The Lions of Undercover Roar Once More – Opinion

A musician’s dream is to have a dedicated audience. One that stays with them over the years. Someone who comes together wherever and whenever the artist appears. This was Sunday June 5, 2009.^ThFans from Holland traveled as far as Holland to Anaheim and Southern California to catch Undercover’s first concert in 11 years.

As I mentioned this past March, Undercover started life as the ferocious leader of Calvary Chapel Santa Ana’s second musical wave. In the early 1970s, the church, pastored by the late Chuck Smith, was the west coast Jesus Movement’s hub, fervently evangelizing through all available means as the belief was Christ’s Second Coming was imminent. Although Jesus continues showing tremendous restraint on pulling this weary planet’s plug, the faithful remain connected to Him and each other, the music of that time serving as a warm reminder of youthful faith’s heady enthusiasm and a welcome lifeline to the risen Savior.

Music emanating from Calvary Chapel Santa Ana was mainly under the Maranatha! Music name, initially reflected the church’s locale with its emphasis on the Laurel Canyon folk/country/rock stylings (I refer you to the masterful Richie Furay for a superb example). When the 1970s moved into the 1980s, a period when punk and alternative rock’s far more aggressive stylings became predominant, despite moderate to severe resistance in some Christian circles, this new music direction made its presence felt. Heading the charge from Maranatha’s side of things was Undercover’s mix of pogo-pop and punk.

Maranatha ceased to be a shop for worship and praise music by the mid-1980s. It left behind the musicians who were previously under its care. Undercover carried on for another decade, its music and message both growing in power as it lyrically embraced a far greater spectrum of life’s experiences than strict evangelism permitted.

That said, Undercover hasn’t released an album in over two decades. They haven’t played a concert in over a decade. This is not the kind of thing that can propel a career. It took only a couple of months to get the show booked. On a Sunday night, no less, much to the apparent bewilderment of club employees who, despite handling all manners of shows several times a week, needed firm guidance from two music industry veterans who themselves came from Undercover’s era on how to handle a very self-controlled crowd.

Cush (i.e., the first part of The Prayer Chain) was welcomed to the packed house. The acoustic sets of Mike Roe from The 77s & The Lost Dogs were followed by a set featuring Steve Hindalong (The Choir) and The Lost Dogs (percussion). Derri Daugherty graced a couple songs and gave a much-needed live performance after suffering from serious health issues. Set highlights included Roe’s plaintive masterpiece “The Lust, The Flesh, The Eyes, and The Pride of Life,” which, unlike the unwieldy title, is a rich flowing cry of the human condition when one pursues anyone and anything but God. Roe with Daugherty warmly recreated their version recorded under the Kerosene Halo moniker of Terry Scott Taylor’s “Rice Paper Wings.”

The stage was dominated by Undercover for almost two hours. They played songs after songs, and each one was welcomed with open arms by the crowd. Sim Wilson, one of the greatest rock frontmen that most people have not seen, is still a force to be reckoned with. His commanding presence on stage and powerful voice has never lost any of their roar make him one of the finest performers in rock. Gary Olson, the drummer kept his cool while Gym Nicholson played heavy but melodic guitar riffs that 99.44% of metal guitarists would gladly have. Ojo Taylor played keyboards and cranked out space-filling melodies as well as bass lines. This is a crucial element of Undercover’s strength, its ability to create musical thunder yet one with breathing space. Undercover is heavy rock for people who normally can’t stand the stuff.

The event had a nostalgic feel to it. It was like a family gathering celebrating the people still around and lamenting over those who are gone. The music is still magical, as evidenced by many younger people being dragged by their grandparents or parents to the concert. They rock out in complete joy. For those who have been there all along, Undercover’s presence was a welcome reminder that even though the days of youthful exuberance and concerts most every weekend have long passed, the Spirit still breathes and lives among, and within, those who have lived their lives guided by belief in, and active implementation of, God’s love for His creation.

On Sunday, there were many tears shed on the stage and among the audience. It is possible that there won’t be another such show. Faith is the key to this. The lions undercover are not yet in winter. Fall, yes. This night, however, proved that the roar is not losing its power.