Revive says goodbye...
Sunday, July 3, 2011 at 3:15PM Well folks,
After almost 10 years as a band we have decided to say farewell to Revive. We want you to know that this was a tough decision to make and one we prayed about for many months.
We will miss so much about the band but in the end we wanted to have more time at home with our growing families and (for Dave & Rich) be closer to family back in Australia.
God has certainly had us on a crazy adventure as many of you know.
The band started in 2001 with Dave and our old guitar player (Tyler) stringing together songs in a garage in the suburbs of Sydney. After bringing on Rich and our old drummer (Mike) we changed the name to Revive - and from their a mission was born. We had a deep desire to bring glory to our God through the gifts he gave us. We wanted to stir the hearts of our listeners, encouraging them to worship our great God with their whole lives.
Of course we were not always perfect at this! Our focus would at times shift away from God's glory and on to ours and we would forget the reasons for doing what we were doing. We would start to trust in ourselves and lean on our own understanding. But, as I'm sure you've also found, God was quick to bring us back to earth through what was often painful lessons. It's funny though, in hindsight those difficult lessons are perhaps what we treasure most about our time in the band.
And despite our imperfect nature, God continued to use us as a band.
For four years we played in Australia. Touring around schools, churches, youth groups, festivals and whatever else we could get a chance to play, we cut our teeth as a band. We worked hard on being tight, entertaining, fun and meaningful. We put out 2 albums in this time: Where I Belong and the rockin'Trafalgar Street.
But, as much as we enjoyed our time as a band in Australia, we always felt a deep pull toward the USA. For many reasons, we felt this was where we needed to be. The only problem was we had no idea how we would get there! We needed a break.
That break came in the form of a band from Atlanta, GA called Third Day. We had the privilege of opening 3 Australian shows for them. That began a wonderful friendship between Revive and Third Day - and not only a friendship, but a mentorship too. We looked up to those guys (and still do). They saw our passion for Christian music and our desire to do it in America and they helped us do just that.
At the start of 2008, we packed up 4 families, condensed all our belongings into 3 bags (and one instrument) and moved countries. It was the beginning of an incredible new journey for us.
That journey had us drive all across the USA, play 1000's of shows, sleep in countless Walmart parking lots, travel to India and meet many dear new friends and fans. In America we put together 2 records: Chorus of the Saints and then our final album: Blink. We are very proud of this music particularly our most recent project; we feel like God has used it to resonate with many people. During this time we sadly lost Tyler and Mike to Australia but gained amazing new friends in AJ Cheek and Michael Wright. We have so enjoyed these friendships and know that despite being in different countries that we will be lifelong buddies.
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We are incredibly grateful for everything God has given us through Revive (yes even the bus breakdowns weirdly enough!...they do make good stories!).
Although we are sad to see this door close we have always viewed Revive as a ministry and with the ending of this assignment will come the provision of another. We have certainly learned that no matter what God is worth trusting!
Here's what our new assignments are currently looking like...
- Dave will be taking a Worship Pastor role in Sydney while studying at bible college.
- Rich will be studying at Bible college. He will also be pursuing music production - a passion that has developed in him the past few years.
- We are excited to let you know that AJ is beginning his career as a solo artist. Check out his artist page here. He plans to have an album out next year and will be touring this fall with Tenth Ave Nth and playing guitar for Aaron Gillespie. We encourage you to support him in any way and every way!!!
- Michael will be moving to Ireland to marry his Irish lady later this year! Congrats mate! In the meantime he's looking to go out with other artists as a drummer or a road manager (a skill he has perfected with us!). We look forward to seeing what God has in store for you!
There are so many people to thank but we mainly want to thank you, our fans for supporting us...and we'd love to ask one more favor.
We want to hear from you how Revive has influenced your life.
Whether it was through our music, live shows or just hanging out after a show, we want to know how God has used us in your life.
