Planetshakers 2008 New Zealand Tour included one night at Alive Church, Whangarei
Christian Music News Source
Christian Music News Source
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Worth Dying For: Californian worshippers who chose blindfolds, not fan adulation
One of the best of the new breed of rock worship bands is the five-member team from California, Worth Dying For. Currently Cross Rhythms is giving airplay to their song "Let It Out" from their self-titled album on Integrity Music. In an age where many rock musicians tend to soft-peddle their faith while fishing for the big record deal, Worth Dying For show a refreshing all-out ministry focus. Says 21 year old Sean Loche, one of the two lead vocalists in the band, "Jesus Christ and music are the two things that consume the thoughts and lives of this band. Combine the two and you get what we love to do: worship. We are ordinary people who have a desire to show others how to fall in love with God in a deeper, more passionate way. The music that God has used us to write has changed our youth ministry and our city. Now, God has put it on our hearts to let these songs resonate in the hearts of the young people across this nation."
Josh O'Haire adds: "Everything we're doing from the ministry to the music, we want it to make an impact on this generation. We see so many young kids each week. . . so much that they go through. Broken homes, depression, suicide. In mentoring them, I've seen how they feel like they're not a part of something. Our goal is to give them hope and something to be a part of, something real."
"Our dream is to see lives changed," Sean continues, "to ignite and empower them to go out and do big things. It's not just about us playing songs, but helping them connect, letting a revolution begin with them."
Worth Dying For's heartening desire not to play at rock stars in the insular bubble of Nashville CCM is underlined by their album sleeve which pictures the five band members each wearing a blindfold. Sean explains the thinking behind this mysterious image: "We put blindfolds across our eyes because - we really want to see a move take place across this nation with the youth and we want to see them rise up to be more than what they are and we don't care if we are a part of it or not. A lot of times you recognise somebody by seeing their eyes, so we put blindfolds over our eyes to say that we don't care about the fame or the glam of it, we just want to see the youth rise up across the country."
Worth Dying For was birthed in the city-wide outreach of Calvary Temple of Modesto's weekly youth event called The Stadium. The five-member band is made up of lead vocalists Christy Johnson (who also plays keytar) and Sean Loche (who also plays bass), Nathan Parish and Micah Berteau on guitars and Josh O'Haire on drums. 'Worth Dying For' was produced by Henry Seeley and Joth Hunt from Australia's Planetshakers along with Dave Wyatt. The album is full of punchy, spirit-lifting anthems. One of the album's outstanding songs is the opener, "Revolution". "We wrote our song 'Revolution' a little over a year ago," says Micah. "The idea was to empower kids with the truth. We are the sound of a revolution; we can use our voices to tell people about God, to lift a generation up. We know we have to give up all we are to see this revolution happen in our city. When a generation realises that, that's when a revolution can begin. As the lyric says, 'Today is the day we'll give it back to you.'"
"The biggest place we're seeing growth as a band is lyrically," Micah continues. "As we keep growing in God, he begins to give us even deeper, more mature songs. 'At Your Cross' is a great example. I'd been praying for a song to take us past the level we were used to, a song that would tap into a deeper presence." He says the song spontaneously came to him at a youth camp during a worship service. Not forced or planned, but a natural result of being "at worship."
In these and all their songs, the band says, the mission is front and centre. "Our message is: The revolution is you. . . one person standing up for Christ," Sean states. "We have a different sense of Christianity than some do. We talk about duty, the forces of darkness and spiritual warfare, and we try to empower our kids, not to sit back but to engage, to stand up and realise that when they do that, they are empowered by the king of kings to fight the darkness. With Jesus on their side, nothing can stand against them."
And their message, like their music, holds nothing back. Guitarist Nathan, 27, sums it up. "For me, you can't really fight the darkness of our culture, you can't really stand up and be who God made you to be, unless you have ammunition to fight. When I was growing up, there wasn't anything for us to worship with, nothing to identify with. The music didn't belong to us. Today, with so much being fed to this generation, if they don't have something - anything - to hold on to, to connect with, they won't be able to stand. Our desire is to give them something that can unite and empower them to stand strong and be courageous."
Christian Music News Source
Josh O'Haire adds: "Everything we're doing from the ministry to the music, we want it to make an impact on this generation. We see so many young kids each week. . . so much that they go through. Broken homes, depression, suicide. In mentoring them, I've seen how they feel like they're not a part of something. Our goal is to give them hope and something to be a part of, something real."
"Our dream is to see lives changed," Sean continues, "to ignite and empower them to go out and do big things. It's not just about us playing songs, but helping them connect, letting a revolution begin with them."
