The Children
Darker
1987 (no label)
Costa Mesa, California, USA
Michael J. Pritzl – Voice, guitar, bass “Closer,” backing voice
Jerry Andrews – Lead guitar, keyboards, backing voice
Mark Huges – Bass
Tom Dunne – Live drums
Michael Misiuk – Studio drums
- Violet
- Palaces
- Closer
- Like a Hurricane
A rare historical find here – The Children is the band where Michael Pritzl (Violet Burning) and Michael Musik (Acoustic Shack) got their start. I have heard mp3s of this release, but didn’t know there was a cover to it. Pretty cool to see. The song “Violet” made it onto the Violet Burning’s Closer (but not the song “Closer” it seems), but I think the rest are only on here. You can hear an early sound of Violet Burning here, but maybe a bit more gothic in places. But also some influence of early southern California Christian alt-rock bands like the Altar Boys and Lifesavors. It also seems that Jerry Andrews continued on after The Children, as two of his songs were played on the New Generation Radio Show by Jeani Bond back in the day. Before this tape, they recorded a demo called The Killing in 1986. They also have a two-song demo from 1987 as well, but I don’t know which one was recorded first. A slightly different version of “Violet” appears on that demo as well.
Christian Tape Underground 