Kevin Max

Kevin Max Smith (born August 17, 1967) is an American singer, songwriter, and poet. He is best known for being a member of the Christian pop group dc Talk. As a solo artist following the band going on hiatus, he has recorded 18 full-length studio albums, including a Christmas album. From 2012 until 2014, he was the lead singer of the band Audio Adrenaline.

For other people named Kevin Smith, see Kevin Smith (disambiguation).

Kevin Max
Max in July 2008
Background information
Birth nameKevin Max Smith
Born (1967-08-17) August 17, 1967
OriginGrand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
GenresChristian rock, alternative rock
InstrumentsPiano, vocals
Years active1988–present
LabelsNorthern, ForeFront, Motion, Blind Thief Recordings
Associated acts
Websitekevinmax.com

Early life

Born Kevin Max Smith, Max changed his name to "Kevin Max" in 1997 as a tribute to his adoptive father. Max was adopted by the Smith family and grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Max attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia; while there, he started a band called Connection.

Career

dc Talk years (1989–2001)

While at Liberty University, he met fellow dc Talk bandmates: Toby McKeehan ("tobyMac") and Michael Tait. They formed DC Talk and went on to achieve great success in both Christian and mainstream music. The band went on to win 4 Grammy Awards, 16 GMA Dove Awards, and other recognition. The band went on hiatus in 2000.

Going solo (2001–2012)

Max's first solo album, Stereotype Be, released on August 28, 2001, was praised by Allmusic for "[combining] pop, rock, and world music to create a versatile and intriguing project.".[1] Artists Adrian Belew and Tony Levin of King Crimson, Larry Norman and drummer Matt Chamberlain contributed to the album along with Max's collaborator Erick Cole. It became a turning point in Max's career, as the project was a foreshadowing of Max's own brand of alternative music.

While Stereotype Be has developed a considerable cult following, it was not well received in the Christian music market. Soon after its release, Max was dropped from his Christian label, Forefront Records. Undeterred, Max began to slowly build his solo career through live shows and word-of-mouth. He released independent albums via his website, including Between the Fence & the Universe and a spoken-word collaboration with Adrian Belew, Raven Songs 101, both in 2004.

In fall of 2004, Max's word-of-mouth strategy finally began to pay off. He played the title role in the Visalia Theatre Company / Hutson-Cavale Productions revival of the classic Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Later that year, he signed a new deal with Northern Records and released a second full-length album, The Imposter on October 18, 2005. He released a Christmas album, Holy Night, in time for the 2005 Christmas season.

In April 2007, Infinity Music announced that Max had been signed to their label for his next project. The Blood was released on December 26, 2007.[2] According to Max, "The Blood is not a classic hymns cover project or a white/homogenized version of black gospel or soul music. It's a sensitive and stylized adaption of the music that was at the root of rock and roll, blues and popular culture."[2]

Max has attempted to create a name for himself apart from DC Talk. While he does not shy away from vocally defending his faith, he has expressed a desire to create art with a universal appeal. He insists, "My music is for a Christian and a Buddhist to pick up and still enjoy, as well as for an atheist. But it is there to prod and ask questions: What is my worldview? What do I believe in, and why do I believe it?"[3]

In February 2008, Max starred in the independent film The Imposter.[4] In the film, Kevin plays a character named "Johnny C", a singer who becomes addicted to OxyContin and loses his family and job as a Christian music star. The movie also features Tom Wright and Troy Baker.[5]

In 2009, Max released Crashing Gates through dPulse records. It was critically praised as returning to his experimental side in the rock and pop genres.[6]

In February 2011, Max formed a supergroup with Broadway singer Tony Vincent and longtime collaborator David Larring. The band was tentatively named "Bad Omens". The three were writing songs when Vincent decided to drop out to pursue theater interests, leaving the new band in a state of pause. A song, "Control", can be heard on Max's SoundCloud.[7][8]

On February 27, 2012, Max released Fiefdom of Angels-Side One, the first of two albums to coincide with the forthcoming novel series of the same name. The overall project were chosen covers of well known 80's rock songs, with one Kevin Max original and a Muse cover set to lush orchestration. Ology Magazine describes the work as "a new wave mix-tape played at full volume through the Sistine Chapel".[9]

