Almost two years later, Sanctus Real brings us their 4th release, an album entitled We Need Each Other. The album is no doubt filled with a fantastic collection of songs that is arguably richer and more powerful than their last hit The Face of Love. Releasing February 12th, with a definite maturation in song-writing and recording, it is definitely one you will not want to miss!
The epic “Turn on the Lights” provides an appropriately strong opening to the album. With exceptional guitar hooks and strong vocals with lyrics that encourage listeners to “Turn on the lights” and “Illuminate the future,” the song stands as a shout out for people to bring hope to the dark by sharing the love of Christ.
The title track plays next, with an upbeat, catchy, melody and lyrics like “Oh, Oh, We need each other / So what’s the fighting for / Oh, oh, we need each other.” This is one of those songs that is so catchy you’ll be singing it in your head for days after; and with a positive message and reminder to love others, that’s okay!
“Black Coal,” like the later song “Leap of Faith,” shies away from the pop-inspired tone of many of the other songs. It carries a bit more of a raw-edgy-rock-feeling, with definite passion and yet again catchy lyrics. At the same time, “Whatever You’re Doing” and “Half Our Lives” show off the softer side of the band. Though these two are mixed in between the other more rock-based songs, the album still flows superbly, avoiding a sense of discontinuity or distraction....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Friday, September 19, 2008
Sanctus Real - The Face of Love (Sparrow/EMI)
Sounds like … the melodic modern rock of Switchfoot, U2, Mae, downhere, Coldplay, Kevin Max, and Luna Halo.
At a glance … The Face of Love represents a new level of maturity to Sanctus Real's songwriting and rock style, though the songs don't quite live up to the hooks and energy of the band's previous efforts.
With a heart balloon on the cover and a title like The Face of Love, some fans might fear Sanctus Real has gone soft. Though some of the band members have begun to experience marriage and parenthood in recent years, they remain entrenched in rock without resorting to the overly sentimental. However, it's been a trying year for Sanctus Real, and not just with the departure of their original bass player Steve Goodrum (replaced by Dan Gartley). On the day he became a new dad, drummer Mark Graalman learned his own father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer; he died just two months later. Around the same time, singer Matt Hammitt's grandmother also took a turn for the worse and ended up in hospice care before passing.
All this right when it was time to ride the wave of success from 2004's Fight the Tide, which (deservedly) won the 2005 GMA Award for Modern Rock Album of the Year. The grief and uncertainty had squelched the band's creativity and passion. But producer Chris Stevens (Shawn McDonald, tobyMac) recognized this as an opportunity, challenging Sanctus Real to instead let their emotions fuel their music. Those efforts yielded what's being described as the band's most personal effort to date.
Surprisingly, this is not the album you'd expect in response to two funerals, preoccupied with the shortness of our days and the hope of life eternal. Only the powerful closer "Benjamin," written for Graalman's newborn son, touches on the recent losses: "Children born while fathers die/It's that circle of life that we all live in time … He gives and He takes, and it makes us stronger." It is indeed an album of brokenness, searching for answers and comfort from God, but more from the angle of grace and love. Taking cue from the mood swings of the Psalms, The Face of Love is essentially Sanctus Real's blues album.
Which is not to suggest that the album is a dramatic musical departure. While early buzz suggested a radical stylistic reinvention, this is very much the same melodic rock band—Hammitt's remarkable lead vocal (like a younger, raspier Bono), Gaalman's sharp drumming, and Chris Rohman's robust guitar work are all here. "Don't Give Up" in particular sounds like another rocker off Fight the Tide, and some will call the title track derivative of U2's "Beautiful Day" (popularized on Christian radio by Sanctus Real) or Coldplay's "Speed of Sound." But props to the band for occasionally detouring from their familiar in-your-face approach, sometimes scaling down or else backing many of these new songs with ambient effects that provide a floating alt-pop quality to "Benjamin" and much of "Magnetic." The album also kicks off rather unconventionally with the slower powerhouse single "I'm Not Alright," comfortably resting somewhere between Switchfoot's "Meant to Live" and Coldplay's "Fix You."....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
At a glance … The Face of Love represents a new level of maturity to Sanctus Real's songwriting and rock style, though the songs don't quite live up to the hooks and energy of the band's previous efforts.
