Relient K

Relient K is an American rock band from Canton, Ohio, active from 1998. Its line-up includes Matt Thiessen on lead vocals, guitar and piano; Matthew Hoopes on guitar and backing vocals; Brian Pittman on bass; Stephen Cushman; Jared Byers; Dave Douglas; John Warne; Jonathan Schneck; and Ethan Luck. The band forms in 1998 when Thiessen, Pittman and Hoopes are in high school and also attend Malone College.

The band takes its name from Hoopes’ Plymouth Reliant K car, with the spelling changed to avoid trademark issues over the Reliant name. Stephen Cushman plays drums in the early years, then Dave Douglas replaces him in 2000. Brian Pittman leaves bass duties in 2004 and John Warne, formerly of Ace Troubleshooter, joins on bass. Jonathan Schneck joins in 2005, adding guitar, banjo, bells and backing vocals. Ethan Luck, formerly of The O.C. Supertones and Demon Hunter, replaces Douglas on drums in 2008.

Releases and label history

Relient K releases nine albums, including two Christmas albums, along with six EPs and other miscellaneous projects. From its second album in 2000, the band signs to Gotee Records. Its 2004 album Mmhmm brings wider mainstream attention, reaching number 15 on the Billboard 200 and appearing on Gotee, Mono Vs. Stereo and Capitol. The band remains with Gotee and Capitol until 2007, and Five Score and Seven Years Ago reaches number 6. Forget and Not Slow Down appears in 2009 on Mono Vs. Stereo.

Style and recognition

Relient K is identified with christian rock, pop punk and rock. Its sound begins as strongly pop punk and later develops into a broader pop-alternative-rock style, while keeping acoustic guitar, piano, banjo, synth and bells in its arrangements. The band’s lyrics and songwriting become more mature over time, but it continues to use humour and references to Christian faith in its songs.

The band receives a Grammy Award nomination in 2003 for Best Rock Gospel Album and two Dove Awards. It sells more than 2 million records and has three gold-certified albums from the RIAA.

Related projects

Matt Thiessen also runs the solo project Matthew Thiessen and the Earthquakes and collaborates with Owl City. Dave Douglas has a solo project called Agnes.