New Jerusalem

In 1995, the band released "Foundation", a cassette that spawned their independent "New Jerusalem" CD. The song "Foundation" was written by Randy. It became a live staple at duo and full band shows in the early formative years of the group. The 1996 release of the indie CD established the act nationally, with an initial distribution deal through Juke Box Media and considerable radio support. The original project was produced by Thurane, assisted by Phil Parmenter. The inside album jacket includes a beautiful poem written by John Madsen. An unusual liaison was also established by promoter Michael Wilkerson in late 1996/early 1997 with Cactus Game Design. Michael introduced Thurane to Rob Anderson, president of Cactus Game Design, maker of the Scattergories game. Rob's company designed a Redemption playing card for New Jerusalem, available exclusively in the Bulletproof Music CD "New Jerusalem". In 1998 - 1999, a computer game utilizing New Jerusalem's music and called "Saints of Virtue" was developed by Shine Studios - distributed by Cactus Game Design. That further entrenched the group in the Christian gamers and hard music markets. A veritable plethora of compilation CD's and cassettes include New Jerusalem's music, including DMR Diversions "e=mp3" - released 2 years prior to the recent influx of mp3 soundfile popularity(!); and Jay Raymond's "Virtual Snowboarding" interactive CDROM (interspersed with video clips of snowboarding stunts and New Jerusalem songs). After respectable exposure in the underground rock scene, Bulletproof Records signed New Jerusalem in 1997, further expanding the ever-growing legions of faithful New Jerusalem followers. That record deal was initiated by a simultaneous visit to the National Association of Christian Rock Radio summit meeting, with then aspiring New Jerusalem manager Mari Spyker and Thurane meeting Gray Dot/Bulletproof Music vice-president Dave Vanderpoel - and a referral by St. Marys, PA radio personality Eric Lane of WKBI. Eric prompted Thurane to call David at Gray Dot/Bulletproof. The resulting Bulletproof Records "New Jerusalem" re-release includes three tracks not available on the indie record: "You Are My Life", "Final Stand" and "Hail Tonight". The Gray Dot, Inc./Bulletproof Music CD "New Jerusalem" is available on both CD and cassette - distributed by Diamante Music Group at any Christian/secular record retailer world wide. That initial record sold respectably, further garnering the foothold New Jerusalem has fast been attaining in the general music market.

The ABC Network made-for-television movie "What We Did That Night / Murder At Devil's Glen" included "Take Me Home" from the Bulletproof Music release in the soundtrack in late 1998. "Take Me Home" was published by DSM Producers/Warner-Tamerlane BMI. "What We Did That Night" features Golden Globe award winner Rick Schroder("NYPD Blue", "Silver Spoons", "The Champ") - Michael Easton("Ally McBeal", "413 Hope St." "Total Recall 2070") - Jack Noseworthy ("Cats", "Breakdown" starring Kurt Russell, "The Brady Bunch Movie") - Jayce Bartok("SubUrbia") - Tara Reid("The Big Lebowski", "American Pie"); directed by Paul Shapiro("Black and Blue", "The Invaders").

"Take Me Home" reached #32 on the rock chart, "Living In the Light" hit #11 on the Loud chart and "Sincerity" is has charted on many radio stations. Additional promotions include "Judgement Day", "Final Stand", "Hail Tonight" and "You Are My Life".

Mp3.com added New Jerusalem to their roster of artists in March, 2001. The new addition brought New Jerusalem additional success, with chart topping songs in a varied cross-section of genres: "Take Me Home" immediately jumped to #2 at Christian & Spiritual Pop, "Judgement Day" exploded at #2 on the Christian & Spiritual Metal Charts, "You Are My Life" hit the top 40 at Christian/Spiritual Easy Listening, "Hail Tonight" achieved top 40 status on Christian/Spiritual Rock and "Foundation" broke open the Christian Country(!) Charts on the top 40 as well!

New Jerusalem and Michael Sweet of Stryper appeared live at The Mason Jar on Thursday, May 24, 2001 at 8:00 PM. The show was excellent, with a Standing Room Only crowd and an incredible amount of shouting, clapping and foot-stomping in that now-legendary rock club. The spiritual focus was omnipresent, and it was a joy to experience the look and feel of an old-fashioned big tent revival in a smoky little bar! Smiles and laughter all around...

The New Jerusalem acoustic duo: "Rip & the Insomnia Man" (Randy & Thurane) appeared with Ryan Brown (founder of Wish) and The Lost Dogs (Featuring Mike Rowe of The 77's and members of The Choir & Daniel Amos) at Alice Cooperstown on Friday, March 15, 2002 @ 8pm. It was a spiritually electric evening, with many core New Jerusalem fans and friends alike. Jesse Rodriguez from His Destiny was filming the event, local promoter Kevin Mitchell assisted Pat & Celia of C2C Productions and many local Arizona musicians attended the show. The spiritual focus was once again omnipresent...the show must go on..

New Jerusalem performed a breathtaking set at Redemption 2000: R2K: "The Third Explosion" on Saturday, May 18th, 2002. The new lineup: Thurane Aung Khin, Randall Householder, Abe Rosa and Donald Harrington Fargo rocked the Standing-Room-Only crowd, with notable performances by Kenyon Grey, Kenyon and Thurane. New Jerusalem introduced new material, including "Do Tell", "Freedom Train" and "My Reflection". The spiritual focus, once again omnipresent...verifies that God has great plans for this band...

2002 saw New Jerusalem's "Final Stand" featured in "Con Express", an action film featuring Sean Patrick Flanery ("Young Indiana Jones", "Suicide Kings", opposite Drew Barrymore in "Best Men" and co-starring with Sarah Michelle Gellar in "Simply Irresistible") and Arnold Vosloo ("The Mummy" starring Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz and John Hannah; "The Mummy Returns"; "Darkman I & II" and performed alongside Al Pacino in "Salom").

Lineup

Barry Jenkins - Vocals/Drums
Thurane Aung Khin - Guitars
Brian Hutchison - Bass