Extreme

Extreme is a band from the late 1980s most famous for the song "More Than Words", a touching ballad which demonstrates a frustration in a relationship many experience. Less well-known is that at least 3 of the 4 members of Extreme are Christian and use Christian images in their music. Though they personally hold Christian values, they would not be considered a "Christian Rock Band", since the majority of their songs appeal to the mainstream audience, and they are not overt about their religion, though at no time do they deny it.

Christian Oriented Songs[edit]

Their first album Extreme includes a song called "Watching, Waiting" which about the death of Christ on the cross, with the line "Staring at the Son, not even knowing who you are". A second song from the same album is about abortion. "Rock-a-by" includes the lyric "If you could only hear the silent scream when you wake them up from their dream.

The song "Hole Hearted" on the second album Pornograffitti seems like just a love song, but if the lyrics are read carefully, they more directly relate to the only love that can truly fill the cold soul: "There's a hole in my heart that can only be filled by You." Also, in the official lyrics, "You" is capitalized.

The third album is a more mature relationship with Christ and God, suggesting the self-doubt and questioning many have from time to time. "Seven Sundays" asks the question "Can I have a week of Sundays, since that's the day that I spend with You". Again, it is possible the track could be a simple love song, but in context of the album and the authors, as well as factoring in the capitalized "You", a message of love of God or Jesus is a valid alternate reading. The song "Please tell me God isn't dead" is exactly what it self-evident, a plea in the face of a lost world. The final three songs on the album, collectively called "The Truth", talk about self-doubt, leaving the flock, and finally, in the third song of the trilogy and last song of the album, the return to the Kingdom. The album makes the statement that no one is perfect and that it is possible to leave and come home to God's love.

The fourth and final album is far more cynical of the world in general. "Evilangelist" blasts televangelists and others who use God for profit, for political position, or for agenda. The song puts forth that no government, political point of view, or nation owns God, and those who use God and His message in this way are hypocrites. Another song, "There is no God" is devoted to satirizing those who choose not to accept God and His message.

Gary Cherone[edit]

Gary Cherone, lead singer of the band, went on to form another band called Tribe of Judah, an unabashedly Christian band with a philosophical, introspective message.

Cherone is pro-life and is somewhat famous for challenging Eddie Vedder on the stance of "Abortion on Demand". Cherone does draw the line when the child is dying in the womb and the abortion would cause less impact to the mother or if the mother herself faces serious health risks, stating that he feels this is a fair balance of the mother's rights to live versus the baby's rights to live.

External links[edit]

• Tribe of Judah Review
• Cherone's Open letter to Eddie Veder, challenging Vedder's pro-choice position