The Benjamin Gate quick facts
The Benjamin Gate was a South African Christian rock band formed in 1998 by friends of musician Ben Herbert following his death in a traffic collision. Their name, which was also the name of one of the entrances into the original city of Jerusalem, was chosen as a tribute to him.
History
The Benjamin Gate released two local, independent albums while in South Africa, Spinning Head and comeputyourheadupinmyheart. The band, along with their manager and co-songwriter Marc "Thux" Theodosiou, left Port Elizabeth and came to the United States in 2001 after David Bach at ForeFront Records heard their demo that they had sent to Nashville for mastering.
Many of the songs of comeputyourheadupinmyheart were retooled and re-released on their first major-label album for Forefront Records, ["untitled"]. This album and Contact were critically acclaimed albums. They were nominated for four Dove Awards, produced two No. 1 and one No. 2 singles, and toured the United States and Europe. Their merchandise was easily recognized by their gasmask logo. They had an endorsement contract from Oakley, Inc. This success helped them to be included on three Festival Con Dios tours.
Break-up
The group parted ways in 2003 due to lead singer Adrienne Liesching's engagement to Christian artist Jeremy Camp. It was noted that Liesching felt that with her new family starting, that she could not handle the duties required of her both as a musician and as a wife. Since then, Liesching has married Camp and had two daughters, born in 2004 and 2006, and a son, born in 2011. She has also released two solo albums as "Adie".
Pautz and his wife and children have relocated to South Africa. Balamatsias remained in Nashville playing with various artists until early 2006 when he relocated to South Africa. Volsteedt has also returned to the country.
Marc Theodosiou currently works in the music and technology industries in Nashville, TN.
Band members
- Costa Balamatsias – bass
- Adrienne Liesching – vocals
- Justin Mulder – drums (later replaced by Brett Palmer)
- Brett Palmer – drums (later replaced by Nick Volsteedt)
- Marc "Mac" Pautz – guitar
- Chris Poisat – guitar
- Marc Theodosiou – co-songwriter and manager
Discography
Albums
comeputyourheadupinmyheart
["untitled"]
demographics
Contact
EPs
Spinning Head
Singles
To Get Thru
Parent
Love's Not Love
Trench Prayer
Drown
Draw Water
Thumping Friends
The Healing
Blow My Mind
Heaven Pan II
Rush
Hands
Falling Up
Grow Alive
Secret
All Over Me
Blow My Mind
"How Long" (3:35)
"Scream" (4:28)
"All Over Me" (4:10)
"Heaven" (3:54)
"Lay It Down" (3:19)
"Nightglow" (4:10)
"Blow My Mind" (2:48)
"Halo" (3:35)
"Rush" (5:35)
"Secret" (4:37)
"Hands" (4:18)
"Live Out Loud" (6:37)
"True" (hidden track) (4:12)
To Get Thru
Swoon
Draw Water
Fallin Up
Parent
Olah
Thumping Friends
Give it Up
The Healing
"Lift Me Up" (3:09)
"This Is Not" (2:34)
"The Calling" (2:46)
"Do What You Say" (2:39)
"Overkill" (Colin Hay cover) (3:37)
"Need" (4:55)
"Light" (2:53)
"Your Kisses Blind Me" (4:05)
"Tonight" (3:49)
"Gratitude" (3:05)
"The Way You Are" (3:46)
"Violently" (3:50)
"Fall Away" (2:59)
"The Calling" (alternate version) (3:00)
Band Bloodlines
Follow the musicians who connect The Benjamin Gate to other bands and projects. Confirmed release appearances are included when reliable source evidence is available.
Adrienne Liesching
Brett Palmer
Chris Poisat
Costa Balamatsias
Justin Mulder
Marc Pautz
Nick Volsteedt
References
- ^ Demalon, Tom. "The Benjamin Gate: Biography", Allmusic. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ^ Jeremiah 20:2
- ^ DeBoer, Terry (8 December 2001). "Christian group soaring as songs climb charts", The Grand Rapids Press, p. A10.
- ^ Thorne, Evan (22 November 2002). "Benjamin Gate make catchy, fun pop on 'Contact'", Daily Herald, p. 6.
Source: Wikipedia


