Help Still Needed, New CDs Coming, Fans Love Latest Single |
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J. Jackson, lead singer and lyricist for ApologetiX here.
David Michael has been mixing our singles and mastering our albums for over 16 months now. During that span, he has mixed 64 parodies for ApX, plus the remix of our "‘80s Medley (Octagon but Not Forgotten).” He is currently mastering our next CD, the sixth he has done for us.
David lives in Athens GA and has a wife, Rebekah, five young children, and a very busy new job as a mortgage loan officer. As I’ve mentioned before, we’re not sure how he manages to make time for us, let alone mix and master so magnificently, but we’re extremely thankful he does.
However, with all that being said, his kids are now home from school for the summer, and business is booming for him in real estate. Those are great things, but he really could use an extra week to catch up and re-set his schedule, so he can mix during the week and have weekends free with his family.
Consequently, he and I have set up a plan to do that:
Although the band is continuing to record new songs in the studio every week (and we actually have two new ones ready to mix), David won’t begin mixing the first song on our next single till this coming week. Consequently, we don’t plan to release our next single till Sunday, July 27, Lord willing.
David takes his responsibilities with ApologetiX very seriously. As a fan of the band since 2006, he hates the idea of making everybody wait an extra week for a new single. However, as I’ve told him repeatedly, we understand that his family and full-time job need to take priority.
His wife and kids are very supportive of what he does with ApX, and we’d like to keep it that way. :)
The last time we had to skip a week for a single was in late March, and that was because that week’s vocal session was a disaster, as the song proved to be far more challenging than expected. God worked that out in a wonderful way, though.
That song turned out to be “For Those About to Talk (Speech Pollutes You),” which you can hear on our new single. I think you’ll agree that it was worth the wait. Make sure you read the articles below titled “Fans Respond to New Single” and “The Stories Behind the Songs on This Single.”
But, before we get to that, we have something else to share ... |
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Help and Prayer Still Needed |
J. Jackson, lead singer and lyricist for ApologetiX here again.
GLASS HALF-FULL (PARTLY SUNNY)
If you’ve read the preamble above, you know our next single will be delayed an extra week although we’ve already recorded the two songs that’ll be on it. However, when you read the articles below, you’ll also see that we have two new CDs in the works, including one that’s about to go to the manufacturer.
Furthermore, I've finished the lyrics for another parody that I’m supposed to sing this Tuesday, Lord willing, and I’m currently working on the words for one I’m hoping to record the week after that. Meanwhile all the other There’s a lot going on here at ApologetiX Central!
That includes practice for our appearance at Immortal Fest II in Versailles OH on Saturday, August 30, which will also be available on pay-per-view live-streaming. We have the set list just about ready, and I’m excited, because it features a bunch of songs we’ve never played live before.
GLASS HALF-EMPTY (PARTLY CLOUDY)
Unfortunately, another thing going on is bills, bills, bills.
I sent an appeal on June 14, and we got a good response (Praise the Lord!), but it usually takes a second mention in a follow-up news bulletin before we get enough to carry us through, because many fans miss the initial announcement.
With all the stuff that’s been going on here, I haven’t had the time to send that follow-up. So here I am again 28 days later. Sounds like a horror film, doesn’t it?
The band has a lot of big expenses coming up this week and is still significantly behind on my back pay, and — what a coincidence — my family also has a lot big expenses coming up this week. So that’s the scoop. Yeah, I know that sounds like old news, rather than a scoop. Sorry.
I’VE LOOKED AT LIFE FROM BOTH SIDES NOW
This email goes out to all our fans, so please don’t feel like we have specific expectations from any of you. Whoever feels led is welcome to give. Whoever doesn’t or can’t, shouldn’t give it a second thought. |
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. Please only give if you feel led and can afford it. If you’ve read this far, thank you, either way! |
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Get Ready for Our Next Two CDs |
Our next CD, Louder Than Plaid, is currently being mastered and is the final stages of art with our designer. The cover artwork is already finished, and the liner notes have been written, too. Everything is supposed to go the manufacturer by early next week, if not sooner.
Here’s the story behind it:
If you thought the 78th ApologetiX LP was loud, wait till you hear the 79th. It's not only louder than its predecessor, it's Louder Than Plaid. Plaid can make a statement without even saying a word. And the louder the plaid, the louder the statement ... even if the person wearing it is quiet as a church mouse. A similar thing can happen if we wear our faith on our sleeves. Our actions speak louder than words. Consequently, the Apostle Peter advises us: |
"Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us ... But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 2:12, 3:15). |
Now, if you've ever stood close to an authentic Scottish bagpiper in action, you know that plaid can be sonically loud, too. Unlike our 53rd CD, this album doesn't include any tracks featuring bagpipes, but it does make some loud statements both lyrically and sonically. Like plaid, the subjects we sing about herein may be regarded by many as unfashionable, but we feel compelled to share them and wear them, even if they clash with the fabric of the prevalent culture.
We’ll let you know when we’re ready to start taking orders.
