According to the band's Biography: Guardian is a Heavy Metal band that was originally formed back in 1982 in Orange County, California under the name 'Fusion', by vocalist/guitarist-Paul Cawley and bassist-David Bach. The original band line-up included drummer-Steve Martinez and guitarist-Gene Thurston. The group stood out in the burgeoning Los Angeles metal music scene due to their unconventional futuristic body-armor stage outfits. The concept for their outfits came from Cawley who took the idea from the biblical passage found in Ephesians 6 regarding “putting on the full armor of God”. in 1984 the band saw a line-up change that came by way of Martinez being replaced by drummer-Rikk Hart and Gene Thurston being replaced by guitarist-James Isham. In late 1984, Isham departed, and the trio of Cawley, Bach & Hart recorded an EP of six Cawley-penned tunes called Rock In Victory. During early 1985, the band experimented with some pop textures and were temporarily joined by keyboardist- Brent Jeffers and vocalist Pat Dewey, who left shortly thereafter to form a band called The Deacons. After much searching, Cawley, Bach & Hart recruited guitarist-David Caro. Caro arrived just in time for one of the first of many shifts in the band’s trajectory.
In 1985, Guardian managed to strike a record deal with Enigma Records, after Hart’s high school friend, Eric Blair, (who worked for the Christian metal band Stryper) pitched the 'Rock in Victory' EP to Enigma Records President, Wesley Hein. During this time, the band discovered that there was a Spanish band also going by the name Fusion so they decided to change their moniker to 'Gardian' which was intentionally misspelled to have 7 letters in line with the Stryper numerology of the day. In early 1986, Caro left the band and was replaced by guitarist-Tony Palacios. With Palacios on board, in 1987 there surfaced a bootleg EP titled 'Voyager'which was really just a pre-production demo recorded in the backroom of an Orange County music store.
In 1988 the band abandoned the space armor and added the “U” to their name while continually touring throughout California and recording demos for their record label under the band name Guardian.
In 1985, Guardian managed to strike a record deal with Enigma Records, after Hart’s high school friend, Eric Blair, (who worked for the Christian metal band Stryper) pitched the 'Rock in Victory' EP to Enigma Records President, Wesley Hein. During this time, the band discovered that there was a Spanish band also going by the name Fusion so they decided to change their moniker to 'Gardian' which was intentionally misspelled to have 7 letters in line with the Stryper numerology of the day. In early 1986, Caro left the band and was replaced by guitarist-Tony Palacios. With Palacios on board, in 1987 there surfaced a bootleg EP titled 'Voyager'which was really just a pre-production demo recorded in the backroom of an Orange County music store.
In 1988 the band abandoned the space armor and added the “U” to their name while continually touring throughout California and recording demos for their record label under the band name Guardian.
In 1989, Guardian released their debut full-length album titled 'First Watch' on Enigma Records. 'First Watch' was produced by Oz Fox(Stryper) and featured a melodic Metal/Arena Rock sound in their arrangements not unlike that of Def-Leppard. Their debut release was soon followed by extensive touring through the United States and abroad to Japan. The band consisted of lead vocalist-Paul Cawley, guitarist-Tony Palacios, bassist-David Bach, and drummer-Rikk Hart.
In the fall of 1989 Hart departed the group and was replaced by drummer-Jason Souza just in time for the Japanese tour. Souza was then recruited by John Alderete and John Corabi for the original line-up of 'The Scream' and was replaced by former drummer-Karl Ney(Shelijahn). In early 1990, founding member Paul Cawley said his farewells and left the band.
After Cawley’s departure, Bach and Palacios asked to be freed of their Enigma contract, requesting a more Christian-focused label. Shortly after they were officially released, former 'Tempest' lead vocalist-Jamie Rowe joined the band. The newly formed Guardian band then inked a deal with producers John and Dino Elefante on the Pakaderm label and stepped into the studio to record their follow-up album.
In the fall of 1989 Hart departed the group and was replaced by drummer-Jason Souza just in time for the Japanese tour. Souza was then recruited by John Alderete and John Corabi for the original line-up of 'The Scream' and was replaced by former drummer-Karl Ney(Shelijahn). In early 1990, founding member Paul Cawley said his farewells and left the band.
After Cawley’s departure, Bach and Palacios asked to be freed of their Enigma contract, requesting a more Christian-focused label. Shortly after they were officially released, former 'Tempest' lead vocalist-Jamie Rowe joined the band. The newly formed Guardian band then inked a deal with producers John and Dino Elefante on the Pakaderm label and stepped into the studio to record their follow-up album.
In 1991 Guardian released their critically acclaimed sophomore full-length album titled 'Fire and Love' on Pakaderm Records. With frontman-Jamie Rowe now on board, the band was ready to take on a new era as the Grunge scene was beginning to kick in at the time. Jamie's vocal style draws comparison to the world renown vocalist-Bon Jovi giving Guardian an edge in the Hard Rock christian music market. Fire and Love draws from a bag of proven tricks featuring over-the-top vocals, big commercial hooks, in your face guitars, and arena Rock style drum lines. For this listener, 'Fire and Love' will always be Guardians claim to fame album release. The line-up for 'Fire and Love' includes lead vocalist-Jamie Rowe, guitarist-Tony Palacios, bassist-David Bach, and drummer-Karl Ney.
In 2017 Guardian's 1991 follow-up album 'Fire and Love' was remastered and reissued by Retroactive Records.
In 2017 Guardian's 1991 follow-up album 'Fire and Love' was remastered and reissued by Retroactive Records.
"Power of Love"
Listen up, I'm back on my feet, I
finally broke loose and I've got
something to say. Are you doing the
things that hurt you? Let me tell
you, there's a better way.
