Josh Hamrick

This is part 2 of a multi-part series I am doing on the music that completely redirected my life.

It was sometime in the fall of 1993. My first (and only) semester at UNC-Wilmington. There was a legendary club in Wilmington called the Mad Monk, where I would end up spending many an evening, but the first time I went was on a Tuesday 3-band, 3-buck night. Not expecting much for $3, I wasn’t let down when the first two bands were only worth about a dollar each. I figured to this point I was breaking even. Getting a little tired, and not sure I wanted to stick around, I’m not sure why I stayed when this group of nerds took the stage:

Seriously, they were wearing  jester hats, and stuff. They reminded me more of a high-school drama troupe than an-up and coming indie rock band.

Luckily, they started playing before I had the chance to leave. Their music was a nice, fun, party rock / funk mix. I had a great time and new I’d hear them again. Shortly thereafter, I found Solid in a local CD shop and picked it up.

The first four songs were pretty good, and produced well, but the rest sounded like they were recorded live on a boom box. I mean, I was indie and all…but this was a bit much. Still, I listened, and some of the tracks grew on me, even through the poor production, though mostly I just liked being reminded of the fun party band I had seen several nights before.

I continued to go watch the band every time they were within a couple of hours. Over the months they got better each time I saw them, and the clubs were more packed out each time I saw them. Somewhere along the way, they ditched the jester hats. Good call.

In 1994 Labrador came out. This was a game changer as far as I was concerned. This took Everything from being a frat party band, to a band who could make serious music about serious topics. They had written some great songs, and the production was more than adequate.  In 96 they put out a live CD, which was pretty good, and in retrospect, was really good.

But then came 1998, and it all changed..DUH, DUN…DUNNNN (that’s ominous music, folks!)

Supernatural ended up being one of the best albums of the 90’s. It still holds up today. The songs are amazing, the playing is unreal, and the production is top-notch. “Hooch” was the breakout hit from the disc, and kind of a summer party song, but it was really the Trojan Horse that got you into the rest of the album.

Unfortunately, Everything may have set the bar too high with Supernatural. They released a couple more discs after this, but none could measure up. After 15 years of constant touring and recording, Everything now goes down as a one-hit wonder.

Hey, at least they had a hit.

I plan on doing a several part series here on the bands, albums, and songs that transformed my outlook forever. This is part 1. I’ll try to do 10 or so. These are in no particular order. All have been monumental to my life in some way.

 

U2

In 1987 I was in 7th grade, and was just beginning to develop my own musical taste. I had enjoyed music all my life, but only because someone else told me what to enjoy.  My dad liked Motown, so I followed. My friends were into punk, so I liked that, too. Just a few months early, I was talking to a friend, Larry Jeter, about how cool Jazzy Jeff’s “Rock the House” album was. He disagreed. Said Jeff was old news. New thing was the Beastie Boys. So, I walked down to the corner record store and bought “Licensed to Ill”.

I was shocked at how horrible it was. Don’t get me wrong, I learned to like the Beasties. The following morning, I made sure to tell Larry, and everyone else, just how awesome they were.

Gimme a break. I was 12.

But anyways, that lets you know where I was musically at this period in my life…nowhere, really.

One day while in Roses checking out the $3 cassette tapes, I spotted Led Zeppelin (4), and thought the cover look cool, so i bought it. Didn’t really like it either, and since none of my friends were into Zep, I didn’t really try. My sister’s college boyfriend, however, was on a classic rock kick, so I thought he might be interested in a trade. rummaging through his tapes, I saw this:

The black and white sleeve looked cool. The name “U2″ sounded kind of punky. “The Joshua Tree”…well, my name is Josh. Get it? “Who is this?” i asked.

“It’s the new album from a band I saw on campus a few years back. They were pretty good, and it looks like they are making it big.”

I decided “The Joshua Tree” would be a fair exchange, so without hearing one note, I handed over Stairway and got Streets in return. When I finally got around to listening to it, I was stunned. I liked it…a lot. In fact, it wasn’t even that I liked what I heard. I liked what I felt. I couldn’t even help that i liked it. I knew my friends were gonna think it was fruity, but there was nothing I could do. I loved it.

I ran Joshua Tree into the ground for the next few months, and still listen to it occasionally. It is probably the single best rock disc ever. Fast Fwd to my family beach trip that year. Standing in the record shop looking at the sale rack, and what catches my eye?

That night, I layed in bed at the Summer Cottage condo and let songs like “New Years Day” take me to a different world. The passion and anger displayed in songs like “Sunday Bloody Sunday” was unlike anything I had ever heard.

“These guys are singin about something”…

I went back and bought everything they had done before, and have bought everything since…and I learned to like a lot of other music too, for myself.

