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Biography
distinguish|S.F. Altar Boys|Altar Boyzfor|the ministers at religious services|Altar server|AcolyteAltar Boys were a Christian punk Christian rock|rock band from California, formed in 1982. They are Mike Stand (vocals, songwriting, and guitar), Jeff Crandall (drums), Steve Pannier (guitars), Mark Robertson (bass), and Ric Alba.
Background
The Altar Boys helped pioneer Christian rock music.cite journal |last=Newcomb |first=Brian Quincy |title=History: Altar Boys |month=May / June |year=1998 |issue=18 |journal= 7ball They were known for their Ramones -style punk music, which was radically different than the Christian music common at the time of their formation.cite book |last=Powell |first=Mark Allan |title=Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music |year=2002 |publisher=Hendrickson Publishers |location= Peabody, MA|Peabody , Massachusetts |isbn=1-56563-679-1 |edition=First printing |pages=34–35 Especially in their early years, they were known for being explicit with their faith in their lyrics. Their sound was heavily influenced by the punk rock scene in Southern California , and they quickly became one of the best known Christian bands on that scene.cite book |last=Thompson |first=John J. |authorlink=John J. Thompson |title=Raised by Wolves |year=2000 |publisher=ECW Press |isbn=978-1-55022-421-4 |page=122 Their first album sold over 7000 copies without distribution, and their second disc sold 20000 units in its first two months of release.cite journal |last=Well |first=Chris |year=1986 |month=June |title=The Altar Boys Come Out of the Garage |journal= CCM Magazine |volume=8 |issue=12 |pages=14–15 |issn=0746-0066
Their third and fourth releases, Gut Level Music and Against the Grain , propelled them to national standing. Gut Level Music was explicitly aimed at a secular audience, and marked changes designed to enhance their credibility with that audience. Their lyrical approach changed toward a more subtle expression of their faith.cite journal |last=Newcomb |first=Brian Quincy |year=1987 |month=December |title=Altar Boys Make A Human Sound |journal= CCM Magazine |volume=10 |issue=6 |page=25 |issn=1524-7848 They also refined their sound in an attempt to distance themselves from the punk " garage band " image that they had acquired early on. They began playing in secular venues more often, and in 1987 toured England opening with The Jesus and Mary Chain .
The band went on an "indefinite hiatus" in 1992. Stand has resurrected many of the Altar Boys songs with a " cowpunk|punktry " project called The Altar Billies.cite web|author=Un |url= http://www.myspace.com/altarbillies |title=The Altar Billies & #124; Gratis muziek, tourneedata, foto's, video's |publisher=Myspace.com |date=2011-11-01 |accessdate=2012-02-01
Former drummer, and Stand's cousin, Jeff Crandall, is currently the worship pastor at Suguaro Canyon Church in Tucson, Arizona .cite web|url= http://www.saguarocanyon.org/ministries/music-ministries/ |title=Music Ministries – Saguaro Canyon EFC |publisher=Saguarocanyon.org |date= |accessdate=2012-02-01
Discography
1984 Altar Boys ( Broken Records (record label)|Broken Records )
