ELECTRIC JESUS writer-director Chris White goes deep in reflective and aspirational conversation with fellow artists, acclaimed authors, friends, and fans of his award-winning 2021 film.
Episodes
Monday Jun 21, 2021
Monday Jun 21, 2021
It's 1986. CCM's biggest pop star, alt-rock star, and heavy metal star walk into a bar... Er, music-movie podcast...?
The Season One finale features a conversation with three of the biggest names in 1980s Contemporary Christian Music — who also happen to be larger-than-life, mythic figures to the characters of ELECTRIC JESUS. First, we talk to alt-rocker Steve Taylor, then bring Stryper's Michael Sweet and Amy Grant together for a once-in-a-lifetime conversation about what it was like to live in the CCM spotlight, circa 1986.
Co-hosted by ELECTRIC JESUS writer-director Chris White and Music Supervisor/CCM Historian John J. Thompson, and featuring composer Daniel Smith, Season 1 - Electric Jesus: The Music Behind the Movie explores the world of 1980s Christian rock music with an eye toward the creation of the film’s unforgettable original songs and score, the power of nostalgia, Evangelical youth group culture, and the Christian rock songs and artists that appear in the movie, ELECTRIC JESUS.
EPISODE SONG LIST: 'Commando for Christ' 316, 'Do the Barabbas!' Familyre Friends, 'I Want To Be A Clone' Steve Taylor, 'This Disco (Used To Be A Cute Cathedral)' (Remix) Steve Taylor, 'Reality' Newsboys, 'Escher's World' Chagall Guevara, 'Violent Blue' (Live) Chagall Guevara, 'You Know What To Do' Stryper, 'Wise Up' Amy Grant, 'Soldiers Under Command' Stryper, 'If These Walls Could Speak' (iTunes Original) Amy Grant, 'To Hell With the Devil' Steve Hindalong, 'Vacation Bible Bop' Familyre Friends, 'The Finish Line' Steve Taylor, 'Commando For Christ' Jonni Greth of Village Geniuses.
LINKS: Electric Jesus: Music From and Inspired By the Motion Picture https://lnk.to/ElectricJesus. EJ Official Website https://electricjesusfilm.com/. EJ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ejesusfilm. EJ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ejesusfilm. EJ Twitter https://twitter.com/ejesusfilm. EJ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_t4tvTqhKVDjfMC19tEYog. EJ IMDb https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8666022.
Produced by John J. Thompson and Bruce A. Brown for Gyroscope Productions. Copyright 2021 Blue Tape Records.
Monday Jun 14, 2021
Monday Jun 14, 2021
Making a band, finding a voice, and discovering the perfect song with Daniel Smith, John Montgomery, Wyatt Lenhart, and Shannon Hutchinson.
ELECTRIC JESUS composer Daniel Smith walks us through the making of a band—his own alt-rock family band Danielson, and the made-for-movie Christian hair metal band 316. Then, we dig in to the song that best captured the emotion core of the film for writer-director Chris White: 'Don't Toss Us Away,' which was first recorded by Lone Justice in 1985.
Co-hosted by ELECTRIC JESUS writer-director Chris White and Music Supervisor/CCM Historian John J. Thompson, and featuring composer Daniel Smith, Season 1 - Electric Jesus: The Music Behind the Movie explores the world of 1980s Christian rock music with an eye toward the creation of the film’s unforgettable original songs and score, the power of nostalgia, Evangelical youth group culture, and the Christian rock songs and artists that appear in the movie, ELECTRIC JESUS.
EPISODE SONG LIST: 'Commando for Christ' 316, 'Do the Barabbas!' Familyre Friends, 'Laugh It Up Fuzzball' Andrew Stanton, 'Good News For The Pus Pickers' Danielson, 'A No No' Danielson Famile, 'Barabbas' 316, 'Girl (I Love Jesus Too)' 316, 'This World Is Not My Home' Sarah Wember (Shannon Hutchinson), 'Don't Toss Us Away' Lone Justice, 'Don't Toss Us Away' Fleming & John, 'Stuck In The 80s' Brent Wood.
