Christian music is filled with bands that have left an indelible mark on their listeners, with sounds that still resonate long after the final notes have faded. From the electric energy of Family Force 5 to the reflective harmonies of Downhere, these groups shaped the soundtracks of many people's lives. Despite disbanding or taking extended breaks, their music continues to inspire, and fans remain hopeful for their return. In this article, the NRT staff explores a few of these beloved bands, remembering the music that moved us and imagining the comebacks we all long to see.
Family Force 5
Family Force 5, also known as FF5, was one of my favorite bands as a teenager. Comprised of three brothers and two of their friends, their musical and lyrical style sets them apart. Depending on the song you're listening to, they could be classified as crunk-rock, pop, dance, or electric. Although their music was not overtly Christian and leaned mainly to the dance/fun side, listening to them was always a great conversation starter because their unique sound would make someone stop and ask, “What am I listening to?”
A few of their standout songs include "Kountry Gentleman," "Fever," and "Love Addict." I saw them live several times, and they knew how to put on a show. In 2009, they released a Christmas album, Family Force 5 Christmas Pageant, and to this day, it's one of my favorite Christmas albums--their rendition of "Carol of the Bells" stands out to me in particular. They've been silent on social media since 2019, but their Instagram bio says, "Good things come to those who wait." I would love to see this band make a comeback one day. - Felicia Holt
Mikeschair
One band I would like to see reunite is the contemporary band Mikeschair. Mikeschair is comprised of Mike Grayson, Nate Onstott, Seth Penn, and Kyle Schonewell. With hit singles such as “Can’t Take Away” and “Let The Waters Rise,” the band soared through the Christian hit charts. They released three studio albums in their short time together. The album A Beautiful Lie was trendy and later nominated for Pop Contemporary Album of the Year at the Dove Awards. If you're looking for a song, check out their hit single "Someone Worth Dying For." They also founded a food collection charity called "MIKESTABLE," along with Food For Hungry. Unfortunately, the band broke up on the rise. Grayson made a new project with his wife, Molly Reed, from City Harbor, to make the act of Grayson Reed. Mikeschair had a lot of early success and could’ve been the next big thing. - Brendan Burke
BarlowGirl
The three BarlowGirl sisters (Lauren, Rebecca, and Alyssa) have been away from music for 12 years (2012). The girls' stance on purity, modesty, self-image, and eating disorders molded the ladies into exceptional role models for young women worldwide. Love, hope, and kindness fueled their battle cry. Four studio albums and a Christmas project were released in five years (2004 to 2009). Their final single was released in 2012, "Hope Will Lead Us On," followed by their retirement as a band to pursue individual interests.
The integrity of the three sisters was inspiring. Their stance on many vital issues girls face in school and public helped hope and love enter the hearts of many teenage girls and young women. As the dad of two preteen girls, I always need solid female voices to model what's of Christ and what’s of this world in the Christian faith.
Now, Lauren (39), Alyssa (42), and Rebecca (45) are still in their prime age to return to their former success as a band. It could be leading a women's conference, speaking at summer festivals, or composing thematic music for movie soundtracks centered on issues women face. Also, I could see them teaming up with other Christian artists, Natalie Grant, Sadie Robertson Huff, Hannah Kerr, or Sarah Reeves, on a tour. The possibilities depend on the most attractive situation to lure someone out of retirement. - Josh Galla
Downhere
What band should reunite? This is the easiest and biggest no-brainer of an answer ever for anyone who knows me and my favorite bands. And it's such a meaningful choice. Even my desire to subvert such obvious expectations of me can't overcome how appropriate this choice is for me. I have other great candidates I could have mentioned, such as rock veterans Whiteheart. But I must go with the one my heart remains most connected with. Downhere was a top-tier band for me during my teenage years.
The unique blend of vocalists Marc Martel and Jason Germain offered a musical dynamic matched by few. Their impeccable blend of fun and reverence, witty turns of phrase, and profound theological meditations is matched by even fewer. They could rock with the best of them, and one song later offered emotional worship worthy of the most reverent liturgies. Any of their releases could compete for album of the year when it came out.
Anything these guys recorded was a shining example of what the Christian music genre could and should be. I had their hit "A Better Way" sung at my wedding. I still return often to their albums, even a decade later.
Downhere was one of the most underrated bands in Christian music history. They spent most of their decade on the national Christian music stage quietly tucked away in the outskirts of the industry, save for a hit or two the average listener might remember. While Marc Martel has achieved ongoing success as a solo artist due to his remarkable vocal similarities to Freddie Mercury, the late lead singer of Queen, Downhere has remained on an extended hiatus.
