Focused (band)

Focused
Origin	Huntington Beach/Long Beach, California
Genres	Christian Hardcore, hardcore, Christian metalcore[1]
Years active	1990[2]-1996,[3] 2000-2001, 2009-present
Labels	Tooth & Nail Records
Associated acts	Project 86, Crash Rickshaw, Stavesacre
Website	Focused on Facebook
Members	Tim Mann Jason Parker Alex Albert Mike Merryman Dirk Lemmenes
Past members	Andrew Reizuch Chris Bowden Al Christensen John Schoettler Matt Archuleta Jeff Boetto Adam Valles Gary Wilson Brett Barber Jim Rupe

Focused was one of the first Christian hardcore bands of the Spirit Filled hardcore movement,^[4] along with Strongarm, Zao, Overcome, and Unashamed. According to Cross Rhythms, Focused's second album, The Hope That Lies Within, has received a positive ten bar rating.^[5] The band disbanded in 1996, but got back together in 2009 to play on Demon Hunter's "Huntour" along with Living Sacrifice, Throwdown, Advent and many more.^[6] The band has also toured with The Crucified.^[7]

Members

Current

• Tim Mann - vocals
• Dirk Lemmenes - bass
• Mike Merryman - guitar
• Jason Parker - guitar
• Alex Albert - drums

Former

• Andrew Reizuch - guitar
• Chris Bowden - drums
• Al Christensen - drums
• John Schoettler - guitar
• Matt Archuleta - bass
• Jeff Boetto - guitar
• Adam Valles - drums
• Gary Wilson - guitar
• Brett Barber - guitar
• Jim Rupe - bass (formerly of Every Day Life)

Discography

Studio albums^[8]

• Bow (1993, Tooth & Nail Records)^{[9][10][11][12]}
• The Hope That Lies Within (1995, Tooth & Nail Records)^[13][14]

EPs

• 2000 EP (2000, Indie Vision Music)

Compilations

• The Wheels of Progress (1992-1996) (1999, Gunshow Records)

Awards

Dove Awards

• 1996 - Hard Music Album: The Hope that Lies Within (Nominated)^[15]

References

1. Sciarretto, Amy (February 2000). "A Joyful Noise? Christian Metalcore". CMJ New Music Monthly (78): 70. ISSN 1074-6978.
2. "Focused Biography". Christian Molten Metal Bands.
3. Bowden, Chris (May 5, 2015). "...a Counselor". Interview with Mark Salomon. Never Was Podcast. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
4. "Focused on Last.fm". Last.fm.
5. "Focused". Cross Rhythms.
6. "Focused returns from the grave". BANDSONFIRE.
7. Salomon, Mark (2005). Simplicity. Relevantbooks. ISBN 0-9760357-6-6.
8. "Focused on discogs". Discogs.
9. Van Pelt, Doug (March 1994). "Focused - Bow" (46). HM Magazine.
10. Burt, Jason (1994). "Cornerstone Festival". 23 (104). HM Magazine.
11. Clark, Ryan (July 2005). "Focused - Bow" (114). HM Magazine.
12. Anderson, Matt (June 1, 1994). "Focused - Bow". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
13. Van Pelt, Doug (July 1995). "Focused - The Hope That Lies Within" (54). HM Magazine.
14. Wilson, Jon (December 1, 1996). "Focused - The Hope That Lies Within". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
15. "Focused". CM Nexus. Retrieved February 13, 2016.

External links

• Focused on Myspace
• Jenison, David (June 1994). "Only Bowing To One" (47). HM Magazine.
• Jenison, David (October 1994). "Hardcore" (49). HM Magazine.
• Hershey, Brent (January 1995). "Focused: the Interview" (51). HM Magazine.
• "From Focused to Flowers..." (60). HM Magazine. July 1996.
• Hamamoto, Andi (January 2001). "Concert Review: Focused Reunion" (87). HM Magazine.