Worth Dying For's heartening desire not to play at rock stars in the insular bubble of Nashville CCM is underlined by their album sleeve which pictures the five band members each wearing a blindfold. Sean explains the thinking behind this mysterious image: "We put blindfolds across our eyes because - we really want to see a move take place across this nation with the youth and we want to see them rise up to be more than what they are and we don't care if we are a part of it or not. A lot of times you recognise somebody by seeing their eyes, so we put blindfolds over our eyes to say that we don't care about the fame or the glam of it, we just want to see the youth rise up across the country."
Worth Dying For was birthed in the city-wide outreach of Calvary Temple of Modesto's weekly youth event called The Stadium. The five-member band is made up of lead vocalists Christy Johnson (who also plays keytar) and Sean Loche (who also plays bass), Nathan Parish and Micah Berteau on guitars and Josh O'Haire on drums. 'Worth Dying For' was produced by Henry Seeley and Joth Hunt from Australia's Planetshakers along with Dave Wyatt. The album is full of punchy, spirit-lifting anthems. One of the album's outstanding songs is the opener, "Revolution". "We wrote our song 'Revolution' a little over a year ago," says Micah. "The idea was to empower kids with the truth. We are the sound of a revolution; we can use our voices to tell people about God, to lift a generation up. We know we have to give up all we are to see this revolution happen in our city. When a generation realises that, that's when a revolution can begin. As the lyric says, 'Today is the day we'll give it back to you.'"
"The biggest place we're seeing growth as a band is lyrically," Micah continues. "As we keep growing in God, he begins to give us even deeper, more mature songs. 'At Your Cross' is a great example. I'd been praying for a song to take us past the level we were used to, a song that would tap into a deeper presence." He says the song spontaneously came to him at a youth camp during a worship service. Not forced or planned, but a natural result of being "at worship."
In these and all their songs, the band says, the mission is front and centre. "Our message is: The revolution is you. . . one person standing up for Christ," Sean states. "We have a different sense of Christianity than some do. We talk about duty, the forces of darkness and spiritual warfare, and we try to empower our kids, not to sit back but to engage, to stand up and realise that when they do that, they are empowered by the king of kings to fight the darkness. With Jesus on their side, nothing can stand against them."
And their message, like their music, holds nothing back. Guitarist Nathan, 27, sums it up. "For me, you can't really fight the darkness of our culture, you can't really stand up and be who God made you to be, unless you have ammunition to fight. When I was growing up, there wasn't anything for us to worship with, nothing to identify with. The music didn't belong to us. Today, with so much being fed to this generation, if they don't have something - anything - to hold on to, to connect with, they won't be able to stand. Our desire is to give them something that can unite and empower them to stand strong and be courageous."
Christian Music News Source
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Planetshakers - Free
Planetshakers - Free. My first Christian Lyric Video. :-) Hope you enjoy!
Christian Music News Source
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Camp Fest 08 - PlanetShakers ... FULL SONG
...incredible worship leading by PlanetShakers from Australia which were playing at christian festival - CampFest and first time ever in Slovakia!
Christian Music News Source
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
One to Watch: Planetshakers
The “land down under” has helped introduce some major players in the world of Christian music (think Newsboys, Rebecca St. James and Darlene Zschech). Now another accomplished praise & worship act is poised to make an impact on American soil. Planetshakers started as the worship team for the Planetshakers conference—now a 20,000-person event. Russell Evans, the visionary and director of Planetshakers, but his wife, Sam, along with Henry Seely and Mike Guglielmucci, who grew up together as teenagers in the Evans’ youth ministry, are the principle songwriters for Planetshakers. The group moved to Melbourne last year to start a Planetshakers church and have recorded two CDs. The latest, (My King) Live Praise and Worship, hit stores in August.
CCM: What’s a Planetshakers conference like?
Seely: It’s a four-day event that we run in five different states of Australia (and soon in the United States!). We have two sessions of praise/worship/speaking during the day and a huge concert-style night rally with the band and a guest speaker. We also run specialized workshops in the afternoons on various types of ministry (high school ministry, worship etc). One of our mandates is to “empower a generation to win a generation,” so we don’t just have an entertainment-based program—we run the whole event to change students/young adults’ lives, which, in turn, will change our cities and, ultimately, our nation.
CCM: Do you target the same audience as Hillsong (church and label home for Zschech)?
Seely: We love the Hillsong team—they are great friends of ours and have done great things for Australian praise & worship. While I think there may be some overlap in the target audience, I would say Planetshakers targets a younger audience overall than Hillsong.
CCM: Is there any difference between an Australian audience and an American audience?
Seely: We’ve had some great audiences in America—people who really worship and give it their all. But I think Australian young people have this kind of “rawness” to them. They’re not afraid of what their friends think or how they look but just explode with passion for God. That’s what we’re really wanting to see happen in American young people—no fears, no limitations, no intimidation—just flat-out passion for God.
