29 - Jason Upton's 1200 Feet Below Sea Level

 

I just got the new Jason Upton album 1200 Feet Below Sea Level. This album is AMAZING. It has some of the best builds and prophetic lyrics I have ever heard. The energy and rawness that comes from this album is absolutely electric. It is filled with ambience that takes my breath away.

Seriously, absolutely amazing. Chills the entire time. The track "The World Is Wide Open" completely challenges and is absolutely amazing. The song brought tears to my eyes right from the beginning lyrics. Jason says,

 "The God of the kingdoms, and God of creation and God of the nations, sent this revelation through the homeless, and penniless Jesus the son. The poor will inherit the kingdom to come. And where will we turn when our world falls apart and all of our treasures we store in our barns can't buy the kingdom of God. And who will we praise when we have praised all our lives men who build kingdoms and men who build fame, but Heaven does not know their names." 

It is one of the most raw songs I have ever heard. It is right up there with the infamous "Fly" that was on Jason's Remember album. The song, and album for that matter is immensely anointing and uplifting. This could very well be my favorite worship album right now. It's a tossup betweenTonight the Stars Speak (The Glorious Unseen) and this album. 

Another notable thing on the album is the second half of the song "One Step Away." It's a HUGE build-up that is moving and really powerful. Jason builds songs up so much that I am just waiting for him to start screaming, and it's so powerful. 

I can't say enough about this album, it is filled with songs very similar to "Fly" that just move you like no other. 

God will invade your life with this album. 

I recommend it to everyone. Seriously, get ahold of it. 

Chadwick. 

28. Simply speechless

Thank you SJC!

Love, Koontz

don't we all love alex's toenails? 

i, for one, find them oh so cute. 

chadwick

ALEX

25. Tidbits.

some of the things we are currently working on: 

writing non-stop. (musically and lyrically)

t-shirt designs.

licensing for a song we want to cover on the full length. 

tour-mates for the Fall

tour-dates for the Fall (because it rhymes)

some G-14 Classified, we-are-reaching-out-in-faith stuff. 

Compassion International partnership. 

new lights rig. 

and probably more. but i figured i'd give an easy-to-read, very practical list of activities that we are currently engaged in. 

its 5am. and i prob should go to bed. 

CHADWICK :)

24. So much to say...

Lets see here... I havn't posted in a while, so I'm just gonna ramble.

The shop has been busy as crap... ive been doing a lot of 10 hour days there. It's tiring, but well worth it. 

I put my bass cabs back up on ebay, hopefully they will sell this time. If they do I can pay off my drums. Even if they don't, I will still have my drums paid off within the next two paychecks. 

Alex and myself helped out Jim (our boss) and his band load some equipment and mix sound on Friday at this nasty little bar. It was tiring, but hilarious all night pretty much. Now for some reason, I have this big passion to own a really nice, really solid PA system. I've got all the stuff picked out for it already... haha.

Chad has really been on a role with getting things ready for his return. Some how he is keeping us all busy even though he is on the other side of the world. But I love it. 

Practice last weekend was ok... kind of an off weekend, but we all 

have those. Hopefully this weekend we can get a lot done. 

I have the worst sun burn ever right now... I look like a lobster. It hurts like crazy.

Our trip to see Life in Your Way was AMAZING!!! I love those guys so much. That was the last time I will see them play together, but we will always remain close to them individually. Todd gave us a ton of info on some things we should shoot for with recording and tour etc. 

Anywho... thats about it for me. 

Oh... Chad, just so ya know, ive read all your messages and ideas and stuff, they are all fabulous! I have some solid ideas for light boxes as well. Ill try to sketch it out and show it to you. We have a ton of cases to build for us... haha. 

Love you all,

Koontz

23 - READING.....

Im a little past halfway on Irresistible Revolution and I came across this...

"When people asked me who I was voting for, I would say, My President has already ascended the throne and has already delivered his State of the Union address. I don't believe that God needs a commander-in-chief or a millionaire in Washington, and I have little faith that either of the likely options will incarnate the Beatitudes, the Sermon on the Mount, and the fruit of the Spirit. I will declare my allegiance from the mountaintops, joining the chorus of the saints and martyrs. 

