Sanctus Real: Америкалық христиан рок тобының тарихы

American Christian rock band

Sanctus Real is an American Christian rock band formed in Toledo, Ohio, in 1996. The group is composed of Chris Rohman (lead guitar), Mark Graalman (drums), and Dustin Lolli (lead vocals). The band is best known for their number one singles "Lead Me", "Forgiven", "Whatever You're Doing", "I'm Not Alright", "Don't Give Up", "We Need Each Other", "Everything About You", and "The Fight Song". Since 2002, they have released five albums through the Sparrow Records label, an independent EP This Is Love, and "Changed" (April 27, 2018) on Framework Records. On July 1, 2015, lead singer and co founder, Matt Hammitt, announced that he was leaving the band, which would take effect by the end of 2015. Dustin Lolli joined the band as lead singer shortly thereafter. Sanctus Real was formed in 1996, and the band released three independent albums over five years. After signing with Sparrow Records in 2002, the group released their major label debut, Say It Loud, at the end of the year. In June 2004 it was followed by Fight the Tide, which garnered a GMA Dove Award win in 2005, and two singles that charted at number 1 on Christian radio, according to R&R magazine. The band's third album, The Face of Love, was released in April 2006. The single "I'm Not Alright" received a GMA Dove Award nomination in 2007. Their fourth album, We Need Each Other (2008), was recorded in late 2007 and released in February. It received a Grammy Award nomination and spawned the single "We Need Each Other". Sanctus Real released their fifth studio album in March 2010, titled Pieces of a Real Heart also receiving a Grammy nomination with Christian Billboard chart topping hits "Lead Me" and "Forgiven". The band's music incorporates a modern alternative rock style, and has evolved from power pop to a more melodic and guitar driven sound.

In 1996, lead singer and guitarist Matt Hammitt met guitarist Chris Rohman when they were both tenth graders attending Toledo Christian School in Ohio. They led youth worship at their school and church, and began writing their own music that year. The group performed their first concert for several friends in the back of a warehouse in December 1996. They released a six track demo tape in August 1997, and a five track EP titled All This Talk of Aliens in January 1998. They recorded three songs with producer Skidd Mills in Memphis, Tennessee, and after winning a local radio contest, decided to record an entire independent album with Mills. It was completed in 2000 under the title Nothing to Lose, and the band attended 2001's Gospel Music Week in Nashville to distribute copies of the project. Sanctus Real's major label debut, Say It Loud, was then released in December 2002, through Sparrow Records. The album was produced by former Grammatrain lead vocalist Pete Stewart. Sanctus Real began touring again in February 2003 as a guest band on the See Spot Rock Tour, with Relient K, the O. C. Supertones, Pillar and John Reuben.

The band recorded a cover of U2's song, "Beautiful Day", for the compilation album In the Name of Love: Artists United for Africa, which was released at the beginning of 2004. The track reached number 1 on R&R magazine's Christian rock chart in 2004, becoming their first chart topping single. "Beautiful Day" also received a GMA Dove Award nomination for Modern Rock Song of the Year in 2004. The band also did a cover of the song "Promised Land" for the 2004 album Veggie Rocks. In February 2004, the band went back in studio to record their second album; almost all of its tracks were written the previous month. It was recorded in six weeks with producer Tedd T, The lead single "Everything About You" was released in mid 2004, and by September it had stayed at number 1 on R&Rs Christian rock chart for six consecutive weeks. In September 2004, Sanctus Real launched their first headlining tour, the Fight the Tide Tour. Released near the beginning of the year, "The Fight Song" was Sanctus Real's next single, and in May 2005 it reached the top of R&Rs Christian rock chart, becoming the band's third number 1 song. In April 2005, bass player Steve Goodrum left the band and was replaced by Dan Gartley, a previous touring member of Relient K. Gartley played his first concert with Sanctus Real at the Agape Festival in May 2005. The album's first single was "I'm Not Alright" became a number 1 song on Christian contemporary hit radio (CHR), as reported by R&R magazine. It was also the third most played song of 2006 on Christian radio formats. Following the album's release, Pete Prevost became the fifth member of Sanctus Real as an additional guitarist. At the end of 2006 they were named the most played artist of the year on R&R's Christian CHR chart. The title track "The Face of Love" was also a radio single. Sanctus Real launched another headlining tour in April 2007, The Face of Love tour, featuring Needtobreathe and This Beautiful Republic.