Christian Music News Source
CCM: What’s a Planetshakers conference like?
Seely: It’s a four-day event that we run in five different states of Australia (and soon in the United States!). We have two sessions of praise/worship/speaking during the day and a huge concert-style night rally with the band and a guest speaker. We also run specialized workshops in the afternoons on various types of ministry (high school ministry, worship etc). One of our mandates is to “empower a generation to win a generation,” so we don’t just have an entertainment-based program—we run the whole event to change students/young adults’ lives, which, in turn, will change our cities and, ultimately, our nation.
CCM: Do you target the same audience as Hillsong (church and label home for Zschech)?
Seely: We love the Hillsong team—they are great friends of ours and have done great things for Australian praise & worship. While I think there may be some overlap in the target audience, I would say Planetshakers targets a younger audience overall than Hillsong.
CCM: Is there any difference between an Australian audience and an American audience?
Seely: We’ve had some great audiences in America—people who really worship and give it their all. But I think Australian young people have this kind of “rawness” to them. They’re not afraid of what their friends think or how they look but just explode with passion for God. That’s what we’re really wanting to see happen in American young people—no fears, no limitations, no intimidation—just flat-out passion for God.
Christian Music News Source
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Planetshakers - Always And Forever
Reviewed by Jeremy Chalmers
"Ever-growing!" is a good way to describe the impact and influence of the house band who minister at the annual Melbourne youth culture event. Previously compared to the raw, passionate sounds of the worshipful stadium rockers Sonicflood, the musicians here have produced another truly passionate reflection. Kicking off with the punk rock declaration "Always And Forever", an exciting and up-beat song, this album starts as it means to go on with honest and hungry lyrics (written mainly by Henry Seeley and Mike Guglielmucci) backed by a heavy electric guitar sound and loud, pulsating and victorious sounding drum beat. As well as "Always And Forever" this album is full of songs that suit the stadium, with tracks like "See You", "Not Ashamed" and "Great And Mighty". However, recognising there is a time for everything this album also offers slower, more intimate sounding songs, with vocals sounding much like Hillsong United's Marty Sampson's in songs like "Don't Pass Me By". One striking feature of this album however is how it ends, having been led through the loud and quiet times of worship with this album I found it up-lifting and inspiring to finish on a song as cross-focused as "Cry Holy"....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
"Ever-growing!" is a good way to describe the impact and influence of the house band who minister at the annual Melbourne youth culture event. Previously compared to the raw, passionate sounds of the worshipful stadium rockers Sonicflood, the musicians here have produced another truly passionate reflection. Kicking off with the punk rock declaration "Always And Forever", an exciting and up-beat song, this album starts as it means to go on with honest and hungry lyrics (written mainly by Henry Seeley and Mike Guglielmucci) backed by a heavy electric guitar sound and loud, pulsating and victorious sounding drum beat. As well as "Always And Forever" this album is full of songs that suit the stadium, with tracks like "See You", "Not Ashamed" and "Great And Mighty". However, recognising there is a time for everything this album also offers slower, more intimate sounding songs, with vocals sounding much like Hillsong United's Marty Sampson's in songs like "Don't Pass Me By". One striking feature of this album however is how it ends, having been led through the loud and quiet times of worship with this album I found it up-lifting and inspiring to finish on a song as cross-focused as "Cry Holy"....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Planetshakers - Free
Crunchy, punk-oriented praise songs ala-Tooth and Nail bands and big worship anthems have long been the forte and majority of output from Planetshakers, and that’s what you get on Free, the first album from the Melbourne-based church (as opposed to the conference albums).
