Sad news for Christian rock fans

[Zorak Masaki]

Looks like one of the earliest Christian rock acts is finally calling it quits:

Band's founder confirms Petra plans to retire

By Josh Renaud
of petrarocksmyworld.com

Rumors of the impending demise of Petra have annoyed the band for years. Time after time these rumors were shot down by the band members.

But not this time.

Europeans who saw Petra perform recently sent word to American fans that founder Bob Hartman and lead singer John Schlitt had been talking about retirement. Hartman confirmed to petrarocksmyworld.com that it wasn't just talk.

He and Schlitt have decided "it's time to call it quits," Hartman said.

"This will most likely be our last year of ministry," he said. "We don't expect to be doing any concerts after November at the latest."

Petra's manager, Wayne Seboa, told petrarocksmyworld.com that the band will publish an official press release this Thursday on their website, petraband.com.

No new studio album

Many fans had been anxiously awaiting a new studio album. Band members have been talking about it with fans at concerts since last fall. As recently as March, drummer Paul Simmons told petrarocksmyworld.com that the band was working on new songs.

But the album is not coming.

"There will be no new studio album from the band," Hartman said. "There has been some talk about a final live release but I have no confirmation of that."

Several factors seem to have led to the decision not to produce the album.

Hartman said that Inpop had started talking about delaying a studio album and first releasing a "best-of" album to drum up interest and support.

"We figured if it's that hard to get any interest in the band, then we should call it a day," he said.

Seboa, the band's manager, explained that the original intent was to release a studio album in fall 2004, a year after the release of "Jekyll & Hyde", an album praised by both fans and critics.

"I don't think Bob had it in his heart to pour his heart and soul into another project that quickly," Seboa said. "The band just couldn't come up with enough songs that everybody liked; the right songs."

"It's just the timing right now," Simmons told petrarocksmyworld.com. "We hope to do a live album. I would love to be a part of that!"
Concert plans

Petra's concert calendar improved in 2004, with a full slate of summer festival appearances and numerous shows abroad, including two in India.

In comparison, Petra's concert schedule so far this year has been slim, especially in the U.S. But Seboa says that plans are being developed for two farewell tours in the fall: a two-month stint in the U.S., followed by a couple weeks in Europe.

"I want to go to Europe and take another American rock band with us, like Pillar or Kutless, and then finish on a high note," Seboa said.

Also in the works is a trip to the Middle East in August, where few other bands go.

"There's still work God's doing with Petra, impacting lives," Seboa said.
A good year

Petra had endured a downturn in album sales and concert bookings since around 1995, when Hartman stopped touring with the band as guitarist. Their music progressively softened as the band recorded more ballads and worship songs, seeking radio hits that would lead to more interest and concert support. Their efforts did not seem to pay off.

But things began changing in 2003, when the band reversed musical directions. They recorded "Jekyll & Hyde," a straight-up hard rock record. They dropped keyboards from the album and their concerts. Long-time drummer Louie Weaver was dismissed from the band and Hartman announced he would tour again.

Petra's concerts in 2004 earned near-universal praise from fans, who were ecstatic about the band's harder sound and newfound energy.

Among the highlights of the year were returning to perform in India, and a special concert in which three of the founding members of Petra reunited to perform for the first time since the 1970s.

"We are very thankful for all the great years and especially last year, which gave us many memories we will cherish all our lives," Hartman said.

Simmons joined the band as drummer in 2004. He described the time this way: "It has been incredible! I have met so many people, and heard their stories, and shared mine with them. I've seen places all over the world. I've seen God working through our music, and that is the biggest blessing I can imagine. To use the gift God has given me, to share with others. I am so grateful everyday, and pray to remain that way."
An uphill battle

So why decide to retire now? Hartman said in large part it was that dealing with the Christian music industry in the U.S. had become such an uphill battle.

"It has become increasingly harder to get concert bookings in the U.S.," Hartman said. "We don't play enough to support everyone. We have to seek other income as it is.

"We have been having great concerts outside the U.S. and those have been the highlights of the last couple of years. But you can only play those so often. Bottom line, we feel it's time to retire gracefully before we completely wear out our welcome."

