In early 1984 a buzz began floating around Christian New Music circles in southern California about a new band that wasn't in the usual CCM or Maranantha! pipeline. Pushing infectious rhythms and melodies with insighful and honest lyrics, these four young men from Arcadia, California were known as 441 and were about to turn heads from outside the "Orange Curtain".

After two albums (a third was recorded by two of the members later) and a whirlwind of grass-roots enthusiasm, 441 left the strange christian music scene, hopefully a bit better than they found it.

This site is dedicated to covering this brief but rich experience for the band and its loyal listeners.

4-4-1 (also written as "441") are an alternative-pop Christian rock band who played primarily in the 1980’s. 4-4-1 consisted of lead singer/guitarist John McNamara, drummer Steve Giali, lead guitarist John Giali and bassist/keyboardist Glenn Holland.

Formed in 1983, 4-4-1 discovered their blend of catchy beats and melodies capped with insightful lyrics in Glenn’s parents’ garage in Arcadia, California, the hometown of all four members.

The band recorded their first demo tape of four songs (Judgment Game, Love’s Irony, Mom & Dad and Break Out) in the garage and sent it to youth pastors around southern California. Randy Ziegler, who ran the very popular concert series at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, responded with enthusiasm and immediately met with the band and set in motion high-profile concerts as well as discussions with record labels.

4-4-1’s first performances were as an opening act for a standing-room-only shows for Benny Hester and Undercover and the band was met with great enthusiasm from the crowds.

The band completed their first record under the new label Royal Commandment (later to be named Blue Collar Records) and released it in early November, 1984. Both the song “Break Out” and the self-titled album debuted at the top position on so-cal CCM radio station KYMS, a first for any act and topping the hugely successful new release by U2, “The Unforgettable Fire” and their legendary hit “Pride (In the Name of Love).”

“4-4-1” stayed in the top 40 for several months and the band was named 1984’s “Best New Band” in the KYMS listener music awards.

The band completed their second album, “Mourning Into Dancing” in the summer of 1985. Produced by Dino and John Elefante of Kansas fame, the disc showed a more mature sound and consistently stronger songwriting.

Joined by groups Undercover and Adam Again, the newly renamed Blue Collar Records aggressively promoted their trifecta of bands and “Mourning Into Dancing” debuted on the CCM Magazine top 40 sales chart and the title track rose to number two on the national rock charts.

4-4-1 toured extensively off the success of their two hit records, playing energetic sets at the Icthus and Cornerstone festivals in 1986.

Blue Collar Records declared bankruptcy in 1987 based on non-payment of record sales from its distributor and 4-4-1 consequently chose to end their run as a group.

John McNamara and Glenn Holland, the songwriters for the band, reformed after the breakup to continue writing and, with the consent of the other members, released a third 4-4-1 album, “Sacrifice,” on Broken Records in 1988. Produced with Gene Eugene of Adam Again, the project was a departure, with more a introspective and moody feel, largely based on the duo’s strange experiences in the world of Christian music.

4-4-1 “proper” reformed in the early nineties for several concerts and performed their last gig on July 4, 1993.

Recently, the group has once again begun to play some concerts in southern California, most notably on August 19, 2005 with Undercover, The Choir, The Altar Boys and Crumbacher.