Jason Germain has stayed in the music industry as a music producer and has even produced some of Martel's solo releases. Glenn Lavender has occasionally played the guitar for different musical projects. It's easy to imagine that most band members could collaborate on a single or a few isolated shows.
It's a short time for Germain to appear in a future Marc Martel recording if only to call back on their Downhere days. Alas, such things seem destined to remain merely a hope for now. But if Downhere taught us nothing else during their run as a band, it's that our hope is rising. And the hope of hearing these gentlemen play together once again will never be one I'll give up on. - J.J. Francesco
All Sons & Daughters
I connected deeply with the music ministry of All Sons & Daughters. I was sad to learn that they had disbanded, and I had a bit of an "emo" reaction. I thought about how many of their songs have positively influenced my mood and have been my go-to moments when I've felt lonely, anxious, and sad; I decided to mention three songs that have been constant companions.
When I sang along with them live at Creation Festival, the minute they started "Wake Up," I couldn't help but stand up in the worship tent and raise my hands in surrender to God. Regarding their song "Oh How I Need You," no matter how you are feeling, you can start your morning with this devotional prayer: "Lord, I find You in the morning/Lord, I seek You every day/Let my life be for Your glory/Woven in your threads of grace/I need You, oh, how I need You."
The third song that has dramatically ministered to me in my darker moments has been "Path of Sorrow." The song is based on the writings of English poet and hymn writer William Cowper: "The path of sorrow, and that path alone, leads to the land where sorrow is unknown. No traveler ever reached that blessed abode, who found not thorns and briars in his road." I cherish and miss your music ministry together, David and Leslie, and thank you immensely for blessing me with your songs. I miss you. Oh, how I need you. - Kevin Davis
FM Static
Many bands have come and gone that I miss often. One band I miss is FM Static, the punk-rock side project from lead vocalist Trevor McNevan of Thousand Foot Krutch (TFK). I grew up as a massive fan of TFK, and they remain one of my favorite bands. So, when I first heard of FM Static in my early teen years, I was very excited to listen to them. As a punk-rock fan, I quickly became a massive fan of them.
I loved the honesty, fun, and real themes Trevor covered that didn't fit TFK or most Christian music. Their third album, Dear Diary, played on repeat during my early teenage years and served as a lifeline as I navigated through life's anxieties and worries.
There have been punk rock bands in the Christian music space, such as Stellar Kart and old-school Hawk Nelson. Artists like Grace Graber are now emerging but still rare and underground. I wish I could hear more of them.
Bands like FM Static had so many fun songs I loved rocking to and many emotional songs that comforted me in hard times and encouraged me to pray honestly to God. There's been such a resurfacing of honest Christian music and alternative sound, and I would love to see FM Static help revive the punk-rock space in Christian music. Although that's unlikely, with even a TFK reunion a hopeful dream now, I still love their music and find their songs connecting with me now more than ever. FM Static, we love you. - Bradden Ford
I Am They
I have adored the band I Am They since I first heard one of their songs. I had high hopes of making it to their final show in Nashville in December 2022, and while I couldn't attend, I’m thankful I saw them live and met them on multiple occasions. One of the million things I love about them is their authenticity and willingness to discuss taboo topics like divorce and struggles. Their music is still my go-to, and I occasionally send their songs to others. I would love to see them come back for a tour, and if I could choose what that looks like, it would be a cross-country tour where I would open for them to do comedy. Hey, a girl can dream. - Janice Henriquez
Mary Mary
It was 1998 when the Prince of Egypt soundtrack came out. Actually, they released three albums to coincide with this momentous occasion. The Gospel soundtrack had a slew of major Gospel and R&B artists on the album. There was a song called, "Let Go, Let God" featuring a relatively new group Tye Tribbett and Greater Anointed, Dave Hollister and Mary Mary. Who were these sisters who were killing it?! The next year, Mary Mary, signed to Columbia Records, released what would be one of the biggest Gospel songs ever, "Shackles." That song crossed over to so many genres and countries including the Hot Dance Singles.
They went on to release their platinum selling debut album, Thankful and the rest was history. Erica’s eventual husband Warryn “Baby Dub” Campbell served as the producer of the majority of that album and subsequent albums. Hit album after hit album, marriages, children and more as time went on. Besides "Shackles", they had songs like "I Can't Give Up Now", "Believer", "Yesterday", "God in Me", "The Real Party (Trevon's Birthday)", "Ordinary People", "Walkin" and so much more! Then, Erica and Tina started releasing their own projects. Occasionally, they will do appearances as Mary Mary and have released a song here and there. Ladies, please do another album and tour--people want this! - Dwayne Lacy
Assembled from the four corners of North America and many other corners in between, the NRTeam comprises staffers whose energy is equally dispersed towards loving and writing about the music they love.
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