The Benjamin Gate
Encyclopedia
The Benjamin Gate was a South Africa
n Christian
band formed in 1998
following the motor vehicle accident and subsequent death of a mutual friend and fellow musician, Benjamin Herbert. Their name, which was also the name of one the entrances into the original city of Jerusalem, was chosen as a tribute to him.
and came to the United States
in 2001
after David Bach at Forefront Records
heard their demo that they had sent to Nashville
for mastering.
The Benjamin Gate released two local, independent albums while in South Africa
, Spinning Head and comeputyourheadupinmyheart. Many of the songs of comeputyourheadupinmyheart were retooled and re-released on their first major-label album for Forefront Records, ["untitled"]. This album and 'Contact were
critically acclaimed albums. They were nominated for four Dove Awards, produced two #1 and one #2 singles, and toured the United States
and Europe
. Their merchandise was easily recognized by their gasmask logo. They had an endorsement contract from Oakley, Inc.
This success helped them to be included on three Festival Con Dios
tours.
The group parted ways in 2003 due to Adrienne's engagement to Christian artist, Jeremy Camp
. It was noted that Adrienne felt that with her new family starting, that she could not handle the duties required of her both as a rockstar and as a wife. Since then Adrienne
has married musician Jeremy Camp
, and they have two daughters, Isabella Rose Camp (September 25, 2004) and Arianne Mae Camp (April 5, 2006). She has also released two solo albums. Mac and his wife and children have relocated to southern England
to be closer to his mother-in-law. Costa Balamatsias remained in Nashville
playing with various artists until early 2006 when he relocated back to South Africa
. Nick Volsteedt, a former Mr. South Africa
title holder, went to Los Angeles
to pursue a modeling career. Marc Theodosiou currently works in the music industry for First Company Management.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
band formed in 1998
1998 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1998.-Events:*January 28 – "Weird Al" Yankovic gets LASIK surgery to cure his myopia...
following the motor vehicle accident and subsequent death of a mutual friend and fellow musician, Benjamin Herbert. Their name, which was also the name of one the entrances into the original city of Jerusalem, was chosen as a tribute to him.
History
The band, along with their manager and co-songwriter Marc "Thux" Theodosiou, left Port ElizabethPort Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
Port Elizabeth is one of the largest cities in South Africa, situated in the Eastern Cape Province, east of Cape Town. The city, often shortened to PE and nicknamed "The Friendly City" or "The Windy City", stretches for 16 km along Algoa Bay, and is one of the major seaports in South Africa...
and came to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 2001
2001 in music
See also:* 2001 in music Record labels established in 2001-Events:*January 1**Comeback of Guns N' Roses in House of Blues**Hum disbands.*January 17 – Bass player Jason Newsted leaves Metallica after 14 years with the band....
after David Bach at Forefront Records
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...
heard their demo that they had sent 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...
for mastering.
The Benjamin Gate released two local, independent albums while in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Spinning Head and comeputyourheadupinmyheart. Many of the songs of comeputyourheadupinmyheart were retooled and re-released on their first major-label album for Forefront Records, ["untitled"]. This album and 'Contact were
critically acclaimed albums. They were nominated for four Dove Awards, produced two #1 and one #2 singles, and toured the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. Their merchandise was easily recognized by their gasmask logo. They had an endorsement contract from Oakley, Inc.
Oakley, Inc.
Oakley, Inc., based in Foothill Ranch, California, makes sport equipment including sunglasses, sports visors, and ski goggles, as well as watches, clothing, bags, backpacks, shoes, prescription glasses, football and hockey eyewear, Golf gear and other accessories...
This success helped them to be included on three Festival Con Dios
Festival 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...
tours.
The group parted ways in 2003 due to Adrienne's engagement to Christian artist, Jeremy Camp
Jeremy Camp
Jeremy Thomas Camp is a contemporary Christian musician from Lafayette, Indiana. Camp has released seven albums, four of them RIAA-certified as Gold and two are live albums, and 17 number-one hit songs...
. It was noted that Adrienne felt that with her new family starting, that she could not handle the duties required of her both as a rockstar and as a wife. Since then Adrienne
Adrienne Camp
Adie, or Adrienne Camp, née Liesching, is a singer and songwriter, mostly known as the lead singer of the Christian pop-rock band The Benjamin Gate before the group disbanded in 2003...
has married musician Jeremy Camp
Jeremy Camp
Jeremy Thomas Camp is a contemporary Christian musician from Lafayette, Indiana. Camp has released seven albums, four of them RIAA-certified as Gold and two are live albums, and 17 number-one hit songs...
, and they have two daughters, Isabella Rose Camp (September 25, 2004) and Arianne Mae Camp (April 5, 2006). She has also released two solo albums. Mac and his wife and children have relocated to southern England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
to be closer to his mother-in-law. Costa Balamatsias remained in 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...
playing with various artists until early 2006 when he relocated back to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. Nick Volsteedt, a former Mr. South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
title holder, went to 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...
to pursue a modeling career. Marc Theodosiou currently works in the music industry for First Company Management.
Band members
- Costa Balamatsias - bass
- Adrienne LieschingAdrienne CampAdie, or Adrienne Camp, née Liesching, is a singer and songwriter, mostly known as the lead singer of the Christian pop-rock band The Benjamin Gate before the group disbanded in 2003...
- 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... - Justin Mulder - 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 ....
(later replaced by Brett Palmer) - Brett Palmer - 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 ....
(later replaced by Nick Volsteedt) - Marc "Mac" Pautz - 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...
- Chris Poisat - 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...
- Nick Volsteedt - 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 ....