ApX Needs Help, Last Wkd’s Big Show, New Clues |
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J. Jackson, lead singer and lyricist for ApologetiX here.
Well, we made it safely to, through, and back from the big Immortal II festival in Versailles OH last weekend. Later in this issue, you can read a detailed article about how things went (and even check out a few photos).
Although half of the songs we performed were from our two most-recent LPs, the ApX album I'm thinking about now came out in 2020 — Alien Invasion. We originally planned to do “Bartholomew” from that one, but Wayne Bartley played guitars on the original. When he couldn’t come to Immortal II, we replaced it with a different tune Tom Tincha played on the same CD, “Flew Off the Handle.”
However, if I were to summarize those last two weeks of preparation for Immortal II, I would choose a third song title from Alien Invasion — “Stressin’ Out.” And if I were to describe my feelings now that the event is in our rear-view mirror, the same CD has a fourth song with a very appropriate title — “Glad It’s Over.”
Don’t get me wrong … as was the case in 2024, I’m glad we did it. But I’m also glad it’s over. Back when we toured regularly, doing a festival like that would've been a piece of cake. Now that we’ve been almost exclusively a studio band for a decade, it’s a massive undertaking to get the band up to speed for a concert, especially while still trying to get new recordings out. There's also a ton of expenses involved.
Speaking of expenses, we’re in a bit of a bind again in regard to that. I honestly don’t send appeal letters at the first sign of need but, rather, as a last resort, after much prayer and exhausting other viable options. Suffice it to say, the band has some major expenses coming up, including a very significant one due Monday, and is still way behind on paying me. Meanwhile, my family has big bills coming due as well.
We still hope to get a new single out this weekend. Both songs are in the mixing stage, but ApX mixmaster David Michael was helping us at the concert in Ohio last weekend, rather than home in Georgia. Like me, whenever he’s out of the office for a while, he has a lot of catching up to do after he gets home. Moreover, yesterday was his wife Rebekah’s birthday, and they also have five kids.
So there you have it. As always, we’re sending this newsletter to all of our fans, and anybody who feels led to give (and is able) is welcome to do so. But please do not feel any pressure from us. God can provide however He sees fit, and I believe He will.
If you'd like to help, here are some options: |
Pray (first and foremost) Give by mail: ApologetiX, 208 Charlemma Dr., Pittsburgh PA 15214
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Donations are not tax deductible. Thank you for reading this. |
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Revisiting Last Weekend's Big Concert |
Thanks to all of you prayed for us as we prepared to perform at the Immortal II festival last Saturday in Versailles OH. Here’s your official recap:
WHO DID WE MEET?
Pastor Bob Beeman of Sanctuary International — one of the pioneers of Christian rock, dating back to the ‘60s — was master of ceremonies in both 2024 and 2025. He was very kind to us once again and said he'd been enjoying the USB thumb drive we gave him last year. Once he got on stage, he introduced ApX with these words:
“I’m so excited to have ApologetiX back. And I have to tell you, I turn into a geeky fan when I’m around these guys, ‘cause I am a fan, and I have been for a long time. And I’m so happy they’re here with us.”
That was an amazing honor. If you don’t know who Pastor Bob is, you can learn more about him HERE.
Here’s a photo of Pastor Bob (middle) with ApX guitarist Tom Tincha’s guitar tech, Scott Schmitt (left) and ApX guitarist Tom Milnes (right): |
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Earlier in the afternoon, we were approached by another elder statesman of Christian rock, Glenn Kaiser, the leader of The Resurrection Band (a.k.a. Rez). “I know who you are,” he said. "A friend of mine in Florida who is a fan of yours turned me on to you.” Glenn stuck around to talk to us for another 15 minutes or so.
Various members of ApologetiX had nice conversations with the other artists there that day, Les Carlsen, lead singer of Bloodgood; The Daniel Band; and Bride. Of course, the best part was getting to see and chat with longtime fans, who are really old friends.
WHAT DID WE PLAY?
In case you’re wondering what songs we’ve played in our hour-long slot at Immortal Fest, here’s the set list: |
"I Want You to Wash Me" "It’s a Long Way to the Dock "Flew Off the Handle" “Shush" "Heaven’s Metal" “Complain" "I Ain’t Myself, Lord, I’m Something New" "Run Unafraid" "Every Day About You" "Wild King" "And the Crippled Will Walk" "I Just Want to Take After You”
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HOW CAN YOU WATCH IT NOW?
Joel Havian of Beverly MA, who has seen us live many times all over New England, wasn’t able to be there in person, but he found a page where you can purchase the concert that was live-streamed. But viewing is only available until next Friday, September 12. Just go HERE.