In August 2007, Sanctus Real returned to the studio to record a fourth album, which was complete by the end of the year. In November 2007, the album was originally slated for release under the title Turn on the Lights, the name of a track on the album. It was later changed to We Need Each Other, and was released in February 2008, through Sparrow Records. The title track "We Need Each Other" was released earlier as the album's lead single in November 2007. The song stayed number 1 on R&R's Christian CHR chart for five consecutive weeks by February 2008, and it was 2008's eighth most played song of the year in the same format. During early to mid 2008, Sanctus Real guest starred on Third Day's headlining tour, and also appeared on an episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Two more singles from We Need Each Other were additionally released: "Whatever You're Doing (Something Heavenly)" in early 2008, and "Turn On the Lights" in August 2008. Later in the year, the band launched their own two month We Need Each Other Tour in the United States, passing through 16 states and over 30 cities. In 2009, We Need Each Other received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album.

In mid November 2009, Matt Hammitt announced on Twitter that Sanctus Real had finished recording their fifth album. The first radio single was titled "Forgiven", and peaked at No. 6 on the Hot Christian Songs chart. On December 2, 2009, the band announced on Twitter and Facebook that they narrowed the final album name down to two options: A Million Hearts and Pieces of a Real Heart, and held a public vote for one hour. Shortly after, it was confirmed that the title Pieces of a Real Heart would be chosen. The album was released on March 9, 2010, via Sparrow Records.

The sixth studio album by the band was released on February 5, 2013, which was called Run, with the lead single "Promises". Shortly after the album's release, both Dan Gartley and Pete Prevost departed the band.

Soon after Jake Rye and Seth Huff replaced Gartley and Prevost. The seventh studio album by the band, The Dream, was released on September 16, 2014. The first video from the album, "Lay It Down", was released to YouTube June 24, 2014. The second lyric video, titled 'Same God', was released by the band on YouTube on October 21, 2014. On July 1, 2015, it was made clear that Matt Hammitt, who founded the band, was leaving in December after 19 years with the group.

The Best of Sanctus Real was released on October 9, 2015, via the Capitol Christian record label. It includes a selection of fourteen songs spanning the band's previous seven albums and one new song written specifically for the release. It was announced earlier in year that this would be the final project with the band for lead singer, Matt Hammitt.

The band changed their lead vocalist to Dustin Lolli on 26 January 2016, with the first release being an extended play, This Is Love, that was released on February 5, 2016, by the band themselves. On June 16, 2017, they released their first radio single with Lolli, "Safe In My Father's Arms". Changed was released April 27, 2018 on Framework Records, in partnership with Provident Distribution and Essential Music Publishing. The album was met with positive reviews. In August 2018 they signed with Fair Trade Services. The third single from Changed, "Confidence", cracked the top 10 on the Nielsen AC Monitored charts at radio, and was as high as No. 2 on AC indicator.

In April and May 2010, Sanctus Real debuted the complete new album Pieces of a Real Heart while headlining the UNITED Spring 2010 Tour. Joining them on this 25 city nationwide tour was visionary and speaker David Nasser along with fellow artists Jonny Diaz and MIKESCHAIR. Sanctus Real announced they would be touring with Winter Jam 2012 on the eastern side of the United States. During their 2012 tour, their tour bus burned to the ground. Sanctus posted a photo on their Facebook page on June 3, adding all people got off the bus, but their personal belongings were lost. Sanctus Real began The Run Tour in September 2013 and finished in November 2013.

Sanctus Real's main genre is typically labeled as Christian rock and alternative CCM. Their second release, Fight the Tide, was described as "melodic power rock" with similarities to Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World, Switchfoot, U2, and PFR. The band's music on The Face of Love blended the styles from their previous two albums, evolving into less of a heavier rock sound.