Audio Adrenaline years (2012–2014)

In August 2012, Max became the new lead vocalist in a reunited Audio Adrenaline.[10] He continued with the band until June 2014, when he was replaced by Josh Engler, a former member of the band Abandon, when the band opted to take a different creative direction.[11]

Max also performed vocals on Michael Sweet's solo album, I'm Not Your Suicide, on the track "This Time".[12]

Return to solo career (2014–present)

In late 2014, Max released two singles, "Infinite" and "Light Me Up". On March 10, 2015 the album Broken Temples was released.[13]

In 2015, Max released another studio album of covers of pop standards Starry Eyes Surprise. Max released Playing Games With the Shadow in 2016, Serve Somebody in 2017, and both AWOL and Romeo Drive in 2018.

Personal life

In 1997, Max married Alayna Bennett. They divorced in 2003. In April 2005, he married Amanda Lynn MacDonald,[14] but stated in an interview that earlier the two had "a secret wedding and marriage vows were spoken and we had binding agreement together in front of a spiritual leader, but we decided to go with the public ceremony a little bit later."[15] They have four children. In August 2010, Max and family moved back to Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 2016, Kevin Max bought a farm an hour southwest of Nashville and called it "Blind Thief Farm and Studio".[16] In 2018, the Max family moved to the Westhaven community in Franklin, Tennessee, where he performed live shows with other local musicians.[17]


Discography

With DC Talk

Solo

Studio albums

Year Title Peak chart positions
US
Christ
[18]
 US
Heat
[19]
2001 Stereotype Be
  • Released: August 28, 2001
  • Label: Forefront Records
 12 20
2005 The Imposter — —
Holy Night
  • Released: November 15, 2005
  • Label: Northern Records
 — —
2007 The Blood
  • Released: December 26, 2007
  • Label: Infinity Music
 — —
2010 Cotes d'Armor (True Rebels)
  • Released: August 24, 2010
  • Label: dPulse Recordings
 — —
2015 Broken Temples[20]
  • Released: March 10, 2015
  • Label: Blind Thief Recordings/Motion Records
 32 22
Starry Eyes Surprise
  • Released: October 30, 2015
  • Label: Blind Thief Recordings
 — —
2016 Playing Games With The Shadow
  • Released: June 10, 2016
  • Label: Blind Thief Recordings
 — —
2018 AWOL
  • Released: June 8, 2018
  • Label: Blind Thief Recordings
 — —

Other Notable Album Projects
  • (1994) At the Foot of Heaven: a Mini Audio Book (spoken word, Starsong)
  • (2004) Between the Fence & the Universe (Northern Records)
  • (2008) Crashing Gates (dPulse Recordings)
  • (2010) Traveler (Mora Brothers Remixes) (dPulse Recordings)
  • (2010) Unholy Triad (dPulse Recordings)
  • (2010) Unholy Triad Remix (dPulse Recordings)
  • (2012) Fiefdom of Angels-Side One (Blind Thief Recordings)
  • (2015) Same Wavelength (Kevin Max & Service Unicorn) (Blind Thief Recordings)
  • (2017) Serve Somebody (Blind Thief Recordings)
  • (2018) Romeo Drive (Kevin Max & Service Unicorn) (Blind Thief Recordings)

With Audio Adrenaline

Collaborations

Guest appearances

Singles
Year Single Album
2001 "Be" Stereotype Be
"Existence"
"You"
2005 "Seek" Between the Fence & the Universe
"Sanctuary" The Imposter
2006 "Confessional Booth"
2007 "Run on for a Long Time" (featuring Chris Sligh) The Blood
"The Cross" (featuring dc Talk)
2009 "Traveler" Cotes d'Armor (True Rebels)
2010 "On Yer Bike!"
"Unholy Triad"
"Exorcist" non-album single
2011 "Take a Bow" Fiefdom of Angels: Side One
2012 "Kings & Queens" Kings & Queens
(Audio Adrenaline)
2013 "Believer"
"King of the Comebacks"
2014 "He Moves You Move"
"Infinite" (featuring Rachael Lampa) Broken Temples
"Light Me Up"
"Cave of a Million Songs" Praise and Arrows (soundtrack)
2015 "Clear" Broken Temples
2016 "Girl with the Tiger Eyes" Playing Games with the Shadow
2017 "Let the Day Begin" Serve Somebody
"Plans" non-album single
2018 "Moonracer" AWOL
2019 "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
(with Michael Tait)		 non-album single

