Rocketboy
Encyclopedia
Rocketboy was an American
Christian rock
band formed in Covington, Georgia
in 1993. Commonly categorized simply as Christian rock
, Rocketboy's musical style was heavily influenced by a hodge-podge of mainstream artists such as Nirvana
, Pearl Jam
, R.E.M.
, Jimmy Buffett
, and Vigilantes of Love
.
The band initially performed under the name "The Pain" (also known as "Cain's Pain"). After signing a record contract with R.E.X. Records
in 1995, the name "Rocketboy" was formally adopted.
band Steel Water. Steel Water included a line-up of several local musicians who performed together mainly at churches and private events. After the group dissolved, the three remaining members—Trey Bailey, Slade Curtis and Jason Parker—regrouped to form "Cain's Pain" (also known as "The Pain").
Cain's Pain added Atlanta-area lead guitarist Kip Bell and performed regularly at local churches, clubs and theaters. The band's early schedule included regular shows at The Strand Theater in Marietta, Georgia
.
Between 1993-1995, the band toured the southeastern United States
extensively as a modest but faithful fan base formed. In 1994, Joe Coleman (later of Teia Perma fame) replaced original drummer Jason Parker. Soon thereafter, the band recorded and self-released Smile. Singles from Smile appeared on the Cranial Captivity Records release of Cranial Captivity: Fettered in the Mind's Eye and the Floppy Fish Records release of Fish Faves Vol. 1.
In December 1994, Joe Coleman left the band and local drummer Rob Jones assumed permanent drumming duties. In early 1995, the band signed a record contract with the now defunct Nashville
label R.E.X. Records
. This marked a milestone for the band and their small-town garage rock
style and modest exposure gave way to a punchier sound and a growing fan base in cities across the eastern United States
. To signify this coming of age, the band dropped "The Pain" and adopted the name "Rocketboy".
In November 1995, Rocketboy recorded their first album with R.E.X. Records
, No Sign of Intelligent Life (1996), at OMNIsound Studios in Nashville, Tennessee
. The album was produced by Armand John Petri who had previously worked with The Goo Goo Dolls and 10,000 Maniacs
. Though the album was a critical success among fans, the financial troubles of R.E.X. Records
hindered marketing support of the release. Despite lack of label support, the band continued to play shows across the eastern United States
sharing the bill with such groups as Third Day
, MxPx
and Plankeye
.
Tim "Yogi" Watts assumed drumming duties for the band when Rob Jones left in March 1996. Rocketboy also hired David Mardis to manage the band's affairs and the recording of their follow-up album Now That We Have Your Attention (1997). Mardis had previously managed and produced albums for Third Day
. Now That We Have Your Attention was recorded at Furies Studios in Atlanta, Georgia
and was produced by Mardis.
The band's 1997 schedule included a tour with Bride
in support of Now That We Have Your Attention, but once again had little label support. The band subsequently requested an unconditional release from their record contract. Touring continued through the end of 1997. On December 31, 1997, Rocketboy played their final show at The Warehouse in Lexington, South Carolina
.
Discography =
Smile (Independent release, 1994)
No Sign of Intelligent Life (R.E.X. Records
, 1996)
Now That We Have Your Attention (R.E.X. Records
, 1997)
External links =
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Christian rock
Christian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
band formed in Covington, Georgia
Covington, Georgia
Covington is a city in Newton County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 13,118. The city is the county seat of Newton County...
in 1993. Commonly categorized simply as Christian rock
Christian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
, Rocketboy's musical style was heavily influenced by a hodge-podge of mainstream artists such as Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
, Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
, R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
, Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett
James William "Jimmy" Buffett is a singer-songwriter, author, entrepreneur, and film producer. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett's musical hits include "Margaritaville" , and "Come Monday"...
, and Vigilantes of Love
Vigilantes of Love
Vigilantes of Love is a rock band fronted by Bill Mallonee with a large number of secondary players drawn from the musician pool in and around Athens, Georgia...
.
The band initially performed under the name "The Pain" (also known as "Cain's Pain"). After signing a record contract with R.E.X. Records
R.E.X. Records
R.E.X. Records was an independent record label founded by Doug Mann and Gavin Morkel, which operated from 1987 until running into financial difficulty in 1995. Operations were based in Chicago until 1990 when the company moved to Nashville...
in 1995, the name "Rocketboy" was formally adopted.
History
Rocketboy was an offshoot of the Covington, GeorgiaCovington, Georgia
Covington is a city in Newton County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 13,118. The city is the county seat of Newton County...
band Steel Water. Steel Water included a line-up of several local musicians who performed together mainly at churches and private events. After the group dissolved, the three remaining members—Trey Bailey, Slade Curtis and Jason Parker—regrouped to form "Cain's Pain" (also known as "The Pain").
Cain's Pain added Atlanta-area lead guitarist Kip Bell and performed regularly at local churches, clubs and theaters. The band's early schedule included regular shows at The Strand Theater in Marietta, Georgia
Marietta, Georgia
Marietta is a city located in central Cobb County, Georgia, United States, and is its county seat.As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 56,579, making it one of metro Atlanta's largest suburbs...
.
Between 1993-1995, the band toured the southeastern United States
Southeastern United States
The Southeastern United States, colloquially referred to as the Southeast, is the eastern portion of the Southern United States. It is one of the most populous regions in the United States of America....
extensively as a modest but faithful fan base formed. In 1994, Joe Coleman (later of Teia Perma fame) replaced original drummer Jason Parker. Soon thereafter, the band recorded and self-released Smile. Singles from Smile appeared on the Cranial Captivity Records release of Cranial Captivity: Fettered in the Mind's Eye and the Floppy Fish Records release of Fish Faves Vol. 1.
