Classic CCM Radio.

For those of you out there who would like to hear more classic ccm instead of today's variety (which I have no problem with, but I want to hear some Norman, Stonehill, Keaggy and the Greg X. Volz version of Petra,) check out these great web stations.  Be blessed.

Spirit In Truth Radio   http://www.sntradio.com/

Streets Of Gold  http://streetsofgoldradio.com/Site/Welcome%20to.html

Classic Christian 24/7  http://www.classicchristian247.com/

Healing Stream Media  http://healingstreammedia.com/

wtwt FM  http://www.wtwtfm.org/

Full Circle Jesus Music  http://www.fullcirclejesusmusic.com/

Jesus Music Revival  http://tunein.com/station/?stationId=141885

Stryken - First Strike

 Original release

 Reissue

Okay, we're not talking about a bona fide classic Christian Metal release here, and I don't think a sillier album cover than the original release (shown above) has ever been designed. I have to admit, however, in spite of myself,  that I love this disc.  Nostalgia maybe. Certainly an appreciation for the band's zeal and love for God.

I first heard these guys when I picked up K-Tel's "Righteous Metal" compilation, which, along with tracks by Barren Cross, Bloodgood, Philadelphia and Jerusalem, included a remixed version of "Rock On" from the "First Strike" album.  The band was originally called Stryker, and was formed by brothers Dale and Stephen Streiker (real surname Hopkins) in the early 80's.  They recorded their only album under this name, "Blitzkrieg" in 1983. (The Blitzkrieg tracks were included as bonus tracks on the 2009 reissue of First Strike.  Believe me, they don't add anything to the listening experience.  However, if you really enjoy band demo's, they're a decent listen now and then.)  With Stryper's popularity growing in the mid 80's, the band changed their name to Stryken to avoid  confusion.

Not that they would be confused for Stryper.  Their look was totally different, and their sound had more in common with Glam Rock bands like Kiss or The New York Dolls than Heavy Metal like Stryper, although the vocals (handled by both Dale and Stephen) could be rather "Sweetish" at times.  They released the album "First Strike" in 1987.  

The band was very Evangelical,  and the most well known story about them is when they stood outside a Motley Crue concert, holding a large cross, and witnessing to people.  They tried to do this a second night, and were "detained" by the police while the concert continued.  

Strangely enough, Stephen Streiker (Hopkins) quit the band and became a fundamentalist minister, denouncing the very music he used to perform.  His brother Dale travels and performs for youth focused ministries.

"Deviating From The Norm..."

This post has nothing to do with music, it's just something personal I wanted to do, and since it IS my blog...:-)
I've been wanting to put together a small book of my poems and some of my artwork for quite a while, but never seem to get it finished.  So, I thought I'd post some of those poems and drawings here, for those who might be interested.  I may post this for a few days, and then change my mind.  But, anyway, I hope you all enjoy.

Just A Thought

When the sun sets

and the sky fades

When the stars fall

and our lives burn away

When Hell expands

and Heaven moves

When the knowledge we crave

And the nothingness we love

turns to dust…

You're still here.

And the liars and deceivers

The hypocrites and believers

The scoffers and deniers

The sellers and the buyers

Will finally see the one

That's been so much on their minds.

(August, 2005)

(Pencil, 1998)