The Altar Boys were a Christian punk rock band from California, formed in 1… Read Full Bio ↴The Altar Boys were a Christian punk rock band from California, formed in 1982. They were made up of Mike Stand (vocals, songwriting, and guitar), Jeff Crandall (drums), Steve Pannier (guitars), Mark Robertson (bass), and Ric Alba (bass, songwriting).

The Altar Boys helped pioneer modern Christian rock music. They were known for their Ramones-style punk music, which was radically different than the more adult contemporary inspired Christian music common at the time of their formation, as well for their mission to speak to and provide help to the hurt and downtrodden in their releases as well as their concerts.. Especially in their early years, they were known for being explicit with their faith in their lyrics. Their sound was heavily influenced by the punk rock scene in Southern California, and they quickly became one of the best known Christian bands on that scene. Their first album sold over 7,000 copies without distribution, and their second disc sold 20,000 units in its first two months of release.

In terms of influences, the group drew greatly from secular hard rock music, with co-songwriter and bassist Ric Alba particularly looking towards Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones and Kiss' Gene Simmons for inspiration. Their songs such as fan-favorite "Against the Grain" often took aim at both the problems of shallow, materialistic contemporary society as well as issues with Christian churches. Many conservative-minded Christian preachers that the group encountered judged them negatively for their hairstyles, their taste in clothes, their encouragement of energetic dancing, their open welcoming of poor, hurting non-Christians in their concerts, and the like. Their members often worked with downtrodden fans that came to them for help, doing various social works. Alba later remarked, "Our work as Altar Boys was possible because of people generously opening up their hearts and guts to us."

Their third and fourth releases, Gut Level Music and Against the Grain, propelled them to national standing. Gut Level Music was explicitly aimed at a secular audience, and marked changes designed to enhance their credibility with that audience. Their lyrical approach changed toward a more subtle expression of their faith. They also refined their sound in an attempt to distance themselves from the punk "garage band" image that they had acquired early on. They began playing in secular venues more often, and in 1987 toured England opening with The Jesus and Mary Chain.

The band went on an "indefinite hiatus" in 1992 However Mike Stand has resurrected much of the Altar Boys songs with his new project called "The Altar Billies". The Altar Billies are a "Punktry" band from Southern California. They are a Rockabilly/Psychobilly/Country style trio led by Mike Stand that perform many of the Altar Boys hits as well as songs from Mike's various solo projects. www.myspace.com/altarbillies

Unconditional Love
Altar Boys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I know a place where God's people can run free
It's a new kind of love and they call it Agape
Don't take too long to find
True love transcends all time
That non-reacting everlasting love

Give me your unconditional love
The kind of love I deserve

The kind I want to return
Give me your unconditional love
The kind of love I deserve
The kind I want to return

Don't try to change or tear your brother down
Let him make his mistakes and he will come around
Hasten just to pray
In God's true word obey
In non-reacting everlasting love

Give me your unconditional love
The kind of love I deserve
The kind I want to return
Give me your unconditional love
The kind of love I deserve
The kind I want to return

Don't take too long to find
True love transcends all time
That non-reacting everlasting love

Give me your unconditional love
The kind of love I deserve
The kind I want to return
Give me your unconditional love

The kind of love I deserve
The kind I want to return

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Altar Boys' song "Unconditional Love" speak to the power of love that transcends time and circumstance. The song begins with a mention of a special place where people can feel free in the love of God, which is referred to as "Agape." This love is said to be beyond time and space, and anyone who experiences it will understand its infinite nature. The message of the song is that love should be given without conditions - that true love is the kind that is freely given and received with an open heart. The song encourages us to love our fellow humans without trying to change them or judge them, but instead to accept them for who they are and let God guide them on their own journey.

The chorus of the song repeats the idea that we should give and receive unconditional love, the kind that we deserve and want to return. The song ends with a reminder that true love is eternal and everlasting, and that it can be found if we take the time to look for it. Overall, "Unconditional Love" is a beautiful expression of the power of love, and the importance of showing love to others without judgment or conditions.

Line by Line Meaning

I know a place where God's people can run free
There is a place where followers of God can openly and freely express themselves.

It's a new kind of love and they call it Agape
This love is an unfamiliar kind that is known as Agape.

Don't take too long to find
Do not take too much time to find what is meant for you.

True love transcends all time
Real love transcends the constraints of time.

That non-reacting everlasting love
This love is never-ending and does not react to external stimuli.

Give me your unconditional love
Provide me with your love that is not bound by any conditions.

The kind of love I deserve
This should be the kind of love that I deserve.

The kind I want to return
I want to give back this same kind of love to others.

Don't try to change or tear your brother down
Do not attempt to alter or harm your fellow man.

Let him make his mistakes and he will come around
Allow him to learn from his errors and he will eventually change his ways.

Hasten just to pray
Quickly turn to prayer for guidance and understanding.

In God's true word obey
Listen to God's teachings and adhere to them.