Rod Laver (stylized .rod laver) was a Christian rapcore group that originated from Los Angeles. Their sound was similar to Korn, Limp Bizkit, or Kid Rock, but as the personnel lineup changed the group wavered from a rock-grounded sound to hip hop, and then back again.
The band released their debut, The Essence of the Game, in 1999 on Screaming Giant Records. The album was recorded within three weeks of the band's signing,[2] leaving them with the feeling that it had been rushed and under-funded.[2][3] One reviewer called their sound "hardcore rap", stating that it defied easy classification,[4] and another that the album "singlehandedly made the label live up to its name."[5] Overall, their sound on this album was similar to that Korn. In 2000 they played about 150 shows, touring with Pillar and labelmates Tasty Snax.[2]
Following its release, drummer Joe Sidoti left and was replaced by Joey Marchiano (formerly of Fold Zandura).[3] This change had an effect on the band's sound because Marchiano specialized in a hip-hop, rather than rock, style.[3] With Steve Russell producing, the band stepped down the anger and aggressiveness of their music to focus on the musical elements. This attitude change is also reflected in the title of their sophomore effort, Trying Not to Try. In 2000 frontman Rudy Nielson stated to HM magazine "We thought we had to fit some sort of image... We're not trying to be anything anymore."[3] The band spent six months writing Trying.[2] One reviewer found that the effort was tighter and more musically focused, but at the same time failed "to reach the listener at the deeper emotional and intellectual level" lyrically.[6]
Rod Laver toured extensively, continuing to play an average of 200 dates annually.[7] In support of Trying the group embarked on a national tour with Slick Shoes, Ace Troubleshooter, and Calibretto 13, on which they played both secular and religious venues.[8] Their third release, No Toques El Toro, is Spanish for "don't touch the bull".[8]El Toro continues the musical direction of Trying.
Rudy Nielson, vocalist, had been a youth pastor prior to forming the group,[8] and the band was said to have a "strong commitment to ministry."[9] Nielson told HM that "I don't say 'Jesus' and 'God' in the lyrics a lot... It's not overly preachy, and it's not overly praise and worship oriented."[8] One of the band's goals was to cross over into mainstream markets in a similar fashion to P.O.D.[3] After releasing three albums with Screaming Giant they signed to BEC Records.
In a Perfect World features the guest vocals of Pigeon John.[2] rod laver again changed drummers, adding the rock talents of Jason Martin (not to be confused with Jason Martin of Starflyer 59). The band changed their sound again, seeking to distance themselves from the rapcore genre. As described to HM magazine by Nielson: "There is no rap-rap-scream, rap-rap-scream [on this album]."[7] One review found the sound to have soul, r&b, and funk influences, but occasionally break into an Eminem-like form.[10]HM editor Doug Van Pelt praised the new incarnation of the rhythm section, stating that it brought credibility to the band's sound.[11]
^ abcdeTowers, Eric (January–February 2001). "Back To School: The members of .rod laver are building a smarter brand of rapcore". 7ball (34): 22. ISSN 1082-3980.
^ abcdMacintosh, Dan (2003). . HM Magazine. Archived from the original on 18 February 2008. Retrieved 6 March 2009.
^Powell, Mark Allan (2002). ".rodlaver". Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (First printing ed.). Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. pp. 772. ISBN1-56563-679-1.
^Argyrakis, Andy (2001). . Christianity Today. Archived from the original on 11 March 2009. Retrieved 6 March 2009.
^Van Pelt, Doug (January–February 2002). "Reviews / In a Perfect World". HM Magazine (93): 54. ISSN 1066-6923.
