Ruscha is an AOR Rock band from Dickson, Tennessee that was founded in the mid 1980's by Russian brothers Nikolai Pankratz(guitars) & Peter Pankratz(bass). Life in the Soviet Union, behind the iron curtain, was very different for the Pankratz brothers who now live in Tennessee. Thanks to an interview on YouTube, we find that the brothers used to live in the harsh outer regions of Siberia. It was there where they were forced to worship God secretly in the underground church. At the time, leaders and people in general were trying to prove that communism was right and everyone else was wrong. They were told that Russia was number one even though the people didn't have food throughout the Soviet Union. They lived in constant fear for being found out by the KGB and persecuted for professing Christ. Their own grandfather was killed at 3 in the morning in Siberia for believing in God. As children, their teachers would try anything to get them to believe in the government's Marxist philosophies. The band stated what their teacher said: "She said bow your heads, close your eyes, I'm going to ask you to pray to God, ask God for candy. I'll prove you there is no God. And you bowed your head and there was no candy and she laughed. She said I told you there was no God. Then she said, now kids, communism works. Pray to Lennon, ask Lennon for candy. She then runs around the class and puts candy on the tables and says see, see, Communism works."
It wasn't long before the Pankratz brothers began to question whether it was as bad in other parts of the world. Can there be freedom in the world? After years of negotiation, in 1974 the Russian government permitted the Pankratz family the right to defect from Russia at a cost of 3000 dollars per person. The Pankratz family left their homeland and relocated in Germany. The family resided in Germany for 5 years where they were able to purchase tickets to fly to the US in 1979. While performing venues in the states, they called various places basically crying out for help. The CBN 700 Club answered that call and asked the brothers to come onto their show for an interview. After airing on CBN, the viewer's outcry helped the band gain permanent residency within the United States.
The band originally went by the band name 'The Russians'. The Pankratz brothers released two different albums as 'The Russians' titled 'Believe It Like It Is' and 'Love Forever More'. In the mid 80's, they changed their band's name to Ruscha and began work on material for a debut release.
It wasn't long before the Pankratz brothers began to question whether it was as bad in other parts of the world. Can there be freedom in the world? After years of negotiation, in 1974 the Russian government permitted the Pankratz family the right to defect from Russia at a cost of 3000 dollars per person. The Pankratz family left their homeland and relocated in Germany. The family resided in Germany for 5 years where they were able to purchase tickets to fly to the US in 1979. While performing venues in the states, they called various places basically crying out for help. The CBN 700 Club answered that call and asked the brothers to come onto their show for an interview. After airing on CBN, the viewer's outcry helped the band gain permanent residency within the United States.
The band originally went by the band name 'The Russians'. The Pankratz brothers released two different albums as 'The Russians' titled 'Believe It Like It Is' and 'Love Forever More'. In the mid 80's, they changed their band's name to Ruscha and began work on material for a debut release.
1988
In 1988 Ruscha released their debut full-length studio album titled 'Come Alive' on Pan-Trax Records. 'Come Alive' is an AOR radio friendly 80's style Rock album with a mainstream sound throughout their arrangements.
The album was produced by Bubba Smith along with executive producer Nikolai Pankratz. The recording was mastered by Hank Williams at Mastermix and mixed at Woodland Studios. The album's cover art was done in house by Nikolai Pankratz. Ruscha saw some success when a few of their tracks saw no little air play all over the country along with their song "Come Home", which went to #4 at Christian radio in the US back in 1988.
The album was produced by Bubba Smith along with executive producer Nikolai Pankratz. The recording was mastered by Hank Williams at Mastermix and mixed at Woodland Studios. The album's cover art was done in house by Nikolai Pankratz. Ruscha saw some success when a few of their tracks saw no little air play all over the country along with their song "Come Home", which went to #4 at Christian radio in the US back in 1988.
Peter Pankratz's base work here on this debut project is definitely worth mentioning. Upon listening to the album, the listener will quickly discover that from track to track the bass is played in a funky percussion like manner. I believe that Peter just might have been taking notes when Journey's 1986 'Raised On Radio' record was released. Yes, Peter's bass play on this album often draws comparison to that of Randy Jackson(Journey).
The track-list for Ruscha's debut 'Come Alive' includes 1.Come Alive 2.Someone Listening 3.Broken Heart 4.Holy And True 5.Come Home 6.The Word Stands Forever 7.Burning Bridges 8.Exalt The Name 9.Do You Care? 10.Lord Of The Impossible.
Rhythm guitarist-Nikolai Pankratz & lead guitarist-Michael Jacobs both hold down the string section for the band. From the first track to the last, Nikolai & Michael do their parts in helping bring to life this project with some solid 80's era guitar play.
