VU is a Hard Rock/Arena Rock band from Oregon, USA and is the brainchild of vocalist-Bart Hafeman. VU was formed by Hafeman in 1995 along with former high school classmates David Karn on lead guitars, Jason Looney on rhythm guitars, Joe Swaim on bass, and Jason Martinez handling drums & percussion. The band's sound is energetic drawing inspiration from the 80's golden years of Rock n' Roll.
After forming, the band found themselves in a new decade where Grunge and Alternative were now dominating the music scene. However, 80's Rock fans will be happy to find that somehow VU didn't get the memo saying they were supposed to conform to what other bands were doing. It was during this time that the band stepped into the studios and began recording material for a debut album.
After forming, the band found themselves in a new decade where Grunge and Alternative were now dominating the music scene. However, 80's Rock fans will be happy to find that somehow VU didn't get the memo saying they were supposed to conform to what other bands were doing. It was during this time that the band stepped into the studios and began recording material for a debut album.
1996
In 1996 VU released their debut full-length album titled 'All I Need Is U' on Bartholomew Productions. With the band's debut release, fans need to prepare themselves for a big Arena Rock sound. We're talking big choruses and driving 80's era guitars that will have you beggin' for more. With 'All I Need Is U', there's an uncanny similarity to Def Leppard in the band's arrangements. Yes, the resemblance is so close that one might think that Def Leppard had changed gears and was now performing Christian music. The idea of Christian bands mimicking secular bands is not a new concept. Some Christian bands known for doing this include Whitecross-similar to Ratt, David Benson-similar to Ozzy, Stryken-similar to Kiss, X-Sinner- similar to AC/DC, Eternal Decision-similar to Metallica, and Traxter who is similar to Mötley Crüe/Guns N' Roses.
Some tracks that stand out on this '96 album include track-2 "Rock For The Right Reason", track-4 "Thief In The Night", track-5 "Love Of Jesus", track-7 "What Will It Take", track-9 "All I Need Is You", track-11 "Child Of The King", track-12 "Who Will It Be", track-13 "Light Of The World".
Some tracks that stand out on this '96 album include track-2 "Rock For The Right Reason", track-4 "Thief In The Night", track-5 "Love Of Jesus", track-7 "What Will It Take", track-9 "All I Need Is You", track-11 "Child Of The King", track-12 "Who Will It Be", track-13 "Light Of The World".
The full track-list for 'All I Need Is U' includes 1.Funky Intro 2.Rock For The Right Reason 3.Guitar Student 4.Thief In The Night 5.Love Of Jesus 6.Shielded 7.What Will It Take 8.Newlyweds 9.All I Need Is You 10.Balcuilrezsreers 11.Child Of The King 12.Who Will It Be 13.Light Of The World 14.Dave's Snoring.
Unfortunately, 'All I Need Is U' is now a rare gem that is hard to come by these days with some venders selling the album for as high as 250.00 U.S. dollars. Hopefully this problem can be remedied by the band along with a killer record company willing to help.
After the release of VU's debut album, the band showed no sign of stopping and got to work on material for a follow up release.
1999
In 1999 VU followed up with the release of their sophomore album titled 'Just As I Am' on and indie label.
'Just As I Am' finds the band coming into more of their own with tight guitars, a melodic Rock sound, and catchy choruses. Gone is the strong Def Leppard influence that was so prevalent in their first album. While listening to this follow-up release, some band comparisons that come to mind are Electrik and Sure Conviction. If you are into those kind of Rock bands, then you are going to love this sophomore release. From beginning to end one gets a feel that the band is just having fun here similar to what Electrik achieved on 'Love Buzz Harmony'.
'Just As I Am' finds the band coming into more of their own with tight guitars, a melodic Rock sound, and catchy choruses. Gone is the strong Def Leppard influence that was so prevalent in their first album. While listening to this follow-up release, some band comparisons that come to mind are Electrik and Sure Conviction. If you are into those kind of Rock bands, then you are going to love this sophomore release. From beginning to end one gets a feel that the band is just having fun here similar to what Electrik achieved on 'Love Buzz Harmony'.
Some songs that stand out on this '99 release include track-2 "What Are You Gonna Do", track-3 "Point Of View", track-4 "Just As I Am", track-7 "I'm Forgiven", track-8 "Whenever I Call Your Name", track-11 "My Rock", and track-13 "I Put My Trust in You".
