Bleach

Emerging after grunge had established itself in the broader market, the Nashville-based band Bleach achieved both commercial traction and critical notice by merging its Christian themes with an alternative-pop style suited to the era’s prevailing acts. The lineup featured lead singer Davy Baysinger, guitarist Brad Ford, bass player Todd Kirby, and drummer Matt Gingrich; the musicians formed the group and started performing while students at Kentucky Christian College. Assistance from Barry Blair of Audio Adrenaline—itself a band that had originated at K.C.C.—led Forefront Records, Audio Adrenaline’s label, to take interest. After the label’s head of A&R witnessed a live set, Bleach joined the roster and moved to Nashville to cut its debut album, Space, under Blair’s production guidance. The album’s sound and message resonated on Christian radio, yielding the hit single and video “Epidermis Girl,” which brought the band a Dove Award. The 1998 follow-up, Static, ventured further stylistically, received favorable notices, and produced another well-received track in “Super Good Feeling.” Bassist Rick Fox came aboard for the next release, the self-titled Bleach, amid departures of Ford, Gingrich, and Kirby; guitarist Milam Byers, drummer Jared Byers, and bassist Jerry Morrison stepped in as replacements. During summer 2002, now under the Tooth and Nail imprint, the band issued Again for the First Time.