Songs of Praise that will rock the Heathen
Delirious? Underworld, NW1
In this cool-obsessed world of 24-hour entertainment channels, where unknown musicians can leap from the pages of the style press to the stuffy broadsheets in a matter of days, a five-piece rock band from Littlehampton have been at the forefront of the real underground for years.
Delirious (the name has a silent question mark, but in the interests of legibility, let's leave it out here) formed 10 years ago, started out playing at church halls and became increasingly popular by selling their records in churches and Christian bookshops worldwide. Today they are huge, outselling Robbie Williams in America two to one, but still the heathen have never heard of them. Last night's show, a small one for them, was nominally to mark their 10th anniversary, but more importantly to show off their talents to a godless major record label. Suits from BMG were in the audience, finally taking notice of a band at the top of a very lucrative market. Contemporary Christian music generates a massive $800 million a year in the US.
They would have been impressed by a crowd who worship Delirious religiously, and a set of songs of praise that rocked in a far from cringeworthy way. The band dress like Pop-era U2, and have an enjoyable take on the Irish megastars' muscular, stadium-rock sound. Committed pagans will need to overlook the relentlessly worshipful lyrics if Delirious are to have the
impact on the wider world that they so fervently desire, but anybody present could hear that the devil doesn't quite have all the best tunes.
Delirious? Underworld, NW1
In this cool-obsessed world of 24-hour entertainment channels, where unknown musicians can leap from the pages of the style press to the stuffy broadsheets in a matter of days, a five-piece rock band from Littlehampton have been at the forefront of the real underground for years.
Delirious (the name has a silent question mark, but in the interests of legibility, let's leave it out here) formed 10 years ago, started out playing at church halls and became increasingly popular by selling their records in churches and Christian bookshops worldwide. Today they are huge, outselling Robbie Williams in America two to one, but still the heathen have never heard of them. Last night's show, a small one for them, was nominally to mark their 10th anniversary, but more importantly to show off their talents to a godless major record label. Suits from BMG were in the audience, finally taking notice of a band at the top of a very lucrative market. Contemporary Christian music generates a massive $800 million a year in the US.
They would have been impressed by a crowd who worship Delirious religiously, and a set of songs of praise that rocked in a far from cringeworthy way. The band dress like Pop-era U2, and have an enjoyable take on the Irish megastars' muscular, stadium-rock sound. Committed pagans will need to overlook the relentlessly worshipful lyrics if Delirious are to have the
impact on the wider world that they so fervently desire, but anybody present could hear that the devil doesn't quite have all the best tunes.
Jan 01 2003
It’s a New Year, and baby, it’s a hot one. Yeah, yeah so it’s snowing in London or flooding in Mongolia, but deep down in the bowels of Furious Records the furnaces are plenty stoked in expectation of a truly fantastic year. The band might have been at it for a decade now, but one simple truth remains in place: that there’s everything still to play for. In fact, of all the phrases that were getting kicked around the Furious office last Monday, the one that clocked up the greatest number of hits was ‘it feels like we’ve only just begun’. So strap in and hold on… the D:vibe’s about to intensify.
hot seat: Timothy Simon Jupp
Q. what was the last book you finished?
A. can't remember-I'm a lousy reader and always have been-this question makes me think I should read more
Q. if you weren't in Delirious, which band would you most like to be in right now?
A. I was thinking of U2 but thought that maybe that's not such a bright idea as their keyboard player spends his life under the stage and that would be bad for my ego! Maybe Coldplay as the piano player gets to be the front man too-now that sounds more like it.
Q. what's your top tip for long-haul travel?
A. definitely some black deep thrombosis stockings and tylenol Pm-I can sleep all the way home with that stuff!
Q. how did you spend christmas this year?
A. playing with the children and reminiscing about being 6 years old, hanging out with friends and family and pleading for a lie in.
