Band Appreciation: Third Day

After the 80s came to a close and "grunge" began to erode the fabrics of good rock music, there were a few bands here and there that came out and proved there was still hope for Great Rock n Roll music.

One such band was Third Day.
I first seen the video "Consuming Fire" on a video compilation back in 1996/97. This was when I knew we had a true rock n roll band that would go the distance. My premonition that they were here to stay was further confirmed when "Time" was released and the songs "Your Love Oh Lord" and "I've Always Loved You" made regular radio rotation. It was official, my wife and I were die-hard THIRD DAY fans.

We seen them in Concert twice. First in 2002 in Orange County (Mercy Me opened for them).
Next in 2004 in Los Angeles (Warren Barfield opened for Toby Mac who opened for them).

THIRD DAY 101 =
  Formed in Marietta, Georgia during the early 1990s. The band was founded by lead singer Mac Powell, guitarist Mark Lee and former member Billy Wilkins. The other band members are bassist Tai Anderson and drummer David Carr.
In 1992, Mac Powell and Mark Lee were playing at Lee's church the same night that David Carr & Tai Anderson played with a band called Bullard Family Singers. Once introduced, the group took to each other quickly.
Wilkins, who was working full-time as a school teacher, decided early on to leave the band. In 1995, the band started looking for a second guitarist and after hearing Brad Avery play with singer Chris Carder, Avery was asked to audition with the band. After playing Consuming Fire during their first rehearsal, Avery was officially asked to join the band.
Mark Lee had made difficult decision to quit the band, yet never really went through with it, to pursue a full-time college load at Georgia Tech. At that time guitarist August McCoy temporarily joined the band. But August was the one who ended up being the one to leave for college (rather than Lee) exiting the band. August is officially "The most forgotten & left out of the Third Day Legend" since he 'was' an official member at that time.

Third Day cut their touring teeth opening for The Newsboys.
After years of success, touring the world, Grammy and Dove awards, a statement was released announcing Brad Avery's departure from the band after 13 years and over 1000 concerts. According to the official press release, Avery left the band to pursue solo projects and Third Day would not replace him, instead continuing on as a quartet.

Their song Follow Me There, off "Move", is the featured as the theme song to the TLC Television show Sarah Palin's Alaska which debuted in 2010.

Third Day was inducted in the Georgia Music Hall of Fame on September 19, 2009.

God made this all possible using the following "tools" =
Johnny "Mac" Powell - Lead vocals, Acoustic guitar, tambourine (1991–present)
Mark Lee - Electric guitar, backing vocals (1993–present)
Samuel Tai Anderson - Bass, backing vocals (1991–present)
David Carr - Drums, Percussion (1991–present)
Additional touring musicians:
Scotty Wilbanks - keyboards, backing vocals (2005–)
Jason Hoard - mandolin, banjo, guitar, backing vocals (2010–2012)
Brian Bunn - Guitar, Harmonica (2012–).
Former:
Billy Wilkins, keyboards.(1991-1993); Geof Barkley, keyboards.(1993); August McCoy, guitar.(1991-1992); Brad Brent Christopher Avery, guitar.(1995-2008).


Official Site







What are your favorite songs by Third Day ? How about your favorite videos ? Have you seen them in concert ? When, what tour ?

I own all of their studio albums and a Rip of their 1993 Demo: "Long Time Forgotten"

I am currently looking for "Rips" of the following:
EP "Southern Tracks" (These were songs recorded for, but left off of "TIME")
Contagious DEMO 1994 (with August McCoy)


If anyone can hook me up, I'd appreciate it. Maybe I can hook you up with something in mp3 trades.

I only have their self-titled tape, and that's only because I found it still sealed in a thrift shop. Haven't pulled it out of the wrapper yet. Maybe one of these days when I'm back in my car.

I first heard of the band when my music leader at church gave me a cdr with some songs to learn for service (I had recently joined the church band and was playing acoustic guitar).  The song was "Your Love Oh Lord".  I loved the southern rock mixed with CCM sound and was ecstatic when he loaned me his copy of the "Come Together" album.  After that I was hooked, and have collected all of their studio albums and both of the Offerings albums.  I was really impressed by both "Consuming Fire" and "Theif" from their debut album as well as a slew of other songs.  The only album I have been disappointed in was their most recent "Miracle", the songs are good enough but they lack and rocking punch (mostly because the guitars seem nearly absent).

Fantastic band, I hope their next record brings them more back to their rocking roots.

Quote :

The only album I have been disappointed in was their most recent "Miracle", the songs are good enough but they lack and rocking punch (mostly because the guitars seem nearly absent).

Put me in that same group.  I love most everything they've done in the past except for this one album due to the change in direction.  Every time this band tries to change direction, it bites them in the booty.  They tried to go a bit more "secular" with "Wire" and the fans were not happy at all.  There were some great songs on their and the band's faith was still evident without there really being a preachy song on this.  "Come Together" went a little poppy in places but again delivered some killer songs.  My favorite albums thus far have been:

Time
S/T debut
Revelation
Move
Wherever You Are

Of course, those aren't the only decent listens.  I also think that "Conspiracy No. 5", "Wire", and "Come Together" are good solid listens.  I even enjoy the worship albums and the mini-boxed sets they did.  The newest one is the only one I cannot stand as it just sounds like Mac Powell singing with Mercy Me's band.  Bring back the southern fried guitar sounds, guys!  I don't mind new elements, but don't throw out what had ALWAYS worked for you.

alldatndensum wrote:

....

The newest one is the only one I cannot stand as it just sounds like Mac Powell singing with Mercy Me's band.  Bring back the southern fried guitar sounds, guys!  I don't mind new elements, but don't throw out what had ALWAYS worked for you.

Good description.

I actually find the Conspiracy album to be their only weakest album, not a bad album, just weak compared to the rest. Now I haven't listened to Miracle yet, so I may be agreeing with ya'alls.
I know Mac's solo album was a HUGE let down ! Lisa and I were both bummed about that.
I think Lisa has listened to Miracle, but hasn't made any comments to me about it. I'll have to ask her as Third Day is her fav band of all time.

Guilty/Forgiven wrote:

I actually find the Conspiracy album to be their only weakest album, not a bad album, just weak compared to the rest....

Prior to Miracle I would have agreed with you. I find Conspiracy a little easier to forgive though as it was recorded during the band's relative infancy (or maybe toddler-hood?).

"Conspiracy No. 5"  has grown on me over the years as I just didn't like it at all at first.  It definitely has a bit of alternative written into it, but I think that was more the push of the label.  It is still southern fried rock and shows a young band struggling to find their sound.  They find it for sure when "Time" hits and they return to roots.  Now, if only they would do that now....

   

Who as seen Third Day live ? When, what tour ?

Guilty/Forgiven wrote:

   

Who as seen Third Day live ? When, what tour ?

Never seen them live but I certainly would like to. We don't get a lot of Christian bands touring up here in Washington state.

I'm a fan, listen to Offerings II a lot. The first album is still their best imo.

Guilty/Forgiven wrote:

   

Who as seen Third Day live ? When, what tour ?

I saw them a few years back with David Crowder Band opening in Nashville.  I've also seen them at WinterJam.

Guilty/Forgiven wrote:

   

Who as seen Third Day live ? When, what tour ?

I used to be a fan until it seemed like every new album was whatever style was popular (Offerings came out when worship music first got popular, Wire came out when it was trendy to try to go mainstream, Offerings II when worship got popular again, etc.).

I haven't listened much since Offerings II but I saw them in concert for that tour. So... 2006 or so? IT was at Six Flags and free with admission. Pretty good show...