The Shoeflies (1994)

Shoeflies 1996

 

Band: The Shoeflies
Music Release: Three Chords and the Truth
Home: Chatham and area.
Style: Christian Music
Year: 1994

  During the summer of 1994, The Shoeflies returned to Mud Creek studios to work with producer Greg Sabitz to record their first full-length album, Three Chords And The Truth. While Richard DeJonge played keyboards and Cory Dawe played electric and acoustic guitars on the recording, session musicians were brought in for the bass and drums. Of note, Richard’s brother David DeJonge (who was playing in the Toronto indie-band Janus at the time) made his debut with the Shoeflies on this project adding vocal harmonies. The album was much more serious than the 12-song recording 2 years prior, and had more of a Christian rock influence. This influence lead to an opening of a door into the Ontario Christian Rock scene, where the band became a household name for many years, and garnering radio airplay on Christian radio stations in Ontario, as well as other parts of the country.

   Shortly after the break-up of Janus in March 1995, David DeJonge (vocals/guitars) officially joined The Shoeflies. The addition of David to The Shoeflies had an immeasurable impact on the band as he brought strong songwriting and performance skills, a second lead vocalist role, plus adding vocal harmonies. The Shoeflies, now a trio, played a series of summer events culminating with the annual Rhubarb Festival in Sheddon, Ontario.

 
   The Shoeflies in 1996.With a desire to move into a more band-oriented direction, The Shoeflies relocated to Toronto, Ontario and added former Janus drummer Clark Allore and bass player Chris Brownrigg in January 1996. This band line-up played a series of shows throughout Ontario during the balance of 1996. The shows at this time were a mix of bar gigs, as well as Christian shows. Since The Shoeflies’ brand of Christian Rock music is much more subtle than mainstream Christian Rock acts, they were able to play in both music scenes without having to vastly change their song selection in their live shows. But while the band enjoyed various degrees of success as a cross-over act, there were rare moments of criticism from the Christian audience for “not being Christian enough” (the name “Jesus” only appears in one song in their entire catalog), or in one instance, they were told that they “can’t serve two masters”, perhaps suggesting The Shoeflies were hypocritical for engaging in both music scenes.
Notes from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shoeflies#Discography

________________________________________________