.rod laver
Encyclopedia
.rod laver was a Christian rapcore
group from originating from Los Angeles
. Their sound was similar to that of Korn
, Limp Bizkit
, or Kid Rock
, but as the personnel lineup changed the group wavered from a rock-grounded sound to one based in hip hop, then back again.
Their name has no spiritual meaning, but was derived from an incident in which the entire band was wearing Rod Laver
branded shoes from Adidas
.
. In 2000 they played about 150 shows, touring with Pillar
and labelmates Tasty Snax.
Following its release, drummer Joe Sidoti left and was replaced by Joey Marchiano (formerly of Fold Zandura
). This change had an effect on the band's sound because Marchiano specialized in a hip-hop, rather than rock, style. 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." The band spent six months writing Trying. 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.
.rod laver toured extensively, continuing to play an average of 200 dates annually. 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. Their third release, No Toques El Toro, is Spanish for "don't touch the bull". El Toro continues the musical direction of Trying.
Rudy Nielson, vocalist, had been a youth pastor prior to forming the group, and the band was said to have a "strong commitment to ministry." 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." One of the band's goals was to cross over into mainstream markets in a similar fashion to P.O.D.
. After releasing three albums with Screaming Giant they signed to BEC Records.
In a Perfect World features the guest vocals of Pigeon John
. rod laver again changed drummers, adding the rock talents of Jason Martin. 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]." One review found the sound to have soul, r&b, and funk influences, but occasionally break into an Eminem
-like form. HM editor Doug Van Pelt praised the new incarnation of the rhythm section, stating that it brought credibility to the band's sound.
Rapcore
Rapcore is a subgenre of rap rock fusing vocal and sometimes instrumental elements of hip hop with punk rock .-History:...
group from originating from Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. Their sound was similar to that of Korn
Korn
Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
, Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. Formed in 1995, the group's lineup consists of Fred Durst , Wes Borland , Sam Rivers , John Otto and DJ Lethal . The band achieved mainstream success with their second studio album Significant Other, released in 1999...
, or Kid Rock
Kid Rock
Robert James "Bob" Ritchie , known by his stage name Kid Rock, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and rapper with five Grammy Awards nominations...
, but as the personnel lineup changed the group wavered from a rock-grounded sound to one based in hip hop, then back again.
Their name has no spiritual meaning, but was derived from an incident in which the entire band was wearing Rod Laver
Rod Laver
Rodney George "Rod" Laver MBE is an Australian former tennis player who holds the record for titles won in career, and was the World No. 1 player for seven consecutive years, from 1964 to 1970...
branded shoes from Adidas
Adidas
Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
.
Background
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, leaving them with the feeling that it had been rushed and under-funded. One reviewer called their sound "hardcore rap", stating that it defied easy classification, and another that the album "singlehandedly made the label live up to its name." Overall, their sound on this album was similar to that KornKorn
Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
. In 2000 they played about 150 shows, touring with Pillar
Pillar (band)
Pillar is a Christian rock band currently located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Their sixth studio album, Confessions, was released in 2009.- Formation and independent albums :...
and labelmates Tasty Snax.
Following its release, drummer Joe Sidoti left and was replaced by Joey Marchiano (formerly of Fold Zandura
Fold Zandura
Fold Zandura is an alternative rock band from California. They released four albums between 1995 and 1999 plus one white 7" vinyl. Each album was released under a different label. The two premier members also founded the industrial band Mortal. Their songs are "love songs and praise songs"...
). This change had an effect on the band's sound because Marchiano specialized in a hip-hop, rather than rock, style. 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." The band spent six months writing Trying. 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.
.rod laver toured extensively, continuing to play an average of 200 dates annually. In support of Trying the group embarked on a national tour with Slick Shoes
Slick Shoes
Slick Shoes was a pop punk band with Christian origins from Antelope Valley, California. Their name comes from the hit 1985 movie, The Goonies, 'slick shoes' being one of the character Data's many gadgets. The band formed in 1994 and made their first release as a self-titled EP in 1997. They...
, Ace Troubleshooter
Ace Troubleshooter
Ace Troubleshooter was a pop punk band signed to Tooth & Nail Records. According to John Warne, he came up with the band's name after reading the phrase ace troubleshooter in a history book.-Death of Ace:...
, and Calibretto 13
Calibretto 13
Calibretto 13 was an acoustic punk band from Kokomo, Indiana, United States. The acoustic punk style of the band and the peculiar vocal style of singer Joe Whiteford gives the band their signature sound. Another signature mark of the band is themes in their lyrics, which often are about B-movies...
, on which they played both secular and religious venues. Their third release, No Toques El Toro, is Spanish for "don't touch the bull". El Toro continues the musical direction of Trying.
Rudy Nielson, vocalist, had been a youth pastor prior to forming the group, and the band was said to have a "strong commitment to ministry." 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." One of the band's goals was to cross over into mainstream markets in a similar fashion to P.O.D.
P.O.D.
Payable on Death is an American Christian metal band formed in 1992. The band's line-up consists of vocalist Sonny Sandoval, drummer Wuv Bernardo, guitarist Marcos Curiel, and bassist Traa Daniels. Their Christian faith is an important part of their music.They have released seven studio albums and...
. After releasing three albums with Screaming Giant they signed to BEC Records.
In a Perfect World features the guest vocals of Pigeon John
Pigeon John
Pigeon John is an American hip hop rapper raised in Hawthorne, California and based in Los Angeles, California.-Biography:Pigeon John is a Los Angeles area rapper who has recorded four studio albums as a solo artist, as well as several others as a member of the groups like L.A. Symphony and...
. rod laver again changed drummers, adding the rock talents of Jason Martin. 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]." One review found the sound to have soul, r&b, and funk influences, but occasionally break into an Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
-like form. HM editor Doug Van Pelt praised the new incarnation of the rhythm section, stating that it brought credibility to the band's sound.
Discography
- 1999: 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: The Dialogue: Rudolph Wayne vs. The Man (Uprok RecordsUprok RecordsUprok Records was a record label created in 1999 under the parent company Tooth & Nail Records, with a focus on distributing Christian hip-hop artists. The name Uprok Records refers to the breakdancing term . The first three artists on the label were Ill Harmonics, Sup the Chemist and MG! The...
)
Members
- Chris Butler - bass
- Ryan Farris - guitar
- Rudy Nielson - vocals
- Joe Sidoti - drums (-2000)
- Joey Marchiano - drums (2000–2001)
- Jason Martin - drums (2001+)