Kindekrist
Formed in 1970, Kindekrist was Australia's first Christian rock band. The band brought together musicians from different musical styles - folk, country-rock, classical, pop and rock - and theological traditions (Lutheran, Presbyterian and Methodist). The band's name derived from the German for "Children of Christ", reflecting the Lutheran roots of the lead singer.
Kindekrist's music reflected both a concern for issues of social justice as well as expressing more spiritual and religious themes. In this, it paralleled the themes of the contemporary US Jesus Movement, which itself spawned the development of Jesus Music that later evolved into Contemporary Christian Music. Two of the band's members, Robin Mann and John Pryzibilla, were arrested during Australian protests against the Vietnam War, while the band's first drummer, Rev Rod Jepsen, was a leader of the Anti-Apartheid campaign against the 1971 Springbok Rugby Tour of Australia.
With membership changing over the two decades of the band's life, the core performer and composer was Robin Mann. Many of his songs were subsequently included in congregational hymn collections in Australia, the UK, US and elsewhere.
References
Ken Scott (2005) Vintage Vinyl Jesus Music 1965 - 1980
Stewart Harris (1972) Political Football - The Springbok Tour of Australia, 1971 ISBN 0-7260-0017-5
Discography
Commonplace Forms (Edition One) 1973
Father Songs (EMI custom pressing) 1974
Even Stones Can Sing (Good God) 1977 - Tape Cassette only
Carry Me Home (Move) 1979
None of Kindekrist's recordings are listed in current catalogues, although some appear on auction sites occasionally. Archive copies are stored in the State Library of South Australia.