Rock That Doesn't Roll: The Story of Christian Music

Rock That Doesn’t Roll looks at how Christian music shaped the world we're living in now by telling individual stories from the peak era of the contemporary Christian music industry. In the 80s, 90s and early 2000s CCM grew into a billion dollar business that affected millions of evangelical young people. Through interviews with artists, industry players and average fans we trace the long-lasting personal, cultural and political impact of sometimes cringe-worthy music. Expect hilarious moments and heartfelt yearning, purity culture and conservative politics- all in equal measure. Whether you’ve deconstructed, come out or renegotiated your faith, we hope you feel seen. If you’ve never given Christian music any thought beyond a punchline, we hope you’ll gain a deeper understanding of a subculture that’s shaping the world around us now.

Recent Episodes

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Recent Reviews

Coinymccoinface

Subversive

I started listening to an episode about the Christian punk rock and ska era. I was so excited. It was very interesting and reminiscent. Then halfway through we started sneaking in gender ideology within the church. There’s a lot of subversive messaging in these podcasts. I was disappointed. You could almost tell by the NPR style editing that this was a potential outcome. Highly disappointed. Could’ve been great otherwise. Always sneaking sexual deviancy into Christianity. it should’ve been no shock. They were propping up the United Methodist Church early in one of these episodes. Also talking about how some Christian genres were just white colonialize versions of music that originated in other countries turned my stomach. This is a very leftist narcissistic academic podcast masquerading as a “hip” Christian culture commentary.
Bil10923874

Love this Podcast .

So well done ! Bravo
EthanRG

It’s ok

If you like this type of thing and don’t want the spin and tongue in cheek mockery of the music scene check out the Labeled Podcast. More real musicians that lived it.
L Swan

So bad.

Unless you’re one of the 3 people who have ever heard of these terrible bands, it’s not interesting. I grew up in this era and this scene, although not the Christian part of it, and hoped to find some value here. Poorly produced and deeply boring.
jmart901

Takes me back

This is one of my favorite podcasts. I really enjoy the way they allow the artists to tell their stories and honestly express their faith journey. I love remembering going to the Christian bookstore to find the newest Michael W. Smith, DC Talk, Petra, and DeGarmo & Key albums! Those were special days. The DC Talk episode was a classic!
Father Olachea

I don’t care if I’m punk or ska or hardcore enough

What a great podcast! Now I feel like I’m not alone. There are dozens of us!!! Seriously though, I have really enjoyed revisiting Christian bookstore days and the evangelical bubble. I’m surprised to hear so many voices with similar experiences. This podcast explores the good, the bad, and the ugly of it all and the profound ways that it shaped us. If you grew up in a household (and church culture) that cautiously endorsed Christian music and tried to protect your teenage years from the evils of secular rock, this a podcast for you!
ColGreens

Just What I Needed

Growing up a Christian kid in the eighties listening to Christian rock/pop/metal/punk, this podcast is right up my alley.
mrmccown

It felt like coming home

As a former Evangelical and a former “book store guy,” it was therapeutic to hear this podcast talk about experiences that I thought I was all alone in!
RadioOwl

Well made and respectful!

Rock That Doesn’t Roll scratches a very particular itch for those of us with a deep history in CCM. They tell the stories of my early experiences with Christian music and the church and they do it so well! The show is full of nostalgic music clips and has great production. What I appreciate most is how respectfully they handle sometimes delicate subject matter.
Rabiosa Rocker

Jennifer Knapp ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks so much for interviewing Jennifer Knapp! A an ex youth group kid who’s now a queer adult, I loved hearing more of her story.
tomadamson

Props

When Lars G. name dropped Adam Again’s “Perfecta” I cheered in my car! I had the same experience of buying it in a bookstore on a whim and it blew my 17 yr old mind! I did not grow up evangelical, but Anglo Catholic, and was very devout. It was the more alternative bands that spoke to me. This podcast does a good job of analyzing the complexities of the era. CCM was not a monolith. And I’ve found the work of the artists who were less preachy have remained in my regular listening over the years.
Cassafras38

Memory lane

This is so great and funny and interesting! Brought me back to my high school youth group and the music I so desperately loved and wanted everyone else to love too. Once in a while I will listen again, but mostly it has stayed in the past. Recently, I tried to expose my kids to some of that music (Switchfoot, MxPx, and five iron frenzy, etc.) but they didn’t take to it. 😅 Anyway, great podcast!
mhale85

Throwback

So many things i didn’t know about the music I loved growing up
DreaG

What a find!

This podcast is SUCH a gem for anyone who grew up in evangelical culture and is now unpacking that experience. Music was a huge part of what drew my traumatized parent to church in the first place and then it became a huge part of how my sister and I were indoctrinated. The historical, political and social context the hosts and guests add is wonderful.
Hplert

I Didn’t Know I Needed This

Where in my brain have all these lyrics been hibernating? These episodes have been such a vivid flashback for me. A real joy of a listen about a time period that I probably wouldn’t have been prepared to revisit until this point of my life. And for the record, Switchfoot’s first album The Legend of Chin STILL HOLDS UP. They played at my high school when I was a Freshman in 1997/98 and it was a formative experience for me. They were barely older than we were 🤯
Jomarie123

