ApologetiX


ApologetiX is a Christian parody band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The band was founded in 1992, and since then, has played in almost all 50 states, released 35 studio albums, and built up a fan club that includes over 65,000 people. The band is currently composed of J. Jackson on vocals, Keith Haynie on bass guitar, Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner on drums, Bill Hubauer and Chris VonBartheld on keyboard, and Tom Milnes and Tom Tincha, both on lead guitar.
The name ApologetiX is a play on apologetics, the defense of a religious doctrine, in particular, Christian apologetics. The word is used in 1 Peter 3:15: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect...". Their logo, a triquetra, is an ancient symbol that has been adopted by Christians to represent the Holy Trinity.

History

ApologetiX has had six official drummers. Jeff Pakula, Rick Servocky, Bob Flaherty, Fred Behanna, Bill "Moose" Rieger and Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner.
ApologetiX has had multiple other drummers as well, including: their longtime fill-in drummer, Keith Harrold ; David McKee ; and Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz, who played on seven tracks on Biblical Graffiti. Ron Zanski and Allen Muckle have also played with the band.
According to the band's website, Yankovic himself has told them that he thinks they do "fabulous work".
Since 2014, the band has been following a quarterly release schedule, producing a new studio album about every three months by releasing double singles bi-weekly. From 2014 to 2017, they were able to produce four albums per year. In 2018, their studio computers started to have speed issues, which slowed down the production of their albums. So far they have released two albums, with a third album on its way.

Musical style and lyrical themes

ApologetiX rewrites secular songs with Christian lyrics to create parodies with Christian messages, and, in the song "We're In A Parody Band," ApologetiX refers to itself as a cross between "Weird Al" Yankovic and Billy Graham.
The band's lyrical content is derived solely from Biblical passages and practices, frequently in a tongue-in-cheek manner. It is also noteworthy that lyrics are often embedded with Scripture references for further exploration of the song's content.
Some of their parodies include:
SongParody ofOriginal artist
"Lazy Brain""Crazy Train"Ozzy Osbourne
"Don't Be Fooled""Don't Be Cruel"Elvis Presley
"Hotel Can't Afford Ya""Hotel California"Eagles
"Christmasnite""Kryptonite"3 Doors Down
"Enter Samson""Enter Sandman"Metallica
"The Real Sin Savior""The Real Slim Shady"Eminem
"Smells Like Thirtysomething Spirit""Smells Like Teen Spirit"Nirvana
"Bethlehemian Rhapsody""Bohemian Rhapsody"Queen
"Story of a Squirrel""Absolutely "Nine Days
"More Than a Healing""More Than a Feeling"Boston
"The Devil Went Down to Jordan""The Devil Went Down to Georgia"Charlie Daniels Band
"We're Not Goin' to Canaan""We're Not Gonna Take It"Twisted Sister
"Set Him Free""Let It Be"The Beatles
"This Is From Paul""This Is a Call"Foo Fighters
"One More Wall""Wonderwall"Oasis
"Schoolhouse ""School's Out"Alice Cooper

Band members

;Current
;Former
;Session
; Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Live albums

Christmas albums

Compilation albums

Filmography

Awards

Albums

National Christian Retail Bestsellers Rock Chart, published by CCM
National Christian Modern/College Rock Album Chart, ChristianBEATS
National Christian Newest Rock Album Chart, American Christian Music Journal
National Christian Modern/Alternative Album Chart, American Christian Music Journal

Singles