Songs like “Salvation”, “Free” and “ Saved The Day” rock the high-energy riff-based sound, while “I Need You” and “Glory to God” are a heart-cry of desperate worship. Sure, there are some unexceptional songs on here, as will be the case for every worship album, and yes, the musical intro may have similarities to another Aussie worship heavyweight, but the positives are aplenty: I played the title track every morning for about a month and it set my day on fire! Of notable significance too is a changing of the guard in songwriters, with youngsters Joth Hunt, Mike Nikkerud and Mike Pilmer in particular coming to the fore....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Songs like “Salvation”, “Free” and “ Saved The Day” rock the high-energy riff-based sound, while “I Need You” and “Glory to God” are a heart-cry of desperate worship. Sure, there are some unexceptional songs on here, as will be the case for every worship album, and yes, the musical intro may have similarities to another Aussie worship heavyweight, but the positives are aplenty: I played the title track every morning for about a month and it set my day on fire! Of notable significance too is a changing of the guard in songwriters, with youngsters Joth Hunt, Mike Nikkerud and Mike Pilmer in particular coming to the fore....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Planetshakers - Arise
Reviewed by Dave Griffiths
I was impressed before I even put the CD into my player as the graphics for the CD package is excellent. But, we're here to talk about the musical content. What we have in 'Arise' is a collection of 13 punchy, guitar-driven worship songs carried on the wind of youthful gusto and pop-chorus sensibilities and production. This combo can mean, however, that the content is a little too shallow in places. It's probably great throughout for teenagers, but for me personally it's a little too glossy. Stylistically this is very, very similar to their fellow Aussies, Hillsong United. This music is crafted specifically for large gatherings that the Planetshaker ministry implements, and with that in mind, these songs make a lot more sense. One can easily see hundreds of young saints pogoing their socks off to these high-energy tunes. Many of the songs follow the fast-paced guitar-pop trend, but there are variations with "Majesty", which is a little more Europop with its zingy synth-line. "You Are" at last brings the pace down to a more Darlene-style ballad. "Your Glory" keeps the slower, more acoustic feel and is a great worship song. "My Hero" is really enjoyable melody. "Set Me Free" is the most memorable song and the one most likely to live outside the context of this album....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
I was impressed before I even put the CD into my player as the graphics for the CD package is excellent. But, we're here to talk about the musical content. What we have in 'Arise' is a collection of 13 punchy, guitar-driven worship songs carried on the wind of youthful gusto and pop-chorus sensibilities and production. This combo can mean, however, that the content is a little too shallow in places. It's probably great throughout for teenagers, but for me personally it's a little too glossy. Stylistically this is very, very similar to their fellow Aussies, Hillsong United. This music is crafted specifically for large gatherings that the Planetshaker ministry implements, and with that in mind, these songs make a lot more sense. One can easily see hundreds of young saints pogoing their socks off to these high-energy tunes. Many of the songs follow the fast-paced guitar-pop trend, but there are variations with "Majesty", which is a little more Europop with its zingy synth-line. "You Are" at last brings the pace down to a more Darlene-style ballad. "Your Glory" keeps the slower, more acoustic feel and is a great worship song. "My Hero" is really enjoyable melody. "Set Me Free" is the most memorable song and the one most likely to live outside the context of this album....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Planetshakers - Evermore
Planetshakers describe themselves as comparable to the Hillsongs movement, but with an explosive youth orientated twist. This may be true but as a 40 something I have to admit that there is an energy within these guys that is infectious, and this DVD manages to capture this well. It's full-on explosive and passion led worship from start to finish. These guys rock. Their following has increased since they started nearly 10 years ago and with a performance as good as this you can see why. From the hip-hop style of "Jump Around" to the more traditional worship of "Holy Spirit" there is something here for everyone, whatever age. There are also many resources available in the special features section. A worthwhile investment and very entertaining...
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Planetshakers - Never Stop
Never Stop says it all. We never want to stop praising Him, worshipping Him, honouring Him and living for Jesus! This album contains 13 all new songs plus bonus DVD that are from a passionate heart to do everything we can to lift up the name of Jesus. Featuring Henry Seeley, Mike Guglielmucci and Sam Evans, this studio album is signature Planetshaker praise and worship for a new generation. Includes CD and bonus DVD of Planetshakers live worship and inspiring messages...
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Planetshakers - (My King) Live Praise & Worship
Sounds like … a cross between the United praise band and the livelier moments from an Acquire the Fire conference, with energy and melodies to spare.
At a glance … though it'll be nearly impossible to shake off the Hillsong comparisons, (My King) is still an energetic and well-executed live worship album.
As if trying to mend a past mistake, Australia's Planetshakers appear intent on making (My King) Live Praise & Worship their real introduction to U.S. audiences (or second introduction, considering 2002's Phenomena). After all, it's only been a couple of months since their lackluster studio album Open Up the Gates, a project that all but flooded worship set lists nationwide. In all fairness to the movement, Gates was more a rushed post-concert keepsake for the Planetshakers conferences than a testament to their true sound, which explained the boxed-in feel of it.
(My King) does away with these limitations and establishes the band as one comparable to Hillsong's United praise band. Chief songwriter and worship leader Henry Seeley is a pop composer at heart, keeping things simple and accessible without sacrificing the album's major strength: its melodies. Like an older Joel Houston or Marty Sampson, Seeley polishes these songs to perfection, and the results are as singable as they are memorable—in fact, one can hear traces of "My Best Friend" in "Give You Praise," while "Open Up the Gates" recalls Sampson's "King of Majesty." Even the amped-up guitars in "Be With You" seem lifted from "We Want to See Jesus Lifted High," except with a horn section that's informed by ska influences....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
At a glance … though it'll be nearly impossible to shake off the Hillsong comparisons, (My King) is still an energetic and well-executed live worship album.
