Headline News
Sir Lord Baltimore Return As Christian Metal Band
Phil Freeman reports for The Village Voice: It was such a crazy thing, to go out of the basement and play Carnegie Hall," recalls Sir Lord Baltimore drummer-vocalist John Garner. "Where does that happen? We were in the fast lane all the way down. . . . I believe that had the element of drugs not been in the picture, we'd be a household name today."
In some households (especially those where drugs are still in the picture), they still are. The Brooklyn band put a uniquely East Coast spin on the late-'60s/early-'70s power-trio sound, combining Cream's instrumental overdrive with Grand Funk Railroad's raw power. It all started when Garner invited his high school acquaintances Louis Dambra (guitar) and Gary Justin (bass) to jam. After about a week, Garner recalls, "I saw an ad in the Voice that said, 'Heavy band needed to record album.' That was it. We put about 10 riffs together, some crazy avant-garde singing and a few beats here and there, and we went down to audition." Signed (and named, allegedly, after a minor character in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) by manager Mike Appel, Sir Lord Baltimore recorded for Polygram and made their live debut in 1970.
More fleet than peers Mountain or Dust, they came out of nowhere to become New York's best metal act for a year or so. Indeed, Metal Mike Saunders's Creem review of their debut CD, 1970's Kingdom Come, featured the first documented use of the phrase "heavy metal" as a genre descriptor. But after another album and an abortive tour supporting Black Sabbath, SLB imploded. Neither Kingdom nor 1971's self-titled follow-up sold particularly well, and both went out of print (they're now paired on a single CD) while all three members went on to other things.
Now they're back. Garner and Dambra have reunited after 35 years apart and self-released a third record, Sir Lord Baltimore III: Raw (available at sirlordbaltimore.com). Recorded with session bassists Tony Franklin and Sam Powell, it packs six songs into just under a half-hour, reviving the band's formula of ultra-hard riffing and thunderous drums. This was always the SLB sound—as Dambra puts it, "I would throw riffs at [John], and he would come back with the drums. He tried to copy everything the guitar did, which was really unusual, because drummers would always just lay a backbeat. But we were high-intensity, we were aggressive, and we were filling every space we could."
Perhaps the most interesting thing about Sir Lord Baltimore circa 2007 is their new lyrical perspective. Despite titles like "Love Slave" and the aforementioned "(Gonna) Fill the World With Fire," their new songs are quite explicitly Christian. "On the narrow road/Burn chariots of fire/Living on a hope/Make God your desire/If ya see Satan coming/Better change your stride/Don't try and stick with him, kid/It'll be suicide," Garner sings on "Fire." When asked about this, Dambra laughs. "Basically, over the years we've made that transition to changing our lives, having godly lives," he says. "In fact, I'm a pastor now. I run a full-time homeless-ministry program for families in Los Angeles [where he lives] called the Homeless Housing Program. It's like a Good Samaritan thing. But even though I'm a pastor now, I haven't lost the knack for playing." That's for sure; his technique is as savage and barely contained as on the most amp-frying moments of Kingdom Come. Even Raw's single ballad, "Wild White Horses," eventually explodes into a frenzy.
Read the full article at The Village Voice.
What's Next?
- Previous Article:
Patton On Peeping Tom, Touring And New Albums - Next Article:
Every Time I Die Working On New Album
69 Comments on "Sir Lord Baltimore Return As Christian Metal Band"
2. writes:
i picked the two releases from the 70's....they were a really good band,...i guess we'll see if they still have it...its weird to see an obscure 70's outfit release a new lp....last year cactus,..a blues driven hard rock outfit released a new lp....it sure is fun collecting tunes man!!
Supporter
Member
7. writes:
So what if Christians are getting into everything these days. What's wrong about it. They are making great music (As I Lay Dying, August Burns Red, Norma Jean). Why does everything has to be about evil and satan. It all comes down to music and great metal with a great message is better than weak metal with a bad message. is it so bad to try to make the world better, is it so bad to try to be a good person, is it so bad to love your neighbor ? Real metal heads care about the music, and the purpose of metal is not being evil, drugged and drunk but be there with a underground bunch of people who love an unorthodox music and bond in that. The real message in metal is not be Evil and screw your life, it's live life to the fullest, enjoy every moment, remain young in your heart and YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Member
Member
Member
15. writes:
Hmm, I certainly hear music before I think about lyrical content, but lyrics do count. For instance, I love black metal, but I don't listen to the bands with racist lyrics because it makes me uncomfortable. Same goes for christian lyrics. If they're using stories from the bible for inspiration that's cool, thats the same as using pagan stories, or egyptian history or whatever, but if the lyrics are sermons, trying to push they're views on me, i'm uncomfortable with that.