This podcast fulfills a niche void

As an elder millennial that grew up only allowed to listen to CCM, this really fills a void I didn’t know I had, and is very nostalgic and educational! If I hadn’t already been a fan of Kevin James Thornton I wouldn’t have stumbled upon this. I hope they are able to someday interview many of the Christian Rock/Pop stars I had posters of in my room and read about in the Focus on the Family teen magazines, like Audio Adrenaline, Rebecca St. James, and Jennifer Knapp.
KevDekk

Takes me back to Another Time, Another Place

David Bazan just unpacked my entire childhood on Rock That Doesn’t Roll: Carman, Sandi Patti, Psalty, Bullfrogs and Butterflies. I remember distinctly being warned of the danger of backmasking in secular rock music. Every episode is a gem. I want more Rock That Doesn’t Roll!
johngpotter

Can’t spell Creative, Cerebral Music Podcast without CCM

Such a thorough & thoughtful examination of a subculture that hasn’t typically gotten this level of in-depth attention, done with rigor but also light-hearted good humor.
Catchinguptoeveryone

Great podcast

Growing up in an Evangelical household, I find myself relating to so many of these stories. The production and storytelling are top notch, and the guests are insightful and honest about their experiences living in the Christian music bubble. And where else can you find a podcast that features Michael English and Scaterd Few in the same episode?
John Fehlen

My life in a podcast

Growing up in a Midwest youth group, listening to everything from Twila Paris to Barren Cross, then becoming a youth pastor on the West Coast, booking bands for our youth rallies, such as Common Children, Altar Boys, and Liaison. This is my life in a podcast!
mspassell

5775677 stars

I have Reliant K stuck in my head now
mayberryguy

This is my life age 17-21

I can’t believe I found a podcast that pretty much described my life from age 17-21. This is especially true of episode two. This podcast is wonderfully nostalgic and put words to my reflections of my late teens and early 20s. I can’t wait to hear more.
cstonesparty

Great storytelling in need of another viewpoint

Really enjoying this series but find myself wishing for another, less jaded viewpoint in addition to the somewhat cynical views that have the focus here. There are definitely more perspectives than have been captured…
Janeway+Chakotay4Life

Great podcast for a former youth group kid

Insightful and entertaining podcast that was more than a little nostalgic for this former youth group kid. I’m still waiting for the deconstruction of Five Iron Frenzy’s “These Are Not My Pants (The Rock Opera)” though.
Gadget Robo

I wish….

Not everything in the 90’s Christian rock/pop/punk music scene was negative. Yes, the “Jesus pieces” shirts were a bit campy and i hated them, but there were some really great things that came out of being a part of the scene. Can you focus less on the woke terminology, race and deconstructing and focus more on the positive impact CCM music made without bias? Then it wouldn’t be so easy to see where this show is going and what you’re trying to accomplish with it. Everyone was doing their best during those years and it looks now that this podcast is doing exactly what the CCM industry was looking to do…capitalize on a SMALL captive, broken audience.
hauserpromo

A clear eyed look at CCM when Rock was King

I would expect nothing less than stellar production from the PRX folks. And they deliver! But this subject content is close to my heart (I’ve lived it since 1979). GREAT interviews and song clips. Honest discussion of church culture and the CCM industry of the 1980’s-90’s. I wish this was not going to be a short series run!
C.J Kdot

Count me In!! This podcast ROCKS!!!!

Rock That Doesn’t Roll is a total game-changer. I wasn’t big into Christian rock before, but man, this show opened my eyes! It’s got the perfect mix of fun, facts, and deep dives. They’ve got the balance just right. I’m officially a fan and can’t wait to hear the complete season!! Those Youth Group stories were wild!!
DanHoisington

A fun story

A throwback to an impossibly insular time. Thanks for telling the story.
CHIfamilyof4

Perfect for Recovering Evangelicals

This podcast is centered around a topic that was a vital part of my formative years that I have been suppressing/ pretending it didn’t happen for my entire adult life. Listening to it today brought back so many memories. I love how it’s shining a light on a strange but important part of American Christianity for so many of us in the recovering evangelical world.
CNich88

Fantastic so far

A wonderful journey down the rabbit hole of the particular, peculiar world of Christian rock.
New Number One Ronald Fan

Amazing Story!

Incredible story of religiosity, culture, and America. So well told. Definitely recommend!
Musicovermyhead

Yes!

Excited! Grew up in this world! Plus, David Bazan? I am in!
Yet Another Ashley Apparently

‘90s Youth Group Kid 👋

I am so glad this podcast exists! I often look back on my youth group/youth choir years with mixed feelings. It is both cathartic and validating to hear these hosts unpack this era critically but with care. The first episode, well, rocked! Looking forward to more.
timsdtochi

A topic of endless fascination for me

Love this show so far. I could listen to hours-long episodes about this. Expertly constructed with knowledge and understanding.
Hawk Gates

So good, so well done

This podcast deals with Christian pop culture, youth culture, and specifically the musical aspect in a nuanced way that captures all the complexity and doesn’t tell a flat, one sided story. Outstandingly researched, they bring in really great people to interview, well edited. This is a must-listen.
Dangersandwich

Like lifting up a rock…

…and finding the unexamined gremlins and curiosities of the music of my youth. Entertaining and fascinating!
7xgrandfather

To understand the power of CCM (for better or worse)

Looking forward to this deep dive into a music that shaped our family!

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