As if trying to mend a past mistake, Australia's Planetshakers appear intent on making (My King) Live Praise & Worship their real introduction to U.S. audiences (or second introduction, considering 2002's Phenomena). After all, it's only been a couple of months since their lackluster studio album Open Up the Gates, a project that all but flooded worship set lists nationwide. In all fairness to the movement, Gates was more a rushed post-concert keepsake for the Planetshakers conferences than a testament to their true sound, which explained the boxed-in feel of it.
(My King) does away with these limitations and establishes the band as one comparable to Hillsong's United praise band. Chief songwriter and worship leader Henry Seeley is a pop composer at heart, keeping things simple and accessible without sacrificing the album's major strength: its melodies. Like an older Joel Houston or Marty Sampson, Seeley polishes these songs to perfection, and the results are as singable as they are memorable—in fact, one can hear traces of "My Best Friend" in "Give You Praise," while "Open Up the Gates" recalls Sampson's "King of Majesty." Even the amped-up guitars in "Be With You" seem lifted from "We Want to See Jesus Lifted High," except with a horn section that's informed by ska influences....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Planetshakers - Open Up the Gates
Sounds like … a modern worship mixture of Sonicflood, Newsboys, and Vineyard UK.
At a glance … Open Up the Gates is listenable, but it's indistinguishable from countless other generic modern worship projects.
If you cross Hillsong Australia's upbeat contemporary worship with the exuberance of the Acquire the Fire youth conferences, you might get something like Australian worship team Planetshakers, which sounds like a mixture of Sonicflood, Newsboys, and Vineyard UK. With a strong commitment to challenge and inspire young people, the annual Planetshakers worship conference has grown tremendously in recent years, reaching a total audience of 20,000 in three of Australia's major cities.
Here's proof that record labels don't always keep tabs on each other. Word/Warner eagerly signed Planetshakers hoping to introduce them stateside with Open Up the Gates. But Planetshakers already tried for American exposure with Crowne Music Group on 2002's Phenomena, which revealed modern worship that was derivative of better songs, but still likeable and varied, propelled by incredible live praise-driven concert energy....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
At a glance … Open Up the Gates is listenable, but it's indistinguishable from countless other generic modern worship projects.
If you cross Hillsong Australia's upbeat contemporary worship with the exuberance of the Acquire the Fire youth conferences, you might get something like Australian worship team Planetshakers, which sounds like a mixture of Sonicflood, Newsboys, and Vineyard UK. With a strong commitment to challenge and inspire young people, the annual Planetshakers worship conference has grown tremendously in recent years, reaching a total audience of 20,000 in three of Australia's major cities.
Here's proof that record labels don't always keep tabs on each other. Word/Warner eagerly signed Planetshakers hoping to introduce them stateside with Open Up the Gates. But Planetshakers already tried for American exposure with Crowne Music Group on 2002's Phenomena, which revealed modern worship that was derivative of better songs, but still likeable and varied, propelled by incredible live praise-driven concert energy....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Planetshakers - Phenomena
Sounds like … an array of musical styles blended together for modern worship — imagine Sonicflood, Newsboys, dc Talk, Delirious, and Five Iron Frenzy worshipping as a single band.
At a Glance … standard modern-worship wording and recycled song riffs are outweighed by an extremely exciting and talented worship band on this passionate worship disc of the same spirit as the Passion albums.
Modern-worship enthusiasts are no doubt familiar with successful worship conferences such as Passion and Acquire the Fire or with the hugely successful Hillsong Church in Australia. Add to that list the largest youth conference in Australia, Planetshakers. Led by speaker Russell Evans, the event is held on a beach off the coast of Adelaide, Australia (west of Sydney), and it has attracted an audience of 8,000 young people from all over the world (the United States, New Zealand, England, Malaysia, Ireland, Romania, Denmark, and Singapore). The worship band takes its name from the event and is fronted by worship leaders Sam Evans (vocals) and Henry Seely (vocals, guitars). These two are backed by as many as 12 musicians at a time, including a 3-man horn section and 9 other vocalists. The Planetshakers have a big and energetic sound, as evidenced on their live worship album, Phenomena. Imagine Sonicflood, Newsboys, dc Talk, Delirious, and Five Iron Frenzy coming together for a worship concert, and you've got a pretty good idea what it sounds like.