In December 1994, Joe Coleman left the band and local drummer Rob Jones assumed permanent drumming duties. In early 1995, the band signed a record contract with the now defunct Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
label R.E.X. Records
R.E.X. Records
R.E.X. Records was an independent record label founded by Doug Mann and Gavin Morkel, which operated from 1987 until running into financial difficulty in 1995. Operations were based in Chicago until 1990 when the company moved to Nashville...
. This marked a milestone for the band and their small-town garage rock
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
style and modest exposure gave way to a punchier sound and a growing fan base in cities across the eastern United States
Eastern United States
The Eastern United States, the American East, or simply the East is traditionally defined as the states east of the Mississippi River. The first two tiers of states west of the Mississippi have traditionally been considered part of the West, but can be included in the East today; usually in...
. To signify this coming of age, the band dropped "The Pain" and adopted the name "Rocketboy".
In November 1995, Rocketboy recorded their first album with R.E.X. Records
R.E.X. Records
R.E.X. Records was an independent record label founded by Doug Mann and Gavin Morkel, which operated from 1987 until running into financial difficulty in 1995. Operations were based in Chicago until 1990 when the company moved to Nashville...
, No Sign of Intelligent Life (1996), at OMNIsound Studios in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
. The album was produced by Armand John Petri who had previously worked with The Goo Goo Dolls and 10,000 Maniacs
10,000 Maniacs
10,000 Maniacs is a United States-based alternative rock band, which formed in 1981 and continues to be active with various line-ups.-1981–1993:...
. Though the album was a critical success among fans, the financial troubles of R.E.X. Records
R.E.X. Records
R.E.X. Records was an independent record label founded by Doug Mann and Gavin Morkel, which operated from 1987 until running into financial difficulty in 1995. Operations were based in Chicago until 1990 when the company moved to Nashville...
hindered marketing support of the release. Despite lack of label support, the band continued to play shows across the eastern United States
Eastern United States
The Eastern United States, the American East, or simply the East is traditionally defined as the states east of the Mississippi River. The first two tiers of states west of the Mississippi have traditionally been considered part of the West, but can be included in the East today; usually in...
sharing the bill with such groups as Third Day
Third Day
Third Day is a Grammy award-winning Christian rock band formed in Marietta, Georgia during the 1990s. The band was founded by lead singer Mac Powell, guitarist Mark Lee and former member Billy Wilkins. The other band members are bassist Tai Anderson and drummer David Carr...
, MxPx
MxPx
MxPx is a pop punk band from Bremerton, Washington with connections to the Christian punk scene. The band has recorded eight studio albums, four EPs, four compilation albums, a live album, a VHS tape, a DVD and released 20 singles....
and Plankeye
Plankeye
Plankeye was a Christian alternative rock band and one of Tooth & Nail Records' greatest successes during the 1990s and early 2000s. Plankeye's style could be defined as melodic post-grunge combined with indie and alternative elements...
.
Tim "Yogi" Watts assumed drumming duties for the band when Rob Jones left in March 1996. Rocketboy also hired David Mardis to manage the band's affairs and the recording of their follow-up album Now That We Have Your Attention (1997). Mardis had previously managed and produced albums for Third Day
Third Day
Third Day is a Grammy award-winning Christian rock band formed in Marietta, Georgia during the 1990s. The band was founded by lead singer Mac Powell, guitarist Mark Lee and former member Billy Wilkins. The other band members are bassist Tai Anderson and drummer David Carr...
. Now That We Have Your Attention was recorded at Furies Studios in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
and was produced by Mardis.
The band's 1997 schedule included a tour with Bride
Bride (band)
Bride is a Christian heavy metal/hard rock band formed in the 80s, by brothers Dale and Troy Thompson. During the band's peak years it was known for covering a wide range of musical styles and remains popular in places like Brazil...
in support of Now That We Have Your Attention, but once again had little label support. The band subsequently requested an unconditional release from their record contract. Touring continued through the end of 1997. On December 31, 1997, Rocketboy played their final show at The Warehouse in Lexington, South Carolina
Lexington, South Carolina
Lexington is a town in and the county seat of Lexington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 17,870 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Lexington is located at ....
.
Reunion
In 2007, Rocketboy got back together for a short tour, and in 2008 announced that they were reforming to begin writing a new album, more than a decade after their previous release.Discography =
Smile (Independent release, 1994)
-
- 1. Loud
- 2. Prodigal Son
- 3. Onion Ring
- 4. Blind Drive
- 5. Shades of Grey
- 6. I Should...
- 7. Disappear
- 8. Peace or Pieces?
- 9. Heavy Metal
- 10. Eve
No Sign of Intelligent Life (R.E.X. Records
R.E.X. Records
R.E.X. Records was an independent record label founded by Doug Mann and Gavin Morkel, which operated from 1987 until running into financial difficulty in 1995. Operations were based in Chicago until 1990 when the company moved to Nashville...
, 1996)
-
- 1. Gary's Garage
- 2. Fly
- 3. Disco Ball
- 4. Call Me Kind
- 5. Siren Song
- 6. Wishing Well
- 7. An Angel's Kiss
- 8. Seed
- 9. Richard
- 10. I Should...
- 11. Shades of Grey
Now That We Have Your Attention (R.E.X. Records
R.E.X. Records
R.E.X. Records was an independent record label founded by Doug Mann and Gavin Morkel, which operated from 1987 until running into financial difficulty in 1995. Operations were based in Chicago until 1990 when the company moved to Nashville...
, 1997)
-
- 1. High Dive
- 2. Cool
- 3. Chaos
- 4. Siren Song
- 5. Mother May I
- 6. Illegitimate Son
- 7. Disco Ball
- 8. Between
- 9. Silver Love
- 10. Pretend
- 11. Call Me Kind
- 12. Breathe
External links =