Petra=Very Progressive... yet very underated!

[blayze5150]

I have been a Petra fan since I bought Captured in Time and space in 1985. Since then, I have bought both new and old Petra albums and have owned everything they have done at least once, most things on multiple occaisions! It just kills me that more Christian or even secular bands don't cite Petra as an influence. Their early stuff was really progressive, like "Angel of Light," "Stand Up," "It is Finished," and "Chameleon" to name a few. The stuff from the early John Schlitt era, like "This Means War," "Creed," "Whole World," "You are My Rock," and countless others are amazing. I really don't understand it. Petra broke more ground, and put out better music than almost anyone in that era. If you don't believe me (which I'm sure most of you do if you are here), put in Beyond Belief and listen! It's so hurtful that the Christian music industry has such a selective memory when it comes to it's past. Steve Taylor, Petra, D&K, Mylon LeFevre and countless other bands who may have been great that we never heard have gotten lost. Just my opinion. At least I was blessed enough to hear it. Wish many others were.

[Preacherman777]

Actually, Petra has done pretty well as far as recognition goes compared to most Christian rock acts of their time. The problem lies more in CCM's over appreciation of milk laden pop like Amy Grant or Michael W. Smith and it's under appreciation of classic rock in general. Beyond that, I also think there is the issue of Petra's bold proclamation of the gospel. Too much I think even for some in the Christian music industry. All too often they prefer a watered down gospel that won't offend anybody or make anyone uncomfortable.

[CatNamedManny]

CCM Mag for a while did interviews with bands and asked them things like "What was the first album you listened to?" and "What bands were your major influences?" Petra turned up on those lists a lot.

Newsboys have never been shy about listing Petra as a major influence. It seems safe to assume the bands that appeared on the Petra tribute album considered them a big influence, and that includes big names like Audio A and Jars of Clay, as well K-Max from dc Talk. Third Day has said their goal when they started was to be "the next Petra." MercyMe's lead singer said he bought More Power to Ya twice because he wore the first record out, and that because of it he became "consumed with Christian music." Uber-P&W songwriter Chris Tomlin listed Not of This World as his first-ever Christian album.

The problem now is we're in the second generation. The popular acts today aren't influenced by Petra directly; they're influenced by Newsboys, Audio A, Jars of Clay and Third Day, who were all influenced by Petra. So Petra doesn't get talked about as much and might not get as much respect from the younger artists who are simply unaware of the history of their own genre. But it's pretty well established within the industry, I think, that Petra is the groundbreaking band to which they all owe their success. Whether that's as widely acknowledged by fans and whatnot, I'm not so sure.

[bakersfieldpethead]

I remember during the release of Jekyll and Hyde I had talked to Sue about getting Petra out here to Bakersfield, CA so I talked to one of the managers/promoters for a Christian Club out here about it. Some members of a local band and some teenagers overheard and got excited about it, but the manager/promoter had the attitude that he was unsure that’s what he wanted.

Most of the time it’s not the young listeners, it’s the promoters, those that “Think, they know better” that are in charge and yet they haven’t got a clue.

[blayze5150]

I know they used to get a ton of recognition, especially in CCM magazine. It just doesn't seem to be what it used to be. Everybody wants to put Stryper where I think Petra should be. There would have been no Stryper, or anyone else, for that matter, had it not been for Petra or someone like them breaking down those doors. Others came first, but I really feel like Petra went the furthest. I can't believe their decline was so steep!

[brent]

It doesn't matter. CCM is no longer read by the masses. In the old days people paid for it at the shopping mall Christian bookstore (remember those?). CCM is just an on-line thing now that does not cater to or reach the rock crowd. Why would a band want recognition from writers? It doesn't validate their work and their music. Those writers validate loads of crap. I wouldn't want to be in that camp today. When they get to heaven, they will get theirs.

[blayze5150]

Wow, Brent. I didn't look at it that way, but you're 100% right.

I remember in the 90's, around the Unseen Power era I thought they were going to try to cross over( It seemed like "I Need to Hear From You" would have been a great vehicle for that, kinda like "Place in This World" was for Smitty). To my dismay, it never happened. They had to be the biggest Christian act never to do it. Something has to be said for that. They were very capable with that line-up.