AND I WILL RAISE THE BANNER OF LOVE ABOVE ALL FLAGS."

Pretty interesting stuff. 

Claiming Jesus as Lord, or as president.

-Alex

22 - WE NEED A VAN!

weeeeeee 

neeeeeeeeddd

a

vaaannnnnnnnnnnn!

if ya know anyone who is selling one. let us know! 

New Life...

These last few days have really taken a toll on me....a relationship i have had with someone has really been tested this last week. For the longest time i thought it was such a sure thing, but finding out that i took the relationship in my own hands and didn't give it to God. Now im trying to find clarity in it all and really starting to devote my ENTIRE life to God and letting him take completely control over me right now...because i desperately need it....and once you let that happen, He will work in you life in incredible ways...please pray for me....

Sorry for my rant, but as the band goes, We are starting to plan our winter tour and we also got our dates for recording. We are super stoked about it and really really really cant wait for everyone to see what we are doing!!! God bless...

Joel

20. Hey I'm 20 too!

About to munch on a salad.

I sat down outside today and really took some time to think about the impact God has had on my life recently.  Lately I just feel as if this huge void has been filled in my life. All of my prayers and other's prayers are being answered in big ways.

I'm ready to follow through with everything that has been set into motion.

And I am getting antsy too, but in a good way. 

Alex 

19.

Life In Your Way was amazing last night. Easily.............No, unquestionably the most motivating and compassionate group of guys I have ever met. Its sad to see it all go but I know something great will come out of it. 

My grandmother is over this week. I was dreading it a tiny bit at first. BUT. I came to realize it's great having some family over, she's very much alive still, and is a sneaky, crafty Ol' lady.

1 more day until I can walk again!

-SAB

18. so hey

so I'm sittin outside in my closed in backyard on Mothers Day. What am I sitting on you might ask? It could quite possibly be the ugliest and most raddy chair in all of Australia. It has sat out here through its share of thunderstorms and still sits, stagnant most times. I'm convinced if all the spiders in the world decided they would have a meeting to dicsuss spidery-type things they would choose this chair because of its large convenience and closeness to the majority of the head spiders.

On another note, its pretty cloudy and I slept in till noon. I think the boys are headed to see Life In Your Way. I hope they have a good time. I have gathered about 8 more song ideas lyrically, in the last week. And a couple album ideas. Things seem to be snowballing as of late. We have a fall tour in the works that will be our first under this new vision, new purpose, and new lineup. If you have seen The Hundredth and enjoyed it and want to see again, come to some dates expecting something new. If you have seen The Hundredth and didn't so much enjoy it, come to the dates expecting something new.
I know we have all been saying it, but the new material will be as raw, transparent, hope-filled, and meaningful as possible.

I hope you all have a good Mothers Day. Tell your mom you love her!


Chadwick.

17.

Today was just a day. 

An ordinary, uneventful day that just did not seem to end.

I now wake up at about 7 so I can take my sister too school. I'm guessing that's why everything seems so drawn out. 

The shop was OK today. Me and Koontz unloaded some freight and got clever with some space saving.....I felt like I was ditching him when I had to go to my other job though. Sorry Koontz! I love you man. I didn't even want to go!

I went to the school and played some kickball, or at least tried to(I have an ingrown toenail, its pretty nasty, maybe I will take a picture)running and kicking is tricky. I bought some Epsom salt and have been soaking my big toe for about 2 hours. I have an appointment next Wednesday at the Podiatrist to end this shizz.

The hell that is "Bike Week" has not even officially started and I have seen about 3 accidents already that have involved a motorcycle. Go Figure! I can't wait for next week when I will be able to hear faint "Burn-Outs" at S.B.B. followed by alcohol-fueled hooting and hollering. We should have gone to Hatteras. It's alright I am not bitter or anything. 

I feel like a real blogger now because I am complaining about something while sitting in my room!

I want chad to come home. 

