BARREN CROSS With Special Guest X-SINNER [APR 12]


SCHEDULE

April 12, 2025

Doors Open: 5:00 PM
Concert Begins: 7:00 PM

  • X-Sinner [7:00 – 8:15 PM]
  • Barren Cross [8:30 – 10:00 PM]

TICKETS

CLICK ON IMAGE TO SELECT YOUR SEAT




ADD-ONS

Does NOT include a ticket to the concert!


ARTISTS

BARREN CROSS

Barren Cross is a pioneering American hard rock/metal band that was formed in Los Angeles in 1983.  They were part of a movement that pioneered the way in which many bands would follow:  Four Christians in a metal band with lyrics reflecting life from a Christian worldview, and it birthed an entire genre.  They exemplified a natural passion for this alongside very few others who dared be different at the time in the very beginnings of this movement.  Receiving both praise and flak from many for this bold new stance, the band went on to do what they did, garnering a movement of fans who highly appreciated their candid stance on life, with many reports of fans getting more out of the band than mere “music”!  

Barren Cross would go on to become “influencers” to both fans and many other bands which would follow in their footsteps, to this day.  They were influencers to such a degree that they even saw one of their albums listed in the “Top 100 Christian Hard Rock/Metal Albums of All Time” at #11 !  Lead Singer Michael Drive (Lee), Guitarist Ray Parris, Bassist Jim LaVerde, and Drummer Steve Whitaker would make up the searing lineup well-known for their excellence as musicians in their own musical craft.  Having released seven albums with much touring, the band is now set to record and release brand new material.  

How BC was formed:  Guitarist Ray Parris and Drummer Steve Whitaker put an ad in a local paper looking for a singer.  Simultaneously, Lead Singer Michael Drive (Lee) had an ad in a local paper himself, looking for a guitarist.  Steve answered Michael’s ad and drove to his house, where he called Ray and had Michael sing into the phone!  As soon as the three met together and played, the chemistry instantly formed; and two weeks later after many rehearsals with bass players, Michael happened upon Bassist Jim LaVerde; and the rest is history!  After recording 6 songs for two demos during 1983 and 1984, the “eye of the fire” had begun to burn, and soon, they would be recording their first album.  They literally “prayed” for enough money to professionally record their first EP, and within two weeks, God answered and gave them $10,000! 

Into the studio they went, and the “Believe” EP was born, produced by Dino Elefante of the famed Elefante brothers; John & Dino.  The band sold 4000 copies of the album in a very short period of time, which caught the attention of their first record company (Star Song Records) and soon they were signed to their first recording deal.  The company put them back into the studio; where they recorded 3 more songs, and their full-length album; “Rock For The King” was born, in 1986.  Up until this time, they were playing many shows; adding more and more, and the shows turned into tours.  

Two years later, a larger record company; Enigma/Capital (EMI) became interested in Barren Cross and bought out the contract from BC’s first record company.  The band was newly signed again, and back into the studio they went.  They worked hard, went through a musical maturity, and 1988 saw the release of one of the most influential and best rock/metal albums, loved by the fans of the genre.   “Atomic Arena” was born!  This album became so influential that it’s easy to see why years later, as mentioned earlier, it came in at #11 in the “Top 100 Christian Hard Rock/Metal Albums of All Time!”

Then, 1989 got even better for Barren Cross, an even greater level of song-writing and musical maturity, with the release of “State of Control”.  The band won many accolades and awards that year; Barren Cross was named by HM Magazine: “Readers Poll Band of the Year for 1989.” ‘State Of Control’ was “1989 Readers Poll Album of the Year”.  Bassist Jim LaVerde won “1989 Readers Poll Bassist of The Year,” and Lead Singer Michael Drive (Lee) also received top awards in the following 4 categories:  1989 Readers Poll “Singer of The Year”; “Lyricist of The Year”; “Song of The Year for ‘The Stage of Intensity;’ ” and “Favorite Lyricist of The 1980’s.”  Later that year, the band appeared on television shows, such as The Morton Downey Show alongside members of Kiss and Anthrax. 

Barren Cross then released a live album; “Hotter Than Hell” in 1990, sometime after which, the band would perform with a temporary lineup that included singer and drummer replacements.  BC then took a hiatus for 4 years, until 1995, at which time the original four members began recording their next studio album; “Rattle Your Cage.”  

This became their most mature and well-done studio album to date. Some have said that it is Barren Cross’ best studio album.  Also in 1995, Michael Drive (Lee) formed a group called “Barebones” and recorded “The Barebones Album” alongside the “Rattle Your Cage” sessions, (and both albums were released that same year).  Michael went on to record more solo albums after he moved to Europe and was living in Paris, France.  

Jim, Ray, Steve & Michael, as “the BC boys” never officially broke up, but continued to perform various shows together through the years, in different countries. 

In 2013, Barren Cross released a new album; their first official recording in 18 years, entitled; “Birth Pangs,” which was captured in Switzerland; and which Michael said is his “favorite BC album” to date.  “This album bleeds power, intensity and quality from start to finish, and is one performance I’m very proud of.” 

One final note: New Barren Cross songs are now in the works!  The band is working!

X-SINNER

X-Sinner is a Christian hard rock band formed in 1988 by guitarist Greg Bishop. The band is known for having a very similar sound to that of AC/DC, Kix and Def Leppard. They were named the favorite new band of 1989 by the readers of HM Magazine.