In the mid-nineties, it seemed to many of us that Luxury might be the band most likely to find real success in the wider alternative rock market. Their three-decade journey, however, has defied all expectations. From their early days of alt-punk abandon through a harrowing and deadly car crash and onto a very different path that found three of the members embracing Eastern Orthodoxy and eventually becoming priests, this is a story like none you have ever heard. Through all of the struggle and pain, Fathers Lee and Jamey Bozeman, (vocalist and guitarist,) Matt Hinton (auxiliary guitars,) Father Chris Foley (bass,) and Glenn Black (drums) have emerged as one of the most interesting and engaging alt-rock bands around. Their latest album, Like Unto Lambs came together over a span of five years and may be their best yet.

While there has been no shortage of discussions and arguments over the old debate about Christians making music, versus making Christian music, the concept of priests making mainstream alternative rock presents a unique opportunity to reconsider the question about the spiritual and vocational nature of arts and artistry. How might being in a band have informed these pastors' work in the ministry? Might their work as priests inform their work as musicians? Is there a holy way to rock that doesn't involve "Christian Rock?" Join us as we talk with three priests and a sacred Appalachian music historian about their rock band, their brotherhood, their trauma, and a priestly perspective on art.

For full show notes, including a list of all of the songs on this episode and more, visit TrueTunes.com/luxury or CLICK HERE.

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This 45RPM episode features a look back at over 30 years of the music of a relatively obscure but critically acclaimed indie rock band, Luxury. We will go back to the beginning, when the band was known as The Shroud, playing with jangly punk abandon at their college in Toccoa, Georgia. We launched this podcast five years ago - when Luxury reconvened to record and release Trophies, their first new album in a decade. We've talked about that album since then several times (and you'll hear about it on the main show), but this flashback fills the rest of the story and sets the stage for the conversation about their latest album, Like Unto Lambs. (Patreon members can hear the whole show now.)

For full show notes, song list, and links visit TrueTunes.com/Luxury45 or CLICK HERE.

If you want to support the show, please join our Patreon community or drop us a one-time tip and check out our MERCH!

Randy Layton has been a tireless advocate of some of our favorite artists since the 1980s. He was also an early influence and encourager of all things True Tunes. His "Alternative Records" imprint helped to define the indie / DIY approach long before it was common, and his current campaign to reissue yet another incredible (and obscure) album by Robert Vaughn and The Shadows is one more example of his undying passion and love. Now, as Randy faces a devastating turn in the battle he has been waging with cancer, he is handing the reigns over to his son Matthias. On this episode, we hear from father and son, about this forty-year legacy, what it all meant, and where it goes when the road seems to end.

For a full list of all of the music heard on this episode, and links to our previous conversations with Randy, visit the Show Notes page at TrueTunes.com/HelloMatthias. (Patreon members will receive an EXCLUSIVE download "Best Of Alternative Records Mix" courtesy of Randy Layton!)

If you want to support the show, please join our Patreon community or drop us a one-time tip and check out our MERCH!