Relient K Band • Page 143

proof of jams sounds like a relient k song

 

You've redeemed yourself

 

I’m here for some deconstructed Relient K. If they’re brave enough. The kinda homophobic shit I heard thrown at them when they toured with Semler (I was still working in a conservative evangelical space) was disturbing to me, even when I was then just beginning my own deconstruction.

I have to believe a lot of their beliefs have shifted similar to my own.

 

Hoopes maybe, Thiessen…difficult to tell.

 

There’s no way the Matts didn’t know taking Simler on tour was a pro-LGBTQ statement.

 

Matt T said fuck right off to Watashi Wa when Anberlin was too chicken-shit to do the same thing, so I lean toward him being a standup guy now

 

Y'all are probably right. I will say Thiessen so rarely gives any insight into his personal life that while it's highly likely his views have evolved, I still sometimes wonder if he lands in a less progressive space than we all know/realize, but doesn't talk about it. Using time in setlists to sing the Doxology and Holy, Holy, Holy at fairly recent RK shows surprises me. He's a bit of an enigma, and I've been following these guys closely for longer than most.

 

He’s probably closer to someone like Dustin from Thrice these days. The Christian theology and beliefs (generally) are still there but likely socially progressive and theologically conservative (to an extent, I’d guess Dustin is less so than before, but would still fall on that side of things overall).

This is just based on lyrics and things they’ve said over the years. I don’t know anything for sure. Just my guess.

 

I think Dustin makes sense for a good comparison, from what we know at least

 

Agreed. Good comparison, Greg.

 

Is he not touring with them anymore? I recall them having a fill-in last time I saw live vids.

 

I have a hard time believing they could do this without introducing an edge of cynicism and negativity that cuts against the ethos of all their previous output. Levity along with aspirational positivity has been their strength for so long I wouldn't want them to rock the boat in that regard.

But that said, I'm stoked that RK, JEW, and Thrice all appear to have new songs in the hopper. Gonna be a joy when they all drop.

 

I interpreted those photos and caption RK posted as they’re practicing songs for upcoming shows next month, not new songs. Schneck posted a photo from another angle and it was the Matts and whoever plays bass/drums live with them.

 

Totally agree! I definitely want to see some of their inclusivity come out in their lyrics, but I'm also not getting my Hoopes up for new music yet.

 

2028.

Hoopes just sent out a Substack email and it sounds like life is still pretty busy/jumbled for him right now. I can’t imagine trying to support a family of 10(?) and run several businesses. New RK music probably isn’t high on the priority list for a guy that busy.

 

I don’t expect any new Relient K ever at this point.

 

I'm sorry, he has how many kids???

 

He married someone who had a lot of kids and then I think they’ve had one or two together.

 

Ahh ok got it

 

I think his first wife was Mark Lee Townsend's daughter too. Can't recall if they had any kids or not though.

I follow his current partner as she does an email every so often and I appreciate her thoughts/writing. Family life sounds hectic with that many kids. Don't know how anyone does it.

 

The impression I get is that if it were a priority for Thiessen it would be a priority for him too.

 

Yeah, I've always got this impression too.

The reality is that they have such a following / legacy that releasing new Relient K music is bound to have some positive financial impact, particularly if it's mainly the two of them writing and recording.

 

Tend to agree with this, since Thiessen hasn’t even released solo stuff for 7 years.