Most of the time we are in and out of a town so fast we barely get to meet people, let alone hear their stories...so we'd love to open it up to you...allow us this one indulgence!
Please share with us any way your life has been affected by Revive and send it to: band@reviveband.com. We want to put together the collection of emails and put it in a book - so we can show our grandkids one day! After all, you're the reason we existed as a band!
Our last show will be Rock the Desert in Texas on August 5th & 6th. Come out and see us one last time!
We'll stay in touch over the next couple of months and we look forward to hearing from you too!
God Bless
-Revive-
Dave, Rich, AJ, Michael.
Reader Comments (35)
im pretty sure this brought tears to my eyes! i cant believe it!! but if that what God wants, then you cant say no! God bless you and your families! defiantly will miss you guys!!!
love,
brittany!
"BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD"
I know God has plans to prosper all of you and give you hope and a wonderful future, your songs have blessed me and my family and Blink is just an amazing song, I was blessed to meet you at a Third Day concert and I wish only the best for all of you, hugs and prayers, Christie
im going to miss you guys so much! i hope you have fun and exciting times on your new adventures. may god continue to bless you and your families.
love always,
♫cheyenne♫
I was shocked when I saw this. I will miss you guys so much!!!
Im going to miss you guys so much!! you're music has been so important to my growth in faith. LOVE YOU GUYS! God bless your new direction!
This is such a shame! I guess after so many years n so many gigs it is def understandable.
I remember hearing u at Killara High back in 2006 u were the first Christian band I had heard back before I had become a Christian-u totally flipped my view of Christian music! Aha I remember talking to rich after n was really encouraged by him,by all of you!And I guess I can tell u now there was a time before u went over to the US n I remember this because it happened on my birthday...we were at Christ Church St Ives sleeping over becuase my year group was heading over to Stradbroke Island for our skoolies thing n you guys were playing the following evening n ur kit was set up in the church n we were stoked to be there all alone...there was only 4 of us around anyway...by the end of the night we had to give it ago...so my friend sat at the drums n I pretended to be the lead singer and in a way we became the girl version of revive...u guys worked so hard! N ur efforts show many ppl will miss you! Ur home suburbs miss u! N we r stoked to be welcoming u back. U have inspired many n many blessing to u all!
Thanks for the memories !
God Bless
Riley Terry
I CANT BELIEVE IT!!!!!! You guys touched sooooo many people!!!!!! i know you definitely touched me!! Just know that REVIVE will always be my favorite band. I love you guys! God will still use all of you in many ways. Im sure of it.
LOVE,
Erika C.<3
I am going to miss you guys a lot. You all came to our church at about the time that my mom died. Your songs were very healing for me. Thank you so much. I'm praying for the new direction you are going. I know God has special plans for all of you.
I had the pleasure of hearing you preform at our church in 2010 I have bought 2 of your album and enjoy them greatly, I pray for the best for you guys but will miss your music
This really does break my heart. I had the pleasure of meeting you all at AreaOne in Missouri last month and your songs touched my heart. I can't even begin to explain how much they have helped me through things lately,because everything seems to be falling apart. But if this is God's plan for you all, I wish you the best of luck in going your separate ways. I'm very excited that Aj is working on his solo career and I will have the opportunity to see him on tour. And I'm looking forward to seeing you all again sometime too. I will never forget you guys. :)
Thank you for everything you've done, best wishes, Gob bless and I love you,
Allison. :)
I hadn't heard of you guys until recently. In fact it wasn't until I heard your song Blink on a commerical for a t.v show called "Rookie Blue" when I liked you guys as a band. It's sad to hear you guys aren't going to play anymore, but I guess God has other plans. The best of luck and God Bless!
It was a blessing to see you guys at Harvest Crusade! Although this is sad news, it is also news of new beginnings as God points you guys in a new direction. You've touched the lives of millions of people and evangelized to those who might otherwise turn a deaf ear to God's call to them. And I am grateful for the inspiration you have made in my life. God bless you in all that you do and whatever He has planned for you. It will be beautiful.