Member
Member
25. writes:
Bogiron,
Nobody should 'force' anyone to do anything. But what's wrong with expressing your views (sermons)? All lyrics are views, even nice non-racist non-Christian lyrics. Even your view that people shouldn't push their views is a view that you are trying to push. :) Listen to what they say or don't listen to what they say; enjoy the music. If you're daring, give what they say a try and judge for yourself if there is truth in it.
Member
27. writes:
Oh, there's nothing wrong with expressing your views, I'm just making the argument that lyrical content _can_ be enough to turn a person off the music behind it. I used the examples of racism and strong religious views as they are things that have turned me off bands in the past. I've also been turned off of bands whose lyrics were just so bad they distracted me from the music. (Ever hear Winds? Great music, horrendously bad rhyming couplets, can't listen to them.)
Supporter
Member
32. writes:
Member
Member
34. writes:
Member
Supporter
Supporter
Member
40. writes:
And how do you know that genius, you are a super powerbrain, you have a 6th sense ? You are satan's son ? You invented it ? No wait I know, you're the chief. Your the bud...WOA ! no seriously you don't know sh** about satan making the music, so stop puting arguments that are not really arguments but drunk a$$holes talk. Thank you and have a nice day...
41. writes:
Christians believe that God created all things. This means all music. Craftsman makes hammers, some people drive nails with them, some people murder with them. This doesn't change the origin of the hammer. Some people get all defensive of metal because they use it to isolate themselves from the pop kids, or religion, or hip-hopsters or whoever. Surely no one would invade the sanctitiy of metal with a different take on life! Music is music. Lyrics are lyrics. If you like it, cool. If not dont, cool. Hey Red, chill out. Dont be so defensive.
Member
43. writes:
Hey I'm just trying to pick up a fight here man, so don't take me too seriously...but i still think that metal belongs to everybody and is not a type of music for evil people. So what you said is absolutely great but like I said, I was trying to start a war just for the heck of it...LOL. but now it's over before it started...hahahahahaha.
Member
Member
50. writes:
Member
Member
Supporter
Member
57. writes:
Hey Guys, The History of Rock evokes subtle forms of being radical, with Heavy Metal being so inundated w/satanism,vampires, gross & bloody depictions of gore one might say that all this stuff is the norm, so I John Garner being radical in my nature, choose to advocate & uphold the most radical person who ever lived, that would be Christ
he's as radical today as he was 2000 yrs. ago.
With the world these days on the brink of war & fear I think to uphold the logic of his philosophy is good common sense.
I don't preach, I tell an unassuming stories in my music.
We don't cram Christ down our fans throats with our new CD
We mearly mention his name so to remind of his kind & loving lessons that are kindred to fundimental sound logic.
Peace, Love, Hard Rock & Heavy Metal
John Garner
Member
58. writes:
Er...ok I don't really know if it's really you or if it's a joke. But I am glad to see that I am not the only one on this post defending Christians in metal, since I am one myself and try to live up to Christ's teachings every day.
I found out about Christ 11 years ago and since then I haven't look back on my old life. And nowadays, it sure feels like being pretty heavy to just state loud and proud : I am Chirstian and I believe. you get insults, quizzical looks, laughs...and that makes me feel great...yep I am not afraid to believe and have faith...so don't come here and attack me or anybody that is Christian that we don't belong in Heavy Metal. We do because being Christian and proud about it is a heck of a lot more metal than any other attitude. Thank you John Garner for your comments and I certainly hope to get an answer from you on this post.
59. writes:
Hi Red_Chord,
I am a close friend of John Garner for the past two years and did the the graphic artwork for the CD, Sir Lord Baltimore III RAW; I listened to his persistent search for the perfect sound as he mixed and mastered his music. So I can say that, yes, he is the real deal because l was around him and heard hours and hours of repeated tweaking, dubbing, re-mixing, and re-mastering.
