Born Roland Stephen Taylor on December 9, 1957, Steve Taylor grew up to become one of the most intelligent, energetic, humorous, and outspoken artists in the music industry. A Christian who isn't afraid to criticize or mock Christianity (when due), he has also become one of the most incindiery and controversial musicians the world has ever seen, earning a good dose of character assassination in a book by Jimmy Swaggart, and even having a major portion of a tour cancelled due to his controversial lyrics.
Even his primary influences are unorthodox for a Christian singer. He writes, "When I picked up the Clash's 'London Calling' it all finally made sense. Musically, that album saved my life. It had raw passion, it had lyrics that were a slap across the face, it had everything but hope. The Clash saw the problems of the world with startling clarity, they just weren't offering much in the way of solutions. To sum it up, I'd found my mission".
Why is he so controversial? Just listen to songs like "I Want To Be A Clone", "I Blew Up The Clinic Real Good", "Lifeboat", "Jesus Is For Losers", or "Easy Listening" and you'll know.
He says, "Probably the thing that drew me towards writing the kind of songs that I do is because I think you have to engage people's minds, as well as their emotions, in an effective presentation of Christianity, and it's very hard to do that. Much of modern Christian songwriting does a really good job of engaging the emotions, but doesn't do a very good job of engaging the mind. Probably some of the satire and word play in the songs that I write is a result of feeling that that's an important element of it all."
Taylor was also a member of the all-too-short-lived band Chagall Guevara (their name taken from artist Marc Chagall and freedom-fighter Che Guevara. Hmmm...perhaps a statement about artistic freedom?) which, though comprised of Christian recording artists, recorded for a mainstream audience on the MCA label. Their only album received rave reviews in publications such as Rolling Stone, but due to lacking promotion on MCA's part, sold poorly. Never being given a second printing, the CD is now widely-sought, but difficult to find. Chagall Guevara toured the U.K. in 1992 as the opening act for Squeeze.
Speaking of touring, his concerts are known to be a little wild. Regarding his last tour, Steve says, "It was a pretty physical tour. You can hear it in the recording (The "Liver" CD), especially the parts where my voice goes in and out from thrashing around. I came home with plenty of souvenirs: a cracked rib in Colorado Springs, a bloody nose in Lancaster, cuts and bruises virtually every night. In Houston, while doing the obligatory cartwheel, I somehow kicked the tuning peg right off of Wade Jaynes` bass, It was a perfect, clean break, and it just sailed across the hall over the heads of the audience. The guys in the band quickly learned when to duck and where to dodge, but I think the nights with smaller stages made everyone a little edgy. And of course, audiences now are much more physical too, as far as moshing in the pit. Its actually a lot more fun playing live these days than it was ten years ago. It seems like the wall between stage and audience is a lot thinner these days."
Having become disillusioned with the constraints imposed by both mainstream and Christian recording labels, Steve has only recorded one solo studio album in the last decade. He says, "The music business needs to undergo a radial re-alignment...Record companies have too much power and artists get treated like indentured servants." Oh this is a fan-site. In 1997, Taylor formed his own record label, "Squint", so that he, and the bands which sign with the label, can record without being stifled by the difficulties he's had in dealing with other labels. One band that signed, Burlap To Cashmere, was courted by many major record labels, but were refused when they refused to tone down the Christianity in their lyrics. Squint was about the only label that would give them mainstream exposure without constraining their lyrical integrity. Sadly, the label was disbanded in September 2001.
In the last several years, Steve has taken to writing and producing for artists such as Phil & John (folk), Guardian (heavy metal), The Newsboys (pop-rock), and Sixpence None The Richer (alternative). Squint has already released CDs by Sixpence NTR, Burlap to Cashmere (folk-rock), The Insyderz (ska), Waterdeep (light rock), and Chevelle (hard rock).
Taylor says, "My generation didn't listen to politicians or sports heroes. We got our world view, for better or worse, from our music. The trick was discovering how to communicate my Christian world view in a medium that mattered."
He also says, "It is probably true that I've written songs in the past, sort of cautionary tales and they were cautioning myself as well as the listener. I suppose I've set my markers on life's path as far as different songs to nail down a stake in the ground to, 'Don't cross off into that direction because you wrote songs like that and you're going to look like an idiot if you do.' The fear of embarrassment can be very potent."
Guys, I don't think this is actually Steve Taylor's page. I think it's a site run by a fan, and there's nothing wrong with that. But when you comment here, don't think it's getting to Steve.
Perhaps the greatest testament to Steve's controversial material was when I read about his "new" release "I Predict 1990" in CCM magazine and went to my local Bible Bookstore to buy it.
The clerk saw me perusing the titles and not finding what I was looking for, and when he asked, "Can I help you?" and learned what I was seeking out, he suddenly took on the demeanor of someone selling something illicit, and whispered "back here...I keep those behind the counter." As he was ringing me up, a regular wandered into the store and asked about the title. The clerk just took my money and shoved it at me, telling the other guy "You don't want to know..." haha!
Its very rare for any artist to inspire that kind of resonse, through his vision and honesty. That's why I've been a fan some 20+ years.
Thanks for the add. Glad we're friends now. Let us know if you'd like to use any of our songs. We have a great Palm Sunday song, Help Me Hold On. Take a listen at our site and let us know if you decide to use it. I'm sure you'd make the song sound great. May God continue to bless you. Take care, Dale / Pathways.
I want to thank you for writing "I Just Want To Know", one of my all-time favorite songs (second favorite, acutally, though first for two decades). This song has been a good standard for me to live by. (I also like a lot of your other songs as well.)
I mentioned you in my latest blog on people I'm thankful for.
We also have a couple of mutual friends: Gary and Amy Wixtrom and Randy and Andrea Robinson (I think you and the Chagall Gueverre crowd helped with her project).
During This Month Of Thanksgiving, I just want to say that you are a blessing in your commitment to share the Gospel. May you and your family be protected by the hand of God.
Steve, whenever you read this, know that I popped by, and sincerely loved hearing the songs and reading you bio... Your honesty, humor and musicality is indeed refreshing, my friend. See you soon, I hear;)
your music is amazing, i wish there would be more to come, and i still hope someday there will be!! i have been a listener since i was born (so almost 21 years now) and you are still one of my favorite artists. your music is so passionate and inspiring. i cant even describe the feeling i get from hearing it all.
Online Now!
