Newsboys
Biography
As co-founder of Newsboys 12 years ago in Australia, Peter Furler doesn't mind admitting that we were really bad when we started."
Of course, he can say that now because Newsboys have much more to boast about these days. During the '90s, the Nashville-based quintet has become one of pop's most solidly accomplished ensembles, selling nearly three million records, earning three Grammy nominations, two gold records, four Dove awards, and numerous other accolades. Their blend of polished, energetic songcraft & resonant lyrical themes have resulted in meaningful music that engages the ears & the soul.
And the feet, for with Love Liberty Disco-- Newsboys' 8th album -- the quintet greets the turn of the century with their best work yet, a stirring piece that brings Newsboys to an exciting new pinnacle of artistry.
'I think we just wanted to make a bigger and better and bolder and more beautiful record than before," says bassist Phil Joel. ''We don't really sit down with a solid, thematic agenda. It usually takes its own course as the record progresses."
Adds keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein, ''This unit has been together seven years. We're learning how to really work with each other and striving to just get better. And we've never been a band that's just been content with saying 'How are we going to top that?' Every record that comes out is different and challenging -- for us and our fans."
On Love Liberty Disco, Newsboys have arrived at a particularly triumphant place in their career, completing a transition that began two years ago. That's when lead singer John James left the band, bringing Furler-who moved to the United States in 1991-- up front to take his place, and moving Duncan Philips onto the drum stool.
Newsboys responded well to that particular challenge; the subsequent album, Step Up to the Microphone--the first time the group produced itself--resulted in 4 number one hits ("Entertaining Angels") and sales that thrilled Newsboys' faithful and attracted a broader audience, particularly via the heavy touring the group did to support the album. And that only left them eager to take the next step.
Newsboys took that next step last January, heading into the studio for an uncharacteristic vacation session to work on some of the songs that Furler and Joel wrote during a beachfront vacation with their wives in Florida. The group, which also includes guitarist Jody Davis, kicked out seven songs during 11 days, four of which -- "Break," "Fall on You," "I Would Give Everything" and "Everyone's Someone" made it to the album.
"We wanted to just get a good head start on this record," explains Joel. "It wasn't due for a long time, so it was kind of a test, really, to see if we could jump in a little less cautiously and just charge on through and record some of these songs without thinking about it too much, just sitting back and letting it flow."
It worked like a charm, according to Furler, who also produced Love Liberty Disco. "Most times, for every record we've ever made, we walked into the studio with five songs and we've dropped two of them and ended up writing the rest while the record was going down," he relates. "We knew that was not the best way to do it. This record we went in with 40 songs, and it was a great pleasure to be able to pick from that. If we didn't feel like doing a particular one, it was easy to move on and keep the recording process."
Most importantly, the January session set a tone for when Newsboys reconvened in June at the White House studios, particularly in the dry, forceful drum sound that Joel says "carried the whole record."
"This is what the band sounds like when we're playing live," says Frankenstein. ''A lot of times I've gotten comments from people who say 'Man, I love it on record, but live it's just awesome. I think we wanted to capture more of that this time."
And for those fans that anticipate Newsboys' live performances, their Spring 2000 tour will be a sure-fire hit. This time around the band travels with a specially created, self-contained inflatable venue. This air-dome will be the showcase for the band as they play 70 shows in 50 cities to crowds nationwide.
As for the content of the songs on Love Liberty Disco, they carry a heft and examine issues such as self image, responsibility, spirituality and the need for love, and not just the romantic variety, in our lives.
That certainly comes across in the ebullient title track, which started as a between-songs jam according to Furler -- and grew into a song that gave Love Liberty Disco another point of focus.
"We've begun to realize that love and freedom and family are three key points in this faith that we have," says Joel. "These are the things that we have as the body of Christ and I think growing up in the church we forget that and neglect to let our neighbor in on it. It's really hit home that we need to be sharing this."
"Sometimes the outside world is not as outside as you think, sometimes it's right inside the church" states Furler "we find that a lot of the people we play to are confused about faith, about the world, and confused about eternity."
Some of those were drawn from the group's travels through impoverished areas of Mexico last year. ''That really changes you big time," says Frankenstein. ''It keeps your perspective in check." Newsboys expect a similar experience when they travel to Brazil to play at the SOS da Vida Festival (SOS For Life) in San Paulo.