January 06, 2023
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Rod Laver stylized rod laver was a Christian rapcore group that originated from Los Angeles Their sound was similar to Korn Limp Bizkit or Kid Rock but as the personnel lineup changed the group wavered from a rock grounded sound to hip hop and then back again Rod LaverOriginLos AngelesGenresRapcoreLabelsScreaming Giant BEC UprokPast membersJoe SidotiRyan FarrisRudy NielsonJoey MarchianoJason MartinTheir name has no spiritual meaning but was derived from an incident in which the bass player was wearing Rod Laver branded shoes from Adidas 1 Contents 1 Background 2 Discography 3 Members 4 ReferencesBackground EditThe band released their debut The Essence of the Game in 1999 on Screaming Giant Records The album was recorded within three weeks of the band s signing 2 leaving them with the feeling that it had been rushed and under funded 2 3 One reviewer called their sound hardcore rap stating that it defied easy classification 4 and another that the album singlehandedly made the label live up to its name 5 Overall their sound on this album was similar to that Korn In 2000 they played about 150 shows touring with Pillar and labelmates Tasty Snax 2 Following its release drummer Joe Sidoti left and was replaced by Joey Marchiano formerly of Fold Zandura 3 This change had an effect on the band s sound because Marchiano specialized in a hip hop rather than rock style 3 With Steve Russell producing the band stepped down the anger and aggressiveness of their music to focus on the musical elements This attitude change is also reflected in the title of their sophomore effort Trying Not to Try In 2000 frontman Rudy Nielson stated to HM magazine We thought we had to fit some sort of image We re not trying to be anything anymore 3 The band spent six months writing Trying 2 One reviewer found that the effort was tighter and more musically focused but at the same time failed to reach the listener at the deeper emotional and intellectual level lyrically 6 Rod Laver toured extensively continuing to play an average of 200 dates annually 7 In support of Trying the group embarked on a national tour with Slick Shoes Ace Troubleshooter and Calibretto 13 on which they played both secular and religious venues 8 Their third release No Toques El Toro is Spanish for don t touch the bull 8 El Toro continues the musical direction of Trying Rudy Nielson vocalist had been a youth pastor prior to forming the group 8 and the band was said to have a strong commitment to ministry 9 Nielson told HM that I don t say Jesus and God in the lyrics a lot It s not overly preachy and it s not overly praise and worship oriented 8 One of the band s goals was to cross over into mainstream markets in a similar fashion to P O D 3 After releasing three albums with Screaming Giant they signed to BEC Records In a Perfect World features the guest vocals of Pigeon John 2 rod laver again changed drummers adding the rock talents of Jason Martin not to be confused with Jason Martin of Starflyer 59 The band changed their sound again seeking to distance themselves from the rapcore genre As described to HM magazine by Nielson There is no rap rap scream rap rap scream on this album 7 One review found the sound to have soul r amp b and funk influences but occasionally break into an Eminem like form 10 HM editor Doug Van Pelt praised the new incarnation of the rhythm section stating that it brought credibility to the band s sound 11 Discography Edit1999 The Essence of the Game Screaming Giant 2000 Trying Not to Try 2001 No Toque El Toro 2001 In a Perfect World BEC Records 2004 Rudolph Wayne vs The Man Uprok Records Members EditChris Butler bass Ryan Farris guitar Rudy Nielson vocals Joe Sidoti drums 2000 Joey Marchiano drums 2000 2001 Jason Martin drums 2001 References Edit Newcomb Brian Quincy September October 1999 bankshots rod laver 7ball 26 38 ISSN 1082 3980 a b c d e Towers Eric January February 2001 Back To School The members of rod laver are building a smarter brand of rapcore 7ball 34 22 ISSN 1082 3980 a b c d e Hall Kimberly March April 2000 troubled times HM Magazine 83 14 21 ISSN 1066 6923 Urbanski David May June 1999 Tools Music rod Laver Essence of the Game YouthWorker Journal XV 5 60 ISSN 0747 3486 Van Pelt Doug July August 1999 Review The Essence of the Game HM Magazine 78 ISSN 1066 6923 Towers Thom November December 2000 Eric rod Laver Trying Not to Try 7ball 33 48 ISSN 1082 3980 a b Lakes Joi January February 2002 After the Bull HM Magazine 93 28 ISSN 1066 6923 a b c d Macintosh Dan 2003 Getting The Horns HM Magazine Archived from the original on 18 February 2008 Retrieved 6 March 2009 Powell Mark Allan 2002 rodlaver Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music First printing ed Peabody Massachusetts Hendrickson Publishers pp 772 ISBN 1 56563 679 1 Argyrakis Andy 2001 Reviews In a Perfect World Christianity Today Archived from the original on 11 March 2009 Retrieved 6 March 2009 Van Pelt Doug January February 2002 Reviews In a Perfect World HM Magazine 93 54 ISSN 1066 6923 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rod Laver band amp oldid 1095386443, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
