Sanctus Real
Encyclopedia
Sanctus Real is an American Christian rock
band formed in Toledo, Ohio
, in 1996. The group is composed of Matt Hammitt (lead vocalist, guitar), Chris Rohman (lead guitar), Dan Gartley (bass), Pete Prevost (guitar), and Mark Graalman (drums
). The band is best known for their number 1 singles "Beautiful Day
" (a U2
cover), "Everything About You
", "The Fight Song
", "I'm Not Alright
", "Don't Give Up
", "We Need Each Other
" and "Forgiven
". Since 2002, they have released five albums through the Sparrow
record label.
Sanctus Real formed in 1996, and the band released three independent albums over five years. After signing with Sparrow Records
in 2002, the group released their major label debut, Say It Loud, at the end of the year. In June 2004 it was followed by Fight the Tide
, which garnered a GMA Dove Award win in 2005, and two singles that charted at number 1 on Christian radio, according to R&R
magazine. The band's third album, The Face of Love
, was released in April 2006. The single "I'm Not Alright
" received a GMA Dove Award nomination in 2007.
Their fourth album, We Need Each Other
(2008), was recorded in late 2007 and released in February. It received a Grammy Award
nomination and spawned the single "We Need Each Other
". Sanctus Real released their fifth studio album in March 2010, titled Pieces of a Real Heart
also receiving a Grammy nomination with Christian Billboard chart topping hits "Lead Me"and "Forgiven
". The band's music incorporates a modern alternative rock
style, and has evolved from power pop
to a more melodic and guitar-driven sound.
in Ohio
. They led youth worship at their school and church, and began writing their own music that year. Drummer Mark Graalman and bassist Matt Kollar soon joined, forming the band's original line-up. The group performed their first concert for several friends in the back of a warehouse in December 1996. They released a six-track demo tape in August 1997, and a five-track EP titled All This Talk of Aliens in January 1998.
Sanctus Real's full-length studio album Message for the Masses was released on June 18, 1999, and shortly afterward, bassist Matt Kollar was replaced by Steve Goodrum. Following Message for the Masses, which was recorded in a garage, the band made plans to record tracks at a major studio. To earn money for the endeavor, Hammitt and Goodrum took telemarketing
jobs for a few months, which were difficult and described by Hammitt as "the most dreadful [jobs] ever". They recorded three songs with producer Skidd Mills
in Memphis, Tennessee, and after winning a local radio contest, decided to record an entire independent album with Mills. It was completed in 2000 under the title Nothing to Lose
, and the band attended 2001's Gospel Music Week in Nashville to distribute copies of the project.
From 1996 to 2001, Sanctus Real toured areas of the United States, and also sent demos to several Christian and mainstream record labels. After they received multiple recording contract offers in 2001, the band decided to sign with Sparrow Records
. Matt Hammitt said, "At that point, we really had to do some soul searching and figure out where it was we were supposed to be ... Ultimately, we knew we could relate to kids in the church. We are passionate about our faith ... [and] from our personal experience, we felt this was the place we were supposed to be."
tour. The band also guested on Bleach's first headlining tour, the We Are Tomorrow tour, in December 2002. Sanctus Real's major label debut, Say It Loud, was then released in December 2002, through Sparrow Records
. The album was produced by former Grammatrain
lead vocalist Pete Stewart
. Sanctus Real began touring again in February 2003 as a guest band on the See Spot Rock Tour, with Relient K
, the O.C. Supertones, Pillar
and John Reuben
.
The band recorded a cover of U2
's song "Beautiful Day
" for the compilation album In the Name of Love: Artists United for Africa
, which was released at the beginning of 2004. The track reached number 1 on R&R
magazine's Christian rock chart in 2004, becoming their first chart-topping single. "Beautiful Day" also received a GMA Dove Award nomination for Modern Rock Song of the Year in 2004.
In February 2004, the band went back in studio to record their second album; almost all of the tracks were written in the previous month. It was recorded in six weeks with producer Tedd T
, and soon released under the title Fight the Tide
in June 2004. The lead single "Everything About You
" was released in mid-2004, and by September it had stayed at number 1 on R&Rs Christian rock chart for six consecutive weeks. The song was later featured on the X 2006 compilation album in 2005. In September 2004, Sanctus Real launched their first headlining tour, the Fight the Tide Tour. The tour featured guest bands Hawk Nelson
, Seven Places
and Ever Stays Red
, and traveled through more than 25 cities.
