The O.C. Supertones | |
|---|---|
 The O.C. Supertones performing in 2005 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | The Orange County Supertones, The Supertones, The 'Tones |
| Origin | California, United States |
| Genres | Christian ska,ska punk,third wave ska[1] |
| Years active | 1991–2005, 2010–2017 |
| Labels | Tooth & Nail,BEC |
| Past members | Matt "Mojo" Morginsky Jason Carson Tony Terusa Darren Mettler Nathan Spencer Jesse Craig Josh Auer Daniel Spencer Ethan Luck Bret Barker Chris Beaty John Wilson Dave Chevalier Adam Ferry Brian Johnson Ron Tennison Kevin "Slim" Chen Jordan Stroup Jason Joel Lautenschleger Tom Kieft Gerben Postma |
| Website | www |
The Orange County Supertones (a.k.a.The O.C. Supertones, or simplyThe Supertones) were aChristian ska band fromOrange County, California. The band was signed toTooth & Nail Records and its imprint,BEC Recordings, before becoming an independent band. The band temporarily disbanded in 2005, reunited in 2010 to resume touring and recording, and permanently disbanding in 2017. The OC Supertones were one of the first widely successful Christian ska bands.
The band began in the early 1990s as Saved.[1] Originally formed byMatt Morginsky, Jason Carson and Tony Terusa while injunior high school,[2] the band played a mix of many styles includingpunk,rap,metal,disco, andfunk.[3] In 1995 they formed as The Orange County Supertones and settled on aska based sound, similar toOperation Ivy orMike Park'sSkankin' Pickle.[2] Although drummer Jason Carson had known Tooth & Nail founder Brandon Ebel for years, the label was reluctant to sign them. As characterized by Ebel: "The Supertones were good, but Saved was not good. I had years of Saved in my head."[4]
The Supertones' debut release,Adventures of the O.C. Supertones, received a 1997Dove nomination for the "Alternate / Modern Rock" category.[5] Their second album, 1997's releaseSupertones Strike Back, was a surprise smash hit, peaking on bothBillboard's Heatseekers and Top Christian Albums charts at No. 3 and No. 2 respectively. In the fall of 1997 the Supertones headlined a tour withGhoti Hook andStavesacre, and the next spring opened forAudio Adrenaline,[6] with whom they recorded "Blitz" with on the Audio Adrenaline albumSome Kind of Zombie, also in 1997.
In late 1998 they embarked on the all-Christian-ska "Skamania 98" tour withThe Insyderz andFive Iron Frenzy.[7]In 1999 the Supertones played for the papal visit toSt. Louis byPope John Paul II.[8]
Beginning with a more traditional ska sound, The Supertones moved next to a harder rock sound, which eventually changed again with more of a pop-rock influence. The band explained the musical evolution toCCM: "pop culture has theattention span of aflea... ska's time in the white-hot spotlight has come and gone."[9] When saxophonist Dave Chevalier joinedThe Dingees in 1998, the band made the decision not to replace his position. Rap and R&B influences also became more prevalent in their sound, which remained "about 40 percent reminiscent of the older stuff."[7] Their next two albums, 1999'sChase the Sun and 2000'sLoud and Clear, each charted on theBillboard 200 chart.[10]
"The Supertones' main message is Christ and Him crucified. We want to help people understand certain doctrinal truths."
Lyrically, they were known as having a straightforward approach to songwriting, with a minimal use of metaphor.[12] Even so, their songs were cited as being thought-provoking and containing deep theology.[2] One of the major focuses for the band wasevangelism;[13] they included segments of preaching in each performance.[6][14] Originally these were fronted by drummer Jason Carson, who had been active inyouth ministry before the Supertones found their break.[7] In 2000 when he went back into ministry full-time the band split the responsibilities among remaining members.[15] Adam Ferry, formerly ofPlankeye, took Carson's spot on drums.
They continued to release albums until 2005, when they announced plans to break up. The band releasedUnite, a greatest hits compilation, and played their last show atBiola University inLa Mirada, California on October 7, 2005. Former members Jason Carson, Darren Mettler and Tony Terusa re-joined the band on stage for three songs. Kevin "Slim" Chen was on hand but did not play with the band. The Supertones played for 21⁄2 hours at their final show, playing close to 30 songs.
On March 11, 2008BEC Recordings, Inc. released "The Ultimate Collection," a sort of greatest hits album with select songs from each of the band's studio albums, with the exception of "Revenge of the O.C. Supertones," which has no tracks represented.
On February 12, 2008, former Supertones guitarist Ethan Luck became the newest member playing drums for the Christian pop-punk band,Relient K.
Former front manMatt Morginsky released his debut solo album, "Doctorate in Cold Rockin' It" under the moniker Mojo & the Info viaiTunes andMySpace on April 20, 2008. He also released a CD entitled "Everything Will Be Made Right" with the bandOctober Light, as Mojo and October Light.
Former guitarist Kevin "Slim" Chen now plays in the rock/pop punk band New Liars Club with former members of Gameface and the rock band Follow Your Failure.
Original drummer Jason Carson is founder and senior pastor of Encounter Church in Orange County, California.
In 2010, The Supertones announced that most of the original members would be reuniting for a handful of dates that year and then going back into retirement. The ensuing tour had fifteen shows, including Joshua Fest inQuincy, CA,Soulfest inNew Hampshire andSpirit West Coast inDel Mar, CA.[16]Reunite, another greatest hits album, was released during this time as well. At the end of 2010, the band announced that they would continue to play ten or so shows a year going forward.
On March 3, 2012, original members Matt Morginsky, Tony Terusa, Jason Carson and Darren Mettler along with new band members[17] announced progress on the full-length album,For the Glory funded viaKickstarter. "On the Downbeat" was released in advance of the album on March 9, 2012, as a teaser.[18] The album released on November 6, 2012.
On March 11, 2017, the band announced plans for a concert on Facebook Live in which they would be performingSupertones Strike Back in its entirety recognizing the album's 20th anniversary, as well as serving as their final performance as a band. Held at Shoreline Church in San Clemente, California, the show was recorded for a live album and DVD release.[19]
Final lineup
Past members
Timeline
Studio albums
Live albums
Compilations
| Year | Album | US Hot 200 | US Heatseekers | Top Contemporary Christian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | The Adventures of the O.C. Supertones | - | - | 36 |
| 1997 | The Adventures of the O.C. Supertones | - | - | 35 |
| 1997 | Supertones Strike Back | 117 | 3 | 2 |
| 1999 | Chase the Sun | 95 | - | 2 |
| 2000 | Loud and Clear | 168 | 9 | 10 |
| 2002 | Hi-Fi Revival | - | - | 28 |
| 2002 | Live! Vol. 1 | - | - | 20 |
| 2004 | Revenge of the O.C. Supertones | - | - | 17 |
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| National | |
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