Petra: Recording 21st album this year?

[BillDD]

This might sound mean, but I don't mean it to. The main thing that is stopping Petra from getting anywhere is the voice. The voice will always, ALWAYS make everything Petra does sound like hair metal, and people are way over that, and younger kids just laugh it off. It's not the 80's anymore, that type of voice just doesn't go over well at all. Who else sings like that, that is on the radio?

[LexingtonPethead]

All right, BillDD. It's time to put the "hair metal" issue to bed. John was in Head East. Head East was not hair metal. John has been and continues to be in Petra. Petra is not and never has been hair metal. So why is it you keep bringing up the hair metal thing? Do you think all rock is hair metal? Do you know what hair metal is?

If you want to talk about hair metal singers, look at Michael Sweet. Now there's hair metal for you. And Stryper still has popularity even though Michael Sweet is still belting it out. In fact, they're doing a reunion tour and have a new compilation CD with a couple of new songs on it.

If John is a hair metal singer, then how do you explain all the NUMEROUS adult contemporary hits that Petra has had, BIG HITS, year after year after year on Christian AC stations, mind you, where "hair metal" would never be played?

After all, Stryper didn't have any AC hits even though they had plenty of ballads. Neither did Whitecross and other real hair metal groups.

It's because the only people who associate John with hair metal is you. Not the radio stations. Not the fans. Just you.

[Shell]

I know I said I wouldn't waste any more time here, I guess I lied, that's what Petheads do isn't it?

Get over whatever it is you're ticked off about boy. And there's a very simple solution if you don't like a band: Don't listen to 'em and don't hang out at the websites.

[ctwomn]

You guys have brought up some interesting points! I have to say about the "hairy metal" thing.......PUUULEASE! Johns voice on JAH is NOT that at ALL! I know that Christian rock radio and chr radio has it's own style...but have you listened to any secular rock stations lately?? The sound is more of an aggresive rock sound w/ hard gritty vocals(like Johns). Petra's sound...if you ask me is more along the lines of mainstream rock at this point in time....more than Christian rock. In my opinion the sound they have now is where Christian rock might be a year or two!!LOL!

So for John and Bobs looks...who said rock has to look good...for goodness sake look at the rolling stones for crying out loud....eesh!:) They definately look much better looking than that! I will say that they are aging a little...but on stage they still have the energy they did when I was a younger fan. Good rock and roll is ageless. Kids at concerts don't care if John is graying or Bob is chubby! The enjoy the loud guitars and loud vocals...it's fun!

[superfly]

As someone who listens to only secular radio (no Christian stations in my neck of the woods), I have to agree that Petra is in tune with the secular rockers' sound. There are so many screamers in secular rock, both the classic rockers and hard/punk rockers. The difference is that few could pull off the softer ballads that John can. I mean, take a re-listen to "Take Me In" from Petra Praise 1. Or even "Hand on My Heart" from Unseen Power.
I understand what BillDD is saying though. There are those who don't or wouldn't like the sound of John's voice. Even in Petra's heyday there were those who didn't like his raw sounding voice. But in my opinion if Petra sold gold albums with John back when, the same people would buy it now if they knew about it. Many gave up on the band with the sound changes, but I think those fans would come back if there was more radio play now that Petra is rockin' again. Maybe not a lot of new fans, but at least the old ones. After all, they loved Petra with John's voice. Later All!!

[Michael]

Who else sings like that, that is on the radio?

The other day we were listening to our local Christian rock station, which is actually a reporting station, and Cat said, "Is that SLAUGHTER???" It was a song by a band called Spoken, and as of today it is #17 on the charts of that station, which as I mentioned, is a reporting station. http://www.thekross.fm/top30.shtml

[ErioL]

Yes, John has a different voice, which DID fit the 80s style greatly, but the 80s are over. But its not the voice that made the 80s. The fact is, Petra is not playing 80s rock anymore. Now it DOES sound different then punk or pop-rock, and John's voice is different. However, if it is only different from the voice of pop rockers who go through numerous voice-overs, adding on layers of reverb and effects, then yes, I like different. If his voice is different from all the hard rock bands that sound the SAME, then yes, I like different.

[ctwomn]

Rock is a genre that ...at it's core will never completely fade out! Like gospel and blues you will always be able to find music (that is popular) that sounds musically similar from generation to generation. I think that today's christian rock is well...BLAND! Now on the other side...secular rock is...and always has been more broad in it's range of sound and style! I think that maybe the problem...or at least part of it. If Petra were on secular rock radio....minus the christian lryics...people would be all over it...there. I think Christian music has always had a problem w/ taking risks and broading it's fan base to allow "classic bands" that are making relevent music be heard. It's kind of sad that secular music is able to appeal to so many people of all ages..but yet there is a real message to be heard from "Petra" and others...yet we have a wall in the industry that keeps everthing so closed. Maybe the they will begin to see that there is a market for this style of rock here and not just on the other side!!

[LexingtonPethead]

I think you are right, Catwoman. Although, I think CCM has made some valiant strides.

At least now, there are full-time, BROADCAST radio stations that devote 100% of their programming time to Christian rock; whereas, 10 to 15 years ago, you could only find weekly program blocks (usually 3 to 5 hours on the weekends) that were promoted as Christian rock shows. A dedicated Christian rock station, in theory at that time, was thought of as an unviable, unsustainable radio format.

I think in time, we will see more fragmentation of the Christian rock spectrum as it continues to grow that will incorporate classic Christian rock bands that still put out new music.

Let's hope Petra is still at it by then. It could take another 10 years to get there.

[Jonathan]

Philmore is on the radio. He is Bon Jovi reincarnated. Heh, that concept oughtta fly with all you religious people.

[LexingtonPethead]

Jonathan, what's your point with calling us "religious people"?

[BigD]

Trying to make sense of Jonathan is like trying to understand Ikea commercials. Don't try it or you'll hurt yourself.

[Michael]

Trying to make sense of Jonathan is like trying to understand Ikea commercials. Don't try it or you'll hurt yourself.

Yeah, knowing Jonathan, by saying "religious people" he meant something like, "Cats can fly, but only if the peanut butter is inquisitive."

[sue d.]

oh my! You really DO understand Jonathan's speech! We'll have to hire you as an interpreter from now on.

[Shell]

Jonathan doesn't post that often, but his posts are unique. Don't try to understand them. LOL. Watch out for Enosh, Mat and Brian too.