Recorded live at Planet Shakers 2001, Phenomena sounds very much like a Vineyard modern-worship project, especially on ballads such as "Worship Forevermore" and "Burn." What sets Planetshakers apart is their sound, which, though eclectic, closely resembles similar songs already written. Songs such as "It's All About Jesus," "Run Into Your Arms," and "So Amazing" recall classic Delirious, the latter sounding a bit like "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever." The song "What You've Done For Me" is similar to Sonicflood's famed version of "I Want to Know You" or Fusebox's cover of "Every Move I Make." I loved the faithful ska treatment given to "Live 4 U," but it sounds too much like "The Impression That I Get," the hit song by the mainstream ska band Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Perhaps most surprising is the title track, which sounds so much like dc Talk's "Supernatural" that Planetshakers practically could be accused of plagiarism. Not only do the two songs share a similar title and sound, but the verses both testify to the mysteries of God and things unseen....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
At a Glance … standard modern-worship wording and recycled song riffs are outweighed by an extremely exciting and talented worship band on this passionate worship disc of the same spirit as the Passion albums.
Modern-worship enthusiasts are no doubt familiar with successful worship conferences such as Passion and Acquire the Fire or with the hugely successful Hillsong Church in Australia. Add to that list the largest youth conference in Australia, Planetshakers. Led by speaker Russell Evans, the event is held on a beach off the coast of Adelaide, Australia (west of Sydney), and it has attracted an audience of 8,000 young people from all over the world (the United States, New Zealand, England, Malaysia, Ireland, Romania, Denmark, and Singapore). The worship band takes its name from the event and is fronted by worship leaders Sam Evans (vocals) and Henry Seely (vocals, guitars). These two are backed by as many as 12 musicians at a time, including a 3-man horn section and 9 other vocalists. The Planetshakers have a big and energetic sound, as evidenced on their live worship album, Phenomena. Imagine Sonicflood, Newsboys, dc Talk, Delirious, and Five Iron Frenzy coming together for a worship concert, and you've got a pretty good idea what it sounds like.
Recorded live at Planet Shakers 2001, Phenomena sounds very much like a Vineyard modern-worship project, especially on ballads such as "Worship Forevermore" and "Burn." What sets Planetshakers apart is their sound, which, though eclectic, closely resembles similar songs already written. Songs such as "It's All About Jesus," "Run Into Your Arms," and "So Amazing" recall classic Delirious, the latter sounding a bit like "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever." The song "What You've Done For Me" is similar to Sonicflood's famed version of "I Want to Know You" or Fusebox's cover of "Every Move I Make." I loved the faithful ska treatment given to "Live 4 U," but it sounds too much like "The Impression That I Get," the hit song by the mainstream ska band Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Perhaps most surprising is the title track, which sounds so much like dc Talk's "Supernatural" that Planetshakers practically could be accused of plagiarism. Not only do the two songs share a similar title and sound, but the verses both testify to the mysteries of God and things unseen....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Friday, September 19, 2008
Music
The Planetshakers band is the central part of their events, bearing a worship-woven modern pop-rock sound attractive to young people. The 2003 Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian
was also a part of the Planetshakers band for several years, taking both lead and backup vocal parts on the 2002 and 2003 albums and conferences. Many of the musicians originated
from Youth Alive South Australia, which also released CDs. Some of the songs written by current band members for the Youth Alive albums, such as 'Phenomena' and 'God of Miracles'
(from Youth Alive Western Australia) have also featured on Planetshakers earlier albums.
In 2004, their CD Open Up The Gates was nominated for Praise and Worship Album of the Year for the Dove Awards.
Planetshakers announced at their 2008 conference that they would no longer be producing studio albums. Instead they will release tracks via subscription to the "Planetshakers
Revolution" - a new online music/resource distribution system designed to consolidate and build upon different products that they already offer. These include backing tracks, music
videos, and new releases of CGI "music videos" based on CGI graphics used at Planetshakers City Church and conferences. Later that year, Planetshakers' founder Russell Evans
announced at Planetshakers City Church that a new "acoustic, unplugged" album will be recorded at the church on August 31st, 2008, coinciding with the church's move to three
services.
* All For Love (2008) Recorded live at conference.
* Free (2008) Recorded live at Planetshakers City Church.
* Saviour of the World (2007) Recorded live at conference.
* Never Stop (2007) Studio recording
* Worship Him (2006) Compilation.
* Praise Him (2006) Compilation.
* Pick It Up (2006) Recorded live at the 10th anniversary conference.
* Arise (2006) Studio Recording.
* Decade: Lift Up Your Eyes (2005) Special 10th Anniversary Compilation.
* Evermore (2005) Recorded live at conference.
* Always and Forever (2005) Studio recording.
* All That I Want (2004) Recorded live at conference.
* Rain Down (2004) Studio recording.
* My King (2003) Recorded live at conference.
* Open Up The Gates (2003) Studio recording.
* Reflector (2002) Recorded live at conference.
* Phenomena (2002) Compilation. (International release - live recording)
* So Amazing (2001) Recorded live at conference.
* When the Planet Rocked (2000) Recorded live at conference.
