Audio Adrenaline

Item: Big House (Video)
Author: Roger Appelinski

Big House (Video)

(1995)

Reviewed by Roger Appelinski

Discogs

Label ForeFront RecordsThe LighthouseApril 1995

ccm pop rock

If you have watched many long-form videos by Christian bands, you probably have started to think they all are pretty much the same. Well, I can't say this one totally shatters the mold, but it does have its nice features.

Probably the best segments of the project are the glances into the personality of each band member. Instead of the typical, sit-down interviews with the group, there is a fast-paced collection of clips from each member commenting on the other members. They are off-the cuff responses in a casual setting--with Mark Stuart in a small diner, Bob Herdman standing next to the band's truck, and so on.

The video opens with the band taking to the basketball court in a humorous video for "A.K.A. Public School" as they also show "off-court" shots of the members befriending students at school. Next, the interview clips focus on Herdman, followed by a look at Stuart. There is a balance of seriousness and humor. Each member jokes and teases the others about certain things, but also compliments the bandmates' musical abilities, servant attitude, and friendship.

Following that segment is the concert video, "We're A Band." The abundant photographic effects enhance the video, yet leave the main emphasis on the live performance.

Next are segments focusing on Will McGinnis, Barry Blair, their drummer, and the road crew. They offer a disclaimer that "the record company made us dress that way," and then play the high-action video for "P.D.A." from their debut album. The last video is "Big House," a light-hearted concept piece corresponding to the upbeat tune--with the guys playing football in a "big, big yard" among other things.

Of course there are plenty of video clips from their time on the road--the funny, the serious, and the complaints of dreading the traveling. The segments are fast-paced and upbeat. They close the project, however, with an intense tale of the impact that the song "Big House" had on the youth group of a boy who died in a car accident soon after an Audio Adrenaline concert.

While the interview segments aren't going to show you in entirety of the lives of the Audio Adrenaline cast, they do offer significant insight into the members of the band.