LINKS: Electric Jesus: Music From and Inspired By the Motion Picture https://lnk.to/ElectricJesus. EJ Official Website https://electricjesusfilm.com/. EJ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ejesusfilm. EJ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ejesusfilm. EJ Twitter https://twitter.com/ejesusfilm. EJ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_t4tvTqhKVDjfMC19tEYog. EJ IMDb https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8666022.
Produced by John J. Thompson and Bruce A. Brown for Gyroscope Productions. Copyright 2021 Blue Tape Records.
Monday Jun 07, 2021
Monday Jun 07, 2021
Michael Roe, songwriter, singer, and guitarist for The 77s, talks about his band's unique Christian rock journey on Episode 7 of #ejesuspodcast.
When the 77s came of age in 1984, with the brilliant calling card of All Fall Down, it was evident to those who heard it that this was something new. For anyone truly in love with rock & roll, who loved passion, hooks, harmony, three (or four) chords and the truth, here was a band that delivered.
And if you listened to college radio that year, you could hear it. A look at the college charts found The 77s in the same company as The Cure, Let's Active, The Replacements, The Church, and others. What The 77's had that the other bands didn't was the history of all rock & roll breathing and pulsating under a brand new sound: Jerry Lee, Elvis, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, all there right in the room with more contemporary influences like The Smiths or the Comsat Angels.
Live, the shows were increasingly incendiary, Mike Roe channeling everything that had come before him and spitting out a new vision on guitar and vocals long into the night. If your idea of a great time was coming to a place where The Velvet Underground and U2 might meet, this was it.
Co-hosted by ELECTRIC JESUS writer-director Chris White and Music Supervisor/CCM Historian John J. Thompson, and featuring composer Daniel Smith, Season 1 - Electric Jesus: The Music Behind the Movie explores the world of 1980s Christian rock music with an eye toward the creation of the film’s unforgettable original songs and score, the power of nostalgia, Evangelical youth group culture, and the Christian rock songs and artists that appear in the movie, ELECTRIC JESUS.
EPISODE SONG LIST: 'Commando for Christ' 316, 'Do the Barabbas!' Familyre Friends, 'Space Cowgirl' Michael Roe and Mark Harmon, 'Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba' The 77s, 'Perfect Blues' The 77s, 'Wild Boys' The Scratch Band w/ Steve Scott, 'How Can You Love' The 77s, 'Render Love' The Choir, 'The Lust, The Flesh, The Eyes & The Pride of Life' The 77s, 'Do It For Love' The 77s, 'Love Without Dreams' The 77s, 'Nuts for You' The 77s, 'Honey Run' Michael Roe, 'Just One Look' Wild Blue Yonder, 'This Disco (Used To Be a Cute Cathedral)' Steve Taylor, 'She’s On Fire' Lifesavers, 'Memory Lane' Daniel Amos, 'Off the Wall' - Rob Cassels Band, 'Passion In the Radio' The 77s, 'Mercy Mercy' The 77s.
LINKS: Electric Jesus: Music From and Inspired By the Motion Picture https://lnk.to/ElectricJesus. EJ Official Website https://electricjesusfilm.com/. EJ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ejesusfilm. EJ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ejesusfilm. EJ Twitter https://twitter.com/ejesusfilm. EJ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_t4tvTqhKVDjfMC19tEYog. EJ IMDb https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8666022.
Produced by John J. Thompson and Bruce A. Brown for Gyroscope Productions. Copyright 2021 Blue Tape Records.
Monday May 31, 2021
Monday May 31, 2021
Dr. Leah Payne, associate professor of theology at George Fox University and Portland Seminary,a nd co-host of Weird Religion, a podcast about religion and popular culture, speaks to the influence of Christian rock music on American Evangelical church culture on Episode 6 of #ejesuspodcast.
Co-hosted by ELECTRIC JESUS writer-director Chris White and Music Supervisor/CCM Historian John J. Thompson, and featuring composer Daniel Smith, Season 1 - Electric Jesus: The Music Behind the Movie explores the world of 1980s Christian rock music with an eye toward the creation of the film’s unforgettable original songs and score, the power of nostalgia, Evangelical youth group culture, and the Christian rock songs and artists that appear in the movie, ELECTRIC JESUS.