Seboa, the band's manager, explained that Petra had trouble reaching their target demographic in an increasingly radio-driven industry.

"The problem with Christian radio is that it's funded by your 'soccer moms,' 25 to 35-year-old women," Seboa said. "They are the ones who contribute most of the donations to radio stations. And they tend to not want to support a lot of rock acts."

Additionally, Petra failed to adapt to the mass market the way that others like Newsboys' front man Peter Furler did, Seboa said. During the period when Petra wasn't putting out good modern music, many industry people moved on. The band earned back some respect with their "Revival" and "Jekyll & Hyde" albums, but it was too late.

Brent Handy, an industry veteran, recently worked with John Schlitt on "Project Damage Control."

"The band thought that 'Jekyll & Hyde' was a make-or-break album," Handy said. "I think everyone is bummed that it hasn't been received by the industry or the mass market with open arms."

Justin Murr, of the band Liberty n' Justice, knows firsthand about the struggles of trying to sell older-style rock albums in the modern market. He worked with Schlitt on a project called "Welcome to the Revolution."

"Christian radio and Christian media turned their backs on Petra," Murr said. "Instead of applauding them for their years of ministry, for reaching the lost, and for encouraging the believers, they told Petra they didn't matter."

Age was also a factor. Hartman and Schlitt have gotten older, Seboa said.

"If I've got a radio station and I'm starting a concert series, am I going to invest my time in a band that I know is going to end sooner rather than later?" he asked. "Or will I invest in a new, up-and-coming band that I can have a business relationship with for the next 10-15 years?"

Handy said that while working with Schlitt, Schlitt expressed frustration with having to compete with the younger, leaner frontmen.

"John joked about getting old. I told him that he sounded better than ever to me," Handy said. "I think it is safe to say that John saw the writing on the wall."
The right way to end it

Five years ago Seboa told Schlitt that the band needed to start looking for the right exit.

"I told him I wanted to end it on a good record. And 'Jekyll & Hyde' is a good record," he said.

"It's the right way to end it. Everyone gets along good. No arguments on the road. We'll all enjoy each other's company.

"It's just been a good last two years."
More to come

Our coverage of this story will continue throughout the week, so please keep checking back.

Additionally, Wayne Seboa told petrarocksmyworld.com that the band will publish an official press release this Thursday on its website, petraband.com.

DISCLAIMER: This website is NOT affiliated with Inpop Records or Petra. This story was written by Josh Renaud and is the result of his independent reporting.

[SirLemming]

Umm, isn't it more accurately sad news for Petra fans? It's not like anyone who likes Christian-themed rock music likes Petra.

I never really got to know their stuff more than peripherally, but I assume they must've had a pretty good run... didn't quite realize they were still around.

[Chris Wood]

But the happy news is there's a new Stryper album on the way! To hell with the devil!

[NozeNuggets]

Isn't "christian rock" an oxymoron?

[Arxane]

Originally Posted by NozeNuggets

Isn't "christian rock" an oxymoron?

Only if you believe something like this.

[Martianinvader]

I thought Petra retired sometime in the early 90's. Hasn't it been that long since their last album?

Originally Posted by NozeNuggets

Isn't "christian rock" an oxymoron?

I don't want to ever hear anything like that out of your mouth again. (This was the nicest way I could put it, after several deletions.) It was bad enough when Lorelai said it.

[NozeNuggets]

Originally Posted by Martianinvader

"I don't want to ever hear anything like that out of your mouth again. (This was the nicest way I could put it, after several deletions.) It was bad enough when Lorelai said it."

So, who passed away and made you a moderator on the entertainment board?

[SirLemming]

Originally Posted by NozeNuggets

Isn't "christian rock" an oxymoron?

Did you just come into this thread to cause trouble or what?

And it's only an oxymoron if you're the kind of person who believes that guitars and fast beats and stuff are Satanic, which basically means you're a fundamentalist Christian of some sort, which surely is some sort of paradox...

[Style]

Originally Posted by Arxane

Only if you believe something like this.