After being nominated in late 2004, Fight the Tide won the GMA Dove Award for "Modern Rock Album of the Year" in early 2005. Released near the beginning of the year, "The Fight Song
" was Sanctus Real's next single, and in May 2005 it reached the top of R&Rs Christian rock chart, becoming the band's third number 1 song. In April 2005, bass player Steve Goodrum left the band and was replaced by Dan Gartley, a previous touring member of Relient K
. Gartley played his first concert with Sanctus Real at the Agape Festival in May 2005.
Sanctus Real's third main studio album, The Face of Love
, was released in April 2006. The album's first single was "I'm Not Alright
" which became a number 1 song on Christian contemporary hit radio
(CHR), as reported by R&R magazine. It was also the third most played song of 2006 on Christian radio formats. In early 2007, the band received two GMA Dove Award nominations: "Rock Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year" for "I'm Not Alright" and "Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year" for The Face of Love. Following the album's release, Pete Prevost became the fifth member of Sanctus Real as an additional guitarist.
The album's second single, "Don't Give Up
", was released in the beginning of 2007, and by May it became the band's fifth number 1 track by placing at the top of R&Rs Christian CHR chart. At the end of 2006 they were named the most-played artist of the year on R&R
's Christian CHR chart. The title track "The Face of Love" was also a radio single. Sanctus Real launched another headlining tour in April 2007, The Face of Love tour, featuring Needtobreathe
and This Beautiful Republic
.
, and was released in February 2008, through the Sparrow Records
label. The title track "We Need Each Other
" was released earlier as the album's lead single
in November 2007. The song stayed at number 1 on R&R
's Christian CHR chart for five consecutive weeks by February 2008, and it was 2008's eighth most-played song of the year in the same format.
During early to mid 2008, Sanctus Real guested on Third Day
's headlining tour, and that year they also appeared on an episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
. Two more singles from We Need Each Other were released: "Whatever You're Doing (Something Heavenly)" in early 2008, and "Turn On the Lights" in August 2008. Later in the year, the band launched their own two-month We Need Each Other Tour in the United States, passing through 16 states and over 30 cities; the tour featured guest appearances from VOTA
, Tenth Avenue North
and speaker Sammy Adebiyi. In 2009, We Need Each Other received a Grammy Award
nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album.
that Sanctus Real finished recording their fifth album. The first radio single was titled "Forgiven
", and peaked at #6 on the Hot Christian Songs
chart. On December 2, 2009, the band announced on Twitter and Facebook
that they narrowed the final album name down to two options: A Million Hearts and Pieces of a Real Heart, and held a public vote for one hour. Shortly after, it was confirmed that the title Pieces of a Real Heart
would be chosen. The album was released on March 9, 2010 via Sparrow Records
.
and MIKESCHAIR
.
and alternative CCM. Their first three independent albums were described by Allmusic as power pop
. Say It Loud was characterized by increased guitars and a powerful modern rock style. Their second release, Fight the Tide
, was described as "melodic power rock" with similarities to Foo Fighters
, Jimmy Eat World
, Switchfoot
, U2
, and PFR
. The band's music on The Face of Love
blended the styles from their previous two albums, evolving into less of a heavier rock sound. With We Need Each Other
, lead singer Matt Hammitt noted that he "just pushed the limits of what I can do vocally" during some songs, "whether it be on a soft, kind of rustic sounding vocal or whether it be this overdriven, rock high-range kind of vocal."
Former members
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 Toledo, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
, in 1996. The group is composed of Matt Hammitt (lead vocalist, guitar), Chris Rohman (lead guitar), Dan Gartley (bass), Pete Prevost (guitar), and Mark Graalman (drums
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
). The band is best known for their number 1 singles "Beautiful Day
Beautiful Day
"Beautiful Day" is a song by the rock band U2. It is the first track from their 2000 album, All That You Can't Leave Behind, and it was released as the album's lead single. It was a commercial success, helping launch the album to multi-platinum status, and is one of U2's biggest hits to date...
" (a U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
cover), "Everything About You
Everything About You (Sanctus Real song)
"Everything About You" is a song by Christian rock band Sanctus Real from their second album Fight the Tide. It was released as a radio single in mid-2004 and reached number 1 on R&R magazine's Christian rock radio format by August...
", "The Fight Song
The Fight Song (Sanctus Real song)
"The Fight Song" is a song by Christian rock band Sanctus Real from their second album, Fight the Tide. It was released as a single in early 2005, and that year reached number 1 on R&R magazine's Christian rock radio chart....
", "I'm Not Alright
I'm Not Alright
"I'm Not Alright" is a song by Christian rock band Sanctus Real from their album The Face of Love. It was a number 1 hit on Christian radio in 2006. In 2007, the song was nominated at the GMA Dove Awards for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year...
