FM Static: The New Age of Pop Rock

Unlike those from the past, who donned themselves on sex, alcohol and drugs (and probably criminal records that can sum these things up), today’s rock bands seem to take on a different stroll, and role, in today’s pop culture. One in particular that made the greatest impact on every music lover, even with an unadvertised single ranging supreme on hit charts, is FM Static.

It was my brother who introduced me to their music. He just came home from school and was playing a song a friend of his had just passed to his cell phone. It got me distracted enough from what I was doing and got me sitting beside my brother. Before I could even ask (and knowing him all too well), he had already started telling me about it and who was singing it. So pretty much I got the information I needed without even asking a single question, let alone telling him to stop playing his guitar as he tried to follow through.

I’m not a big fan of rock, let alone a punk rock, but the music, and how they had presented it, was something to take note of and admire. In addition, the term “Christian” associated to this “pop punk band” was something (for me) new making the whole song more interesting. Tonight played over and over again (‘till dinner time) and FM Static became a favorite.

FM static is a Toronto-based Christian pop punk band who is currently signed to Tooth & Nail Records, a Christian Record Label. They started as a side project by Thousand Foot Krutch (One of the Christian rock bands frontman), Trevor McNevan and Steve Augustine (drummer). This two-piece (McNevan and Augustine) band also included John Bunner (guitarist during 2003) and the brothers Justin and Jeremy Smith (bass and guitar player respectively) in their original line-up.

The band’s first album What Are You Waiting For was produced by Aaron Sprinkle (who also produced the Thousand Foot Krutch’s album Phenomenon). This led to a tour which lasted from 2003 to 2005. During this time, after playing for a few shows guitarist John Bunner soon retired and was thus replaced by Jeremy after his brother, Justin, asked him to fill-in for them.

Their second album, Critically Ashamed was released on August 1, 2006 with its featured single Waste of Time. However, unlike their first album release, the band refused to take on a tour as the Smith brothers left. It was then that FM Static performed with only two members, as studio musicians filling in for other parts. Even so the success of the second album was undeniable, especially after two of its unadvertised single ruled the internet and the radio station—one of the songs, Tonight, gaining over 7 million hits on YouTube alone as of July of 2009.

This is, perhaps, the dawning of a new age for rock bands and rock fanatics alike, as the association of negative issue, that may no doubt earn one a file in criminal records, finally has been placed behind. It’s good to hear something more emotionally inclined yet without feeling wild and careless. As for me, FM Static is but the first me and my brother had shared.