Q. what magazines do you buy regularly?
A. none
Q. what was the last fashion mistake that you made?
A. wearing massive thick blue glasses in 1986
Q. do you have a favourite star wars film?
A. yes-the first one made-great memories
Q. favourite website?
A. Google.
lyrical direction:
Stu G on the songs he's writing right now
“After a year of not feeling particularly inspired I've been buzzing about the whole idea of grace, of the kind of love we get that is totally undeserved. If I'm acceptable as I am, if God sees me and loves me right now, then that has a huge impact on how I see others. The theme has popped up in a few other songs, but there are a couple I've been working on with Martin lately that I feel inspired by. As for where it's come from, I'm reading Philip Yancey's book 'What's So Amazing About Grace' as well as C.S. Lewis's 'Mere Christianity', but really the ideas have developed over a long time. “
Grace Like a River
Mystery of mysteries that you could love someone like me
In your hands eternity yet you have the time for me
A love so undeserved
Held nothing in reserve
Heaven played it’s symphony
I took your hand you rescued me
Grace like a river is flowing is flowing down
Grace like a river is falling down on me
Staring at my history I was all alone and never free
The sands of time have let me see your faithful shadow next to me
A love so unreserved I did nothing to deserve
Love so free but what’s the cost
To carry this old rugged cross
Grace like a river is flowing is flowing down
Grace like a river is flowing to me
Grace like a river is flowing is flowing down
Grace like a river is falling down on me
I love you I thank you
I’m nothing without you now
Grace like a river is flowing is flowing down
Grace like a river is falling down on me
©2003 Stu Garrard/Martin Smith
news
The main news to report comes in the Christmas fairy-shape of the annual London Christmas gig. Back on December 19th a couple of thousand D:friends showed up for what was looking like being an inspiring evening. First on were new signings Superhero. They’re part of the Furious family now and it seems like they’ve been around for ever. With a fully ramped up performance the four boys tucked into their biggest gig to date with heaps of attitude and lashings of glee. The crowd soaked it up and made it quite clear that we’re all keen on getting the album later on in the year. Then there was Cathy Burton. If Charlotte Church has the voice of an angel, then Cathy got hers from one with bigger wings and a much better harp. Along with her band she sliced up her debut album and… actually, let’s not go into all that now as you can read all about the gig here.
What is important is the other side to the story, the side from the band. Lately everyone has been concerned for the health of Martin and Anna’s unborn baby: scans revealed that there was a heart problem and it has only been in the early days of this new year that the fears have eased slightly with the news getting slightly better. On top of that, on 4th December, a close friend and church leader John Thatcher, died suddenly while abroad [aged 44]. John was Jon’s uncle and Martin, Stew and Tim’s uncle-in-law. Needless to say, the news was devastating. As you can imagine, it was a funny time to do a gig. Here’s what Martin had to say: ‘in a way we were just not in the mood for a gig that night, but we knew it was the right thing to do. The moment we stepped out on stage the crowd took us to another place. They lifted us and gave us what we needed to get into it all.’
One of the most powerful moments of the gig was the breaking out of a new track, Every Little Thing. Started by Martin back in the summer of 02, it has become something of a soundtrack to the mourning of John T.
future plans
We’ve already mentioned Every Little Thing, but the Forum gig showcased another new track: the groove-led Rain Down. Both of these tunes are the first in line to be recorded as part of the demo phase for the band’s next album. In fact, Martin & Stu G are already locked into their rehearsal room writing and polishing for the next week or two.
As well as the conception of the album, the band are going to be getting creative as they prepare for the forthcoming spring tour. There will be new tracks, fresh visuals as well as all the usual good stuff you expect from a Delirious show.
behind the scenes
Amanda Collins: a closer look at one of the d:family.
Q. What is your official job title?
A. PA to Tony Patoto.
Q. Married or single?
A. Boyfriend is Julian Kindred (Everyone’s producer).
Q. Best subjects at school?
A. English and Sport.
Q. Work experience?
A. I used to work for an events management company and the best thing we did was to produce the Spice Girls’ 1997 live shows in Istanbul. It was a vertical learning curve.
Q. Favourite Spicey?
A. Mel C. She was the most dedicated.
Q. What's the best thing about working @ Furious? records?
A. The diversity of it all. Actually my job description’s a bit of a joke: I end up doing anything from going on tour to sorting out bar codes, as well as whatever else happens in between.
Q.Worst bit:
A. Having to drive well over an hour each way to get to work.
Q. Tell us about your lunch?
A. I rarely have lunch, although I admit that on my desk right now are grapes, tangerines and a pack of Bakewell Slices
.
Q. Solitaire or Freecell?
A. Neither.
Q. Who do you admire most in business?
A. Simon Fuller – ex-Spice Girls manager. He’s simply a brilliant businessman.
Q. What do you plan on doing in 10 years?
A. I’ve got some vague ideas but I’ve never been much into forward planning.
hot seat: Timothy Simon Jupp
Q. what was the last book you finished?
A. can't remember-I'm a lousy reader and always have been-this question makes me think I should read more
Q. if you weren't in Delirious, which band would you most like to be in right now?
A. I was thinking of U2 but thought that maybe that's not such a bright idea as their keyboard player spends his life under the stage and that would be bad for my ego! Maybe Coldplay as the piano player gets to be the front man too-now that sounds more like it.
Q. what's your top tip for long-haul travel?
A. definitely some black deep thrombosis stockings and tylenol Pm-I can sleep all the way home with that stuff!
Q. how did you spend christmas this year?
A. playing with the children and reminiscing about being 6 years old, hanging out with friends and family and pleading for a lie in.
