Split Level

Split Level were a Christian rock band from Northern Ireland, active from 1986 to 2000.

For the style of house, see Split-level home.

Split Level
OriginNorthern Ireland
GenresChristian rock
Years active1986–2000
LabelsWord Records, Organic Records
Past members
  • Adrian Thompson
  • Shane Jackson
  • Rob Craner
  • Gary Preston
  • Barry Kennedy
  • Derek Currie
  • Chuck Cummings
  • Jaz Greer

History

Split Level first began their career in the mid-1980s, playing local Christian gatherings and festivals in Northern Ireland. A song of theirs appeared on a 1985 Word Records compilation called The Buzz on the Streets. Their debut recording appeared in 1986 on Big Feet Records, followed by the 1987 release Sons of Liberty on Word Records.

They began playing events in England soon after, and eventually relocated to England permanently.[1] In 1991 they released View of a World, their first record to be pressed on CD, on German label Pila Records.[2] Working with renowned producer Andy Piercy, the full-length Boomerang followed in 1992 to critical acclaim in the Christian music press.[3] The European Christian Booksellers' Journal named Boomerang its Album of the Year in 1993.[4][5] Their 1994 EP, Call Me White Call Me Black, was first recorded with the intent of selling during their Artists Against Racism tour in Germany, but was later tapped for general release.[6] In 1995, the European Christian Booksellers' Journal gave Split Level its award for Best Christian Rock Band.[4][5] Their next full-length, glo.bal, was released in both the UK and the U.S. in 1997 on Pamplin Music.[7][8] Their 2000 live release was recorded in Ennepetal, Germany at the Christmas Rock Night festival 1998.[9]

Members

Final Lineup
  • Adrian Thompson - vocals, guitar
  • Rob Craner - drums, backing vocals
  • Gary Preston - bass, backing vocals

Other past members
  • Chuck Cummings - drums
  • Derek (Del) Currie - bass, backing vocals
  • Barry Kennedy - drums, backing vocals
  • Jaz Greer - drums
  • Shane Jackson - keyboards
  • Fionn Brannigan - Guitar
  • David Dunlop - Guitar, Vocals
  • William Rea - synths, keyboards
  • Mervyn Dunlop
  • Richard Morrison

Discography
  • Break the Chains (1986)
  • Sons of Liberty (1987)
  • Bootleg Demos (1989)
  • View of a World (1991)
  • Boomerang (1992)
  • Call Me White Call Me Black EP (1994)
  • glo.bal (1997)
  • Live (2000)

"Live" (Remixed) (2023)

References
  1. Split Level, The Phantom Tollbooth, 1997.
  2. Review of View of a World. Cross Rhythms No. 6, June 1991
  3. Review of Boomerang. Cross Rhythms No. 14, April 1993.
  4. Review of glo.bal. Jesus Freak Hideout.
  5. Mark Allan Powell, The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music. Hendrickson, 2002, pp. 854-55.
  6. Review of Call Me White Call Me Black. Cross Rhythms No. 22, August 1994.
  7. Review of glo.bal. Cross Rhythms No. 38, April 1997.
  8. "Split Level: Going Global - Split Level". www.crossrhythms.co.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  9. Split Level's Christmas. Cross Rhythms No. 56, April 2000.
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