Rhema
Rhema, was a techno band formed in the 80's in Phoenix AZ consisting of band memebers (left to Right) Marc Jackson, Greg Bond, Bobby Freeman, Pat Byrnes, Craig Quiter and Jeff Casey.
A bit of trivia on the name of the band: It was from a former version of the band that played gospel music originally founded in 1975 by Marc Jackson and another former band member."
The band seen here was at the forefront of techno pop music from the era but certainly not an inventor of the genre because their influences were well established by the time Rhema started hitting the club circuit in the Phoenix area.
In 1983, they recorded a four song demo with producer and recording studio owner Dennis Alexander and the band was signed to a recording contract with Curb/MCA records by record executive Dick Whitehouse. The label up until that time had only signed one artist of this type prior, a Melbourne-based New Wave band "Real Life" who did have one successful hit in the US, "Send Me An Angel." But Rhema and producer Alexander were also presented a movie project in the deal where the band would perform songs and appear in the film which made the offer more compelling.
The deal was made and Rhema did indeed appear in "Voyage of the Rock Aliens." (See the myspace page for more details on the film.)
The film played in select theaters in the UK and Europe but never in the states. The same fate would effect the release of the soundtrack on which the band "Real Life" and Jermaine Jackson also appeared and in the following year Rhema would ask to be dropped from the label going on to play shows, record and developing as a band.
Despite the failure of the recording contract, during that time prior to the record deal and for at least a year following the film, Rhema was one of the most popular bands in Phoenix packing out clubs and opening up for bands like INXS. Wearing futurisic costumes, doing quirky dance moves (some even choreographed) and making excellent use of the keyboard you see as the background on the page, the Roland Juno 60.
Played by Marc Jackson and Craig Quiter, the instant programming capabilities of the instrument made each performance unpredictable and interesting for fans. Bobby Freeman (bass) played the first Korg miniature synth as a bass instrument but would switch to his bass guitar often.
Jeff Casey (drummer) used a pre-programmed Lynn Drum Machine on stage along with his acoustic drum kit combined with Simmons pads. He would trigger the songs manually, often with a hi-hat count off clicking the tempo, joined by Casey clicking his sticks for the count off.
Pat Byrnes (guitar) switched between glassy and textured tones to distorted rock settings. He sang back up vocals on many of the songs. He was well-versed in a variety of styles and brought some of the rock aspects into the techno. He was also very animated on stage.
Vocals were mostly by Greg Bond and often Marc Jackson who doubled on guitar as well as keyboards.
The band wrote songs that on the surface seemed quirky and almost comical but were sometimes layered with thoughtful concepts. One of the songs that appears in the film "Voyage" was "Combine Man," which contained lyrics constructed on actual word-for-word rantings of a mental patient named Eugene.
The mantra of Rhema and the individuals you see in the photo was to "make it." A singularity of purpose to that end would lead the band on detours into compromises, but ultimately at the core they did it with passion.
Years after the band broke up, Bobby Freeman developed cancer but was in recovery when he was tragically struck down by a car while taking a walk with his girlfriend. This site is dedicated to Bobby who was extrememly talented, a funny and lighthearted guy and will be greatly missed.
At least 3 out of the five band members continue to make music professionally to this day.
The site is fairly new and soon will have songs posted of the band.
More band info to come.