EPISODE SONG LIST: 'Commando for Christ' 316, 'Do the Barabbas!' Familyre Friends, 'Vacation Bible Bop' Familyre Friends, 'Strange Things Happening Every Day' Sister Rosetta Tharpe, 'Rock 'n Roll Religion' The Jordanaires, 'Barabbas' 316, 'Girl (I Love Jesus Too)' 316, 'Have You Ever Had a Girlfriend' Familyre Friends, 'Makes Me Wanna Sing' 316, 'Our God Reigns' Highland Baptist Church.
LINKS: Electric Jesus: Music From and Inspired By the Motion Picture https://lnk.to/ElectricJesus. EJ Official Website https://electricjesusfilm.com/. EJ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ejesusfilm. EJ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ejesusfilm. EJ Twitter https://twitter.com/ejesusfilm. EJ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_t4tvTqhKVDjfMC19tEYog. EJ IMDb https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8666022.
Produced by John J. Thompson and Bruce A. Brown for Gyroscope Productions. Copyright 2021 Blue Tape Records.
Monday May 24, 2021
Monday May 24, 2021
Michael Bloodgood, founder, songwriter, and bassist for legendary Christian metal band Bloodgood, talks about the 80's "white metal" scene on Episode 5 of #ejesuspodcast.
See TRENCHES OF ROCK, a full-length documentary chronicling the 30-year history of Christian Metal band BLOODGOOD, who was targeted not only by a mainstream music industry that found their blatant use of faith-based lyrics unfitting with heavy metal, but also by religious extremists who believed their music was the work of the devil - confronted by death threats, picketers and protests throughout their career. The film marks the directorial debut of filmmaker Paul Michael Bloodgood. Executive produced by Oscar and Grammy winner James Moll (FOO FIGHTERS: BACK AND FORTH): https://www.bloodgoodband.com.
Co-hosted by ELECTRIC JESUS writer-director Chris White and Music Supervisor/CCM Historian John J. Thompson, and featuring composer Daniel Smith, Season 1 - Electric Jesus: The Music Behind the Movie explores the world of 1980s Christian rock music with an eye toward the creation of the film’s unforgettable original songs and score, the power of nostalgia, Evangelical youth group culture, and the Christian rock songs and artists that appear in the movie, ELECTRIC JESUS.
EPISODE SONG LIST: 'Commando for Christ' 316, 'Do the Barabbas!' Familyre Friends, 'Passing Through the Wall of Flame' Danielson, 'Let My People Go' Bloodgood, 'Shakin' It' Bloodgood, 'Hey! You' Bloodgood, 'Memory Lane' Daniel Amos, 'Commando For Christ' 316, ‘Barabbas’ 316, 'Top of The Mountain' Bloodgood.
LINKS: Electric Jesus: Music From and Inspired By the Motion Picture https://lnk.to/ElectricJesus. EJ Official Website https://electricjesusfilm.com/. EJ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ejesusfilm. EJ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ejesusfilm. EJ Twitter https://twitter.com/ejesusfilm. EJ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_t4tvTqhKVDjfMC19tEYog. EJ IMDb https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8666022.
Produced by John J. Thompson and Bruce A. Brown for Gyroscope Productions. Copyright 2021 Blue Tape Records.
Monday May 17, 2021
Monday May 17, 2021
Doug Van Pelt, founder of Heaven's Metal Magazine, gives us an insider's tour of the Christian metal underground on Episode 4 of #ejesuspodcast.
Co-hosted by ELECTRIC JESUS writer-director Chris White and Music Supervisor/CCM Historian John J. Thompson, and featuring composer Daniel Smith, Season 1 - Electric Jesus: The Music Behind the Movie explores the world of 1980s Christian rock music with an eye toward the creation of the film’s unforgettable original songs and score, the power of nostalgia, Evangelical youth group culture, and the Christian rock songs and artists that appear in the movie, ELECTRIC JESUS.
EPISODE SONG LIST: 'Commando for Christ' 316, 'Do the Barabbas!' Familyre Friends, 'Plan 2' Saint, 'Attitude' David Zaffiro, 'Marriage of Figaro' Lanny Cordola, 'Killing the Beast' Bloodgood, 'Rock the Flock' Messiah Prophet, 'Lasting Love' Ransom.