", "Don't Give Up
Don't Give Up (Sanctus Real song)
"Don't Give Up" is a song by Christian rock band Sanctus Real from their 2006 album The Face of Love. The song was released as a radio single in early 2007, and reached number 1 on R&Rs Christian CHR chart in the beginning of May 2007. It is the band's fifth number 1 hit, and the second...
", "We Need Each Other
We Need Each Other (song)
"We Need Each Other" is a song by Christian rock band Sanctus Real, from their fourth album We Need Each Other. The song was released on November 13, 2007, and reached number 1 on R&Rs Christian CHR chart in January 2008...
" and "Forgiven
Forgiven (Sanctus Real song)
"Forgiven" is a song by Christian rock band Sanctus Real which was released to radio in October 2009. The song is from the band's fifth studio album Pieces of a Real Heart, which was released in March 2010. A music video directed by Nathan Corona was completed in late March.This song was also...
". Since 2002, they have released five albums through the Sparrow
Sparrow Records
-Background:Sparrow Records was founded in 1976 by Billy Ray Hearn, then A&R director at Myrrh Records. Purchased by EMI in 1992, it is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group, and has been named by Billboard Magazine as "America's Best Christian Music Record Label"...
record label.
Sanctus Real formed in 1996, and the band released three independent albums over five years. After signing with Sparrow Records
Sparrow Records
-Background:Sparrow Records was founded in 1976 by Billy Ray Hearn, then A&R director at Myrrh Records. Purchased by EMI in 1992, it is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group, and has been named by Billboard Magazine as "America's Best Christian Music Record Label"...
in 2002, the group released their major label debut, Say It Loud, at the end of the year. In June 2004 it was followed by Fight the Tide
Fight the Tide
Fight the Tide is the second studio album from Christian rock band Sanctus Real, and was released on June 15, 2004 under Sparrow Records. Most of the album was written within one month and recorded in only four weeks...
, which garnered a GMA Dove Award win in 2005, and two singles that charted at number 1 on Christian radio, according to R&R
R&R (magazine)
R&R was a weekly music trade publication that followed the radio industry and tracked the monitoring of current songs by format, station and audience cumes...
magazine. The band's third album, The Face of Love
The Face of Love
The Face of Love is the third studio album from Christian rock band Sanctus Real. It was released on April 4, 2006 and peaked at number 158 on the Billboard 200. The singles "I'm Not Alright" and "Don't Give Up" both reached number 1 on Christian contemporary hit radio...
, was released in April 2006. The single "I'm Not Alright
I'm Not Alright
"I'm Not Alright" is a song by Christian rock band Sanctus Real from their album The Face of Love. It was a number 1 hit on Christian radio in 2006. In 2007, the song was nominated at the GMA Dove Awards for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year...
" received a GMA Dove Award nomination in 2007.
Their fourth album, We Need Each Other
We Need Each Other
We Need Each Other is the fourth album released by Christian rock band Sanctus Real. It was released in the United States on February 12, 2008 through Sparrow Records. It debuted at #153 on the Billboard 200...
(2008), was recorded in late 2007 and released in February. It received a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nomination and spawned the single "We Need Each Other
We Need Each Other (song)
"We Need Each Other" is a song by Christian rock band Sanctus Real, from their fourth album We Need Each Other. The song was released on November 13, 2007, and reached number 1 on R&Rs Christian CHR chart in January 2008...
". Sanctus Real released their fifth studio album in March 2010, titled Pieces of a Real Heart
Pieces of a Real Heart
Pieces of a Real Heart is the fifth studio album from Christian rock band Sanctus Real. It was released on March 9, 2010 via Sparrow Records. The first single released was the song "Forgiven", which reached #6 on Billboards Christian Songs chart....
also receiving a Grammy nomination with Christian Billboard chart topping hits "Lead Me"and "Forgiven
Forgiven (Sanctus Real song)
"Forgiven" is a song by Christian rock band Sanctus Real which was released to radio in October 2009. The song is from the band's fifth studio album Pieces of a Real Heart, which was released in March 2010. A music video directed by Nathan Corona was completed in late March.This song was also...
". The band's music incorporates a modern alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
style, and has evolved from power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
to a more melodic and guitar-driven sound.
