Tait (band)
Encyclopedia
Tait is a Christian rock
band formed by Michael Tait
, one of the members of dc Talk
and the lead singer of Newsboys
since 2010.
member Michael Tait
met Chad Chapin
and the two became close friends and began to write songs together. After a few years, Michael created his own cover band, a funky hard rock group named Curious George. He toured with Chapin and had a few concerts, performing music from Pearl Jam
to King's X
and The 77's. Afterward was when Tait and Chapin decided that they would eventually get a more permanent music group of their own together and tour the world.
Michael and Tait member Pete Stewart
also had a friendship before the band's inception. After Stewart had assisted dc Talk by playing guitar on their album Supernatural
, Tait and Stewart co-wrote the song "Uphill Battle" which was featured on ForeFront
records' Ten: The Birthday Album. When Stewart's alternative
metal group Grammatrain
disbanded in 1998, he went on to co-produce his own solo album with the help of Tait.
went on hiatus around 1999, Michael started working unofficially with his own music. As his solo project slowly began to come together, Michael quickly thought of the friendships that within the past few years had become a fundamental part of his career. Pete Stewart came to join Michael, along with the Chapin brothers, Chad and Lonnie
who in 1996 had moved to Nashville
, Tennessee
to see where they could get in the music business. The band officially formed in 2000 and was named Tait after Michael’s father, Rev. Nathel Tait.
After about a year in the studio, the band released their first album entitled Empty. It was generally well received, and the album even broke onto the Top Contemporary Christian
charts. The album featured songs that handled subjects like skepticism
of others (“Spy”), racism
(“American Tragedy”) (This album was controversial though, with the use of a racial slur in the middle of this song) and Michael’s outpouring of grief
of losing his father, sister and brother all in the same year (“Unglued”).
took his leave from the group. He was replaced by nineteen year-old guitar
ist Justin York
. Once again the band went into the recording studio in 2002 and worked through 2003 to release a new album. The group was successful, and in November they released Dove Award-winning Lose This Life
.
The album proved that the group had matured into a much more aggressive hard rock
sound compared to Empty’s more relaxed easy-listening music. Around the time the album was released, band members also participated in the production of !Hero
, a rock opera
which modernized the life and times of Jesus Christ
.
Within the past few years the band has toured on and off, many times with other CCM
artists. When asked about the set-backs of recent band member changes, Tait has stated that “I think [with him] spearheading [the band] — if [he takes] off, then the band does change. If a member changes here and there, it does not affect [the band] a bit…. it does not change a bit of [his] vision for this band.”
. Tait had initially planned to release a third album, Loveology , announced in 2006 that was to include music that was described as "Stevie Wonder
meets Maroon 5
meets Lenny Kravitz
.". Music for this album including a song entitled "Glimmer" has been recorded, but after two years of silence, the album remains unreleased and its future remains uncertain.
Tait has said that he is still working on Loveology with, amongst others, Ben Moody
. However, he said it will likely be different from the original album he was working on.
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 by Michael Tait
Michael Tait
Michael DeWayne Tait is a Contemporary Christian Music artist. Michael Tait met Toby McKeehan and Kevin Max while attending Liberty University in the late 1980s, and formed four-time grammy winning band DC Talk, with whom he released 5 acclaimed studio albums...
, one of the members of dc Talk
Dc Talk
DC Talk , is a Grammy-winning Christian rock music trio. The group was formed in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1987 by Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max Smith. They have released five major studio albums together: DC Talk , Nu Thang , Free at Last , Jesus Freak , and Supernatural...
and the lead singer of Newsboys
Newsboys
Newsboys are a Christian pop rock band founded in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Australia. They have released 15 studio albums, six of which have been certified gold...
since 2010.
Pre-formation of Tait (1996–1999)
In 1996, dc TalkDc Talk
DC Talk , is a Grammy-winning Christian rock music trio. The group was formed in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1987 by Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max Smith. They have released five major studio albums together: DC Talk , Nu Thang , Free at Last , Jesus Freak , and Supernatural...
member Michael Tait
Michael Tait
Michael DeWayne Tait is a Contemporary Christian Music artist. Michael Tait met Toby McKeehan and Kevin Max while attending Liberty University in the late 1980s, and formed four-time grammy winning band DC Talk, with whom he released 5 acclaimed studio albums...
met Chad Chapin
Chad Chapin
Chad Ernest Chapin is the drummer of Christian rock band Tait. His hometown is Bend, Oregon. His older brother, Lonnie, is the former bassist of the band.Chad and Lonnie were raised in a musical and Christian family...
and the two became close friends and began to write songs together. After a few years, Michael created his own cover band, a funky hard rock group named Curious George. He toured with Chapin and had a few concerts, performing music from 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...
to King's X
King's X
King's X is an American hard rock band that combines progressive metal, funk and soul with vocal arrangements influenced by gospel, blues, and British Invasion rock groups. The band's lyrics are largely based on the members' struggles with religion and self-acceptance...
and The 77's. Afterward was when Tait and Chapin decided that they would eventually get a more permanent music group of their own together and tour the world.