With a heart balloon on the cover and a title like The Face of Love, some fans might fear Sanctus Real has gone soft. Though some of the band members have begun to experience marriage and parenthood in recent years, they remain entrenched in rock without resorting to the overly sentimental. However, it's been a trying year for Sanctus Real, and not just with the departure of their original bass player Steve Goodrum (replaced by Dan Gartley). On the day he became a new dad, drummer Mark Graalman learned his own father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer; he died just two months later. Around the same time, singer Matt Hammitt's grandmother also took a turn for the worse and ended up in hospice care before passing.
All this right when it was time to ride the wave of success from 2004's Fight the Tide, which (deservedly) won the 2005 GMA Award for Modern Rock Album of the Year. The grief and uncertainty had squelched the band's creativity and passion. But producer Chris Stevens (Shawn McDonald, tobyMac) recognized this as an opportunity, challenging Sanctus Real to instead let their emotions fuel their music. Those efforts yielded what's being described as the band's most personal effort to date.
Surprisingly, this is not the album you'd expect in response to two funerals, preoccupied with the shortness of our days and the hope of life eternal. Only the powerful closer "Benjamin," written for Graalman's newborn son, touches on the recent losses: "Children born while fathers die/It's that circle of life that we all live in time … He gives and He takes, and it makes us stronger." It is indeed an album of brokenness, searching for answers and comfort from God, but more from the angle of grace and love. Taking cue from the mood swings of the Psalms, The Face of Love is essentially Sanctus Real's blues album.
Which is not to suggest that the album is a dramatic musical departure. While early buzz suggested a radical stylistic reinvention, this is very much the same melodic rock band—Hammitt's remarkable lead vocal (like a younger, raspier Bono), Gaalman's sharp drumming, and Chris Rohman's robust guitar work are all here. "Don't Give Up" in particular sounds like another rocker off Fight the Tide, and some will call the title track derivative of U2's "Beautiful Day" (popularized on Christian radio by Sanctus Real) or Coldplay's "Speed of Sound." But props to the band for occasionally detouring from their familiar in-your-face approach, sometimes scaling down or else backing many of these new songs with ambient effects that provide a floating alt-pop quality to "Benjamin" and much of "Magnetic." The album also kicks off rather unconventionally with the slower powerhouse single "I'm Not Alright," comfortably resting somewhere between Switchfoot's "Meant to Live" and Coldplay's "Fix You."....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Sanctus Real - Fight the Tide (Sparrow/EMI)
Sounds like … melodic power rock that shares the traits of Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World, Weezer, Switchfoot, U2, and PFR.
At a glance … Fight the Tide is not so much a profound artistic statement as it is an enjoyable rock album that is meaningful, catchy, and loud, performed with musical excellence.
Toledo, Ohio's Sanctus Real emerged on the national Christian music scene in early 2003 with Say It Loud, quickly earning widespread acclaim while building considerably on their already strong fan base. Touring relentlessly as far back as their independent days, 2004 promises to be equally busy between the summer music festivals and a high-profile tour with Jeremy Camp.
You'd think such a busy slate would slow down the recording process for Sanctus Real, but that's not the case. The band spent the first couple of months of 2004 quickly writing and recording new material, so one might think Fight the Tide would sound hackneyed or rushed—but it manages to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump. Like the themes at the heart of its songs, the album battles against any complacency or negativity with feel-good charm, offering infectious power pop of the same breed as Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World, and Weezer, with splashes of the anthemic (U2, Live) and the Beatle-esque (PFR).
Not to say that Fight the Tide is a brilliant artistic statement. In many ways, Sanctus Real comes across as a less intellectual version of Switchfoot—musically and lyrically. This is a band that likes to convey their faith simply and clearly without using tired spiritual rhetoric. "Things Like You" is inspired by Matthew 6, addressing the material things that distract us from God: "Everyone wants everyone else's everything/Sometimes the more we have the less we really gain/And I'm tired of loving all that money has to buy/Get you out of my heart out of my mind, leaving you behind." James 2 is the source for "Deeds," exploring the relationship between faith and works. "Closer" is a prayer to remain in a daily love relationship with God, and "Message" is a remake of one of their older songs about not being ashamed of the Christian faith.