The full track-list for 'Just As I Am' includes 1.Search 2.What Are You Gonna Do 3.Point of View 4.Just As I Am 5.Broken Again (Brian's Song) 6.C# Run 7.I'm Forgiven 8.Whenever I Call Your Name 9.Anonymous 10.Most Loving Man 11.My Rock 12.Holy, Holy, Holy 13.I Put My Trust in You.
Lyrics are unabashedly Christ centered & evangelical as one can see in the following excerpts:
"What Are You Gonna Do"
Not so long ago
There was a man
And He was like no other
You got to understand
You can't deny it
Don't try to hide it
What are you gonna do with Jesus
Yeah!
What are you gonna do with Jesus
What are you gonna do with Jesus
He is the door
He's what your lookin' for
What are you gonna do with Jesus
"Point Of View"
Jesus is my point of view
He has made my life brand new
He can do the same for you
Jesus is my point of view
"Just As I Am"
I used to think that I was too far gone
For Your love to reach even me
And I would say that I'm not good enough
For some reason I could not see
That You were calling out to me
Just waiting to set me free
Just as I Am
You say You love me
Just as I Am
You wrap Your arms around me
And tell me that you'll never ever leave me
And I can come to you
God says I Am
"Broken Again"
Rest assured my friend
The Lord is ever working
His sovereignty is clearly seen in me
Rest assured my friend
The only road to safety
Is faith in Him who came from Galilee
"I'm Forgiven"
Yeah!
I'm Forgiven
Well, He has paid the price
I'm Forgiven
He's the ultimate sacrifice
I'm Forgiven
Well, Jesus died for me
I'm Forgiven
And He can set you free
"Whenever I call Your Name"
You are the light that guides my way
Helping me through the rainy days
Whenever I need You
I can call on Your name
You are the star up in the sky
guiding me through each darkened night
I know that You'll be right there beside me
Whenever I call on Your name
Not so long ago
There was a man
And He was like no other
You got to understand
You can't deny it
Don't try to hide it
What are you gonna do with Jesus
Yeah!
What are you gonna do with Jesus
What are you gonna do with Jesus
He is the door
He's what your lookin' for
What are you gonna do with Jesus
"Point Of View"
Jesus is my point of view
He has made my life brand new
He can do the same for you
Jesus is my point of view
"Just As I Am"
I used to think that I was too far gone
For Your love to reach even me
And I would say that I'm not good enough
For some reason I could not see
That You were calling out to me
Just waiting to set me free
Just as I Am
You say You love me
Just as I Am
You wrap Your arms around me
And tell me that you'll never ever leave me
And I can come to you
God says I Am
"Broken Again"
Rest assured my friend
The Lord is ever working
His sovereignty is clearly seen in me
Rest assured my friend
The only road to safety
Is faith in Him who came from Galilee
"I'm Forgiven"
Yeah!
I'm Forgiven
Well, He has paid the price
I'm Forgiven
He's the ultimate sacrifice
I'm Forgiven
Well, Jesus died for me
I'm Forgiven
And He can set you free
"Whenever I call Your Name"
You are the light that guides my way
Helping me through the rainy days
Whenever I need You
I can call on Your name
You are the star up in the sky
guiding me through each darkened night
I know that You'll be right there beside me
Whenever I call on Your name
(See Site Info for Sword Scale meaning)
After the release of 'Just As I Am', VU members went on an indefinite hiatus and haven't been heard from since.
Unfortunately, today VU's material is considered rare and hard to find. If one can obtain a copy of this band's work, then you will have found a nice addition for your personal collection. Without question, the band's two different albums both need to be reissued. If you are into bands like Def Leppard, Nouveaux, Sure Conviction, or Electrik then you are going to love what VU has delivered up with their debut & Sophomore offerings.
Musicians:
Bart Hafeman - Lead, Backing Voc
David Karn - Lead Guitars, Backing Voc
Jason Looney - Rhythm Guitars, Backing Voc
Joe Swaim - Bass, Electric Guitars
Jason Martinez - Drums, Percussion, Backing Voc
Bart Hafeman - Lead, Backing Voc
David Karn - Lead Guitars, Backing Voc
Jason Looney - Rhythm Guitars, Backing Voc
Joe Swaim - Bass, Electric Guitars
Jason Martinez - Drums, Percussion, Backing Voc