Christian Music Links!
was also a part of the Planetshakers band for several years, taking both lead and backup vocal parts on the 2002 and 2003 albums and conferences. Many of the musicians originated
from Youth Alive South Australia, which also released CDs. Some of the songs written by current band members for the Youth Alive albums, such as 'Phenomena' and 'God of Miracles'
(from Youth Alive Western Australia) have also featured on Planetshakers earlier albums.
In 2004, their CD Open Up The Gates was nominated for Praise and Worship Album of the Year for the Dove Awards.
Planetshakers announced at their 2008 conference that they would no longer be producing studio albums. Instead they will release tracks via subscription to the "Planetshakers
Revolution" - a new online music/resource distribution system designed to consolidate and build upon different products that they already offer. These include backing tracks, music
videos, and new releases of CGI "music videos" based on CGI graphics used at Planetshakers City Church and conferences. Later that year, Planetshakers' founder Russell Evans
announced at Planetshakers City Church that a new "acoustic, unplugged" album will be recorded at the church on August 31st, 2008, coinciding with the church's move to three
services.
* All For Love (2008) Recorded live at conference.
* Free (2008) Recorded live at Planetshakers City Church.
* Saviour of the World (2007) Recorded live at conference.
* Never Stop (2007) Studio recording
* Worship Him (2006) Compilation.
* Praise Him (2006) Compilation.
* Pick It Up (2006) Recorded live at the 10th anniversary conference.
* Arise (2006) Studio Recording.
* Decade: Lift Up Your Eyes (2005) Special 10th Anniversary Compilation.
* Evermore (2005) Recorded live at conference.
* Always and Forever (2005) Studio recording.
* All That I Want (2004) Recorded live at conference.
* Rain Down (2004) Studio recording.
* My King (2003) Recorded live at conference.
* Open Up The Gates (2003) Studio recording.
* Reflector (2002) Recorded live at conference.
* Phenomena (2002) Compilation. (International release - live recording)
* So Amazing (2001) Recorded live at conference.
* When the Planet Rocked (2000) Recorded live at conference.
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City Church
Planetshakers City Church (formerly Melbourne City Church) is a Pentecostal Christian church affiliated with Australian Christian Churches, the Assemblies of God in Australia. The
church started when the Planetshakers band and ministry moved to Melbourne in 2004, and currently meets in hired auditoriums throughout Central Melbourne. The church is pastored
by Russell and Sam Evans and has attendance over 4000, and throughout most of 2005 ran three services per weekend, commonly approaching capacity. Currently, the church is held
at the Dallas Brooks Centre, with two Sunday services, 3:00pm and 5:15pm (both with a full kids program). The church also made use of the Arrow building for baptism services but
due to the increased attendance the baptism services have been moved to Richmond AOG Church in Melbourne. Planetshakers' Senior Pastor Russell Evans announced at the church
that they would be adding a third service, at 10:45am, commencing on August 31st, 2008.
The church's youth ministry called "PlanetBoom" is led by pastors Chad and Tiffany Harding, running Friday nights (7:15pm) during school terms at Collingwood Town Hall or Melbourne
High School (check website for details). The youth ministry has become so successful that the Catholic and Anglican churches are looking at adopting Planetshakers' methods.[2]
The church also runs a children's ministry called "Planetkids", led by pastors Rob and Assunta Bradbury, which is held concurrently with the main church service at 3:00pm & 5:15pm.
Planetkids also runs an annual children's conference, with the second conference for 2007 being held at Melbourne High School in the September holidays. ("Planetkids goes Space")
"planetUNI" is the church's university students ministry overseen by pastor Matt Fielder and comprises local and international students as well as recent graduates being active in the
group. In addition to fortnightly meetings (Urban Life groups), a new outreach event will be held once a month on a Friday night aiming to attract university students.
"Urban Life" groups (basically cell groups) are run fortnightly in homes spread around all parts of Melbourne, offering discipleship and connection with other people outside of Church.
They include different age areas, such as kids (held in the Church service each week), teenagers (PlanetBoom), university students (planetUNI), young adults and adults.
There are also various other ministries serving and reaching out to women (Beautiful Woman) and business people (Kingdom Life).
Christian Music Links!
church started when the Planetshakers band and ministry moved to Melbourne in 2004, and currently meets in hired auditoriums throughout Central Melbourne. The church is pastored
by Russell and Sam Evans and has attendance over 4000, and throughout most of 2005 ran three services per weekend, commonly approaching capacity. Currently, the church is held
at the Dallas Brooks Centre, with two Sunday services, 3:00pm and 5:15pm (both with a full kids program). The church also made use of the Arrow building for baptism services but
due to the increased attendance the baptism services have been moved to Richmond AOG Church in Melbourne. Planetshakers' Senior Pastor Russell Evans announced at the church
that they would be adding a third service, at 10:45am, commencing on August 31st, 2008.
