Pool Of Sound - The Christians

The Christians

Growing up in Tuebrook, Liverpool, Dennis and Roger Christian first started gigging locally in a group called 'The Gems' and were eventually joined by younger brother Garry who stood in for a band member who was ill. Three out of thirteen children, they all had a passion for music and the family would often sing together at home. Garry listened to 'The Mills Brothers' and other artists records on records that he used to steal from his brothers and sisters collections as well as his parents, Ted and Aida although he has said he was mostly inspired by Ray Charles and John Lennon.
Garry said: "We loved entertainment at home and there were four of us brothers who used to pretend to be 'The Four Tops'. We had a great time but I really wanted to be able to go out there like my brothers who were performing in front of actual audiences. I thought it was amazing and I really wanted to be there with them." Some of the brothers did some backing vocals for a band called 'Its Immaterial', and that was when they met Henry Priestman. It was on their way out of the studio that Henry shouted down the stairs that he had a song he wanted Garry to have a listen to, which he did and liked it. Garry phoned him up and said ‘let’s get together and work on a few things’, so they recorded four tracks on cassette tapes and sent them off to some record labels. They weren't expecting anyone to contact them, but one came back and it was 'Island Records'. They would go on to have the highest selling debut album of any artist at Island Records.
It was in 1985 then that 'The Christians' were formed, the three brothers together with Henry Christian Priestman who was born in Kingston upon Hull but was brought up in Liverpool. So no religious connotations at all in the band name.
The original line-up was Garry on lead vocals, Roger as instrumentalist and vocals, Russell on keyboards, saxophone and vocals and Henry on keyboards, guitar and vocals. Paul Barlow on drums, Mike Bulger on guitar and vocals and Tony Jones on bass were also early members

Debut Album

 During the peak of their success they were renowned for the strong messages and morals in their songs.  During their rise to fame the Liverpool based band packed out international and UK stadiums and developed a reputation for being 'socially aware' and, unsurprisingly, comparisons were drawn to 'The Temptations' due to the depth, range and warmth of the brothers' vocal harmonies. In fact the 'In Rock: The Rough Guide' critic Charles Bottomley, described them as 'The Temptations' in ripped jeans, producing gritty-centred songs in a sugary vocal shell", and the Daily Mirror described Garry as having "one of the finest voices in pop."
Their first five singles all made the Top 40 in the UK and their debut album 'The Christians' in 1987 entered the UK Album charts at No.2, eventually selling over a million copies. The single 'Ideal World' from this album reached No.14 in the UK singles charts.
Their cover, in 1988, of 'The Isley Brothers' song 'Harvest for the World', with all proceeds going to charity, was a top ten hit and their sixth consecutive British Top 40 hit. Many will also recall major singles of the time like 'Forgotten Town', and 'Born Again'.
1989 saw another charity single success when they contributed to a reworking of 'Ferry Cross the Mersey' with Sir Paul McCartney to raise money for victims of the Hillsborough disaster. Garry recalls "That was a memorable time for me, not only because it was a privilege to be involved in such an important project but also because we got to meet Paul McCartney. We heard him in the other room asking Pete Waterman if he could meet us. We couldn't believe it. He actually wanted to meet us. That was a real high point."

In 1990 their second album 'Colour' reached No.1 in the UK Albums Chart and gave them an international hit with 'Words'.
In 1992, their following LP 'Happy In Hell' went to No.18 in the UK Album Charts with the band continuing to tour. 1993 saw the release of a greatest hits album 'The Best Of The Christians' which reached No.22 in the charts.

They recorded together on and off for many years, having a break when Garry lived in Paris for five years, where he recorded a solo album 'Your Cool Mystery', effectively breaking up the band, although no formal announcement was made.

The original line-up has changed with Garry now the only founding member but he is playing with Joey Ankrah the son of Joey, founder member of 1960s band 'The Chants'

see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2019/11/pool-of-sound-carcass.html