Church of Rhythm
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Founder | Max Hsu |
| Defunct | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
| Products | Christian pop music |
Church of Rhythm was a Christian pop ensemble originating from Chicago, active between 1992 and 1999.
History
The band was initiated in 1992 by Max Hsu, who later founded Superchick, at Willow Creek Community Church. The original lineup included Jason Gregory, Carlton Coleman, and Nathan Clair, with vocals provided by Gregory, Coleman, and Hsu, while Clair handled the keyboard duties. In 1993, they produced a demo tape in Milwaukee, which saw modest reception. However, their profile increased after Hsu created a music video for "Take Back the Beat," drawing interest from record labels.
By the end of 1994, Church of Rhythm secured a contract with Reunion Records and released their debut self-titled album in May 1995. The record sold upwards of 50,000 units and attained the 40th position on the US Top Christian Albums chart by August. In October of the same year, they issued Only the Funky: The Collective Remixes of Church of Rhythm, a collection featuring dancehall-style remixes from their first album.
In early 1996, both Clair and Coleman left the group. Their roles were filled by Matt Miller on drums, Paul Shamoun contributing vocals and percussion, Dave Ghazarian on guitar, and Jerome Cunningham playing bass. Moving away from pre-recorded backing tracks, the band embraced a live instrumental approach. That year, they released their sophomore and final album, Not Perfect, which they supported through a nationwide tour. The group dissolved in 1999.
Discography
- 1995: Church of Rhythm (Reunion)
- 1995: Only the Funky: The Collective Remixes of Church of Rhythm (Reunion)
- 1996: Not Perfect (Pamplin)