Interpersonal relationships also play a prominent theme on the album. "Alone" is a simple love song, expressing longing during time away from a significant other, though much of it can also work as a spiritual love song. "The Fight Song" uses heavy power pop to remind us to choose our words carefully and reconcile broken relationships. "Change Me" prayerfully asks the Lord for more humility, patience, and gentleness in fostering these relationships....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
At a glance … Fight the Tide is not so much a profound artistic statement as it is an enjoyable rock album that is meaningful, catchy, and loud, performed with musical excellence.
Toledo, Ohio's Sanctus Real emerged on the national Christian music scene in early 2003 with Say It Loud, quickly earning widespread acclaim while building considerably on their already strong fan base. Touring relentlessly as far back as their independent days, 2004 promises to be equally busy between the summer music festivals and a high-profile tour with Jeremy Camp.
You'd think such a busy slate would slow down the recording process for Sanctus Real, but that's not the case. The band spent the first couple of months of 2004 quickly writing and recording new material, so one might think Fight the Tide would sound hackneyed or rushed—but it manages to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump. Like the themes at the heart of its songs, the album battles against any complacency or negativity with feel-good charm, offering infectious power pop of the same breed as Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World, and Weezer, with splashes of the anthemic (U2, Live) and the Beatle-esque (PFR).
Not to say that Fight the Tide is a brilliant artistic statement. In many ways, Sanctus Real comes across as a less intellectual version of Switchfoot—musically and lyrically. This is a band that likes to convey their faith simply and clearly without using tired spiritual rhetoric. "Things Like You" is inspired by Matthew 6, addressing the material things that distract us from God: "Everyone wants everyone else's everything/Sometimes the more we have the less we really gain/And I'm tired of loving all that money has to buy/Get you out of my heart out of my mind, leaving you behind." James 2 is the source for "Deeds," exploring the relationship between faith and works. "Closer" is a prayer to remain in a daily love relationship with God, and "Message" is a remake of one of their older songs about not being ashamed of the Christian faith.
Interpersonal relationships also play a prominent theme on the album. "Alone" is a simple love song, expressing longing during time away from a significant other, though much of it can also work as a spiritual love song. "The Fight Song" uses heavy power pop to remind us to choose our words carefully and reconcile broken relationships. "Change Me" prayerfully asks the Lord for more humility, patience, and gentleness in fostering these relationships....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Sanctus Real - Say It Loud (Sparrow)
Sounds like … the powerhouse, melodic modern rock of Tree63, Jimmy Eat World, The Juliana Theory, Luna Halo, and Tait.
At a Glance … an impressively strong modern rock album from a relatively new band that bodes well for the future of Sanctus Real and Sparrow Records.
The formation of Sanctus Real is about as textbook a way to start a rock band as they come. Lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Hammitt met lead guitarist Chris Rohman while attending Toledo Christian School in Ohio. The two became fast friends and offered their services to lead youth worship at school and at church. They would go on to form Sanctus Real in 1996 with the addition of drummer Mark Graalman and bassist Steve Goodrum. It usually takes time for a band to gel and refine their sound, and Sanctus Real is no exception; they toured extensively for six years and released three independent projects. The hard work paid off. Matt and Chris shopped their most recent indie release, Nothing to Lose, to the Christian music industry at Gospel Music Week in Nashville. Soon, the Buckeye band started receiving numerous offers, eventually settling with the recording contract offered by Sparrow. The record label believes in the band so much, they landed a spot for Sanctus Real on the high-profile Festival Con Dios tour last fall … before the release of their national debut. The response for the band was enthusiastic, which suggests that Sanctus Real will be even better received in next spring's See Spot Rock tour, now that Say It Loud is available to the public.