The church's youth ministry called "PlanetBoom" is led by pastors Chad and Tiffany Harding, running Friday nights (7:15pm) during school terms at Collingwood Town Hall or Melbourne
High School (check website for details). The youth ministry has become so successful that the Catholic and Anglican churches are looking at adopting Planetshakers' methods.[2]
The church also runs a children's ministry called "Planetkids", led by pastors Rob and Assunta Bradbury, which is held concurrently with the main church service at 3:00pm & 5:15pm.
Planetkids also runs an annual children's conference, with the second conference for 2007 being held at Melbourne High School in the September holidays. ("Planetkids goes Space")
"planetUNI" is the church's university students ministry overseen by pastor Matt Fielder and comprises local and international students as well as recent graduates being active in the
group. In addition to fortnightly meetings (Urban Life groups), a new outreach event will be held once a month on a Friday night aiming to attract university students.
"Urban Life" groups (basically cell groups) are run fortnightly in homes spread around all parts of Melbourne, offering discipleship and connection with other people outside of Church.
They include different age areas, such as kids (held in the Church service each week), teenagers (PlanetBoom), university students (planetUNI), young adults and adults.
There are also various other ministries serving and reaching out to women (Beautiful Woman) and business people (Kingdom Life).
Christian Music Links!
Conferences
Planetshakers runs annual conferences in several Australian states. The first conference held in Adelaide in 1997 had 300 delegates, growing to reach 20,000 nation-wide by 2004.
The 2007 conference period saw Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne as venues, and marking the 11th anniversary. Melbourne, being the primary venue, hosted the conference in
Vodafone Arena, part of Olympic Park.
The conferences were held in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Perth in January 2008. Melbourne at Vodafone Arena from 2-5 January 2008; Brisbane 7-10 January 2008 at Brisbane
Convention Centre; Sydney 9-12 January 2008 at Sydney Olympic Park in the Sports Centre (formally State Sports Centre); and finally Perth on 15-18 January at Challenge Stadium.
The 2009 Planetshakers conference tour will be moved to April, instead of January as in all past years.
Conference speakers have in the past included Glen Berteau, Jurgen Matthesius, Rich Wilkerson, Mal Fletcher, Pat Schazline, Jude Fouquier, Matthew Barnett, Judah Smith, Reinhard
Bonnke, Reggie Dabbs and Chris Hill. With messages containing memorable catch-cries such as "crossing over", "seizing the day" and "breaking out of the box", and "SHUT THE FRONT
DOOR!". They strive to "empower a generation to win a generation". Young people are often challenged to deeper levels of surrender, repentance, passion, and faith in Jesus Christ.
Growing internationally, Planetshakers now also runs conferences in Malaysia, Singapore and South Africa, with a desire to expand to the United States of America. They ministered at
Singapore's Faith Community Baptist Church in Singapore Expo's max Pavilion in 2006.
Internationally in 2007, Planetshakers band will play at events in Hong Kong, the USA, the UK, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore and South Africa.
Planetshakers has also had relationships with Australian Youth Alive events, which often cross-promotes the conference and college to tens of thousands of young people.
Christian Music Links!
The 2007 conference period saw Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne as venues, and marking the 11th anniversary. Melbourne, being the primary venue, hosted the conference in
Vodafone Arena, part of Olympic Park.
The conferences were held in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Perth in January 2008. Melbourne at Vodafone Arena from 2-5 January 2008; Brisbane 7-10 January 2008 at Brisbane
Convention Centre; Sydney 9-12 January 2008 at Sydney Olympic Park in the Sports Centre (formally State Sports Centre); and finally Perth on 15-18 January at Challenge Stadium.
The 2009 Planetshakers conference tour will be moved to April, instead of January as in all past years.
Conference speakers have in the past included Glen Berteau, Jurgen Matthesius, Rich Wilkerson, Mal Fletcher, Pat Schazline, Jude Fouquier, Matthew Barnett, Judah Smith, Reinhard
Bonnke, Reggie Dabbs and Chris Hill. With messages containing memorable catch-cries such as "crossing over", "seizing the day" and "breaking out of the box", and "SHUT THE FRONT
DOOR!". They strive to "empower a generation to win a generation". Young people are often challenged to deeper levels of surrender, repentance, passion, and faith in Jesus Christ.
Growing internationally, Planetshakers now also runs conferences in Malaysia, Singapore and South Africa, with a desire to expand to the United States of America. They ministered at
Singapore's Faith Community Baptist Church in Singapore Expo's max Pavilion in 2006.
Internationally in 2007, Planetshakers band will play at events in Hong Kong, the USA, the UK, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore and South Africa.
Planetshakers has also had relationships with Australian Youth Alive events, which often cross-promotes the conference and college to tens of thousands of young people.
Christian Music Links!
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