History
In 1996, lead singer and guitarist Matt Hammitt met guitarist Chris Rohman while they were tenth graders attending Toledo Christian SchoolToledo Christian Schools
Toledo Christian Schools is a co-educational, private, Christian non-denominational school in Toledo, Ohio. It is part of the ACSI and is well-known for its excellence in academics, music, and athletics....
in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. They led youth worship at their school and church, and began writing their own music that year. Drummer Mark Graalman and bassist Matt Kollar soon joined, forming the band's original line-up. The group performed their first concert for several friends in the back of a warehouse in December 1996. They released a six-track demo tape in August 1997, and a five-track EP titled All This Talk of Aliens in January 1998.
Sanctus Real's full-length studio album Message for the Masses was released on June 18, 1999, and shortly afterward, bassist Matt Kollar was replaced by Steve Goodrum. Following Message for the Masses, which was recorded in a garage, the band made plans to record tracks at a major studio. To earn money for the endeavor, Hammitt and Goodrum took telemarketing
Telemarketing
Telemarketing is a method of direct marketing in which a salesperson solicits prospective customers to buy products or services, either over the phone or through a subsequent face to face or Web conferencing appointment scheduled during the call.Telemarketing can also include recorded sales pitches...
jobs for a few months, which were difficult and described by Hammitt as "the most dreadful [jobs] ever". They recorded three songs with producer Skidd Mills
Skidd Mills
Skidd Mills is a songwriter/producer based in Nashville, Tennessee. Skidd began his career at Ardent Studios in 1991. There he learned from the likes of John Hampton, Joe Hardy, Jim Dickenson, and Paul Ebersold. In 2001, Skidd left Ardent and started 747 Studios with partner Paul Ebersold. It...
in Memphis, Tennessee, and after winning a local radio contest, decided to record an entire independent album with Mills. It was completed in 2000 under the title Nothing to Lose
Nothing to Lose (Sanctus Real album)
Nothing to Lose is the last independent album recorded by Sanctus Real before signing their record deal with Sparrow Records. The album was sold at live concerts in the Northwestern Ohio, Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan areas. Many tracks were re-recorded for the album Say it Loud. The track...
, and the band attended 2001's Gospel Music Week in Nashville to distribute copies of the project.
From 1996 to 2001, Sanctus Real toured areas of the United States, and also sent demos to several Christian and mainstream record labels. After they received multiple recording contract offers in 2001, the band decided to sign with Sparrow Records
Sparrow Records
-Background:Sparrow Records was founded in 1976 by Billy Ray Hearn, then A&R director at Myrrh Records. Purchased by EMI in 1992, it is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group, and has been named by Billboard Magazine as "America's Best Christian Music Record Label"...
. Matt Hammitt said, "At that point, we really had to do some soul searching and figure out where it was we were supposed to be ... Ultimately, we knew we could relate to kids in the church. We are passionate about our faith ... [and] from our personal experience, we felt this was the place we were supposed to be."
Say It Loud
Toward the end of 2002, before releasing their first non-independent album, Sanctus Real performed as an opening act on the Festival Con DiosFestival Con Dios
Festival Con Dios was a traveling Christian music festival that began in spring 2001. The first festival was started by Newsboys and also featured Audio Adrenaline, The O.C. Supertones, Pillar, T-Bone, The Benjamin Gate, Skillet, Switchfoot, and others. This was one of the largest CCM traveling...
tour. The band also guested on Bleach's first headlining tour, the We Are Tomorrow tour, in December 2002. Sanctus Real's major label debut, Say It Loud, was then released in December 2002, through Sparrow Records
Sparrow Records
-Background:Sparrow Records was founded in 1976 by Billy Ray Hearn, then A&R director at Myrrh Records. Purchased by EMI in 1992, it is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group, and has been named by Billboard Magazine as "America's Best Christian Music Record Label"...
. The album was produced by former Grammatrain
Grammatrain
Grammatrain is a grunge rock band from Seattle, Washington who were active in the Christian rock industry in the 1990s. After disbanding in 1998, the group reunited as a secular act in 2009 and released their third full length album entitled "Imperium" the following year.-History:Singer/guitarist...
lead vocalist Pete Stewart
Pete Stewart
Pete Stewart is a singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer from Washington state. He is the lead singer and guitarist of Grammatrain, was the lead singer for The Accident Experiment, and is the former guitarist of Tait....
. Sanctus Real began touring again in February 2003 as a guest band on the See Spot Rock Tour, with Relient K
Relient K
Relient K is an American rock band formed in 1998 in Canton, Ohio by Matt Thiessen, Brian Pittman, and Matt Hoopes during the band's junior year in high school and their time at Malone University...