That tract is... wow. Speaking as a Christian, those people who wrote the tract have no idea what "keeping the faith" means. Wow. To think the only kind of music Christains can have is 100 year old hymns is... wow. Luckily, the group I run with isn't THAT fundamentalist.

[I.R Joey]

Yeah Chick has some rather interesting ideas.

The Buddhist one with the scary looking Jesus kinda scared me, and I agree with the tenants of Evangelical theology.

And said to see Petra go, I've never been much of a music person, even Christian music but I think I wore out my famlies copies of "Beyond Belief" and "War and Remembrance" (80's riffic I know)

[zmanjz]

The closest thing to Christian Rock I ever listened to was Creed... and Scott Stapp was more of a Christian Guy that Played rock rather than a guy singing Rock-Gospel (Although some Creed songs do carry christian undertones.)

[EinBebop]

Originally Posted by Martianinvader

I don't want to ever hear anything like that out of your mouth again.

Either you've misread blasphemy into the commonplace 'Christians are dull' message, or your a staunch defender of the inherent goodness of rock music. I'm guessing the former.

[Delthayre]

I all ways did like Five Iron Frenzy, but otherwise the scene passed me buy.

Coincidentally, they've long since broken up too. A pity all the same.

[Feslmogh]

Jekyll & Hyde (2003) - Petra


Power Of Praise (2003) - Petra

Still Means War (2002) - Petra

Revival (2001) - Petra

Double Take (1999) - Petra


God Fixation (1998) - Petra


Captured in Time & Space - Petra

Petra Praise, Vol. 2: We Need Jesus (1997) - Petra

Early Years (1996) - Petra

Rock Block (1995) - Petra

Petra Means Rock (1995) - Petra

Power Praise (1995) - Petra

Petraphonics (1995) - Petra

Best of Petra: War & Remembrance - Petra

No Doubt (1995) - Petra

Wake-Up Call (1993) - Petra

Coleccion de Petra en Espanol (1993) - Petra

Unseen Power (1992) - Petra

En Alabanza (1992) - Petra

Best of Petra: War & Remembrance/15 Years of Rock (1991) - Petra

Petrafied! The Very Best of Petra (1991) - Petra

War & Remembrance (1990) - Petra

Beyond Belief (1990) - Petra

Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out (1989) - Petra

On Fire! (1988) - Petra

This Means War (1987) - Petra

Back to the Street (1986) - Petra

Beat the System (1985) - Petra

Not of This World (1983) - Petra

More Power to Ya (1982) - Petra

Never Say Die (1981) - Petra


Washes Whiter Than (1979) - Petra

Come & Join Us (1977) - Petra

Petra (1974) - Petra

40 years of Petra! Gonna miss them. Got to see em' in three times! They were one my first exposer to christian rock.

[EinBebop]

Originally Posted by Feslmogh

40 years of Petra!

31 years. Perhaps you meant to say four decades?

I got into 'em for a period in the around 89-92. They made for good hair band music.

[GOB]

Well sir, I never heard a preacher use the M-F word so many times.

-Ned Flanders on "Chris Rock in concert"

[Feslmogh]

Originally Posted by EinBebop

31 years. Perhaps you meant to say four decades?

I got into 'em for a period in the around 89-92. They made for good hair band music.

My Bad...

[T.T.Raven4]

Uh. Sometimes Christians will do anything to spread the word. It really bugs me. I just don't like the views of catholics, especially the new pope. But hey, who's talking?

[The Penguin]

So, who passed away and made you a moderator on the entertainment board?

Well I know I'm one so let's all play nice kids. No need to get upset. (Unless you really loved Petra, and even then don't take it out on others.)

[EinBebop]

Originally Posted by T.T.Raven4

Uh. Sometimes Christians will do anything to spread the word. It really bugs me.

So you think the Christian bands don't really like the music they're playing, and are just doing it as some kind of outreach? Otherwise, I don't see where the desperation implied by the phrase 'will do anything' comes in.

I just don't like the views of catholics, especially the new pope. But hey, who's talking?

Are you sure you're in the right thread?