Stryper

Stryper is a Christian metal band from Orange County, California formed in 1984. They are considered the pioneers in the popularization of Christian Rock music. The name Stryper comes from a Bible verse, Isaiah 53:5:

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

But it has also been known to stand for:

Salvation Through Redemption, Yielding Peace, Encouragement, and Righteousness

Contents

1 History 2 Current Members 3 Past Members 4 Albums 5 Home videos 6 External links

History

Stryper was originally known as the Roxx Regime. Brothers Michael and Robert Sweet and Oz Fox were all members of the Roxx Regime. The name was changed to Stryper soon after when Tim Gaines joined the band. Stryper, composed of brothers Michael and Robert Sweet, Oz Fox and Tim Gaines, debuted with the EP The Yellow and Black Attack in 1984. The 1985 followup, the album Soldiers Under Command went gold (at least 500,000 copies sold), and The Yellow and Black Attack was re-released in 1986.

Their third album, To Hell with the Devil (1986) went platinum (over one million copies sold) and would become their biggest-selling release. The ballad "Honestly" did well in the music charts and became their trade-mark song. Their next album, In God We Trust, released in 1988, also went gold. The band went on huge world-wide tours in support of the albums.

In 1990, they released the controversial Against the Law, which drastically changed the band's image and message. While their earlier albums all had yellow and black colors in the covers and the lyrics spoke of God and salvation, Against the Law featured the band with black leather clothes and with no mention of the word God in it. The original fan base of the band claimed they had sold out their true roots, and the album sold poorly.

In 1991 they released a greatest hits collection called Can't Stop the Rock, which featured two new songs. The band continued to tour until 1992, when frontman Michael Sweet departed the band in order to pursue a solo career. The group continued as a trio for several european dates, with Oz Fox doing lead vocals. However, upon returning to the United States, the remaining members decided to go their separate ways.

Oz Fox and Tim Gaines formed their own band, Sindizzy, which recorded an album (He's Not Dead) (1999). It sold poorly. Michael Sweet released four solo albums and had success on the Christian Music world. Drummer Robert Sweet played in several bands, but never recorded with them.

When Hollywood Records asked the former members of Stryper to record tracks for a new greatest hits compilation in 2003, the four members decided to go on a North-American Reunion Tour, in support of the compilation album, titled Seven. The band played 36 shows all over the United States, and finished the tour in San Juan, Puerto Rico. A live album, titled Seven Weeks: Live Across America was released in the summer of 2004 and the concert in Puerto Rico was recorded for a live DVD.

However, that show in Puerto Rico proved to be the last for the original line-up of Stryper. On the fall of 2004, the Sweet brothers and Oz Fox decided to enter the studio to record a new Stryper album. However, bassist Tim Gaines had no interest in continuing the band, and decided to quit. He was replaced by Tracy Ferrie, long-time bass player for Michael Sweet's solo band.

The new album, titled Reborn, will come out on August, 2005. This will be their first recording of original material in 15 years.

Though many have brushed the group off as an "80's Hair Band," many others are looking forward to the release of Reborn.

Current Members

• Michael Sweet guitars and vocals (1984-1992);(2003-)
• Oz Fox lead guitars (1984-1993);(2003-)
• Robert Sweet drums (1984-1993);(2003-)
• Tracy Ferrie bass (2004-)

Past Members

• Tim Gaines bass (1984-1993);(2003-2004)

Albums

• The Yellow and Black Attack (1984 EP; reissued 1986)
• Soldiers Under Command (1985)
• To Hell with the Devil (1986)
• In God We Trust (1988)
• Against the Law (1990)
• Can't Stop The Rock: The Stryper Collection 1984-1991 (1991 greatest hits compilation)
• Seven: The Best of Stryper (2003 greatest hits compilation)
• 7 Weeks: Live Across America (2004 live album)
• Reborn (2005)

Home videos

• Live in Japan (1985)
• In the Beginning (1987)
• Stryper expo (2000)
• Stryper expo (2001)
• Stryper, live in Puerto Rico (expected in 2005)

External links

• Stryper.com (http://www.stryper.com/)
• Stryper.biz (http://www.stryper.biz/)de:Stryper