Lucerin Blue

Musically, Lucerin Blue has fit right into the post-grunge alternative rock scene of the '90s and 2000s. But lyrically, there is something that separates the Canadian alterna-rockers from Linkin Park, 3 Doors Down, Default, or Eagle Eye Cherry: Lucerin Blue is a Christian band. However, the members of Lucerin Blue don't beat listeners over the head with their Christian message. Their contemplative lyrics are spiritual, but not in a preachy, in-your-face way; one has to scratch beneath the surface and do some research to learn about the band's religious beliefs. In fact, the official bio that Tooth & Nail Records sent out to the media with Lucerin Blue's Tales of the Knife album in 2003 made no mention of Christianity.

Originally known as Natural Saint, Lucerin Blue was formed in Goderich, Ontario, Canada, in 1997. Along the way, their forceful yet melodic post-grunge has been influenced by a variety of alterna-rock bands. The Deftones are a strong influence; so are Pearl Jam, Live, and the Foo Fighters. Creed is a frequent comparison, as are Linkin Park and Puddle of Mudd. Like so many other alternative rockers of the '90s and 2000s, Lucerin Blue has been influenced by hip-hop; however, the band isn't a rap-metal act à la Rage Against the Machine, Limp Bizkit, Korn, or Kid Rock. When they were still called Natural Saint, the Canadians provided an album titled Black Pyramid; by the time they recorded their second album, Tales of the Knife, in Vancouver, British Columbia, they had changed their name to Lucerin Blue.

Tales of the Knife was originally released on the Chordant label in 2002; after that, Lucerin Blue signed with the Seattle-based Tooth & Nail, which reissued Tales of the Knife in May 2003. That year, the band's lineup consisted of Justin Morgan on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Nathan Byle on lead guitar and background vocals, Paul Rennick on bass and background vocals, and Ryan Turner on drums. It should be noted that Byle lost half of his left middle finger in a sawing accident when he was 15, which hasn't prevented him from serving as the band's lead guitarist.