Altar Boys - No Substitute

The Altar Boys have a new Kickstarter campaign up to finish an album first started in 1991 called No Substitute. Back then Mike Stand recorded vocals and guitar but ultimately the project was shelved. Fast forward to today the recordings have been resurrected and the guys are going into the studio to finish this album.

The album is supposed to be a throwback to GLM and Against The Grain instead of the direction they went with Forever Mercy.

I'm stoked. I've already backed this project and can't wait until the CD is in my hands later this year.


https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2113730376/lets-finish-and-release-the-altar-boys-no-substitu

I'd get on board with that!  I was late to the party with the Altar Boys, but I'd love to hear some new stuff by them. I'm in!

Altar Boys is my all-time favorite band!

A brand-new album of 25-year-old material...

At first I though this was a very bad April Fool's gag

bodachi wrote:A brand-new album of 25-year-old material...

At first I though this was a very bad April Fool's gag

It doesn't get any more retro than that!

BUMP

They still have 12 days to raise a little over 3 grand.

I don't do kickstarter but i'll check out new stuff by them.

Kickstarter goal achieved!

Great news!  Another album from a classic band to look forward to this year!  First Stryper, then Bride, then Sacred Warrior, Sardonyx, then the Altar Boys, and soon an announcement by Rose.

If we could get Bloodgood, Saint, Whitecross, Novella, Petra, Whiteheart, Rachel Rachel, Crystavox, Barren Cross, Neon Cross, Fighter, Arsenal, Ransom, Legend Seven, X-Sinner, and Red Sea to all do new records this year, then I would just die from excitement.  LOL

I’d be down for a new Altar Boys record. I had GLM and Against The Grain on cassette tapes back in the day.

Only 55 hours to go!

Been waiting for the CD to show up at my door. Have they sent out the links for the downloads?

Listening now. Recording sounds wonderful! Glad they could use Mike's old vocal tracks. Sounds 100% like the classic material.

bjorn agin wrote:Been waiting for the CD to show up at my door. Have they sent out the links for the downloads?

Yes!  I have it downloaded now but haven't listened to it yet.  I also bought a CD of "Against The Grain" and am playing that now.

The CDs should be available in the next couple of weeks.

I got the download code in my email and just downloaded it. What little I've heard so far might take a couple listens to grow on me but it sounds good so far.

While this material was written and demoed in 1992, it was recorded in the past year and it sounds fresh with good production.

You know, the interesting thing about this album is that Mike Stand felt that Against The Grain and especially Forever Mercy was a departure from Gut Level Music, and that No Substitute is a return to GLM.

I agree that Forever Mercy was quite a departure in their style, but I've always thought Against The Grain was more of a continuation of the GLM style with some of songs delving into new styles. To me what I've heard of No Substitute so far feels an album that feels like it belongs as the next album in their catalog right after Against The Grain.  I'm only 4 tracks into it so far, but I haven't heard much in the way of fast/heavy punk songs. These seem more mid-tempo rock so far.

But, what I have heard I like.

This is my favourite Altar Boys album, love it.

October 12th is the CD release date for No Substitute.

I agree with Bjorn again. Definitely has a more Against the Grain/Forever Mercy feel but without the punk tracks from ATG. Against The Grain actually had some really aggressive tracks with Heart Lost In Nowhere, the title track, and Shout Louder. Unfortunately the build up had me expecting some punk energy and now I'm dealing with those expectations. 

That said, taken for what it is, the songwriting is great, solid from beginning to end. It's consistent. Mike's vocals have that harder edge back and the mix puts the guitarwork further out front. Definitely going to have this sink in for a bit to absorb before I can settle on a solid opinion.

I love this record! So glad Mike and the boys were able to make it a reality.

I keep listening to this. It's wonderful! The songs are just so good! Crazy that this was sitting around waiting all these years! I actually think this may be their best written album. Every song is great. 

Mike said they spent over 300 hours working on this and it shows (perfect production, nailing their sound, full and complete) but the fact this was already written is crazy to me. I can't imagine what they thought when they heard how good these songs were after letting them sit undone for so long.

The other thing I keep thinking is how odd it is that this is from 92. They would have put this out in 93 on the cusp of Green Day's massive breakthrough and punk's huge turn into the mainstream. Would have been interesting to see how that would have played out.

Frozen Fire wrote:The other thing I keep thinking is how odd it is that this is from 92. They would have put this out in 93 on the cusp of Green Day's massive breakthrough and punk's huge turn into the mainstream. Would have been interesting to see how that would have played out.

It might have, but I think the label they were on might have been a factor. Forever Mercy was released on Alarma. In 93 we saw the Frontline associated labels falling by the wayside and labels like Tooth and Nail starting up. Maybe if they released No Substitute on Tooth and Nail it might have gotten some exposure. Then again, there were plenty of acts on that label that released one or two albums and were never heard from again. So...

bjorn agin wrote:

Frozen Fire wrote:The other thing I keep thinking is how odd it is that this is from 92. They would have put this out in 93 on the cusp of Green Day's massive breakthrough and punk's huge turn into the mainstream. Would have been interesting to see how that would have played out.

It might have, but I think the label they were on might have been a factor. Forever Mercy was released on Alarma. In 93 we saw the Frontline associated labels falling by the wayside and labels like Tooth and Nail starting up. Maybe if they released No Substitute on Tooth and Nail it might have gotten some exposure. Then again, there were plenty of acts on that label that released one or two albums and were never heard from again. So...

If it had been released on T&N they might have appealed to the old-school crowd as an established band AND the new-school punk crowd, kind of like what Living Sacrifice did with the metal/metalcore fans.

I must have this.
I saw them perform around 1988