The videography company, TopRight Productions, used at least a dozen different cameras to get the event from all the different angles. The guy who ran sound for the livestream was Jerry Guidroz, the longtime sound engineer for progressive-rock sensation Neal Morse.
We’ve been given the option of purchasing the video and the audio for future use if we ever wish to release it as a download or DVD or CD. We still have to make an official decision on that, but it’s a distinct possibility. |
WHAT DID THE FANS SAY?
Here are some of things written to us by fans in attendance and those who watched the livestream: |
Just wanted to say thanks again for a great concert. It was amazing. You guys are so talented. The CDs and the downloads are great, but nothing is better than seeing/hearing you guys LIVE! You would never guess you guys play live only once a year. Chris and I feel very blessed that we were able to attend. The countdown to Immortal Fest 2026 has already started. Thanks again to you and everyone that played, sang, and helped at the show.
Mike Sackett Bronson MI |
I want to tell you how much I enjoyed watching Apologetix at Immortal Fest II via livestream! Loved it! I watched you guys live, and then I replayed it three more times over the next 24-hour period.
Ya'll are my favorite Christian band and just my favorite band in general. I don't need any other band, lol; you are all of them wrapped up into one! I love the lyrics and the music and the way you and the band sound so true to every song you parody. I've played your songs for friends and family, and they all are amazed at how talented you guys are and how much you sound just like all bands you parody, only with Christian words of truth.
And your daughters are awesome too! My daughter just saw Joan Jett in concert over the summer and I showed her a clip of your daughters doing "I Ain't Myself Lord, I'm Something New," and she was blown away!) My wife just told me to tell you how much she enjoys all the ApologetiX tunes! We listen all the time! Anyway, Great concert!! Thanks for sharing Christ with the world!
Steve Hunter Walled Lake MI |
Fantastic set tonight! It was so good to put faces on the bandmates tonight! When Pastor Bob Beeman introduced the band, it was the first time in two days that I heard the audience erupt! It was really obvious that you had put in many hours of practice, the band was tight like they had been touring for months! I hope u get invited back next year!
David Cassidy Arroyo Grande CA |
Loved watching you do the concert. Good to see the band play again. Great song set. Loved seeing your daughters sing. God bless y'all ..
T.K. Bush Valrico FL |
It was great seeing you perform again, especially since it had been almost eight years for me. The last time I saw you perform was at the Cup O Joy in 2017. One of the fun surprises for me beside your tee-shirt changes was when you performed “Complain." The band performed well, and your daughters did great on the couple of songs they sang.
Ron Whipple Garfield Heights OH |
The concert was great. You and your brothers and daughters did a terrific job.
Bill Brandt Mulberry FL |
I just wanted to let ya know that ya’ll ROCKed! ApX was AWESOME! Great to see the girls with ya. And mic’ed well. Hope ya get to do this again next year!
Daniel Collis Largo FL |
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Clues for 2025 Single #16 |
We hope to release our 16th single of 2025 by the end of this weekend, Lord willing.
Here are your clues. Want to really impress us? See if you can spot all of the references in both entries. We counted a total of 21.
SONG #1
The church in Corinth was hardly a model congregation to begin with, but word got back to Paul that they were now out of control. Never one to shy away from the truth, he cut through the mumbo jumbo and wrote them a frank letter of rebuke. Is that love? Yes, tough love. Now came the waiting game. How would the ones he’d written to respond?
SONG #2
Are you a seeker, looking for something more to life? You know who you are currently, but what about 20 years from now? It’s a mystery. No matter who you are, sometimes people change, and someday you may, too. Maybe today. Listen to the testimony in this song. It seems like a dream, but it was very real at the time and still is even now.
Once the new single is released, we'll announce it in our news bulletin, on our website, and on our Facebook page. |
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Get ApX Complete Library, USBs, Songbook |
To get the complete ApologetiX library, ApX USB thumb drives, and/or the new ApX digital songbook — or to get more info about them — just click on the item(s) you want below. |
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Bible-Reading Plan for 2025 |
We began our latest trip through the Bible on Wednesday, April 3. Note: If you don't have a Bible handy, you can look up these passages for free on Bible Gateway. They have about 60 different English translations/versions there to choose from, plus translations in many other languages, many of which also have multiple translations/versions. |
CLICK HERE to see the reading plan for the whole year. |
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If you'd like to donate to the ministry of ApologetiX, there are a couple ways you can do it. |
If you prefer to mail a check or money order, please make it out to "ApologetiX" and send it to:
ApologetiX
208 Charlemma Drive
Pittsburgh PA 15214-1414
Although the donations are not tax-deductible, they will be received very gratefully and used immediately. Thank you! |
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Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 43:5 |
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P.O. Box 101705
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
USA
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