ApologetiX...Christian Parody Pros

ApologetiX...Christian Parody Pros!

© Daniel Janowski

Aug 1, 2000

This story starts out with I thought I was having flashbacks at work, actually more like pleasant memories from days of my youth...Got ya going now, huh?...read on... For those of you who know me, you know all I listen to is Christian music, mostly Christian Rock, Metal, & Pop.

Well...I was listening to one of my favorite Christian Internet Radio stations (SavageRock Radio) the other day at work and I heard the ZZ Top tune, "Sharp Dressed Man", at least that is what I thought I was hearing. I listened closer & noticed the words "Smart Blessed Man" instead of "Sharp Dressed Man", along with other Christian lyrics substituted for the old original wording. I was almost convinced that the bearded band from Texas got saved!

It was about two weeks later I made an effort to find out who was the band responsible for turning an old rock song into a Christian ministry tool. I found the play list for SavageRock, did a quick click on "Edit" and chose "Find on Page" from the drop down menu, entered "Smart Blessed Man", and there it was! The band's name was ApologetiX, but that didn't ring a bell or anything at the moment. It did lower my blood pressure and bring a sigh of relief that I finally uncovered who the mystery band was behind the song.

I decided to research this more and find out if these guys had a web site or anymore tunes like I use to listen to when I was in my teens, twenties, and thirties. The results were amazing! Imagine a cross between Mark Lowry & Weird Al Yankovic and you have an awesomely talented Christian parody band from Pittsburgh, Pa called ApologetiX!

A note of interest is that Weird Al's drummer Bermuda Schwartzand even did some of the drum tracts on their newest CD "Biblical Graffiti". The band does Biblical parodies of rock songs from the 50's-90's, everything from Elvis to Metallica. They currently have over 300 parodies and have been featured on shows ranging from The Dr. Demento Show to The 700 Club. The band name ApologetiX is derived from "apologetics" which is the branch of theology that is concerned with defending or proving the truth of Christian doctrines.

After downloading some free MP3s from their web site such as: "Hotel Can't Afford Ya" which is a spoof of "Hotel California" by the Eagles, I was hooked! This tune sounds just like the classic Eagle's tune, but depicts when Mary & Joseph were turned away from the Inn because there was no room, the birth of Christ, the shepherds, the wise men, and basically the whole the Christmas story. There are a few free MP3s to choose from off each of their four albums, and they are all next to perfect reproductions of the original tunes but with the blessed difference of having Christian lyrics!