CHORUS I:
Cause He came down from His
throne and sang a song of love to
me. With just a touch His power
set me free . . . I'm free
CHORUS II:
Tell me can you feel it, Yes and I
believe it; talkin' 'bout the Power of
love. Burnin' like a fever in the
hearts of true believers, oh, we've
got the Power of love
People caII me crazy cuz I love
You Lord, but when my cup is
empty, you always give me more.
CHORUS I
CHORUS II
Every night I go to sleep I pray the
Lord my soul to keep. He leads me
thru the darkest night, gonna take
me to the morning light; gonna
make it to the morning light
Listen up, I'm back on my feet, I
finally broke loose and I've got
something to say. Are you doing the
things that hurt you? Let me tell
you, there's a better way.
CHORUS I:
Cause He came down from His
throne and sang a song of love to
me. With just a touch His power
set me free . . . I'm free
CHORUS II:
Tell me can you feel it, Yes and I
believe it; talkin' 'bout the Power of
love. Burnin' like a fever in the
hearts of true believers, oh, we've
got the Power of love
People caII me crazy cuz I love
You Lord, but when my cup is
empty, you always give me more.
CHORUS I
CHORUS II
Every night I go to sleep I pray the
Lord my soul to keep. He leads me
thru the darkest night, gonna take
me to the morning light; gonna
make it to the morning light
In 1993 Guardian released their third full-length album titled 'Miracle Mile' on Pakaderm Records. Miracle Mile was produced by John and Dino Elefante and was considered one of the bands most successful albums. The line-up for 'Miracle Mile' includes lead vocalist-Jamie Rowe, guitarist-Tony Palacios, bassist-David Bach, and drummer-Karl Ney.
In 2020 Guardian's 1993 'Miracle Mile' release was remastered and reissued by Retroactive Records.
In 2020 Guardian's 1993 'Miracle Mile' release was remastered and reissued by Retroactive Records.
In 1994 Guardian released their fourth full-length studio album titled 'Swing Swang Swung' on Pakaderm Records. With the release of 'Swing Swang Swung' we find the band straying from their Hard Rock/Metal sound to experiment with some acoustic Folk music styles.
In 1995 Guardian released their fifth full-length studio album simply titled 'Buzz' on Myrrh Records. Buzz was produced by christian alternative artist/producer-Steve Taylor who takes Guardian's sound in a different direction helping the band's sound embrace the 90's era Alternative/Grunge scene. As one can see above, this album was released in several different album cover art work designs.
In 1997 Guardian released their sixth full-length album titled 'Bottle Rocket' on Myrrh Records. 'Bottle Rocket' was the Alternative/Grunge follow-up to their 1995 album 'Buzz'. 'Bottle Rocket' was produced by Steve Taylor along with executive producer-Jim Chaffee. On this release, we find that the band exploring even deeper into the Alternative sub-genre.
In 2000 Guardian released their 6-track EP titled 'The Yellow And Black Attack Is Back' on Millenium Eight Records. This Stryper-tribute album was produced by Tony Palacios along with Guardian band members. The EP features 6-cover songs from Stryper's 1984 EP release 'The Yellow And Black Attack' including 1. Loud N Clear 2. From Wrong To Right 3. You Know What To Do 4. Co'mon Rock 5. You Won't Be Lonely 6. Loving You. When it comes to cover-art comparisons, just like Stryper placed each band member's initials on each rocket, Guardian did the same on their's as well.
In 2001 Guardian released a limited Edition Series compilation of their early years demo recordings titled 'Voyager & Fusion' on Millenium Eight Records. This compilation release features original band members including vocalist-Paul Cawley, lead guitarist-Tony Palacios, bassist-David Bach, and drummer-Rikk Hart. These demo recordings find the band exploring Sci-fi-influenced Space Metal music. This was the early years when the band still called themselves Gardian without the 'u' in order to be in keeping with Stryper who only has 7-digits in their band's moniker.
In 2014 Guardian released their full-length studio album titled 'Almost Home' on G-Man Records.
'Almost Home' is a mixed bag of Rock music with some tunes drawing comparison to their 1993 album 'Miracle Mile'. Then there are even some vocals and arrangements that draw comparison to singer-Terry Taylor(Daniel Amos). There are times when the guitars take on a Carlos Santana sound and then there's a guitar instrumental that brings to mind Rex Carroll(Whitecross). The mixed bag of tricks only continues from track to track with some tunes being straight up Rockers and others having a 90's Grunge element. The track-list is balanced out with a few softer laid-back tunes. I must say that Jamie Rowe sounds as strong as ever for having taken a 15 year hiatus before the release of this album.
'Almost Home' is a mixed bag of Rock music with some tunes drawing comparison to their 1993 album 'Miracle Mile'. Then there are even some vocals and arrangements that draw comparison to singer-Terry Taylor(Daniel Amos). There are times when the guitars take on a Carlos Santana sound and then there's a guitar instrumental that brings to mind Rex Carroll(Whitecross). The mixed bag of tricks only continues from track to track with some tunes being straight up Rockers and others having a 90's Grunge element. The track-list is balanced out with a few softer laid-back tunes. I must say that Jamie Rowe sounds as strong as ever for having taken a 15 year hiatus before the release of this album.
If you are looking for some solid Metal/Hard Rock to add to your collection that will find you returning for repeat listens, then look no further. Over the years, Guardian has delivered up the Metal goods that have stood the test of time so do yourself a favor an pick up an album or two by Guardian and help support Metal music.
Musicians:
Jamie Rowe - Lead Vocals
Tony Palacios - Guitars
Jamey Parrenot - Guitars
David Bach - Bass
Karl Ney - Drums
Jamie Rowe - Lead Vocals
Tony Palacios - Guitars
Jamey Parrenot - Guitars
David Bach - Bass
Karl Ney - Drums