Filmography

Music videos

  • (2001) Existence (ForeFront Records)
  • (2003) Seek (Live) (Northern Records)
  • (2010) Carry On My Wayward Son (with Kerry Livgren of Kansas) (Unknown)
  • (2015) Moon Over Bourbon Street (Blind Thief Recordings)
  • (2016) Girl With the Tiger Eyes (Blind Thief Recordings)
  • (2018) Moonracer (Blind Thief Recordings)

Film

Books
  • (1994) At the Foot of Heaven (poetry/artwork, Starsong)
  • (2001) Unfinished Work (autobiography, T. Nelson)
  • (2002) Slip of the Ink
  • (2003) The Detritus of Dorian Gray (poetry, Blind Thief Publishing)
  • (2004) Divine Erotica
  • (2005) PO/ET/RY (poetry, Blind Thief Publishing)
  • (2014) Fiefdom of Angels

See also
  • dc Talk - Christian Band, 1988-2001 with tobyMac, Kevin Max and Michael Tait
  • tobyMac - Christian artist of former band dc Talk
  • Newsboys - Christian band with lead singer Michael Tait (as of 2009)
  • Adrian Belew - guitarist, producer, frequent collaborator
  • Tait - Band of former dcTalk member Michael Tait.

References
  1. Kittle, Ashleigh. "Stereotype Be Review". AllMusic. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  2. "Kevin Max". Yourmusiczone.com. Archived from the original on April 1, 2008. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
  3. "Kevin Max Ready to Release 'The Blood' This Fall". Soul Shine magazine. April 20, 2007. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
  4. "Kevin Max Starts New Year With New Movie, New Album and Rave Reviews". BREATHEcast.com. January 28, 2008. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
  5. "The Imposter". IMDb. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 25, 2010. Retrieved September 9, 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. "Playing: Kevin Max speaks about his new band, The Bad Omens (...his birth father's band) . • . interviews . • . . • . • . listenin.org . • . • . this is where rock stars SPEAK . • . •". Listenin.org. Archived from the original on March 16, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  8. "Broadway singer Tony Vincent collaborating with ex-dcTalker Kevin Max « Mark Weber presents Christian Music Makers". Christiangospelmusicdaily.wordpress.com. February 24, 2011. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  9. Zaratan, Ruiz (March 5, 2012). "Album Review: Kevin Max - 'Fiefdom Of Angels: Side One'". Ology. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  10. "Music News, August 2012: Kevin Max Is The New Lead Vocalist For Audio Adrenaline!". Jesusfreakhideout.com. August 21, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  11. "Audio Adrenaline announces new lineup with Josh Engler at the helm". The Underground. June 4, 2014. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  12. "Stryper's Michael Sweet Reveals the Guest Star List for His Next Solo Album".
  13. "Broken Temples review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. March 10, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  14. Rimmer, Mike (May 10, 2006). "Kevin Max: The Imposter?". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
  15. Mike Rimmer (May 10, 2006). "Kevin Max: The Imposter?". Cross Rhythms. p. 2. Retrieved August 22, 2008.
  16. "Kevin Max Bought the Farm (And You Can Rent It!)". newreleasetoday.com. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  17. "16 Westhaven front porches will transform streets into performance venues Saturday". Williamson Home Page. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  18. "Kevin Max (Top Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  19. "Kevin Max (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  20. "Facebook". June 10, 2014. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  21. "Various - Noel".
  22. "As Dreamers Do". IMDb. April 17, 2014.
  23. "As Dreamers Do - The Amazing Life of Walt Disney".
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