, the O.C. Supertones, 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 John Reuben
John Reuben
John Reuben is an American hip hop artist signed to Gotee Records until late 2010. Reuben has sold over 200,000 copies of his first four albums. He released his sixth album, Sex, Drugs and Self-Control on December 22, 2009...
.
Fight the Tide
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
's song "Beautiful Day
Beautiful Day
"Beautiful Day" is a song by the rock band U2. It is the first track from their 2000 album, All That You Can't Leave Behind, and it was released as the album's lead single. It was a commercial success, helping launch the album to multi-platinum status, and is one of U2's biggest hits to date...
" for the compilation album In the Name of Love: Artists United for Africa
In the Name of Love: Artists United for Africa
In the Name of Love: Artists United for Africa is a benefit album, recorded by Christian bands, with a portion of the proceeds going to help cure the AIDS pandemic in Africa...
, which was released at the beginning of 2004. The track reached number 1 on R&R
R&R (magazine)
R&R was a weekly music trade publication that followed the radio industry and tracked the monitoring of current songs by format, station and audience cumes...
magazine's Christian rock chart in 2004, becoming their first chart-topping single. "Beautiful Day" also received a GMA Dove Award nomination for Modern Rock Song of the Year in 2004.
In February 2004, the band went back in studio to record their second album; almost all of the tracks were written in the previous month. It was recorded in six weeks with producer Tedd T
Tedd T
Tedd T., born Tedd Andrew Tjornhom , is a Grammy Award–winning music producer, songwriter, arranger, programmer, and engineer. He also launched the independent record label Teleprompt Records in 2003 as a joint venture with Word / Warner Music Group. His interest in the music industry began in his...
, and soon released under the title Fight the Tide
Fight the Tide
Fight the Tide is the second studio album from Christian rock band Sanctus Real, and was released on June 15, 2004 under Sparrow Records. Most of the album was written within one month and recorded in only four weeks...
in June 2004. The lead single "Everything About You
Everything About You (Sanctus Real song)
"Everything About You" is a song by Christian rock band Sanctus Real from their second album Fight the Tide. It was released as a radio single in mid-2004 and reached number 1 on R&R magazine's Christian rock radio format by August...
" was released in mid-2004, and by September it had stayed at number 1 on R&Rs Christian rock chart for six consecutive weeks. The song was later featured on the X 2006 compilation album in 2005. In September 2004, Sanctus Real launched their first headlining tour, the Fight the Tide Tour. The tour featured guest bands Hawk Nelson
Hawk Nelson
Hawk Nelson is a Christian rock band from Peterborough, Ontario. The band has become very popular in the Christian music scene and was voted "Favorite New Artist" by CCM Magazine in their February 2006 Reader's Choice Awards. In 2006 Hawk Nelson won a No...
, Seven Places
Seven Places
Seven Places was a Christian rock band founded in 2000. Seth Gilbert was the main songwriter and vocalist for Seven Places which was signed to BEC Recordings. The group amiably disbanded in 2005 to pursue other projects....
and Ever Stays Red
Ever Stays Red
Ever Stays Red was an American christian rock and pop band created in 2002 by a group of four friends who have been striving to create high-energy rock music with one purpose: to use their music to change the world...
, and traveled through more than 25 cities.
After being nominated in late 2004, Fight the Tide won the GMA Dove Award for "Modern Rock Album of the Year" in early 2005. Released near the beginning of the year, "The Fight Song
The Fight Song (Sanctus Real song)
"The Fight Song" is a song by Christian rock band Sanctus Real from their second album, Fight the Tide. It was released as a single in early 2005, and that year reached number 1 on R&R magazine's Christian rock radio chart....
" was Sanctus Real's next single, and in May 2005 it reached the top of R&Rs Christian rock chart, becoming the band's third number 1 song. In April 2005, bass player Steve Goodrum left the band and was replaced by Dan Gartley, a previous touring member of Relient K
Relient K
Relient K is an American rock band formed in 1998 in Canton, Ohio by Matt Thiessen, Brian Pittman, and Matt Hoopes during the band's junior year in high school and their time at Malone University...
. Gartley played his first concert with Sanctus Real at the Agape Festival in May 2005.
The Face of Love
The Face of Love
The Face of Love is the third studio album from Christian rock band Sanctus Real. It was released on April 4, 2006 and peaked at number 158 on the Billboard 200. The singles "I'm Not Alright" and "Don't Give Up" both reached number 1 on Christian contemporary hit radio...
, was released in April 2006. The album's first single was "I'm Not Alright
I'm Not Alright
"I'm Not Alright" is a song by Christian rock band Sanctus Real from their album The Face of Love. It was a number 1 hit on Christian radio in 2006. In 2007, the song was nominated at the GMA Dove Awards for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year...
