Cephas Hour Artist Spotlight: 77’s – RedState

Surf music and blues seem to be a strange combination. Few people will find a radio station with tips from the beach boys and then muddy water.However, there is a band that can perform both brilliantly pop music of the orchestra led by Brian Wilson and the salt of the earth blues, whether it is its founder or a second-generation master. E.g Eric Clapton. Input 77s.

Although the ’77s have been around since the 1980s, the band is still almost unknown except for a loyal few. In 1987, when the band’s eponymous release, the first (and only) and third album on the Island label, won Positive reviews of Rolling StoneUnfortunately, this album could not find a place in the public spotlight. It will be described in detail later. 77’s and their countrymen choir and Daniel AmosFor those who are inclined to overly literal interpretation, this seems to be the big three of paradoxes: the Christian cult band.

Originally called the Savage Young Scratch Band in the 77s (fortunately they changed its name), it has always been centered around guitarist/singer/songwriter Michael Roe. Roe is the legal master of his instruments, waving his Stratocaster and regularly providing smooth improvisations and melodies full of blues, alongside the acclaimed six-string giant. He is an equally skilled songwriter, who can play both hook-filled blues and beautiful original sound or soft electronic pop tunes. In terms of lyricism, Roy penetrates into the depths of human emotions and relationships with a primitive frankness, which has never been seen in Christian music since the heyday of the late Larry Norman. The gospel message has not been suppressed, but Roy reminds everyone with a devastating force that Christians also suffer from broken hearts.

This force has been plagued the market for a long time. Is this 77s?

Or is this 77s?

Or is this actually 77s?

For the joy of fans and the confusion of the music industry, the answer is yes.

Anyway, back to the history of the band. The first lineup recorded the first two albums on the small Exit label, which was owned by the Warehouse Ministries in Sacramento and served as the band’s base camp. News about the band and other artists spread on Exit, such as Charlie Peacock, so much so that the head of Island Records listened to the 77s and signed his label with Peacock… a bit. The 77s and Peacock did not become mature Island recording artists like the most popular performances on the label at the time (some Irish four-piece bands sang on the streets without street signs), the 77s and Peacock soon realized that although Island will indeed be on the Island label. As far as Island is concerned, it is strictly a distribution agreement. If there is any, the promotion effort made by the label is definitely the least. Therefore, the third album of the same name mentioned above disappeared into the abyss of vinyl records. The resulting tension effectively split the band in two, looking like all the purposes that had been accomplished in the ’77.

Then an interesting thing happened on the way to “Where are they now?” document. A Christian alternative rock label gave Roe and the company an opportunity to sort out the loose ending by releasing a compilation of previously unreleased material.This idea was realized in 1990 Sticks and stones, Which is the exact opposite of how these things should work, it’s loaded with high-quality materials, and it became the band’s best-selling release. Roe then revived the band, retaining drummer Aaron Smith, who joined the first lineup after his debut album, and listed the San Francisco alt band Romeo Void and other credits in his resume. He joined Mark Harmon on the bass and David Leonhardt on the guitar and keyboard, who had previously worked together as scarecrows. The quartet recorded two albums, after which Smith and Leonhardt both left. Roe’s next move is to retain Harmon, while bringing drummer Bruce Spencer and continuing as a trio. This is the current configuration of the band, although it often brings a fourth member for live work.

Unfortunately, there is no compilation of bands suitable for introduction.Hope to fill this gap at least partially, the latest episode Cephas hours It has the advantages of uninterrupted 77’s for more than an hour, allowing you to enjoy listening pleasure.The program link is here (https://cephashour.com/2021/08/11/cephas-hour-episode-twenty-three-release-date-august-11-2021/); The detailed playlist is as follows:

The music of the 77s can be found in the band’s Band Summer Camp Page.