But U2 was first, and they still have a special place in my heart.

My sisters rocked the spot at Patterson Springs last Sunday. I don’t guess I shouldn’t comment on myself, but they are my sisters, and they were AWESOME. It was a lot of fun, seemed like most people were into it, and God was glorified. Hopefully, I can get them back soon. It had been about 5 years since we last sang together. Can’t let that happen again. Next time, we might include the whole family band, including full children’s choir. It’s sure to be an extravaganza. For those of you who missed this one, don’t let it happen again.

In other news, my surgery is scheduled for June 29th. Brain surgery…that’s pretty heavy, huh? It’s actually endovascular and very non-invasive, but it sounds so much more intense to call it brain surgery. Anyway, i feel good about it, and I think we’re doing the right thing. Doctor made me comfortable…of course, he’s getting paid. The Electrolux guy made me think I needed a $2000 vacuum cleaner. At least the doctor didn’t dump dirt on my carpet to prove his point.

I’ve been reading about 100 books lately, so I’ll share them with you here and there over the next few weeks. Quick Disclaimer: Because I read a book does not imply that I agree with everything stated in the book, or that I agree with everything else the author has ever said. In fact, I am more likely to read a book that may present a new idea rather than continue the same thing over and over. The downside to this is that you will occasionally find something you disagree with. The upside is that it is the only possible way to learn. Therefore, if you are the type to play “Heretic by Association”, get your typing fingers ready, because you will probably be quite offended at one thing or another in the coming days.

That being said, lets start with an older book I have wanted to read for years, but only recently found time, while sitting in Hospital waiting rooms:

Some Said it Thundered : A Personal Encounter with the Kansas City Prophets                            by David Pytches

 

Wow. Just that title sounds totally epic and spookily spiritual, doesn’t it? This book was written in 1990 about a group of modern day pseudo-prophets that were at that time gathered in Kansas City. 20 years has passed, and most of these guys have fallen out of favour for scandal, false predictions, or whatever, but some have hung around the fringes of Charismatic Christianity…and others just won’t go away. I was first alerted to these cats when the whole Lakeland Revival thing was going on in 2008. Todd Bentley seemed to name drop these guys more than Jesus, and being more than a little suspicious of Bentley, I wanted to check out his inspiration. Read whatever I could find online, and then found this little gem of a book. There is something about me that is totally fascinated by guys like the ones wrote about in this book. Just the gall to purport to literally be speaking on God’s behalf makes me want to listen. I suppose that is where the danger comes in. If the person is being honest, and God is speaking through them, you must act on what they say. If the person is false…well, the opportunity for manipulation just seems to easy. (For the record, I’m more of a Sola Scriptura guy. Al Mohler defines my view of modern inspiration quite well in his book, He is Not Silent.) Regardless of all that, it is an interesting little book and an easy read. Just to hear the inane little things that they would see as prophetic signs from God was cooky. I couldn’t imagine having to live a life where even the number on my tennis shoe was a cryptic message from the Creator. Too much margin for error on my part, but I guess that’s why these guys are prophets. Except they get things wrong all the time. Oh yeah, that little thing. Pytches himself seems like a solid enough guy, acknowledging the gift while attempting to outline some structure and guidelines for its usage in the church. Still, 20 years later I wonder if he looks back and thinks, “I knew something was fishy!”. Usually, we do. Call it discernment, intuition, or whatever, but there is usually that little tug that tells us, “Wait, something is rotten here.” Don’t ignore that voice.

It could actually be the Lord.

For the first time in several years, my sisters and I will be singing together this Sunday morning. We will be leading worhsip at Patterson Springs starting at 10:45am. Don’t miss it! My sisters can sing!

Also, wanted to point you guys to another new project I’m involved in: worshipministry.com . This site is full of resources for worship leaders, and I am bloggin there every Wednesday. Check it out!

For all the PSBC folks, we’ll be back to our regular schedule this week. Practice at 5, be there!

Fallen Angel: The Outlaw Larry Norman is an ulra-contraversial documentary by filmmaker David Di Sabatino. Early screenings around the country have caused more than just a little online dust-up between Di Sabatino and the family and followers of Larry Norman. (For a peek into Normans side check out this site: Failed Angle )

After reading all the angry discourse, I had to see the movie for myself, and I didn’t think it was too much of a hatchet job. Some of the problems addressed on the Failed Angle site aren’t even mentioned in the movie. Overall, it was a fairly even-handed telling of the story of Larry Norman.

