The Alternative

Description

The Alternative is the debut album by the British new wave/alternativ rock band Giantkiller, originally self-released on the band’s custom label Torn Curtain Records in 1980, but soon re-issued by major British gospel label Kingsway Music. Also released in the US by StarSong Records. (According to a note featured in the Gospel section of the April 25, 1981 issue of Record World magazine, “In May, Star Song Records will release four albums featuring Christian “new wave” and British rock sounds. Selling under the name Star Song Special Products, the titles are No Sham, the Bill Mason Band; Charge of the Light Brigade, Ishmael; Life Begins at Thirty, Rev. Counta & the Speedoze; and The Alternative, Giant – killer.“) The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by Terry Gavaghan at his Guardian Sound Studios in Durham, England; with the band co-producing. Giantkiller features Richard Nicholson on lead vocals, Paul Herbst on keyboards and vocals, Pete Gilgan on guitar and vocals, Alan Hiscox on bass, and Steve Purton on drums.

A live version of the album track “Kingdom Come” was featured on the multi-artist soundtrack Greenbelt Live! released by the British gospel label Marshalls in 1979.

Although sometimes lumped in with UK punk/new wave groups like Bill Mason Band, Ishmael United and Moral Support, Giantkiller’s sound is a bit harder to pigeonhole. The music is definitely aggressive rock with no sugar and spice. And just look at that cover – a photo collage of various depravities of man, most notably a guy jamming a syringe into his vein – not your typical Christian fare, eh? Certainly not for 1980. First time someone popped on this LP my immediate reaction was The Doors. Organ is used extensively, sometimes in a mildly quirky fashion, so I guess you could call at least some of it new wave (The Kingsway issue of this LP dubbed it such), but it seems to have more of a serious tone to it than of the other bands in that scene. On second thought who cares what you call it – it’s a great album. Originally a custom LP picked up by Kingsway and then released in the US on StarSong. Followed by Whose Side Are You On? (1981, called Valley Of Decision on the US release) and Fire Coming Down (1984). [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Voices”
A2. “Dirty Hearts”
A3. “Refuge from the Wind”
A4. “Problem Page”
A5. “Living in the Cities”
A6. “Innocent Blood”

Side Two
B1. “Kicking in the Gates of Hell”
B2. “Fire in my Heart”
B3. “Children of the Promise”
B4. “King of Kings”
B5. “Stand and be Counted”
B6. “Kingdom Come”

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP.