Joe Christmas "North to the Future" Tooth and Nail

If I had a vote for "Most rad band of the day", I would use it to vote for Joe Christmas. No, Joe Christmas isn't a person, it's a band made up of four guys who used to be/still are art students in Atlanta. With a knack for getting inside your head and presenting aspects of life in a most creative, yet most simple way, that I often find myself wondering "Why didn't I think of that?"

Musically, they are almost as creative, yet simple as their lyrics. Most descriptions I've heard of the band characterize their style as indie rock - not quite polished, not the most musically astounding thing you'll hear, but certainly one of the most interesting. The way I see it, Joe Christmas is a metaphor for the common American youth, working through life in his or her head. The music reflects the questions, the personal sentiments and the appearance of life to our generation. It's almost like the band backs up Zachary who signs about the ups and downs of life with a consciousness that is of the same mind as the verbal thoughts. It's as if the name Joe Christmas symbolizes an average Joe. At the same time, these guys reflect a Christian perspective on the issues that they develop. Sometimes this reflection is verbal, while other times they use the inflection in Zachary's voice or in the music to cast a new light on the words being sung.

Thus the Christian perspective they demonstrate is seen in the second part of their name : "Christmas". JOE - the average kid working through sinful life as a human, CHRISTMAS - their unique reflection which is all about Christ's coming to earth and providing salvation from our sins; the escape from and answer to the sinful life in consideration.

Don't quote me on this, or take my word as the band's intention. I haven't spoken with them, but I think that this metaphor helps describe the band both musically and lyrically, which is that task at hand.

Besides being some deep imagery about life as a Christian youth in America today, Joe Christmas is just cooler than a lot of other stuff out there. It's fun. It covers a whole variety of emotions, however it is a welcome break from the anger and power of the majority of today's youthful music. At Cornerstone '96 this past summer, I was fortunate enough to see these guys play a late night show. One of the most memorable points in the show came when someone in the band needed a minute to fix something or other, so the rest of the band pulled the coolest mock cover of "Head Like a Hole" by Nine Inch Nails. Joe Christmas is anything but angry, heretical industrial music, and their outlook on life is much different, so to hear their version of the song which made it sound happy and pretty was a blast. Just like their album. Have fun kids.

Brian Smith
briansmi@ecn.purdue.edu

GC CCM