The Return of Stryper

It was 1983 and Japan's most influential and widely read rock critic Masa Itoh was looking for something new in the genre he presided over, heavy metal. One day Itoh heard about a rock band called Stryper and flew to L.A. to catch a show. Itoh is a connoisseur of hard rock who has interviewed every major American band in history and, unlike his American counterparts in the music press, was able to look past the yellow and black costumes, the Bible-tossing-into-the-audience and the deeply religious lyrics to see them for what they were: a solid rock band that deserved respect.

Itoh flew back to Japan and announced that he had just found the next big rock band and his legions of fans responded by making Stryper's debut record The Yellow & Black Attack, the #2 rock record in all of Japan.

Because I was living in Japan at the time, my take on Stryper wasn't framed by the condescension and sarcasm that characterized much of the American press they received and continue to receive to this day. Because they were devoutly religious and refused to separate their beliefs from their music, they were relentlessly mocked by a rock press that simply couldn't mentally process the four boys from La Mirada, CA who had begun to remove bricks from the wall that separated rock from religion, which the rock music establishment had so carefully constructed and maintained for thirty plus years.

For those who got Stryper unfiltered, they were just a good, solid rock band, consisting of a talented rock drummer named Robert Sweet, his singer/songwriter brother Michael who wrote catchy melodies and was also a surprisingly strong guitar player, a flashy guitar player named Oz Fox, and a steady bass player named Tim Gaines. That sentiment was also shared by Bill & Wes Hein, brothers who ran Enigma Records, a mainstream rock label that signed the band not because of their religious beliefs but because of the music.

By the early '90's Stryper had faded from the scene, and in the ensuing decade and a half they all went their separate ways -- Michael releasing some forgettable (If you're down hearted/Need your motor started, Jesus is the fuel) and unforgettable (Red rants and raves, it comes in waves once calmed by you, And black always asks me, "Ain't it great to be alone") music, and Robert, Tim and Oz playing in various bands before they finally realized they needed to set aside their differences and get back together.

Today, Michael Sweet divides his time between singing for the '70's rock band Boston and Stryper, and Stryper is back and recently made a strong debut on Billboard's Hard Rock chart at #11 with the new album Murder By Pride. The record is a strong one, and one song, Four Leaf Clover in particular reminds us of what made this band special way back when.

Two decades later, many of the secular-fundamentalist rock critics who detested the band's mere existence are looking for work and Stryper is back on the job, hitting the road in support of a surprisingly strong record.

Follow Mark Joseph on Twitter: www.twitter.com/markmjm

Comments

[standingfast]

Wow. I don't know if the criticisms stem from anti-Christian bias, but as a musician the idea that Stryper was/is marginally talented and on par with VIncent or Winger is completely misguided from a musical point of view. Michael Sweet's vocal range is remarkable , and Stryper songs are melodious,well crafted tunes with excellent guitar and vocal harmonies. Their music may not be for everyone but there is no denying their very capable ability. I saw them just 2 wks ago in Nashville. they were as tighter as ever and the new album is the the best they have recorded. Do a search on Youtube for "Murder By Pride" for some clips. The music speaks for itself.

[lunapo]

Stryper was and is successful first and foremost because of the connection with the Almighty. Secondly, they are excellent musicians who wrote and continue to write commercial, catchy, heavy tunes. Anyone who listens to their music with an open mind and without prejudice or preconceived notions (like Mr. Joseph has) will quickly realize their professional songwriting abilities, clearly surpassing many metal bands of the day (and today for that matter).

[spiderbucket]

This may be the only hair metal band worse than Bon Jovi.

[illinB]

Also - the "the wall that separated rock from religion" was handily constructed pulpit by pulpit well before "the rock music establishment" existed.

[TonyMbutu]

Exactly. The notion that the music industry rejected religion is unhistoric gibberish.

As for Stryper, they were a marginally talented hair band, who has an interesting schtick in the days when faux-Satanism was all the rage. If they had limited success is was due to the fact that the schtick wasn't really a good fit with people who bought metal back in the day (because the fans of metal were not the kind of people who went for bibles; we REALLY liked to live a life of depravity, even if only in our minds) and because the band's music was only serviceable, at best. That relegated them to the level (at best) of bands like Winger and the Vinnie Vincent Invasion.