Dave, Rich and Nikki, Mike and Karen, AJ... I was never more impressed with a group of people as I was travelling across India with you last year. You gave and gave and never complained. Always laughing, joking, ministering and tasting some really weird food, I have so much respect for each of you. You'd better not unfriend me on FB because I hope to keep in touch over the years :) And AJ - please, please, please release a song about India for me in honor of Indiaschildren.org
love to you all,
Gypsy
Live long and prosper, guys. You guys have run the good race!
I just started listening to you guys ... and i really enjoyed ur songs
whatever path you take ...may God be with you
God Bless u all (Dave, Rich, AJ, Michael)
Dany
That is fine. I can definitely understand where you are coming from. I think God has used ya'll in a mighty way. You probably don't know this but God used your music to get to my heart.He broke down a wall and pulled me out of my shell.I will definitely support A.J Cheek. Me and my friend has created a worship group. I pray will pray for ya'll. Good Luck and God be with you guys.
Wow!! This really brought some tears to my eyes!! Your whole album BLINK has changed my life. Well I hope you guys have a good time and adventures with your families! May God bless you guys dearly. I will miss you guys!! And your great music!!
I'm really sad to hear about this, I really love you guys! But I can definitely see how you'd want to watch your families grow, those are some precious years :) I pray God will bless you and your families.
Much love from Canada,
Jessie ♥
Wow, this feels like a bad dream. I wish you guys luck in the future. God has other plans for y'all. Y'al really brought me closer to God then ever. I love you guys too death!! The first time I seen you guys was when I went to church camp and I fell inlove with y'alls music right then and there. It was nice meeting y'all, too. God has definitely blessed y'all! Hope to see you guys again one day. (:
God bless you guys: Dave, Rich, AJ, and Michael. <3
I had no idea we were participating in Revive's, apparently, last performance Friday morning in Destin, but I'm so happy I was fortunate enough to get to know you before you moved on to bigger & better things.
Just when I FINALLY could say I had a favorite band, it is no more.
I'm going to put you on my ringtone as a memorial to some great Christian music ;)
Your song "Welcome to Eternity" will be one of my favorites forever. Thank you so much for all of the love and heart you've put into your gift to share with us. Good for you, putting all of that into your families. I had the wonderful fortune of meeting you all after Harvest, and it was obvious from talking with you all that you are passionate about them and were missing them so much. Best of luck going forward.
I was pretty shocked to hear that you guys are moving back to Australia and "breaking up" as some call it. I saw you guys live for the first time at Shocco Springs Student Life Camp in Alabama, and was blown away! Your passion for glorifying Christ is amazing! I am in the youth band back at home, and we recently tried doing live worship at youth group...It went well but it was difficult for the band actually to worship because of everything that was going on....I am so inspired by what you all do! Seeing you truly worship, yet also give a kick-toosh performance was just exactly what I needed to see/hear. I will pray that God continues to bless you all, and that he just gives you guys more of a desire to glorify Him through the gifts He has given you! Bless y'all! Oh, and I forgot to ask you at camp, do you guys like veggie mite? It seems veggie mite is to Australia as peanut butter is to the USA! Haaa, just wondering! Take care and much love :)
Yeah, pretty sad about this, but at the same time totally understand. I still remember being on the far north NSW coast brain-storming the band name, good times! Prayers for all as you continue to bring glory to God!
In X,
Matt.
i was at area one when i heard u guys play and then i hanged out with u guys on the lake and u guys r the coolest and i will miss the band i hope u guys have great lives and i bet lizy would say she will miss u guys too. Best times i had ): Dalton
I started to listen to your music about 3 months ago and was blown away by how inspiring and spiritually moving the Blink album was to me. I came to your website in hopes of your band touring the US, but then i came across this post and tears flooded my eyes. God bless you for what you have done for me..you brought me closer to God!
God bless.
Garret