I believe, as does John, that to try and share the common sense of the miriads of people back in the 70's who would greet each other saying "Peace and Love", or simply lived by those guidelines, that it does not matter whether it is expressed by word or music; it just has to be expressed and lived by and we both believe that Christ is a revolution of mind and spirit -- something I wish today's Metal Heads would experience.
So no bible thumping -- but if the Heavy Metal music is the God-given skill that IS John, then Heavy Metal it is!!!
Red, I LOVE what you said "We do ["belong in Heavy Metal"] because being Christian and proud about it is a heck of a lot more metal than any other attitude". I hope I can quote you on that because that was well said!
Peace and thanks,
Sylvia.
Member
61. writes:
you sure can quote me on that, because we both live it every day. I got a tattoo this Friday and it is a cross. Very simple, no Christ on it nut it's there every day to remind me where I am from and where I want to go. So people look at me with this look and say : what is wrong with you ? You believe in these fairy tales ? I say it's easier to believe in Christ, who did more than anybody in the history of mankind to make this world WAY better, than to believe in ghosts and monsters...yet people find it easier to believe in that...ah well !!! and being Christian is more than preaching, it is a way of life where you try to be good, understand others, be compassionate and be a better human being. So if people look at us and think that we are stupid, well I'm glad to be stupid folks...but I don't see how people can really tell me that what I am trying to do is stupid..being good is stupid ?
Well, I have this word for the antihippy : what have you to live for ? Because we have something to live for and it is to make ourselves and this world a better place, to try to love and understand our borthers and sisters and hope that after this life we will be rewarded for this. I don't think living a life like this is a waste, because on my death bed i will be proud and happy of what I did and fought for, even thought it is hard to live up to these standards. So what do YOU live for antihippy, and what will be your thoughts on your death bed ?
And of course no offense on what you said, don't think that the tone implied here is aggressive, it's just a question really. you're a cool dude.
And Sylvia, thanks for your reply, I greatly appreciate it, if you speak with John Garner tell him that I said hello and that he gained a new French Canadian fan..I will check out their record...
Member
63. writes:
Er...I always thought that my english sucked, since it's not really my first language...but hanks for the compliment my Friend from Slipknot country. I know you work hard and I hope that everything is turning out good for you, after all you have been through lately.
Hang in there godlike, live is cool no matter what...no matter what...
Member
Member
68. writes:
Alright, first by looking at the Ip Logged we know that GodRaper and you are the same person and not John Garner.
Second of all, I was wondering when a simple minded person would start doing those kind of comments. Well you have won, althought I can tell you that winning this is no compliment.
Third, the weak in this world are not the ones who are working hard on themselves and try to do good things, but the ones that makes no efforts whatsoever. It's easier to do and say whatever you want to than to try to be good. Ultimately, it me be easier to be evil but it brings no good in the long run. It is harder to be good, but on a longer term, it brings more fullfillment than being bad.
And finally, I am very sure that you had a real good laugh at this, but I can pretty much say that most of the guys on MU, especially the ones that posts a lot, wether they are Chirstian or not, will not stand by idiotics comments like this. We are a small community (the metalheads) and a true metalhead welcomes everybody, putting aside race, gender, where you live, age and beliefs.
My firend, you are not metal, you are just another poor soul who's looking for an answer, and you will not find it by being like this.
I still wish you good and hold no grudge against you.
Member
69. writes:
And do not worry John, just click on the Ip logged and it highlights in red who wrote it...the first post you made is not highlighted at all when you click on either godraper or the fake John Garner, and they are the same perosn. I am very sad to see that you will not be posting on MU anymore because of one individual.
I think I can speak on behalf of the other real metalheads on Mu by saying that we apreciate your comments and the fact that you took time to explain to us you vision.
But I think that you should not stop posting here on Mu, because backing down just gives victory to an individual with poor judgement. You should be proud of what you believe in and not stand down and give way to empty comments. Just forgive and keep in touch with us, I beg you.
To minimize comment spam/abuse, you cannot post comments on articles over a month old.
1. Nightmare writes:
what in satans name has happened to metal these days .......grrrr!