" which became a number 1 song on Christian contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
(CHR), as reported by R&R magazine. It was also the third most played song of 2006 on Christian radio formats. In early 2007, the band received two GMA Dove Award nominations: "Rock Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year" for "I'm Not Alright" and "Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year" for The Face of Love. Following the album's release, Pete Prevost became the fifth member of Sanctus Real as an additional guitarist.
The album's second single, "Don't Give Up
Don't Give Up (Sanctus Real song)
"Don't Give Up" is a song by Christian rock band Sanctus Real from their 2006 album The Face of Love. The song was released as a radio single in early 2007, and reached number 1 on R&Rs Christian CHR chart in the beginning of May 2007. It is the band's fifth number 1 hit, and the second...
", was released in the beginning of 2007, and by May it became the band's fifth number 1 track by placing at the top of R&Rs Christian CHR chart. At the end of 2006 they were named the most-played artist of the year on R&R
R&R (magazine)
R&R was a weekly music trade publication that followed the radio industry and tracked the monitoring of current songs by format, station and audience cumes...
's Christian CHR chart. The title track "The Face of Love" was also a radio single. Sanctus Real launched another headlining tour in April 2007, The Face of Love tour, featuring Needtobreathe
Needtobreathe
Needtobreathe is an American rock band from Seneca, South Carolina. The band has charted on mainstream rock/pop charts, but have had their greatest number of singles on Christian music charts...
and This Beautiful Republic
This Beautiful Republic
This Beautiful Republic was an American band signed to ForeFront Records in November 2006. They are best known for their song "Right Now". The group appeared on the Christian television show The Logan Show on December 9, 2006...
.
We Need Each Other
In August 2007, Sanctus Real returned to the studio to record a fourth album, which was finished by the end of the year. In November 2007, the album was originally slated for release under the title Turn On the Lights, the name of a track on the album. It was later changed to We Need Each OtherWe Need Each Other
We Need Each Other is the fourth album released by Christian rock band Sanctus Real. It was released in the United States on February 12, 2008 through Sparrow Records. It debuted at #153 on the Billboard 200...
, and was released in February 2008, through the Sparrow Records
Sparrow Records
-Background:Sparrow Records was founded in 1976 by Billy Ray Hearn, then A&R director at Myrrh Records. Purchased by EMI in 1992, it is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group, and has been named by Billboard Magazine as "America's Best Christian Music Record Label"...
label. The title track "We Need Each Other
We Need Each Other (song)
"We Need Each Other" is a song by Christian rock band Sanctus Real, from their fourth album We Need Each Other. The song was released on November 13, 2007, and reached number 1 on R&Rs Christian CHR chart in January 2008...
" was released earlier as the album's lead single
Lead single
A lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
in November 2007. The song stayed at number 1 on R&R
R&R (magazine)
R&R was a weekly music trade publication that followed the radio industry and tracked the monitoring of current songs by format, station and audience cumes...
's Christian CHR chart for five consecutive weeks by February 2008, and it was 2008's eighth most-played song of the year in the same format.
During early to mid 2008, Sanctus Real guested on 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...
's headlining tour, and that year they also appeared on an episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is a reality television series providing home renovations for less fortunate families and community schools etc...
. Two more singles from We Need Each Other were released: "Whatever You're Doing (Something Heavenly)" in early 2008, and "Turn On the Lights" in August 2008. Later in the year, the band launched their own two-month We Need Each Other Tour in the United States, passing through 16 states and over 30 cities; the tour featured guest appearances from VOTA
VOTA
VOTA is a Christian rock band from Lincoln, Nebraska, featuring Bryan Olesen, a former guitarist with Christian rock band Newsboys. Several of the band's songs have been featured on rotation with national radio networks such as K-Love, and are part of the international 180 Tour. Their song "Hard...
, Tenth Avenue North
Tenth Avenue North
Tenth Avenue North is an American contemporary Christian music band from West Palm Beach, Florida. They took their name from a major east-west road in Palm Beach County.The group was formed while attending Palm Beach Atlantic University...
and speaker Sammy Adebiyi. In 2009, We Need Each Other received a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album.
Pieces of a Real Heart
In mid November 2009, Matt Hammitt announced on TwitterTwitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
that Sanctus Real finished recording their fifth album. The first radio single was titled "Forgiven
Forgiven (Sanctus Real song)
"Forgiven" is a song by Christian rock band Sanctus Real which was released to radio in October 2009. The song is from the band's fifth studio album Pieces of a Real Heart, which was released in March 2010. A music video directed by Nathan Corona was completed in late March.This song was also...
