| O.C. Supertones are coming in loud and clear 04/07/2001 By Matt Weitz / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News For one member of the upbeat, ska-based Christian band the O.C. Supertones, a visit to Dallas is more than just another stop on a tour. Trombonist Dan Spencer graduated from Plano East High School in 1992, attended the University of North Texas, and was a member of Denton's popular (secular) ska band the Grownups.
Mr. Spencer is excited to be visiting his old stomping grounds, to be sure, but he's also psyched about Loud and Clear, the most recent release from the Southern Cal band.
Loud finds the group moving away a bit from a textbook ska sound. "We had a smaller budget, for one thing," said Mr. Spencer in a recent telephone interview. "And we wanted to get a more live sound, since that's what we feel is our strength. Also, we've been listening to a lot more rock and punk – and we love hip-hop."
Although the drift away from a tightly defined version of ska mirrors that of many acts that first made their name in that genre, the Supertones aren't abandoning the idealism behind the music. "We definitely want to keep that Two-Tone [the influential British label that in the original punk era brought ska to the attention of mass media, with a strong emphasis on fighting racism and other injustices] feel – the vibe, the dignity."
The group is also not backing off of their Christian identifiers. "I think there's still a stigma," Mr. Spencer says, "but we're a Christian band with nothing to hide. We want to be mainstream, and we're not in-your-face about it, but there's always a time when we break it down and share what God has done in our lives and the peace we feel as a result of that."
Loud has a cover that looks like a high school yearbook, complete with an official-looking seal from a fictitious Supertones H.S. and school club pictures on the inside.
"We just wanted to be goofy and have fun," Mr. Spencer said of the concept. "It's an aspect of our band that we haven't played up before, but it doesn't change the fact that we're totally serious about our faith."
DETAILS: The O.C. Supertones will be playing at Six Flags Over Texas' Music Mill Amphitheater (2201 Road to Six Flags) in Arlington at 8 p.m. on April 14. Also on the bill are Audio Adrenaline, Switchfoot and Relient K. Admission is $6 (plus park admission). In addition, Newsboys and Jennifer Knapp will perform April 13. For more information, call 817-530-6000.
Matt Weitz is a Dallas free-lance writer.
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