Q. what magazines do you buy regularly?
A. none
Q. what was the last fashion mistake that you made?
A. wearing massive thick blue glasses in 1986
Q. do you have a favourite star wars film?
A. yes-the first one made-great memories
Q. favourite website?
A. Google.
lyrical direction:
Stu G on the songs he's writing right now
“After a year of not feeling particularly inspired I've been buzzing about the whole idea of grace, of the kind of love we get that is totally undeserved. If I'm acceptable as I am, if God sees me and loves me right now, then that has a huge impact on how I see others. The theme has popped up in a few other songs, but there are a couple I've been working on with Martin lately that I feel inspired by. As for where it's come from, I'm reading Philip Yancey's book 'What's So Amazing About Grace' as well as C.S. Lewis's 'Mere Christianity', but really the ideas have developed over a long time. “
Grace Like a River
Mystery of mysteries that you could love someone like me
In your hands eternity yet you have the time for me
A love so undeserved
Held nothing in reserve
Heaven played it’s symphony
I took your hand you rescued me
Grace like a river is flowing is flowing down
Grace like a river is falling down on me
Staring at my history I was all alone and never free
The sands of time have let me see your faithful shadow next to me
A love so unreserved I did nothing to deserve
Love so free but what’s the cost
To carry this old rugged cross
Grace like a river is flowing is flowing down
Grace like a river is flowing to me
Grace like a river is flowing is flowing down
Grace like a river is falling down on me
I love you I thank you
I’m nothing without you now
Grace like a river is flowing is flowing down
Grace like a river is falling down on me
©2003 Stu Garrard/Martin Smith
news
The main news to report comes in the Christmas fairy-shape of the annual London Christmas gig. Back on December 19th a couple of thousand D:friends showed up for what was looking like being an inspiring evening. First on were new signings Superhero. They’re part of the Furious family now and it seems like they’ve been around for ever. With a fully ramped up performance the four boys tucked into their biggest gig to date with heaps of attitude and lashings of glee. The crowd soaked it up and made it quite clear that we’re all keen on getting the album later on in the year. Then there was Cathy Burton. If Charlotte Church has the voice of an angel, then Cathy got hers from one with bigger wings and a much better harp. Along with her band she sliced up her debut album and… actually, let’s not go into all that now as you can read all about the gig here.
What is important is the other side to the story, the side from the band. Lately everyone has been concerned for the health of Martin and Anna’s unborn baby: scans revealed that there was a heart problem and it has only been in the early days of this new year that the fears have eased slightly with the news getting slightly better. On top of that, on 4th December, a close friend and church leader John Thatcher, died suddenly while abroad [aged 44]. John was Jon’s uncle and Martin, Stew and Tim’s uncle-in-law. Needless to say, the news was devastating. As you can imagine, it was a funny time to do a gig. Here’s what Martin had to say: ‘in a way we were just not in the mood for a gig that night, but we knew it was the right thing to do. The moment we stepped out on stage the crowd took us to another place. They lifted us and gave us what we needed to get into it all.’
One of the most powerful moments of the gig was the breaking out of a new track, Every Little Thing. Started by Martin back in the summer of 02, it has become something of a soundtrack to the mourning of John T.
future plans
We’ve already mentioned Every Little Thing, but the Forum gig showcased another new track: the groove-led Rain Down. Both of these tunes are the first in line to be recorded as part of the demo phase for the band’s next album. In fact, Martin & Stu G are already locked into their rehearsal room writing and polishing for the next week or two.
As well as the conception of the album, the band are going to be getting creative as they prepare for the forthcoming spring tour. There will be new tracks, fresh visuals as well as all the usual good stuff you expect from a Delirious show.
behind the scenes
Amanda Collins: a closer look at one of the d:family.
Q. What is your official job title?
A. PA to Tony Patoto.
Q. Married or single?
A. Boyfriend is Julian Kindred (Everyone’s producer).
Q. Best subjects at school?
A. English and Sport.
Q. Work experience?
A. I used to work for an events management company and the best thing we did was to produce the Spice Girls’ 1997 live shows in Istanbul. It was a vertical learning curve.
Q. Favourite Spicey?
A. Mel C. She was the most dedicated.
Q. What's the best thing about working @ Furious? records?
A. The diversity of it all. Actually my job description’s a bit of a joke: I end up doing anything from going on tour to sorting out bar codes, as well as whatever else happens in between.
Q.Worst bit:
A. Having to drive well over an hour each way to get to work.
Q. Tell us about your lunch?
A. I rarely have lunch, although I admit that on my desk right now are grapes, tangerines and a pack of Bakewell Slices
.
Q. Solitaire or Freecell?
A. Neither.
Q. Who do you admire most in business?
A. Simon Fuller – ex-Spice Girls manager. He’s simply a brilliant businessman.
Q. What do you plan on doing in 10 years?
A. I’ve got some vague ideas but I’ve never been much into forward planning.
