Raspberry Jam Biography
Who is Raspberry Jam?
Raspberry Jam was a Christian alternative rock band from Upland, CA, that emerged in the early 1990s as alternative rock gained a place in Christian music. The band's early lineup included Herb Grimaud, Flames, Wes Faulk, Nathan Nobis and Phillip Kim. In 1991, the group recorded a self-titled four-song demo, with the recordings later appearing as bonus tracks on the CD edition of Chi-Rho.
Raspberry Jam signed with Metro One Records and released Chi-Rho in 1993. The album combined alternative rock with funk and featured vocals from Angel Short and members of the band. "Everything We Need" stands out for its unconventional vocal approach, incorporating spoken-word and rap-influenced delivery. The song addresses questions surrounding possessions, materialism and what people do with the resources they have been given, drawing on the themes of Jesus' encounter with the rich young ruler in the Gospels.
The band's second Metro One album, Oceanic, followed in 1995 and moved in a different musical direction. Its darker, more atmospheric alternative-rock sound had an ethereal, dreamlike quality that contrasted with the funk-oriented approach of Chi-Rho. Singer/guitarist Phillip Kim described the album as personal and musically emotional, saying, "I think the honesty of the album will be understood and embraced. It's the reality of God for me in the best way I can express it, through my personal life." For Oceanic, Raspberry Jam added Destiny as a co-lead singer. Drawn to the band's ministry goals and heart for evangelism, she said, "I feel that music isn't just performing and entertaining, or making a name for yourself in the Christian industry. It is to share and spread the Word of Jesus Christ to audiences of Christians and non-Christians alike. A lot of bands have the mentality to gain success and money, yet they have no ministry goal. No matter who you are or what you do as a Christian, your life is a ministry."
Raspberry Jam was part of the Southern California Christian alternative scene that also produced bands such as The Prayer Chain and The Violet Burning. Although the band's recording career was relatively brief, Raspberry Jam was among the early Christian alternative rock acts working to establish the genre within Christian music.