It's easy to assume Sanctus Real is a long-established act upon listening to Say It Loud. This is a first-rate modern-rock effort with impressive production and musicianship. Produced by Pete Stewart (Grammatrain, Tait), the sound will resonate with fans of bands such as Tree63, Jimmy Eat World, The Julianna Theory, Luna Halo, and Tait. It's melodic and hook-laden, but also hard-hitting. Matt's a great lead vocalist, much like John Ellis of Tree63, as well as Cliff Young (Caedmon's Call), Kevin Max, and Phillip LaRue. Matt and Chris' guitar work is clear and aggressive, creating a sonic blast over the powerful rhythm of Mark and Steve. Odds are you've heard the title track and first single on the radio by now, a great rocker about leaving our sinful past behind and living to make today right. Good news – the rest of the album is just as good.
Of the other tracks on Say It Loud, I most enjoy the uplifting sound of "Inspiration," another strong rocker and potential single with a great melody and strong guitar production. The lyrics include: "Seems we'll never do enough to tell the world about God's love / But every soul is worth the fight / 'Cause we can change the world by changing just one life." Also terrific is "Won't Walk Away," a simplistic but killer rock anthem you can imagine the masses yelling along to at concerts. "Nothing to Lose" feels like another probable radio single with its terrific melody and reminder to love others as God loves us: "There's no better time than when I find You in a feeling, and know I'm doing alright."...
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
At a Glance … an impressively strong modern rock album from a relatively new band that bodes well for the future of Sanctus Real and Sparrow Records.
The formation of Sanctus Real is about as textbook a way to start a rock band as they come. Lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Hammitt met lead guitarist Chris Rohman while attending Toledo Christian School in Ohio. The two became fast friends and offered their services to lead youth worship at school and at church. They would go on to form Sanctus Real in 1996 with the addition of drummer Mark Graalman and bassist Steve Goodrum. It usually takes time for a band to gel and refine their sound, and Sanctus Real is no exception; they toured extensively for six years and released three independent projects. The hard work paid off. Matt and Chris shopped their most recent indie release, Nothing to Lose, to the Christian music industry at Gospel Music Week in Nashville. Soon, the Buckeye band started receiving numerous offers, eventually settling with the recording contract offered by Sparrow. The record label believes in the band so much, they landed a spot for Sanctus Real on the high-profile Festival Con Dios tour last fall … before the release of their national debut. The response for the band was enthusiastic, which suggests that Sanctus Real will be even better received in next spring's See Spot Rock tour, now that Say It Loud is available to the public.
It's easy to assume Sanctus Real is a long-established act upon listening to Say It Loud. This is a first-rate modern-rock effort with impressive production and musicianship. Produced by Pete Stewart (Grammatrain, Tait), the sound will resonate with fans of bands such as Tree63, Jimmy Eat World, The Julianna Theory, Luna Halo, and Tait. It's melodic and hook-laden, but also hard-hitting. Matt's a great lead vocalist, much like John Ellis of Tree63, as well as Cliff Young (Caedmon's Call), Kevin Max, and Phillip LaRue. Matt and Chris' guitar work is clear and aggressive, creating a sonic blast over the powerful rhythm of Mark and Steve. Odds are you've heard the title track and first single on the radio by now, a great rocker about leaving our sinful past behind and living to make today right. Good news – the rest of the album is just as good.
Of the other tracks on Say It Loud, I most enjoy the uplifting sound of "Inspiration," another strong rocker and potential single with a great melody and strong guitar production. The lyrics include: "Seems we'll never do enough to tell the world about God's love / But every soul is worth the fight / 'Cause we can change the world by changing just one life." Also terrific is "Won't Walk Away," a simplistic but killer rock anthem you can imagine the masses yelling along to at concerts. "Nothing to Lose" feels like another probable radio single with its terrific melody and reminder to love others as God loves us: "There's no better time than when I find You in a feeling, and know I'm doing alright."...
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Christian rockers Sanctus Real perform benefit concert for ABC's Extreme Home Makeover
Christian rock band and Toldeo, Ohio natives Sanctus Real performed yesterday at a fundraiser to benefit the Frisch family, who will be getting a new house courtesy of
ABC's "Extreme Makeover Home Edition."
