Sons of Korah are an Australian Christian band founded in 1994 in Geelong. The band's name references the Old Testament family of that name. The group put
Psalms
The Book of Psalms ( or ; he, תְּהִלִּים, , lit. "praises"), also known as the Psalms, or the Psalter, is the first book of the ("Writings"), the third section of the Tanakh, and a book of the Old Testament. The title is derived ...
to music, using them as lyrics, almost verbatim. As of 2014, the band has interpreted over 50 of the 150 Psalms into songs. Founding mainstay, Matthew Jacoby (lead vocals, guitar) explained, "the psalms are important today because we tend to romanticise spirituality a lot and these songs present biblical spirituality in its original form, very real and yet present in such stunning poetic form. It is a perfect blend of spiritual realism with aesthetic and artistic integrity."
History
Sons of Korah were formed in 1994 while founding members Matthew Jacoby, Jason Coghill and Rod Gear attended the
Reformed Theological College
The Reformed Theological College (RTC) is the theological college supported by the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia, the Reformed Churches of New Zealand, and the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Australia. It is located in the Melbou ...
in Geelong. In 1996 the band recorded their first album ''Hand to the Plough''. After this release, Coghill left the band, however he returned briefly to help record their second album, ''Light of Life'' in 1998, which was issued via Mustard Records. It was recorded live-in-the-studio on analogue reel-to-reel. Karen and Paul Gallagher of ''EvangelNow!'' (The Online magazine of the Assemblies of God in Australia) observed, "There is a warm, folk feel to this album that both stirs and soothes the soul. Encouraging listening."
As a solo artist, Coghill continued to record music based on the Psalms. ''Redemption Songs'', Sons of Korah's third album, was released in November 2000. For that album the line-up was Coghill on backing vocals; Gear on double bass, bass guitar, lead guitar, piano, solo nylon guitar, backing vocals and cello; Jacoby on lead vocals and guitar; together with Richard Beechey on drums and percussion; and Marcus Hayden on backing vocals.
2001 saw the release of a box set of their recorded albums. The box set included a re-recorded EP version of their first album ''Hand to the Plough''. In 2002 Hayden left the band to pursue a solo career. Jayden Lee joined in 2004 and helped write many of the songs for their next album, ''Resurrection''. Gear did not participate in its or the subsequent tour, while he worked on his solo album. Lee left the band in 2008 and moved to the United States.
Mike McCarthy
Michael John McCarthy (born November 10, 1963) is an American football coach who is the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). From 2006 to 2018, he was the head coach of the Green Bay Packers. In 2011, he led t ...
then joined as the group's lead guitarist. Gear also returned to the band after recording his solo album, ''Barak''. After appearing on ''Ressurrection'' and ''Rain'' as a backing vocalist, Ann-Maree Keefe joined Sons of Korah on tour and often opened their concerts as a solo artist.
''Rain'', their sixth album, was released in 2008. Justin Michael for ''Sight Magazine'' commented on the "amount of light and shade" in the album, while William Chong called it "An enthralling musical journey through some of the Bible's most enduring psalms." '' Cross Rhythms'' Andrew Coe rated it at 9-out-of-10, and explained, "Using the words of the psalms pretty much as they are, rather than simply as an inspiration, is a bold move and really focuses the listener on the Scripture. ''Rain'' is a beautiful album which will have you reaching for your Bible." Bruce Walker joined the band after the release of ''Rain'', replacing McCarthy as the group's lead guitarist. In May 2008 four of their albums were listed in the top 10 sold for a week by American retail chain's
Family Christian Stores
Family Christian (formerly called Zondervan Book Store, Family Book Stores, and Family Christian Stores) headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan is a Christian themed web retailer.
The band's next album ''Wait'' was released in 2011 and they appeared on ABC
Radio National
Radio National, known on-air as RN, is an Australia-wide public service broadcasting radio network run by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). From 1947 until 1985, the network was known as ABC Radio 2.
History
1937: Predecessors a ...
's ''The Rhythm Divine'' promoting it. On a few occasions past members of the band have had a chance to join again on stage. In 2012, Hayden played a few songs at a concert in Melbourne. Lee also played with the band again while they toured the United States in 2013. ''Refuge'' was released in 2014. In 2016 Anna Waters replaced Keefe as backing vocalist while Keefe pursued a solo career. ''Fractures'' is their newest album released in February 2017. Sons of Korah regularly toured Australia, appearing at Christian festivals:
Easterfest
Easterfest (previously known as the Australian Gospel Music Festival) was an annual three-day music festival held in Toowoomba
Toowoomba ( , nicknamed 'The Garden City' and 'T-Bar') is a city in the Toowoomba Region of the Darling Downs, Qu ...
and Black Stump. They also toured the United Kingdom, The Netherlands and the United States. In the UK they performed on BBC Radio York shows to support their tours.
Members
* Jason Coghill – drums, backing vocals
* Rod Gear –
double bass
The double bass (), also known simply as the bass () (or by other names), is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed (or plucked) string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra (excluding unorthodox additions such as the octobass). Similar i ...
cello
The cello ( ; plural ''celli'' or ''cellos'') or violoncello ( ; ) is a bowed (sometimes plucked and occasionally hit) string instrument of the violin family. Its four strings are usually tuned in perfect fifths: from low to high, C2, G ...
, keyboards, piano
* Matthew Jacoby – lead vocals, guitar, backing vocals
* Richard Beechey – drums, percussion
* Marcus Hayden – backing vocals
* Mike Avery –
acoustic bass guitar
The acoustic bass guitar (sometimes shortened to acoustic bass or initialized ABG) is a bass instrument with a hollow wooden body similar to, though usually larger than a steel-string acoustic guitar. Like the traditional electric bass guitar ...
sound design
Sound design is the art and practice of creating sound tracks for a variety of needs. It involves specifying, acquiring or creating auditory elements using audio production techniques and tools. It is employed in a variety of disciplines including ...
piano accordion
A piano accordion is an accordion equipped with a right-hand keyboard similar to a piano or organ. Its acoustic mechanism is more that of an organ than a piano, as they are both aerophones, but the term "piano accordion"—coined by Guido Deiro ...
,
resonator guitar
A resonator guitar or resophonic guitar is an acoustic guitar that produces sound by conducting string vibrations through the bridge to one or more spun metal cones (resonators), instead of to the guitar's sounding board (top). Resonator guit ...
, backing vocals, lead vocals
* Rod Wilson – drums, percussion
*
Mike McCarthy
Michael John McCarthy (born November 10, 1963) is an American football coach who is the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). From 2006 to 2018, he was the head coach of the Green Bay Packers. In 2011, he led t ...