But wait … there’s more! Although they haven’t been mixed yet, we’ve already recorded all the vocals and instrumental parts for two tracks on the CD after that, which will be our 80th LP, Lord willing. The title is You’re in the Eighties Now. It will feature parodies of songs from the dawn of that decade, 1980-81. |
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New Single Spoofs AC/DC & Saga |
On Sunday night, we released our 12th single of 2025, spoofing two tunes that reached the Top Five on the rock charts in 1982 and 1983. |
For Those About to Talk (Speech Pollutes You) For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) - AC/DC On the News - On the Loose - Saga |
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Our new single, “ For Those About to Talk (Speech Pollutes You)” and “On the News,” is getting great response from our fans. Here are some of the things they’ve said: |
"Great work with the new single. Both songs sound great! I really dig that Saga one. Very nice 80’s sound. 'For Those About To Talk' came out very good! Excellent vocals and musicianship!"
Dave Smith De Soto, MO |
"ApologetiX nailed it again. Awesome parodies."
Richard Oquinn Jr. Johnson City TN |
"Very nice job on the AC/DC parody. I just hope it didn't hurt your voice too much! Brian Johnson is not an easy voice to duplicate.”
Jack Mielke Burlington WI |
"Nice job on those songs. I guessed AC/DC, but not 'For Those About to Rock.’ Bet that one is hard on the vocal cords. Volume needs to go to 11."
Mike Sackett Bronson MI |
"Enjoying them both. Can’t believe you’re still able to belt out AC/DC. Praise Jesus, our faithful source!"
Jim Larkin Staten Island NY |
“Many, many thanks. I have been waiting for you to do that AC/CD song since forever!!!!"
Dave Tocher Ashford, Kent, United Kingdom |
“I just got the new single. You have always done AC/DC very well. I didn’t like them when I first heard them in the ‘70s, but you all make them extremely enjoyable. I also like that song by Saga — a one-hit wonder."
Bill Brandt Mulberry FL |
“I felt initially, these have got to be y’all’s best one-two punch in a while. Spectacular!!!"
Glen Van Boxtel Cahokia IL |
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The Stories Behind the Songs on This Single |
J. Jackson, lead singer and lyricist for ApologetiX here again.
Here are the stories behind the songs on our 12th single of 2025:
FOR THOSE ABOUT TO TALK (SPEECH POLLUTES YOU)
In Pee-Wee Herman's 1985 film Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, he gives some heartfelt advice to his friend Simone, who protests, "I know you're right, but ..." as her voice trails off. "But what?" he asks. "Everyone I know has a big 'but.’" This parody is based on three big "buts" in Matthew's Gospel, all quotes from Jesus: |
"But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell" (5:22).
"But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken" (12:36).
"But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them" (15:18). |
The title, which I love, came to me on June 14, 2020. AC/DC vocalist Brian Johnson is a bear to imitate, so I waited five years to try. On February 18, 2025, I made my first attempt but didn't end up with much to show for it aside from a splitting headache and a queasy stomach from singing so hard so long.
We finally revisited things on June 10, 17, and 25. To ease the pressure, I would work on it after finishing the main songs scheduled for those days ("I Just Want to Take After You," "Heaven's Metal," and "On the News"). That did the trick. Each subsequent session went better than before, and most of the vocals we used are probably from June 25. Praise the Lord!
"For Those About to Talk (Speech Pollutes You)" features J. Jackson on lead vocals, Rich Mannion on backing vocals, Wayne Bartley on guitars, Keith Haynie on bass, and Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner on drums and percussion. ON THE NEWS
"On the News" starts from the perspective of one of Jesus' New Testament disciples as things are starting to get hairy with the authorities, but by the third verse, the words could be sung by a follower back then or now.
If you faithfully follow these journal entries, you know that many of our parodies have a saga behind them. This one literally had a Saga behind it.
"On the Loose" was both a pop and rock hit (#26 pop, #3 mainstream rock) in the winter of 1982-83. I liked it so much that I bought the 45 in December '82 and later made a cassette recording of the album version, which had a longer, cooler lead in the middle (that's the version we wound up replicating).
I thought Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner was the first band guy to ask me if I'd consider spoofing it, back in 2024 or earlier. Wayne Bartley has since informed me that he'd asked me about it before Jimmy, but I'd told him it was unlikely.
Then, while I was doing a search of my old texts, I was found this one Rich Mannion sent me on October 17, 2020 that I'd totally forgotten: "Have you ever done 'On the Loose' by the band Saga? I played it when it was a hit. I was in a band called Ezekiel's Wheel.”
Well, whatever the impetus, all four of us liked the original and wound up playing on the parody. I started seriously considering it in early March 2025. I got the idea for "On the News" on April 24, and I first put it on an official "to do" list for Jimmy the following day. We released it on July 6, 2025.
"On the News" features J. Jackson on lead and backing vocals, Wayne Bartley on guitars, Rich Mannion on keyboards, George Elliott on bass, and Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner on drums and percussion. |
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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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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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1 John 4:9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. |
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P.O. Box 101705
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
USA
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