Michael and Tait member 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....
also had a friendship before the band's inception. After Stewart had assisted dc Talk by playing guitar on their album Supernatural
Supernatural (dc Talk album)
Supernatural is the sixth studio album from DC Talk. It was the last album released by DC Talk that featured all-new studio material and it debuted on the US Billboard Chart at #4...
, Tait and Stewart co-wrote the song "Uphill Battle" which was featured on ForeFront
ForeFront Records
ForeFront Records is a Christian Music record label founded in 1987 by Dan R. Brock, Eddie DeGarmo, Dana Key, and Ron W. Griffin. It was purchased by EMI in 1996 from current owners Dan R. Brock and Eddie DeGarmo and is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group.In 1998, ForeFront released a 2-CD...
records' Ten: The Birthday Album. When Stewart's alternative
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...
metal group 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...
disbanded in 1998, he went on to co-produce his own solo album with the help of Tait.
Empty (2000-2002)
When dc TalkDc Talk
DC Talk , is a Grammy-winning Christian rock music trio. The group was formed in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1987 by Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max Smith. They have released five major studio albums together: DC Talk , Nu Thang , Free at Last , Jesus Freak , and Supernatural...
went on hiatus around 1999, Michael started working unofficially with his own music. As his solo project slowly began to come together, Michael quickly thought of the friendships that within the past few years had become a fundamental part of his career. Pete Stewart came to join Michael, along with the Chapin brothers, Chad and Lonnie
Lonnie Chapin
Lonnie James Chapin was formerly the bass guitarist of Christian rock band Tait. His younger brother, Chad, is the current drummer of the band. His hometown is Bend, Oregon. He was also the bassist for the legendary Christian rock band Petra from 1997 to 2001 before joining Tait.-Lonnie with...
who in 1996 had moved to 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...
, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
to see where they could get in the music business. The band officially formed in 2000 and was named Tait after Michael’s father, Rev. Nathel Tait.
After about a year in the studio, the band released their first album entitled Empty. It was generally well received, and the album even broke onto the Top Contemporary Christian
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
charts. The album featured songs that handled subjects like skepticism
Skepticism
Skepticism has many definitions, but generally refers to any questioning attitude towards knowledge, facts, or opinions/beliefs stated as facts, or doubt regarding claims that are taken for granted elsewhere...
of others (“Spy”), racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
(“American Tragedy”) (This album was controversial though, with the use of a racial slur in the middle of this song) and Michael’s outpouring of grief
Grief
Grief is a multi-faceted response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone or something to which a bond was formed. Although conventionally focused on the emotional response to loss, it also has physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, and philosophical dimensions...
of losing his father, sister and brother all in the same year (“Unglued”).
Lose This Life (2003–2007)
After the release of the first album, Pete StewartPete 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....
took his leave from the group. He was replaced by nineteen year-old guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
ist Justin York
Justin York
Justin Daniel York is the brother of guitarist Taylor York of Paramore and was the guitarist of Christian rock band Tait. He joined the band in 2001 when he was barely 19 years old, replacing Pete Stewart. He subsequently left the band in 2006...
. Once again the band went into the recording studio in 2002 and worked through 2003 to release a new album. The group was successful, and in November they released Dove Award-winning Lose This Life
Lose This Life
Lose This Life is the second album by the Christian rock band Tait. It is a sequel to their first album, Empty. According to frontman Michael Tait, the songs all have to do with the striving human passion to know, feel and experience God's love....
.
The album proved that the group had matured into a much more aggressive hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
sound compared to Empty’s more relaxed easy-listening music. Around the time the album was released, band members also participated in the production of !Hero
!Hero
!HERO is a rock opera about Jesus. It is based on the question, "What if Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?". After the original tour in 2003 ended, it was released on DVD, CD, and was written into a trilogy of novels and series of comic books....
, a rock opera
Rock opera
A rock opera is a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera. A rock opera differs from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are not unified by a common theme or narrative. More recent developments include...
which modernized the life and times of Jesus Christ
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
.
Within the past few years the band has toured on and off, many times with other CCM
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
artists. When asked about the set-backs of recent band member changes, Tait has stated that “I think [with him] spearheading [the band] — if [he takes] off, then the band does change. If a member changes here and there, it does not affect [the band] a bit…. it does not change a bit of [his] vision for this band.”
Hiatus (2007–Present)
Tait has not toured since October 6, 2007, and as of March 9, 2009- Michael Tait has been officially announced as the lead singer of the popular Christian pop rock group NewsboysNewsboys
Newsboys are a Christian pop rock band founded in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Australia. They have released 15 studio albums, six of which have been certified gold...
