Africa needs most" - clean blood and clean water. The mission has begun the 1000 Wells project, an effort to have a thousand new wells built throughout Africa.[27]

Beliefs

In a 2002 interview with NPR's Scott Simon on Weekend Edition Saturday, responding to a question about the relatively subtle religious content of their music, Haseltine said, "our songs ... [are] not really there to explain our faith," but are "written about our life that is affected by our faith." Haseltine explained the decision to "shy away from ... traditional religious language" as a conscious one, in part to make their music more accessible to those "put off by religion", and to "love people in a way that isn't exclusive to simply people that understand the language of Christianity." [28] Haseltine also stated that art can "make people feel what's true rather than telling them".[28]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Jars of Clay. (2005). Making the Grade. iTunes Originals - Jars of Clay. [AAC Audio]. Essential Records.
  2. ^ "Jars of Clay Credits". http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:kpfuxqehldae~T2. Retrieved 2008-03-23. 
  3. ^ a b Jars of Clay. (2005). The Other Side of Lightning In a Bottle. iTunes Originals - Jars of Clay. [AAC Audio]. Essential Records.
  4. ^ a b RIAA.com
  5. ^ Lutes, Chris. "Faith Under Fire". http://www.christianitytoday.com/cl/7c5/7c5016.html. Retrieved 2008-03-23. 
  6. ^ "Much Afraid Credits". http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:3bfqxqyhldfe~T2. Retrieved 2008-03-23. 
  7. ^ a b c "The Grammy Awards". http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx?title=&winner=jars%20of%20clay&year=0&genreID=0&hp=1. Retrieved 2008-03-22. 
  8. ^ "If I Left the Zoo Credits". http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:3xfyxqwkldfe~T2. Retrieved 2008-03-23. 
  9. ^ Jars of Clay. (1999). Unforgetful You. Drive Me Crazy. [CD]. Jive.
  10. ^ "Jars Of Clay - Jars Of Clay Receive Honorary Diplomas". http://www.caaccm.com/artists/artist_news.asp?display=article&artist_id=10&id=99&printer=1. Retrieved 2008-03-22. 
  11. ^ Jars of Clay. (2005). We Were Becoming One With the Mud. iTunes Originals - Jars of Clay. [AAC Audio]. Essential Records.
  12. ^ "Jars Of Clay - Jars of Clay Intimately Involved In The Eleventh Hour". http://ccm.caa.com/artists/artist_news.asp?display=article&artist_id=10&id=205&printer=0. Retrieved 2008-03-22. 
  13. ^ "Jars Of Clay - Furthermore-From the Studio: From the Stage". http://ccm.caa.com/artists/artist_news.asp?display=article&artist_id=10&id=250&printer=0. Retrieved 2008-03-22. 
  14. ^ Wray, Burton (September 10, 2005). "Redemption Songs". http://www.tollbooth.org/2005/reviews/joc.html. 
  15. ^ "Jars of Clay 2006 Interview, “Good Monsters”". http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/interviews/JarsOfClay2006.asp. Retrieved 2008-03-22. 
  16. ^ "Big Monster on Campus". http://www.ccmmagazine.com/search/11534414/. Retrieved 2008-03-23. 
  17. ^ Jars of Clay. (2005). A Modern Day Hymn. iTunes Originals - Jars of Clay. [AAC Audio]. Essential Records.
  18. ^ Moring, Mark. "Jars of Yule". http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2007/jarsofclay-1207.html. Retrieved 2008-03-22. 
  19. ^ Price, Deborah Evans (June 15, 2007). "Jars of Clay Launching Own Label With Nettwerk". Billboard.com. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003599530. 
  20. ^ Dave Richards (2008-12-11). "Love Coming Down". Erie Times-News. http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081211/ENTERTAINMENT0301/312119937. Retrieved 2009-01-21. 
  21. ^ "YouTube - NBC's TV show "Kings" trailer feat. JARS OF CLAY's song "Hero"". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5c1Vr1fcZI. Retrieved 2009-04-15. 
  22. ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?f=The+Billboard+200&pageNumber=Top+11-50&g=Albums
  23. ^ http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2009/10/29.JFH%20MORNING%20NEWS%20SHORTS%20FOR%20THURSDAY%20OCTOBER%2029%202009.asp
  24. ^ "Dove Awards". http://www.doveawards.com/. Retrieved 2008-03-22. 
  25. ^ http://www.peacebypeace.com/heroes/view/id/87
  26. ^ "Why We’re Here". http://www.bloodwatermission.com/?em1204=43910l. Retrieved 2008-03-22. 
  27. ^ "What We’re Doing". http://www.bloodwatermission.com/?em1204=43911. Retrieved 2008-03-22. 
  28. ^ a b NPR Weekend Edition Saturday interview

External links

v • d • e
Jars of Clay
Band members Non-member performers
Dan Haseltine · Stephen Mason · Matt Odmark · Charlie Lowell Jeremy Lutito · Gabe Ruschival
Former: Matt Bronleewe Former: Scott Savage · Aaron Sands · Joe Porter
Discography
Studio Albums: Jars of Clay · Much Afraid · If I Left the Zoo · The Eleventh Hour · Furthermore: From the Studio, From the Stage · Who We Are Instead · Redemption Songs · Good Monsters · Christmas Songs · The Long Fall Back to Earth
Compilation Albums: Jar of Gems · The Essential Jars of Clay · Greatest Hits
Singles: "Flood" · "Liquid" · "Love Song for a Savior" · "Like a Child" · "Worlds Apart" · "Crazy Times" · "Five Candles (You Were There)" · "Fade to Grey" · "Overjoyed" · "Truce" · "Needful Hands" · "Unforgetful You" · "Collide" · "No One Loves Me Like You" · "I'm Alright" · "Hand" · "Can't Erase It" · "The Stone" · "This Road" · "I Need You" · "Fly" · "Revolution" · "Whatever She Wants" · "The Valley Song (Sing of Your Mercy)" · "Show You Love" · "Sunny Days" · "God Will Lift Up Your Head" · "I'll Fly Away" · "Waiting for the World to Fall" · "Dead Man (Carry Me)" · "Work" · "There Is a River"  · "Closer"  · "Two Hands"
Other releases: Frail · Drummer Boy · Stringtown · The White Elephant Sessions · Front Yard Luge · 11Live: Jars of Clay in Concert · iTunes Originals · Roots & Wings · Mini Monsters · Live Monsters · Closer EP
See also
Tweed Horse Sessions · List of Awards · Ron Aniello · Adrian Belew · Dennis Herring · Mark Hudson · Stephen Lipson · Greg Wells · "Frail" (song) · City On A Hill · Blood:Water Mission · Essential Records · Gray Matters · Greenville College

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

 
 

 

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