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Matt Hammitt-vocals, guitar
Chris Rohman-lead guitar
Steve Goodrum-bass
Mark Graalman-drums
You know something's up when four Christian rockers beat out 75 other hopefuls to win a Best Band contest sponsored by a top commercial radio station. But that's the way it goes for Sanctus Real, an Ohio-based quartet that rocks with as much fire and force as the best of contemporary bands. With three previous indie releases under their belt, Sanctus Real is set to bust wide open with SAY IT LOUD, their Sparrow Records album debut due in December of 2002. But don't think raising the bar will impede their mission. All four members will tell you Sanctus Real is about one thing: sharing the good news of Jesus Christ... they just happen to do it with the volume turned way up.
"We believe the best music comes when you're open and honest about what's inside you," says lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Matt Hammit. "It's always been a no-brainer for us to sing about what we believe. That's where our inspiration comes from." Together since 1996, Sanctus Real has found no shortage of admirers across Ohio and the upper Midwest. In fact, the band has toured all over the country, playing churches, clubs, bars, coffee houses, any place where they can spread their positive message of hope and faith. Now, teaming with producer and former Grammatrain member Pete Stewart (TobyMac, Tait), they've written and recorded the album of their lives.
As prelude to the release of SAY IT LOUD, Sanctus Real will be joining the 2002 Festival Con Dios fall tour. With a line-up including Audio Adrenaline, Toby Mac, Mercy Me, Out of Eden, and a crowd-pleasing round of extreme games, the tour promises to top last year's spectacle. "We're very excited about it," says bassist Steve Goodrum. "I wouldn't mind giving the motocross a try actually."
That willingness to take on challenges has typified the members of Sanctus Real from the very start. As 10th-graders at Toledo Christian School, schoolmates Matt Hammitt and guitarist Chris Rohman formed Sanctus Real to serve as musical backdrop for youth worship services. Thanks to loving families, both committed their lives to Christ at an early age. Once Matt and Chris started writing and playing together, the two realized they could best serve God by using their musical gifts to reach out to others. Says Chris, "Seeing the influence music can have on people, especially when you write and play from the heart, we were inspired to write good music with a positive message."
Adding drummer Mark Graalman dramatically expanded their sound. Mark had had his life turned around as a young teen when he attended a weekend youth revival. "Seeing 2000 kids on fire for God grabbed my attention and changed my heart," he recalls. The band had no trouble finding gigs, even when they were still in high school. After graduation, Sanctus Real kicked it up a notch, especially when Colorado native Steve Goodrum joined the line-up as the new bass player. The son of a pastor and a former Bible College student, Steve provided the last link in the Sanctus Real chain.
Over the years, the band has released a string of increasingly successful independent CDs including last year's "Nothing to Lose," produced by Skidd Mills. In 2000, they entered that Best Band contest sponsored by WIOT-FM, a local classic rock station. "We heard about it and entered at the last minute," remembers Matt. "We came in #1, then got a chance to play our first club show, followed by several months of touring. So far we've played all over the country."
The next step required moving up from local indie band to signing with a major label. Not surpassingly, the guys took a hands-on approach. "Chris and I went to GMA [Gospel Music Association] Week in Nashville with our backpacks filled with copies of our last indie CD," says Mark. "We passed them out to everyone we saw. A week later, the phone started ringing off the hook. Sparrow execs flew to Toledo, saw us play, and the rest is history." Most importantly, the band has seen real life results since coalescing as a band. "People that normally would not respond to our kind of music have found out about us, come to our shows, and had their eyes opened," says Steve. "Some have accepted Christ." Little things can sometimes make a big difference.
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