About now, many of you are asking, “Who is Larry Norman?” Those who thought they knew Larry Norman watched the film and asked the same question. It’s the same question I asked when I had my one and only encounter with Norman around 1997 or ‘98. Larry Norman was an early Christian Rocker who died in 2008. In the late ’60s he had a mainstream hit with the band People!, but left shortly thereafter and began singing songs about Jesus. He was founder of Solid Rock records which was home to lots of groundbreaking Christian artists such as Randy Stonehill, and the band Daniel Amos, both of which are interviewed in this film. Neither of which have much good to say.

There is a lot said about unpaid royalties, promises broken, and marital affairs, but possibly the largest claim is that Larry fathered a child in Australia that he subsequently abandoned, and has never publicly admitted to having. The boy is a young man now, and apparently stayed in contact with Larry through letters and e-mail, and there are pictures of Larry with the boy and his mother, but publicly, Larry never acknowledged his existence.

I think the main thrust of the movie is how God continued to use Larry Norman, even though he was so obviously flawed.  This is a good lesson for us all, as it doesn’t take much looking around to find another fallen Christian. Good to know that God is in control and not dependant upon me. The movie is also a call to take our behaviour more seriously when you see the destruction and pain that Norman left in his path.

As far as the claims go, my guess is that the truth lies somewhere in the middle. I’m sure not all the bad things said about him are true, but I’m also not naive. Where there is smoke, there is usually fire. My guess is that Larry wasn’t a very good friend, so to speak.

Watch it for yourself. It’s a well made documentary, and the story is rather captivating.  Not just for fans of Larry’s music either, as I’m not particularly fond of it myself. Anyway, if you can find it…I reccomend it.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLmjVDQMQUs&feature=player_embedded]

Watch the whole thing.

These folks are happy. Can’t fault them for that.

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)

Yep. This is what my Pastor spoke about Sunday, and it really put a damper on the pity party I was prepared to throw for myself. It is easy to rejoice when things are going good. Lately, in my little world, I have a bunch of craziness going on.  For starters, I’ve had a headache for about six weeks now. That’s not much fun.  Many of my friends and family are also enduring health problems. Some quarreling and confusion among friends, and I love them all. Also, several friends who live in Nashville, and the flooding is threatening their homes and livelihoods.

Woo-hooo! Right?…Partay time!!!Yeah?

Well, yes. Rejoice in all things. Aneurysm? Rejoice! Floods? Rejoice! Oil Spills? Rejoice! Again, I say Rejoice.

Don’t get me wrong, none of these things is fun to deal with, and God knows that. Paul was suffering in a Roman prison when he wrote that verse, so he knows, too.  So, why do we rejoice?

Because we have a Saviour who loves us.

Because He is my friend.

Because He is.

What happened at your church this weekend? If you were at my church, what did you think?

I was trying to keep everyone up to date with all that was going on, but things started changing so rapidly I wasn’t able to keep up. So, here is the quick version of where we’ve been for the past month. As most of you know, I was having severe headaches several weeks ago that led to vomiting, confusion, etc. Did several tests, everything came up fine, and I was diagnosed with cluster headaches. In the last CT-a scan we did about 2 weeks ago, they found a small aneurysm. It may or may not have anything to do with the headaches, but it is a real blessing that we found it now, and not later. It is no immediate danger to me, but the doctors think it could become a danger if I let it go too long. Therefore, we will be doing endovascular brain surgery sometime in the next few months. I’ll keep you posted on exact dates. So that’s that. I’m really doing quite well, a few headaches here and there, but they are controllable by medication. I greatly appreciate all of your prayers and concern, and please don’t stop

Now that the tests and fright have died down a little, I’ll probably be back on the blogging scene some.  I’m still leading worship every Sunday morning at Patterson Springs, and I’ll try to get back to posting set lists for those of you from the choir.

Alrighty. I hope all of you have a great weekend, and worship somewhere Sunday morning. If you don’t have a church home, we’d love to have you at Patterson Springs!

Be Blessed…I know I am!

Hey folks! Sorry for being late. Thought I had already done this…woops

So, we’re gonna take it easy for the next couple of weeks so we can devote more time to the Easter songs at practice.

Here’s the songs!

Holy is the Lord

You Are Worthy of my Praise

Surrender

Thanks again! See you tomorrow morning.

Okey Dokey, Here ya go:

Forever

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_dsZpcA2R8]

Your Name

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5i2pELpqBg]

Surrender

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB9avoFdYrU]

1 verse and chorus of I Surrender All

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x2IpLSfqp8]

Again, PSBC folks, I can’t tell you how blessed I am to be able to know and work with each of you. Let’s continue praying and working towards a missional mindset. How can we be more effective in impacting our community with the Gospel of  Jesus?

I hope you’ve had an incredible week. I can’t wait to worship with you again on Sunday!