", and peaked at #6 on the Hot Christian Songs
Hot Christian Songs
Christian Songs is a Billboard chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States....
chart. On December 2, 2009, the band announced on Twitter and Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
that they narrowed the final album name down to two options: A Million Hearts and Pieces of a Real Heart, and held a public vote for one hour. Shortly after, it was confirmed that the title Pieces of a Real Heart
Pieces of a Real Heart
Pieces of a Real Heart is the fifth studio album from Christian rock band Sanctus Real. It was released on March 9, 2010 via Sparrow Records. The first single released was the song "Forgiven", which reached #6 on Billboards Christian Songs chart....
would be chosen. The album was released on March 9, 2010 via Sparrow Records
Sparrow Records
-Background:Sparrow Records was founded in 1976 by Billy Ray Hearn, then A&R director at Myrrh Records. Purchased by EMI in 1992, it is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group, and has been named by Billboard Magazine as "America's Best Christian Music Record Label"...
.
Touring
In April and May 2010, Sanctus Real will be debuting the complete new album Pieces of a Real Heart while headlining the UNITED Spring 2010 Tour. Joining them on this 25-city nationwide tour will be visionary and speaker David Nasser along with fellow artists Jonny DiazJonny Diaz
Jonny Diaz is an American contemporary Christian pop artist originally from Lakeland, Florida. His song "More Beautiful You" has charted on American Christian music charts...
and MIKESCHAIR
MIKESCHAIR
Mikeschair is an American contemporary Christian band signed to Curb Records. The group has charted on the American Contemporary Christian music charts with the song "Can't Take Away", which was the seventh most played Contemporary Christian music song in the United States for the week of June 13,...
.
Musical style
Sanctus Real's main genre is typically labeled as Christian rockChristian 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...
and alternative CCM. Their first three independent albums were described by Allmusic as power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
. Say It Loud was characterized by increased guitars and a powerful modern rock style. Their second release, Fight the Tide
Fight the Tide
Fight the Tide is the second studio album from Christian rock band Sanctus Real, and was released on June 15, 2004 under Sparrow Records. Most of the album was written within one month and recorded in only four weeks...
, was described as "melodic power rock" with similarities to Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
, Jimmy Eat World
Jimmy Eat World
Jimmy Eat World is an American alternative rock band from Mesa, Arizona, that formed in 1993. The band is composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Jim Adkins, guitarist and backing vocalist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch and drummer Zach Lind....
, Switchfoot
Switchfoot
Switchfoot is an American rock band from San Diego, California. The band's members are Jon Foreman , Tim Foreman , Chad Butler , Jerome Fontamillas , and Drew Shirley .After early successes in the Christian rock scene, Switchfoot first gained mainstream...
, U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
, and PFR
PFR
PFR was a Christian music group in the mid 1990s. Although the group disbanded in 1997, they reunited in 2000 and have since recorded two albums, and they continue to play together.-History:...
. The band's music on The Face of Love
The Face of Love
The Face of Love is the third studio album from Christian rock band Sanctus Real. It was released on April 4, 2006 and peaked at number 158 on the Billboard 200. The singles "I'm Not Alright" and "Don't Give Up" both reached number 1 on Christian contemporary hit radio...
blended the styles from their previous two albums, evolving into less of a heavier rock sound. With We Need Each Other
We Need Each Other
We Need Each Other is the fourth album released by Christian rock band Sanctus Real. It was released in the United States on February 12, 2008 through Sparrow Records. It debuted at #153 on the Billboard 200...
, lead singer Matt Hammitt noted that he "just pushed the limits of what I can do vocally" during some songs, "whether it be on a soft, kind of rustic sounding vocal or whether it be this overdriven, rock high-range kind of vocal."
Members
Current members- Matt Hammitt – lead vocalist
- Chris Rohman – guitar
- Pete Prevost – guitar, banjo, piano
- Dan Gartley – bass and bells
- Mark Graalman – drumsDrummerA drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Former members
- Matt Kollar – bass
- Steve Goodrum – bass
- Michael Gee - Guitar
GMA Dove Awards
- 2004: Modern Rock Song of the Year ("Beautiful DayBeautiful Day"Beautiful Day" is a song by the rock band U2. It is the first track from their 2000 album, All That You Can't Leave Behind, and it was released as the album's lead single. It was a commercial success, helping launch the album to multi-platinum status, and is one of U2's biggest hits to date...
