Kindekrist
Encyclopedia
Formed in 1970, Kindekrist was Australia's first Christian rock band. The band brought together musicians from different musical styles - folk, country-rock, classical, pop and rock - and theological traditions (Lutheran, Presbyterian and Methodist). The band's name derived from the German for "Children of Christ", reflecting the Lutheran roots of the lead singer.
Kindekrist's music reflected both a concern for issues of social justice
as well as expressing more spiritual and religious themes. In this, it paralleled the themes of the contemporary US Jesus Movement
, which itself spawned the development of Jesus Music
that later evolved into Contemporary Christian Music
. Two of the band's members, Robin Mann and John Pryzibilla, were arrested during Australian protests against the Vietnam War
, while the band's first drummer, Rev Rod Jepsen, was a leader of the Anti-Apartheid campaign against the 1971 Springbok Rugby Tour of Australia.
With membership changing over the two decades of the band's life, the core performer and composer was Robin Mann. Many of his songs were subsequently included in congregational hymn collections in Australia, the UK, US and elsewhere.
Father Songs (EMI custom pressing) 1974
Even Stones Can Sing (Good God) 1977 - Tape Cassette only
Carry Me Home (Move) 1979
None of Kindekrist's recordings are listed in current catalogues, although some appear on auction sites occasionally. Archive copies are stored in the State Library of South Australia.
Kindekrist's music reflected both a concern for issues of social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
as well as expressing more spiritual and religious themes. In this, it paralleled the themes of the contemporary US Jesus Movement
Jesus movement
The Jesus movement was a movement in Christianity beginning on the West Coast of the United States in the late 1960s and early 1970s and spreading primarily through North America and Europe, before dying out by the early 1980s. It was the major Christian element within the hippie counterculture,...
, which itself spawned the development of Jesus Music
Jesus music
Jesus music, known as gospel beat music in the United Kingdom, is a style of Christian music which originated on the West Coast of the United States in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This musical genre developed in parallel to the Jesus movement...
that later evolved into Contemporary Christian Music
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
. Two of the band's members, Robin Mann and John Pryzibilla, were arrested during Australian protests against the Vietnam War
Opposition to the Vietnam War
The movement against US involvment in the in Vietnam War began in the United States with demonstrations in 1964 and grew in strength in later years. The US became polarized between those who advocated continued involvement in Vietnam, and those who wanted peace. Peace movements consisted largely of...
, while the band's first drummer, Rev Rod Jepsen, was a leader of the Anti-Apartheid campaign against the 1971 Springbok Rugby Tour of Australia.
With membership changing over the two decades of the band's life, the core performer and composer was Robin Mann. Many of his songs were subsequently included in congregational hymn collections in Australia, the UK, US and elsewhere.
Discography
Commonplace Forms (Edition One) 1973Father Songs (EMI custom pressing) 1974
Even Stones Can Sing (Good God) 1977 - Tape Cassette only
Carry Me Home (Move) 1979
None of Kindekrist's recordings are listed in current catalogues, although some appear on auction sites occasionally. Archive copies are stored in the State Library of South Australia.