Lyrics are evangelical and Christ centered as one can see in the following excerpts:
"Come Alive"
To come alive in the Spirit
I must die of this man
To come alive in the Spirit
I must die of all I am
It's hard to turn loose of this life
But I know this old man has to die
To come alive
"Holy And True"
Holy and true, never wavering
In the trials we go through
Holy and true, ever faithful
In the things we must do
We do not need
To be bound by this life
For we are free
Through the power of the Christ
"Come Home"
Time will come
Every eye shall see the Light
Eternal life is yours to claim
Lift your head
Open up your heart to Him
Salvation comes
If you'll just let Him in
Oh, can’t you see
What His love has done for me
Eternal life within your reach
He's always cared
He had always been there
The choice is yours
Oh, the time is here
Oh, Jesus
He's reaching out to you
Hosanna
His love is all that’s true
He's calling, He's calling
Come home, come home
"Exalt The Name"
He rules the universe
Yеt hears the humble cry
Bringing comfort to thе broken heart
The power of His Word
Can split the earth and sky
Yet mend the lives sin has torn apart
"Do You Care"
Do you care that He's comin'
Like a thief in the night
Time to realize, there's no compromise
Do you care, so do I, so do I
Give Him one more chance
And don't believe in circumstance
Let the waters rise to keep us free
When the people heed
Let the Holy Spirit lead
Reaching out toward eternity
Do you care, are you worried
Isn't time runnin' out
Listen to the voice
You still have a choice
Do you care, so do I, so do I
To come alive in the Spirit
I must die of this man
To come alive in the Spirit
I must die of all I am
It's hard to turn loose of this life
But I know this old man has to die
To come alive
"Holy And True"
Holy and true, never wavering
In the trials we go through
Holy and true, ever faithful
In the things we must do
We do not need
To be bound by this life
For we are free
Through the power of the Christ
"Come Home"
Time will come
Every eye shall see the Light
Eternal life is yours to claim
Lift your head
Open up your heart to Him
Salvation comes
If you'll just let Him in
Oh, can’t you see
What His love has done for me
Eternal life within your reach
He's always cared
He had always been there
The choice is yours
Oh, the time is here
Oh, Jesus
He's reaching out to you
Hosanna
His love is all that’s true
He's calling, He's calling
Come home, come home
"Exalt The Name"
He rules the universe
Yеt hears the humble cry
Bringing comfort to thе broken heart
The power of His Word
Can split the earth and sky
Yet mend the lives sin has torn apart
"Do You Care"
Do you care that He's comin'
Like a thief in the night
Time to realize, there's no compromise
Do you care, so do I, so do I
Give Him one more chance
And don't believe in circumstance
Let the waters rise to keep us free
When the people heed
Let the Holy Spirit lead
Reaching out toward eternity
Do you care, are you worried
Isn't time runnin' out
Listen to the voice
You still have a choice
Do you care, so do I, so do I
(See Site Info for Sword Scale meaning)
2012
In 2012 Ruscha reissued their 1988 debut full-length studio album 'Come Alive' on Pan-Trax Records. The track-list for this 2012 reissue of Ruscha's debut includes 1.Come Alive 2.Someone Listening 3.Broken Heart 4.Holy And True 5.Come Home 6.The Word Stands Forever 7.Burning Bridges 8.Exalt The Name 9.Do You Care? 10.Lord Of The Impossible.
1992
In 1992 Ruscha released a full-length studio album in their native language-Russian titled 'Невидимые Руки' on the band's indie label Pan-Trax.
1992
After they released their Russian album 'Невидимые Руки', three of Ruscha's members including Andy Denton, Mike Jacobs, & Billy Williams all went on to form a new band called 'Legend'. In 1992 Legend released their debut self-titled album on Word Records. If you like Ruscha's 'Come Alive' album but are looking for something similar but a bit more heavier then you are going to love this debut release by Legend! This is a solid Hard Rock release with all the right hooks, vocals, and guitar shredin' that an 80's era fan can handle!
1993
After the release of their debut album, the band was forced to change their name to 'Legend Seven'. This was because they soon discovered that another band was already using the name Legend. In 1993, Under the name 'Legend Seven', the band followed up with the release of their sophomore album 'Blind Faith' on Word Records. 'Blind Faith' was a solid follow-up release and continues in the veins of their '92 debut album 'Legend'.
After the release of Legend Seven's sophomore album, the band went on hiatus and fans haven't heard from the group since.
After the release of Legend Seven's sophomore album, the band went on hiatus and fans haven't heard from the group since.
However, in 1999 vocalist-Andy Denton released a solo project titled 'Midnight Of Hope' on KMG Records. 'Midnight Of Hope' is a much lighter softer project which falls more under the Adult Contemporary music category.
Ruscha is for fans of Petra, Crossection, White Heart, and Steve Camp. If you are looking for some retro 80's era music to add to your collection, then look no further. Make no mistake, Ruscha has delivered up a solid offering with their debut 'Come Alive'! Also, don't forget to check out their work in the bands Legend & Legend Seven!
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Andy Denton - Lead Vocals
Michael Jacobs - Lead Guitars
Nikolai Pankratz - Rhythm Guitars
Peter Pankratz - Bass
Lance Batchelder - Keyboards
Billy Williams - Drums
Andy Denton - Lead Vocals
Michael Jacobs - Lead Guitars
Nikolai Pankratz - Rhythm Guitars
Peter Pankratz - Bass
Lance Batchelder - Keyboards
Billy Williams - Drums
