If you haven’t been introduced to Sanctus Real yet, let me do the honors. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Matt Hammitt, Chris Rohman, Mark Graalman, Dan Gartley, and Pete Prevost- a.k.a. Sanctus Real.
Christian rockers hailing from Toledo, Ohio, Sanctus Real has been carving out their place in Christian music for over 10 years. The band was born in 1996 when lead vocalist Hammitt and guitarist Rohman were still in high school! Over the years they have seen friends depart (original bassist Steve Goodrum) and welcomed new ones (newest members Gartley and Prevost) but their mission has remained the same: make music for Jesus that rocks!
After a trio of independent albums, Sanctus Real released “Say it Loud” in 2002, which delivered their first-ever radio single of the same name. While currently it is probably wallowing in dust in the way back of your favorite Christian bookstore, it would be worth your $10 to dig it out. Overflowing with energy and fun lyrics, Sanctus Real must have had a blast recording it! But they also made sure that their efforts pointed to the Savior.
In 2004, Sanctus Real bypassed the infamous “sophomore slump” with their release entitled “Fight the Tide”, which won a Dove Award and launched fan favorite singles “Everything About You”, “The Show”, and “Alone” among others. Musically and lyrically, this CD is a step above their first release. It showcases more musical variety, improved vocal performances from Hammitt, and stronger songwriting skills. It encourages Christians to “fight the tide” and stand up for their faith in today’s culture. Though nearly four years old, the album is still as relevant and rocking as ever!
With tons of radio airplay and an increasingly large fan base, Sanctus Real became a force to be reckoned with in the Christian rock market. So when “The Face of Love” was released in 2006, fans were a bit surprised. With deeper subject material, a new bassist (Gartley) and plenty of new musical ideas, Sanctus Real showed their maturity and staying power as a band. Birthed out of personal struggle and heartache (particularly the loss of drummer Graalman’s father and Hammitt’s grandmother) the album’s honesty and willingness to admit weakness connected with fans on a very real level. Said Rohman in an interview with CCM Magazine, “I think this is definitely our coming-of-age record.” (It’s first single “I’m Not Alright” rocketed up the Christian music charts and landed a spot on a WOW Hits collection.) On the flip side, “The Face of Love” contains some of the most worshipful Sanctus Real tracks to date. Hit single “The Face of Love” contains a beautiful challenge to listeners to see the world as if there is “No one too lost for me to love/ No one too low for me to serve/ Let us see/ Let us be/ Your face.” This album is even better than the already stellar “Fight the Tide” and leaves the listener with high expectations for the next record.
So what is the band up to now? Besides playing some awesome live shows (they are as good, if not better live- if they come to your area I am giving you a direct command: go see them!), Sanctus Real is currently working on their next studio album. Adding a second guitarist (Prevost) while on tour for “The Face of Love”, the band is sure to be even better this time around. (At a recent show I attended they previewed a brand new song that will appear on the upcoming record- take it from me, it rocked!)
Finally, no article about Sanctus Real is complete without mentioning what great guys the band members are. With a smile and “thank you” for every single fan after shows (they’re giving autographs and they say “thank you”?!) you couldn’t meet a better group of guys more in love with their Savior. They’ve stood firm and unashamed for Jesus for over 10 years while making consistently better and better music and connecting with their fans. What more could you ask for from five ordinary Christians from Ohio?
So go visit the band at sanctusreal.com or myspace.com/sanctusreal. Tell them you’ve already been introduced.
Alexandra Liloia hails from Washington, New Jersey, but she is obsessed with the New York Yankees. That's her, in the middle, between two of the members of Sanctus Real. To find out more about Alexandra, click here.