I want to write.

I want to record.

I want to tour.

-Alejandro

Excited!!!!!

First off, my week has been going really well. God has been doing amazing things in my heart this last week and i couldnt be happier with the ways things are going in my life!!!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And he shall direct your paths."
Proverbs 3:5

Second, i would like to say that im super pumped about his weekend coming up! this will be my return to myrtle beach after a month not being able to go up there...stupid vehicles!!!...Also, on Sunday we are all (all meaning Koontz, Alex, Elyse and Devin) are going to go see Life In Your Way for one last time...Those guys are only being amazing to us and i cant wait to see what God has in store for their lives..musically and personally. It will be an amazing experience!!!

Joel

15. Hello world...

Today was just another day. Not a bad one, not an amazing one. 

Me and Alex built him and Joel a new pedal board. They turned out pretty sick. Then we had lunch at Salad Creations! Amazing food there!

Then we had a little jam session. Went over a new song and tried to tighten it up a bit. Then Alex left for work. I stayed for about another hour and played. It felt really good. I think if i keep that up i'll start to see some improvement for sure.

Anywho... not much else to say. I'm going to bed. Got a busy week ahead of me at the shop.

Love,

Koontz

14 - Where have i been.....

Hey guys!!! this Joel here and this is the first time i have posted anything on this here blog thing. anyway, as some of you know, i haven't been to MB for quite awhile now. The van i normally take up to MB died and the other van that i would take is still being worked on as i speak. My personal car, a 1996 jeep Cherokee, will not make it up there. Even though it may not seem a big deal to others but the weekends are the only times i get to go up there and see everyone and practice. It is also my time to get away from all of my troubles or whatever throughout the week. And when you have that outlet taken away from you for awhile, things start to get at you.

I started reading a new book called "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren...its about having a purpose in your life and finding out what that purpose is. God has a plan for all of us and it is our duty to find out what he has planned for us. It is definitely a great book and hope many of you can get a hold of it and read it!!!

As of band stuff, i have personally have been busy writing and continually practicing all of our songs that we have so i am not sloppy when i get back up there. I will finally make my return this weekend and i CAN NOT WAIT to see everyone!!!!!

I love you Koontz, Alex, Chad, Elyse and Devin....I will see yalls lovely faces in a few days, and for Chad i will see you in 72 days...hehehe

God is love,
Joel

13 - lucky number?

i have a migraine from hell. but on the bright side, i'm home in 75 days. time has flown. i am a good ways past the half-way stretch. i've been back over here in Australia for 91 days. some things i miss...

1. Koontz being real southern and saying "come" instead of "came." (ex. They come up here yelling like cats and dogs, and we were like, what in the sam hell?)

2. Elyse being way too addicted to Call of Duty and Dr. Pepper.

3. Joel lurking bands on myspace, while eating cheeseburgers, wearing new shoes, and about ready to jump in the shower.

4. Alex saying "yeth" and his groovy riffs.

5. FIREHOUSE SUBS. HOOK N' LADDER FULLY INVOLVED. ON WHITE.



160 days till First Street. Get crunk.



love you alllll


Chadddwickkk

12 - Early

Its about 9:00 just sitting around the house enjoying some time to just sit around. I started reading some new books this week..... The Irresistible Revolution and Mere Christianity. Good Stuff.

I start recording at my house this weekend and I am excited about it, It should be pretty good. I really want to practice though that needs to happen, my amp is collecting dust.

Work at the shop was hectic yesterday, I got to witness Jim being mad for the first time. We were about to ship some guitar vaults and the lid did not fit on. We almost had to tear the whole thing apart but luckily we moved it onto level ground and it fit perfectly. I think within the next 2 months I am going to build my 6x12 cab, I may or may not sell my orange cab and road case. Its going to be nice....Im excited about that!

My car is payed in full too. So I can change the insurance too which will save the wallet some trouble. 

Elyse and Devin bought this Huge mystery thing the other day......It's amazingly big....... Real big!

Ok, I am going to get some Breakfast!

Love Alex