During 15 years together, the members of Audio Adrenaline have more than lived up to their super-charged moniker both on stage and off. Whether inviting an arena full of fans to sing along on such chart topping hits as “Big House” or riding ATVs in the Nevada desert, the guys have—to coin a phrase from bassist Will McGinniss—“sucked every ounce of marrow” from each experience.
Sadly much of that comes to a close with the stellar collection, ADIOS: The Greatest Hits as the band prepares to say farewell to its successful recording career and life on the road. Why would a GRAMMY-winning rock ‘n roll band quit at the peak of its success? “The real reason we are giving it up is because our lead singer, Mark Stuart’s voice is going,” says drummer Ben Cissell. “If he was still singing like an angel we’d probably keep going. A lot of people ask, ‘Why don’t we just find a new lead singer?’ It just wouldn’t be Audio Adrenaline anymore. Mark, is the best front man in Christian music, and for us to go out there with another singer and try to be Audio Adrenaline, it just wouldn’t be the same.”
Indeed with any other singer, it wouldn’t be Audio Adrenaline. Stuart and bandmates McGinniss, Cissell and Tyler Burkum are exiting at the peak of their game, and they can proudly walk away having accomplished much. The band has sold more than three million records and scored 18 No. 1 radio hits, among them “Ocean Floor,” “Big House,” “Never Gonna Be As Big As Jesus,” “Leaving 99,” “Hands and Feet,” and “Some Kind of Zombie.” They won two consecutive GRAMMY awards in the rock gospel album of the year category for Worldwide in 2004 and for Until My Heart Caves In in 2006. They’ve captured four Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, including rock album of the year in 2003 for “Lift.” The band’s Bloom disc was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1999, signifying sales of more than 500,000 units, and they were awarded the prestigious “Song of the Decade” in the 90s for “Big House” by CCM magazine.
All that is not bad for a bunch of guys that have always considered themselves the underdogs of the Christian music industry. But even more important than the hit records and accolades have been the lives that have been touched by the music and ministry of Audio Adrenaline. Countless young people have looked to the band for encouragement and inspiration and have found a template for their own lives. Audio Adrenaline has always been known as a band that is heavily into missions, and they’ve encouraged young people to follow in their footsteps. Through their Hands and Feet Project, they’ve brought attention to the plight of orphans in Haiti and have opened a window to the world that showed their fans a new way to serve God.
Of course, great music has been the calling card that has paved the way for the band’s many endeavors. “ADIOS” will be the band’s 11th album on ForeFront Records. In addition to such Audio Adrenaline hits as “Chevette,” “Get Down” and “Beautiful,” the 17-song set will also feature two new songs—“Goodbye,” the album’s first single, and a cover of the Alarm’s “Blaze of Glory”--both potent tunes that fit comfortably among Audio Adrenaline’s classics.
There will also be a special “ADIOS” CD/DVD edition that includes a third new song, a cover of Charlie Peacock’s “Down in the Lowlands.” Additionally, the DVD will include eight Audio Adrenaline videos, an extensive interview with the band and some of the top artists in Christian music talking about the impact of AudioA’s music. Among those sharing their thoughts and some reminiscences are tobyMac, Steven Curtis Chapman, Relient K, MercyMe and Pillar.
Fans will get to hear Audio Adrenaline’s new songs as well as their favorites when the band hits the road for the remainder of this year. Audio Adrenaline is set to headline all the major Christian festivals this summer. During the fall, they’ll embark on a 35-city trek with MercyMe.
The band members admit that it’s a bittersweet time, but in hindsight, Stuart says he wouldn’t have changed a thing. “I don’t have regrets about the way that I performed or sang,” he says. “I think you have to go out and be who you have to be and if you lose your voice, you lose your voice. I think if I was to sing differently or done it differently, it wouldn’t have been the same.” Giving audiences 110% every night is the way the members of Audio Adrenaline approached every show, and it’s that commitment to serving God with passion and unbridled energy that have helped shape the Christian music community, as well as impacted individuals around the world. “When we went on stage, we wanted to give the best show we could and with a lot of passion musically and spiritually,” says McGinniss. “We just wanted to impact as deep as we could and really not |