They couldn't have picked a better band to take part in the event. Sanctus Real has a long history of not only supporting global ministries but also has being actively involved in
local missions. They really embody the command to love our neighbors, and I hope footage of the concert makes it onto the show. They definitely deserve the press, although
they'd be just as happy if they didn't get it. They're one of the most giving, humble bands I know.
You can read more about the Frisch family and the home makeover project on the local ABC affiliate website. To learn more about Sanctus Real, visit their website.
Christian Music News Source
ABC's "Extreme Makeover Home Edition."
They couldn't have picked a better band to take part in the event. Sanctus Real has a long history of not only supporting global ministries but also has being actively involved in
local missions. They really embody the command to love our neighbors, and I hope footage of the concert makes it onto the show. They definitely deserve the press, although
they'd be just as happy if they didn't get it. They're one of the most giving, humble bands I know.
You can read more about the Frisch family and the home makeover project on the local ABC affiliate website. To learn more about Sanctus Real, visit their website.
Christian Music News Source
Sanctus Real comes to Abilene as headliner
It has been more than two years since Christian rock band Sanctus Real headlined its own tour.
And guitarist and founding member Chris Rohman is itching to get going and spend a lot more time on stage.
"We are really excited about that ... to play new songs. As we are coming out of festival season where you only get a few you get used to playing a 40-minute set or
whatever," Rohman said in a recent telephone interview. "So to go out and play a full set is going to feel good."
Sanctus Real, Tenth Avenue North, VOTA (formerly Casting Pearls) and guest speaker Sammy Abediyi will be in Abilene on Sunday at the Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St.
Sanctus Real's hits include "Turn On the Lights" and "Whatever You're Doing (Something Heavenly)."
Planning began earlier this year for the tour. It's probably no wonder Sanctus Real is more than ready to start playing, because a lot of work that has little to do with music
goes into putting together a tour.
For example, Sanctus Real had to figure out which bands to bring with them, make travel arrangements and work with promoters to do what they can to make it a successful
tour.
"There's a lot of things that kind of come up that you forget that you would be the one to be responsible to deal with. It's kind of interesting," Rohman laughed.
Each show on the tour is focused on strengthening the relationship between the band and the audience. The theme follows their spring release of "We Need Each Other," an
album urging unity and love that went Top 10 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.
"I think just schematically that's what we kind of see as being important in the making of this record," Rohman said. "Just that theme of unity and drawing together."
When the band sat down to make 2006's "The Face of Love," it was dealing with many difficult issues -- both as a band and on a personal level. Those issues were reflected
in the album, especially with the hit "I'm Not Alright," which pushed the album to a peak of No. 2 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart.
"We Need Each Other" is about getting past those issues.
"I think it is ... being there for each other and communication with each other through those hard times that gets you through sooner or later. For us, it was an important
message to write about, a more joyful record, a more uplifting record," Rohman said. "The last record wasn't a downer by any means, but I think just the weight was just lifted
off our shoulders and you could tell in the music."
Rohman said the band members hope to hit home with that message and connect their music with fans in ways they never have before.
"We feel like the messages in these songs are so important on this record that we really want people to connect in a deeper way than before and to really go away knowing,
'Oh! That's Sanctus Real, that's their sound, that's who they are as people, that's their song, that's what they are trying to communicate,'" Rohman said.
Christian Music News Source
And guitarist and founding member Chris Rohman is itching to get going and spend a lot more time on stage.
"We are really excited about that ... to play new songs. As we are coming out of festival season where you only get a few you get used to playing a 40-minute set or
whatever," Rohman said in a recent telephone interview. "So to go out and play a full set is going to feel good."
Sanctus Real, Tenth Avenue North, VOTA (formerly Casting Pearls) and guest speaker Sammy Abediyi will be in Abilene on Sunday at the Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St.
Sanctus Real's hits include "Turn On the Lights" and "Whatever You're Doing (Something Heavenly)."
Planning began earlier this year for the tour. It's probably no wonder Sanctus Real is more than ready to start playing, because a lot of work that has little to do with music
goes into putting together a tour.