. Tait had initially planned to release a third album, Loveology , announced in 2006 that was to include music that was described as "Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
meets Maroon 5
Maroon 5
Maroon 5 is an American pop rock band from Los Angeles, California. While they were in high school, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Adam Levine, keyboardist Jesse Carmichael, bass guitarist Mickey Madden, and drummer Ryan Dusick formed a garage band called Kara's Flowers and released one album...
meets Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz
Leonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and arranger, whose "retro" style incorporates elements of rock, soul, R&B, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk and ballads...
.". Music for this album including a song entitled "Glimmer" has been recorded, but after two years of silence, the album remains unreleased and its future remains uncertain.
Tait has said that he is still working on Loveology with, amongst others, Ben Moody
Ben Moody
Benjamin Robert Moody is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and actor. He is best known as co-founder, lead guitarist, and songwriter of Grammy Award-winning rock band Evanescence from 1995 to October 2003...
. However, he said it will likely be different from the original album he was working on.
Most Recent Lineup
- Michael TaitMichael TaitMichael DeWayne Tait is a Contemporary Christian Music artist. Michael Tait met Toby McKeehan and Kevin Max while attending Liberty University in the late 1980s, and formed four-time grammy winning band DC Talk, with whom he released 5 acclaimed studio albums...
– vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Evan Weatherford – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Jordan Hester – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Chad ChapinChad ChapinChad Ernest Chapin is the drummer of Christian rock band Tait. His hometown is Bend, Oregon. His older brother, Lonnie, is the former bassist of the band.Chad and Lonnie were raised in a musical and Christian family...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
Former Members
- Pete StewartPete StewartPete 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....
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones... - Justin YorkJustin YorkJustin Daniel York is the brother of guitarist Taylor York of Paramore and was the guitarist of Christian rock band Tait. He joined the band in 2001 when he was barely 19 years old, replacing Pete Stewart. He subsequently left the band in 2006...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Brian Nutter – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Lonnie ChapinLonnie ChapinLonnie James Chapin was formerly the bass guitarist of Christian rock band Tait. His younger brother, Chad, is the current drummer of the band. His hometown is Bend, Oregon. He was also the bassist for the legendary Christian rock band Petra from 1997 to 2001 before joining Tait.-Lonnie with...
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Dave CloDave CloDave Clo is a guitarist who has played in the bands All Star United, Superchick, Casting Pearls and Tait, a Christian rock group formed by Michael Tait and Chad Chapin in 2004....
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Brian Tait – keyboardKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
Discography
- Empty, ForeFront RecordsForeFront RecordsForeFront Records is a Christian Music record label founded in 1987 by Dan R. Brock, Eddie DeGarmo, Dana Key, and Ron W. Griffin. It was purchased by EMI in 1996 from current owners Dan R. Brock and Eddie DeGarmo and is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group.In 1998, ForeFront released a 2-CD...
July 3, 2001 - Lose This LifeLose This LifeLose This Life is the second album by the Christian rock band Tait. It is a sequel to their first album, Empty. According to frontman Michael Tait, the songs all have to do with the striving human passion to know, feel and experience God's love....
, ForeFront RecordsForeFront RecordsForeFront Records is a Christian Music record label founded in 1987 by Dan R. Brock, Eddie DeGarmo, Dana Key, and Ron W. Griffin. It was purchased by EMI in 1996 from current owners Dan R. Brock and Eddie DeGarmo and is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group.In 1998, ForeFront released a 2-CD...
November 4, 2003, GMA Dove Award, Rock Album of the Year (2004Dove Awards of 2004The 35th Annual GMA Music Awards were held on April 28, 2004 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 2003...
) - LoveologyLoveologyLoveology is the unreleased third album by the Christian rock band Tait. It was supposed to move towards a soul sound, unlike the rock sound that TAIT Band fans had been used to...
, (unreleased)
Chart History
| Year | Title | Label(s) Record label In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,... |
Chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Contemporary Christian | Top Christian Albums | Top Heatseekers | |||
| 2001 | Empty | ForeFront ForeFront Records ForeFront Records is a Christian Music record label founded in 1987 by Dan R. Brock, Eddie DeGarmo, Dana Key, and Ron W. Griffin. It was purchased by EMI in 1996 from current owners Dan R. Brock and Eddie DeGarmo and is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group.In 1998, ForeFront released a 2-CD... |
#10 | ||
| 2003 | Lose This Life Lose This Life Lose This Life is the second album by the Christian rock band Tait. It is a sequel to their first album, Empty. According to frontman Michael Tait, the songs all have to do with the striving human passion to know, feel and experience God's love.... |
ForeFront ForeFront Records ForeFront Records is a Christian Music record label founded in 1987 by Dan R. Brock, Eddie DeGarmo, Dana Key, and Ron W. Griffin. It was purchased by EMI in 1996 from current owners Dan R. Brock and Eddie DeGarmo and is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group.In 1998, ForeFront released a 2-CD... |
#23 | #19 |
External links
- Tait official website
- dc Talk official website
- dcTalkSolo website
- Michael Tait myspace
- Spy-Headquarters fan site