And that will only enrich an already deep and thoughtful group of songs that comprise Love Liberty Disco. This is message music for the masses, an album that's as thought-provoking as it is enormously tuneful, ultimately establishing Newsboys as an exciting and important force in pop music.
''We want anyone to come along to it," insists Joel. ''We're getting older, and I think we're beginning to see a little more of what matters. I think our perspective is getting a little clearer. I think it reflects in this record."
To which Furler adds, ''We're not here to play to one camp. We're trying to make the best music and better ourselves each time."
Discography:
1988 Read All About It, Refuge
1990 hell is for wimps, Star Song
1991 Boyz Will be Boyz, Star Song
1992 Not Ashamed, Star Song
1994 Going Public, Star Song
1996 Take Me to Your Leader, Star Song/Virgin
1998 Step Up To The Microphone, Star Song/Virgin
1999 Love Liberty Disco, Sparrow
Gold Albums:
Take Me To Your Leader Going Public
Touring:
Nearly half a million fans nationwide caught up with Newsboys on their 120-city nationwide 98-99 'Step Up To The Microphone tour,' capping it off as the most highly acclaimed season of their decade-plus career. Key markets including Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Houston, West Palm Beach, and Phoenix saw increased ticket sales from past performances, establishing Newsboys' show as the biggest contemporary Christian music tour of the fall of 1998.
Radio Number One Singles:
Step Up To The Microphone "Entertaining Angels" "Woo Hoo" "Believe" "Step Up To The Microphone"
Take Me to Your Leader "Breathe" "Take Me to Your Leader" "Cup '0 Tea" "Reality" "Let it Go"
Going Public "Shine" "Spirit Thing" "Truth & Consequences" "Real Good Thing"
Publicity Highlights:
TV features include: Good Morning America Entertainment Tonight. E! Entertainment Television. VH1 - CNN Headline News - CNBC - PBS. Crook & Chase Good Morning Australia. Nightline Australia
Print features include: Rolling Stone; Teen People; Teen; HITS; Entertainment Weekly; RayGun; Guitar Player; Album Network; Modern Drummer- Details - Forbes - Los Angeles Times - Detroit Free Press - Pollstar; Chicago Tribune - Dallas Morning News - Arizona Republic - Sydney Morning Herald - The Australian - ELLE - Australia. San Francisco Chronicle - Motorcross Journal
Awards/Nominations:
Billboard Music Video Award, Best CCM Video, "Entertaining Angels"
International Angel Award, Video, "Entertaining Angels,"
Nashville Music Award, Favorite CCM Album, Step Up To The Microphone
Dove Award, Short Form Video of the Year, 1999, "Entertaining Angels"
Dove Award Nomination, Song of the Year, "Entertaining Angels"
Dove Award Nomination, Rock Album of the Year, Step Up To The Microphone
Dove Award Nomination, Group of the Year, 1999
Grammy Nomination, Rock Album of the Year, Take Me to Your Leader
Grammy Nomination, Rock Album of the Year, Going Pubic
Grammy Nomination, Rock Album of the Year, Not Ashamed
Dove Award, Recorded Music Packaging, Take Me to Your Leader
Dove Award, Rock Album of the Year, Going Public
Dove Award, Rock Recorded Song of the Year, "Shine."
International Angel Award, Video, "Shine,"
Dove Nomination, Rock Album of the Year, Take Me to Your Leader
Dove Nomination, Rock Recorded Song of the Year, "God is Not a Secret"
Dove Nomination, Short Form Music Video of the Year, "Take Me to Your Leader"
Dove Nomination, Song of the Year, "Shine"
Dove Nomination, Short Form Music Video, "Shine"
Dove Nomination, Group of the Year, 1995
Dove Nomination, Short Form Video, "I Cannot Get You Out of My System"
1999 CCM Magazine Readers Poll Awards:
Favorite Song - "Entertaining Angels"
Favorite Live Performers
Shine...The Hits
2000
1. Shine
2. I'm Not Ashamed
3. Breakfast
4. Reality
5. Take Me To Your Leader
6. Joy
7. Entertaining Angels
8. Praises
9. Spirit Thing
10. Woohoo
11. Step Up To The Microphone
12. God Is Not A Secret
13. Where You Belong/Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
14. Who?
15. Believe
16. I Got Your Number
17. Mega-Mix
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