For example, Sanctus Real had to figure out which bands to bring with them, make travel arrangements and work with promoters to do what they can to make it a successful
tour.
"There's a lot of things that kind of come up that you forget that you would be the one to be responsible to deal with. It's kind of interesting," Rohman laughed.
Each show on the tour is focused on strengthening the relationship between the band and the audience. The theme follows their spring release of "We Need Each Other," an
album urging unity and love that went Top 10 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.
"I think just schematically that's what we kind of see as being important in the making of this record," Rohman said. "Just that theme of unity and drawing together."
When the band sat down to make 2006's "The Face of Love," it was dealing with many difficult issues -- both as a band and on a personal level. Those issues were reflected
in the album, especially with the hit "I'm Not Alright," which pushed the album to a peak of No. 2 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart.
"We Need Each Other" is about getting past those issues.
"I think it is ... being there for each other and communication with each other through those hard times that gets you through sooner or later. For us, it was an important
message to write about, a more joyful record, a more uplifting record," Rohman said. "The last record wasn't a downer by any means, but I think just the weight was just lifted
off our shoulders and you could tell in the music."
Rohman said the band members hope to hit home with that message and connect their music with fans in ways they never have before.
"We feel like the messages in these songs are so important on this record that we really want people to connect in a deeper way than before and to really go away knowing,
'Oh! That's Sanctus Real, that's their sound, that's who they are as people, that's their song, that's what they are trying to communicate,'" Rohman said.
Christian Music News Source
Sanctus Real arrives for SAU welcome back bash
Q&A with Matt Hammitt
The annual SAU Welcome Back Bash kicked took place Sept. 6 with the Vota, followed by Tenth Avenue North, Sammy A. and this year’s headliners Sanctus Real. Before
Sanctus Real took the stage I had the privilege of sitting down with the band’s lead singer Matt Hammitt for a question and answer interview that left me stunned on how
humble he was and wanted others to be.
JD: Okay, you guys have been coming to Spring Arbor the last few years. Why do you keep coming back? Why do you like to come here?
MH: Man they keep asking us (laughing). Yeah and we love it man. A couple years ago we did this event and it was same thing, it was great. It’s a great experience.
JD: What is your favorite part about touring? What do you like most about it?
MH: The opportunity to perform the songs we record and invest so much time into. I think the best part about performing the songs is just hearing people sing those songs
knowing that it means something to them.
JD: What is your guys’ favorite song? Do you have a particular song that you like performing?
MH: Well you know there are several songs that we’ve had that I really like. Off this record I really enjoy Turn on the Lights; it’s the first track on the new record. I like playing
that one. I like the energy the guys bring to the table with the guitar riffs and stuff like that.
JD: What is the overall message you’re trying to send to your audience? Or even a personal message you want to send?
MH: Ah yeah, just that we’re broken people too and that we’re not any different when we’re on stage or playing music in a rock band. We don’t want people to think that we’re
God’s gift to anybody (laughing). We’re just trying to be humble and be gracious for what God has given us. We want people to see that and that as a community of people, of
us and our fans and our friends that we’re all just people kind of relying on God’s strength together and that’s what I hope people really get out of our music. That in our
weakness we draw closer to God.
JD: What is one of the greatest parts about being a member of Sanctus Real?
MH: Man, I just honestly love the group of guys I get to do it with. The three of us have been together for 12 years, the other guys have been with us for about three, and we’
re finally in a place where we all feel close and know each other so well and just have a great time. We’re good friends.
JD: Now do you have a favorite band besides yours?
MH: Christian bands, I just really love Leland. I mean, I know everybody does but there’s a good reason for it. It’s like people know when they hear something that’s very good
and people know when God is at work in something. It’s very obvious. And God’s at work with those guys and it’s just, really moving.
JD: So do you have a favorite story from the road or just anything crazy that has happened? Or like an interesting person you met?
MH: (laughing) Man we meet all kinds of crazy people on the road. I just like meeting and being friends with all the other bands in this industry. We are kind of like a community,
you know, and it’s so good to see each other all the time and we all get to share our stories of crazy people we encounter on the road. You meet every kind of person you
could ever imagine out there and it’s like you just realize how colorful this earth is.