") – nominated - 2005: Modern Rock Album of the Year (Fight the TideFight the TideFight the Tide is the second studio album from Christian rock band Sanctus Real, and was released on June 15, 2004 under Sparrow Records. Most of the album was written within one month and recorded in only four weeks...
) – won - 2007: Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (The Face of LoveThe Face of LoveThe Face of Love is the third studio album from Christian rock band Sanctus Real. It was released on April 4, 2006 and peaked at number 158 on the Billboard 200. The singles "I'm Not Alright" and "Don't Give Up" both reached number 1 on Christian contemporary hit radio...
) – nominated - 2007: Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("I'm Not AlrightI'm Not Alright"I'm Not Alright" is a song by Christian rock band Sanctus Real from their album The Face of Love. It was a number 1 hit on Christian radio in 2006. In 2007, the song was nominated at the GMA Dove Awards for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year...
") – nominated - 201142nd GMA Dove AwardsThe 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 20, 2011 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. The show will be broadcast on gmc on April 24, 2011. It will be hosted by Sherri Shepherd from The Newlywed Game....
: Song of the Year ("Lead Me") - 2011: Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Lead Me")
- 2011: Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (Pieces of a Real HeartPieces of a Real HeartPieces of a Real Heart is the fifth studio album from Christian rock band Sanctus Real. It was released on March 9, 2010 via Sparrow Records. The first single released was the song "Forgiven", which reached #6 on Billboards Christian Songs chart....
)
Grammy Awards
- 2009: Grammy AwardGrammy AwardA Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album (We Need Each OtherWe Need Each OtherWe Need Each Other is the fourth album released by Christian rock band Sanctus Real. It was released in the United States on February 12, 2008 through Sparrow Records. It debuted at #153 on the Billboard 200...
) – nominated - 2010: Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary/Pop Gospel Album (Pieces of a Real HeartPieces of a Real HeartPieces of a Real Heart is the fifth studio album from Christian rock band Sanctus Real. It was released on March 9, 2010 via Sparrow Records. The first single released was the song "Forgiven", which reached #6 on Billboards Christian Songs chart....
) – nominated
Discography
- 1998: All This Talk of Aliens – independent
- 1999: Message for the MassesMessage for the MassesMessage for the Masses is the second independent album recorded by Sanctus Real. The tracks "Message for the Masses", and "After Today" were re-recorded for the album Nothing to Lose. The track "After Today" was ultimately re-recorded for the album Say it Loud, and the track "Message for the...
– independent - 2001: Nothing to LoseNothing to Lose (Sanctus Real album)Nothing to Lose is the last independent album recorded by Sanctus Real before signing their record deal with Sparrow Records. The album was sold at live concerts in the Northwestern Ohio, Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan areas. Many tracks were re-recorded for the album Say it Loud. The track...
– independent - 2002: Say It Loud – SparrowSparrow Records-Background:Sparrow Records was founded in 1976 by Billy Ray Hearn, then A&R director at Myrrh Records. Purchased by EMI in 1992, it is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group, and has been named by Billboard Magazine as "America's Best Christian Music Record Label"...
- 2004: Fight the TideFight the TideFight the Tide is the second studio album from Christian rock band Sanctus Real, and was released on June 15, 2004 under Sparrow Records. Most of the album was written within one month and recorded in only four weeks...
– Sparrow - 2006: The Face of LoveThe Face of LoveThe Face of Love is the third studio album from Christian rock band Sanctus Real. It was released on April 4, 2006 and peaked at number 158 on the Billboard 200. The singles "I'm Not Alright" and "Don't Give Up" both reached number 1 on Christian contemporary hit radio...
– Sparrow - 2008: We Need Each OtherWe Need Each OtherWe Need Each Other is the fourth album released by Christian rock band Sanctus Real. It was released in the United States on February 12, 2008 through Sparrow Records. It debuted at #153 on the Billboard 200...
– Sparrow - 2010: Pieces of a Real HeartPieces of a Real HeartPieces of a Real Heart is the fifth studio album from Christian rock band Sanctus Real. It was released on March 9, 2010 via Sparrow Records. The first single released was the song "Forgiven", which reached #6 on Billboards Christian Songs chart....
– Sparrow - 2010: Pieces of Our Past: The Sanctus Real AnthologyPieces of Our Past: The Sanctus Real Anthology"Pieces Of Our Past: The Sanctus Real Anthology" is a comprehensive, 34 song, 3-CD set including all the songs from their hit albums We Need Each Other, The Face of Love, and Fight the Tide...
- Sparrow