LINKS: Electric Jesus: Music From and Inspired By the Motion Picture https://lnk.to/ElectricJesus. EJ Official Website https://electricjesusfilm.com/. EJ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ejesusfilm. EJ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ejesusfilm. EJ Twitter https://twitter.com/ejesusfilm. EJ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_t4tvTqhKVDjfMC19tEYog. EJ IMDb https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8666022.
Produced by John J. Thompson and Bruce A. Brown for Gyroscope Productions. Copyright 2021 Blue Tape Records.
Monday May 10, 2021
Monday May 10, 2021
Glenn Kaiser, co-founder, songwriter, lead singer and guitarist for legendary Jesus Rock band Resurrection (Rez) Band, talks about how the pioneer days of Christian rock music on Episode 3 of #ejesuspodcast.
Rez Band was one of the early pioneers of Christian rock music. They began in 1972 as a part of a Christian traveling community called Jesus People USA that would set up Christian rock revivals in towns and cities all over the south and midwest United States. They released their first album in 1979 and continued playing Christian rock music through 16 albums and over 25 years.
Known predominantly for their hard rock sound led by husband and wife duo Glenn and Wendi Kaiser, they also incorporated heartfelt ballads, gritty blues, and even some experimental electronic music. Rez toured all over the world, playing rock & roll and preaching the gospel; breaking down conventional prejudices against hard rock music in the traditional church. They helped to open the doors to countless musicians who can now express themselves and their relationship to God in all manner of musical styles.
Co-hosted by ELECTRIC JESUS writer-director Chris White and Music Supervisor/CCM Historian John J. Thompson, and featuring composer Daniel Smith, Season 1 - Electric Jesus: The Music Behind the Movie explores the world of 1980s Christian rock music with an eye toward the creation of the film’s unforgettable original songs and score, the power of nostalgia, Evangelical youth group culture, and the Christian rock songs and artists that appear in the movie, ELECTRIC JESUS.
EPISODE SONG LIST: 'Commando for Christ' 316, 'Do the Barabbas!' Familyre Friends, 'Love Comes Down' Rez Band, 'My Jesus Is All' Rez Band, Wille Kemp (Cauzin Efekt), Grace and Glory Choir, ‘Barabbas’ 316, 'Quite Enough (DEMO)' Resurrection Band, 'The Struggle' Rez Band, 'Diggin' My Own Grave' Glenn Kaiser, 'Waves' Rez Band, 'Fiend or Foul' Rez Band, 'Vacation Bible Bop' Familyre Friends, 'Laugh It Up Fuzzball' Andrew Stanton, 'Music Box' Tamplin and Friends.
LINKS: Electric Jesus: Music From and Inspired By the Motion Picture https://lnk.to/ElectricJesus. EJ Official Website https://electricjesusfilm.com/. EJ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ejesusfilm. EJ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ejesusfilm. EJ Twitter https://twitter.com/ejesusfilm. EJ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_t4tvTqhKVDjfMC19tEYog. EJ IMDb https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8666022.
Produced by John J. Thompson and Bruce A. Brown for Gyroscope Productions. Copyright 2021 Blue Tape Records.
Monday May 03, 2021
Monday May 03, 2021
Co-hosted by ELECTRIC JESUS writer-director Chris White and Music Supervisor/CCM Historian John J. Thompson, and featuring composer Daniel Smith, Season 1 - Electric Jesus: The Music Behind the Movie explores the world of 1980s Christian rock music with an eye toward the creation of the film’s unforgettable original songs and score, the power of nostalgia, Evangelical youth group culture, and the Christian rock songs and artists that appear in the movie, ELECTRIC JESUS.
Episode Two: You Gotta Believe; with Special Guest and occasional co-host, Daniel Smith of Danielson!
EPISODE SONG LIST:
'Commando for Christ' 316
'Do the Barabbas!' Familyre Friends
‘Vacation Bible Bop’ Familyre Friends,
‘All Hail Hell’ Satan’s Clutch
‘We Just’ Joy Explosion
‘Have You Ever Had a Girlfriend?’ Familyre Friends
‘We All Went Commando’ Familyre Friends
‘Love Comes Down’ 316
Listen to Daniel Smith on the True Tunes Podcast by clicking HERE (or find it on any platform)
LINKS: Electric Jesus: Music From and Inspired By the Motion Picture ttps://lnk.to/ElectricJesus. EJ Official Website https://electricjesusfilm.com/. EJ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ejesusfilm.