JD: Do you have a favorite bible verse, one that kind of ties in with your music?
MH: Yeah, you know whenever someone asks me what my favorite verse is I always say Philippians 2: 1-11. And I love that ‘cause it says “Even Christ himself was humble.” I
mean it’s like He was GOD you know. He had every right to be like “hey, God just showed up guys, make me a sweet meal and just, you know, bring out the best.” And he
never did that, he just said “what can I do for you” and that’s just the servant’s heart that Jesus had. I mean he didn’t even consider equality with God something to be grasped.
So how can we consider our selves anything except his workmanship and under His grace?
Christian Music News Source
The annual SAU Welcome Back Bash kicked took place Sept. 6 with the Vota, followed by Tenth Avenue North, Sammy A. and this year’s headliners Sanctus Real. Before
Sanctus Real took the stage I had the privilege of sitting down with the band’s lead singer Matt Hammitt for a question and answer interview that left me stunned on how
humble he was and wanted others to be.
JD: Okay, you guys have been coming to Spring Arbor the last few years. Why do you keep coming back? Why do you like to come here?
MH: Man they keep asking us (laughing). Yeah and we love it man. A couple years ago we did this event and it was same thing, it was great. It’s a great experience.
JD: What is your favorite part about touring? What do you like most about it?
MH: The opportunity to perform the songs we record and invest so much time into. I think the best part about performing the songs is just hearing people sing those songs
knowing that it means something to them.
JD: What is your guys’ favorite song? Do you have a particular song that you like performing?
MH: Well you know there are several songs that we’ve had that I really like. Off this record I really enjoy Turn on the Lights; it’s the first track on the new record. I like playing
that one. I like the energy the guys bring to the table with the guitar riffs and stuff like that.
JD: What is the overall message you’re trying to send to your audience? Or even a personal message you want to send?
MH: Ah yeah, just that we’re broken people too and that we’re not any different when we’re on stage or playing music in a rock band. We don’t want people to think that we’re
God’s gift to anybody (laughing). We’re just trying to be humble and be gracious for what God has given us. We want people to see that and that as a community of people, of
us and our fans and our friends that we’re all just people kind of relying on God’s strength together and that’s what I hope people really get out of our music. That in our
weakness we draw closer to God.
JD: What is one of the greatest parts about being a member of Sanctus Real?
MH: Man, I just honestly love the group of guys I get to do it with. The three of us have been together for 12 years, the other guys have been with us for about three, and we’
re finally in a place where we all feel close and know each other so well and just have a great time. We’re good friends.
JD: Now do you have a favorite band besides yours?
MH: Christian bands, I just really love Leland. I mean, I know everybody does but there’s a good reason for it. It’s like people know when they hear something that’s very good
and people know when God is at work in something. It’s very obvious. And God’s at work with those guys and it’s just, really moving.
JD: So do you have a favorite story from the road or just anything crazy that has happened? Or like an interesting person you met?
MH: (laughing) Man we meet all kinds of crazy people on the road. I just like meeting and being friends with all the other bands in this industry. We are kind of like a community,
you know, and it’s so good to see each other all the time and we all get to share our stories of crazy people we encounter on the road. You meet every kind of person you
could ever imagine out there and it’s like you just realize how colorful this earth is.
JD: Do you have a favorite bible verse, one that kind of ties in with your music?
MH: Yeah, you know whenever someone asks me what my favorite verse is I always say Philippians 2: 1-11. And I love that ‘cause it says “Even Christ himself was humble.” I
mean it’s like He was GOD you know. He had every right to be like “hey, God just showed up guys, make me a sweet meal and just, you know, bring out the best.” And he
never did that, he just said “what can I do for you” and that’s just the servant’s heart that Jesus had. I mean he didn’t even consider equality with God something to be grasped.
So how can we consider our selves anything except his workmanship and under His grace?
Christian Music News Source
Discography
Albums
* All This Talk of Aliens EP (1998, independent)
* Message for the Masses (1999, independent)
* Nothing to Lose (2001, independent)
* Say it Loud (2002, Sparrow)
* Fight the Tide (2004, Sparrow)
* The Face of Love (2006, Sparrow)
* We Need Each Other (2008, Sparrow)
Singles
Music videos
* Say It Loud (2002)
* Everything About You (2004)
* I'm Not Alright (2006)
* Whatever You're Doing (2008)
Christian Music Links!
* All This Talk of Aliens EP (1998, independent)
* Message for the Masses (1999, independent)
* Nothing to Lose (2001, independent)
* Say it Loud (2002, Sparrow)
* Fight the Tide (2004, Sparrow)
* The Face of Love (2006, Sparrow)
* We Need Each Other (2008, Sparrow)
Singles
| Year | Title | Christian CHR | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Christian Songs | |||
| 2002 | "Say it Loud" | 2 | Say it Loud |
| 2003 | "Hey Wait" | ? | Say it Loud |
| 2003 | "Audience Of One" | 8 | Say it Loud |
| 2004 | "Beautiful Day" | 1 | In the Name of Love: Artists United for Africa |
| 2004 | "Everything About You" | 1 | Fight the Tide |
| 2004 | "Alone" | 3 | Fight the Tide |
| 2004 | "Things Like You" | 4 | Fight the Tide |
| 2005 | "The Fight Song" | 1 | Fight the Tide |
| 2005 | "Closer" | ? | Fight the Tide |
| 2006 | "I'm Not Alright" | 1, #3 most played Christian Hit Radio (CHR) song of 2006 [1] | The Face of Love |
| 2006 | "Face of Love" | 5 | The Face of Love |
| 2007 | "Don't Give Up" | 1, #6 most played CHR song of 2007[2] | The Face of Love |
| 2007 | "We Need Each Other" | 1 | We Need Each Other |
| 2008 | "Whatever You're Doing" | 5 | We Need Each Other |
| 2008 | "Turn On The Lights" | We Need Each Other |
Music videos
* Say It Loud (2002)
* Everything About You (2004)
* I'm Not Alright (2006)
* Whatever You're Doing (2008)
Christian Music Links!
Members
Current members
Sanctus Real bassist Dan Gartley
Sanctus Real bassist Dan Gartley
* Matt Hammitt - vocals
* Chris Rohman - guitar
* Mark Graalman - drums
* Dan Gartley - bass guitar
* Pete Prevost - guitar
Former members
* Steve Goodrum - bass guitar
* Matt Kollar - bass guitar
Christian Music Links!
Sanctus Real bassist Dan Gartley
Sanctus Real bassist Dan Gartley
* Matt Hammitt - vocals
* Chris Rohman - guitar
* Mark Graalman - drums
* Dan Gartley - bass guitar
* Pete Prevost - guitar
Former members
* Steve Goodrum - bass guitar
* Matt Kollar - bass guitar
Christian Music Links!
Sanctus Real
Sanctus Real is a Dove Award-winning American Christian rock band from Toledo, Ohio. They are signed to Sparrow Records. They have released four albums with Sparrow Records, two albums and one EP independently, and recorded a No. 1 hit on the Christian music chart with their cover of the U2 song "Beautiful Day", for the project In the Name of Love: Artists United for Africa. Their song "Everything About You" appears in a compilation album titled X Worship 2006 and on their 2004 release, Fight the Tide.
Sanctus Real music is featured in the Christian video game Dance Praise. The songs "Alone", "Everything About You", and "Say It Loud" are included with the game. "Closer" and "Things Like You" can be added to the list via the Dance Praise Expansion Pack Volume 3: Pop & Rock Hits.
The band released their sixth studio album, We Need Each Other, on February 12, 2008.
Christian Music Links!
Sanctus Real music is featured in the Christian video game Dance Praise. The songs "Alone", "Everything About You", and "Say It Loud" are included with the game. "Closer" and "Things Like You" can be added to the list via the Dance Praise Expansion Pack Volume 3: Pop & Rock Hits.
The band released their sixth studio album, We Need Each Other, on February 12, 2008.
Christian Music Links!
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