EJ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ejesusfilm.
EJ Twitter https://twitter.com/ejesusfilm.
EJ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_t4tvTqhKVDjfMC19tEYog.
EJ IMDb https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8666022.
Produced by John J. Thompson and Bruce A. Brown for Gyroscope Productions. Copyright 2021 Blue Tape Records.
Monday Apr 26, 2021
Monday Apr 26, 2021
Co-hosted by ELECTRIC JESUS writer-director Chris White and Music Supervisor/CCM Historian John J. Thompson, and featuring composer Daniel Smith, Season 1 - Electric Jesus: The Music Behind the Movie explores the world of 1980s Christian rock music with an eye toward the creation of the film’s unforgettable original songs and score, the power of nostalgia, Evangelical youth group culture, and the Christian rock songs and artists that appear in the movie, ELECTRIC JESUS.
Episode One: Music Memory & Mixtapes
A conversation with Kristi Wooten, a music journalist, author, and activist from Atlanta who has a lot to say about the nostalgic power of music.
SONG LIST: 'Commando for Christ' (316,) 'Do the Barabbas!' (Familyre Friends,) ‘Vacation Bible Bop’ (Familyre Friends,) ‘We All Went Commando’ (Familyre Friends,) ‘Memory Fails’, (Electric Jesus Score - Daniel Smith,) ‘Girl (I Love Jesus Too)’ (316,) ‘Our God Reigns’ (Highland Baptist Church,) ‘You Can Fly’ (Danielson,) ‘Did I Step On Your Trumpet?’ (Danielson)
(For all links and Show Notes visit www.EJesusPodcast.com)
‘Life Is A Mixtape’ by Rob Sheffield
Kristi Wooten’s Coming of Age Playlist
LINKS: Electric Jesus: Music From and Inspired By the Motion Picture ttps://lnk.to/ElectricJesus. EJ Official Website https://electricjesusfilm.com/. EJ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ejesusfilm.
EJ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ejesusfilm.
EJ Twitter https://twitter.com/ejesusfilm.
EJ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_t4tvTqhKVDjfMC19tEYog.
EJ IMDb https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8666022.
Produced by John J. Thompson and Bruce A. Brown for Gyroscope Productions. Copyright 2021 Blue Tape Records.
Monday Apr 12, 2021
Monday Apr 12, 2021
Co-hosted by ELECTRIC JESUS writer-director Chris White and Music Supervisor/CCM Historian John J. Thompson, and featuring composer Daniel Smith, Season 1 - Electric Jesus: The Music Behind the Movie explores the world of 1980s Christian rock music with an eye toward the creation of the film’s unforgettable original songs and score, the power of nostalgia, Evangelical youth group culture, and the Christian rock songs and artists that appear in the movie, ELECTRIC JESUS. This is a preview episode for Season 1.
EPISODE SONG LIST: 'Commando for Christ' 316, 'Do the Barabbas!' Familyre Friends, 'Makes Me Wanna Sing' 316, 'Have You Ever Had a Girlfriend?' Familyre Friends, 'Girl (I Love Jesus Too)' 316, 'Name In Lights' The Scratch Band (aka The 77s), 'Mezzo' The 77s (Courtesy of The 77s), 'She’s On Fire' Lifesavers (Courtesy of Frontline Records), 'Memory Lane' Daniel Amos (Courtesy of Daniel Amos), 'Arcade Reigns' Familyre Friends.
LINKS: Electric Jesus: Music From and Inspired By the Motion Picture https://lnk.to/ElectricJesus. EJ Official Website https://electricjesusfilm.com/. EJ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ejesusfilm. EJ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ejesusfilm. EJ Twitter https://twitter.com/ejesusfilm. EJ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_t4tvTqhKVDjfMC19tEYog. EJ IMDb https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8666022.
Produced by John J. Thompson and Bruce A. Brown for Gyroscope Productions. Copyright 2021 Blue Tape Records.