The Altar Boys were the face of Christian garage/punk rock in the mid-1980s. Mike Stand, Jeff Crandall, and Ric Alba traveled and played wherever fans wanted them, doing it with gratitude and a heart full of hope for the lost, the outcast, and the broken. Fueled by fist-in-the-air anthems and a defiant, unapologetic message of faith, they refused to play it safe. They carved their own path with grit and determination to save every lost soul. If you ever found yourself jammed in the middle of an Altar Boys pit, it wasn't chaos, it was family, bound together by a desperate, shared mission. It was jarring, spiritual, and life-altering.

Girder Music has officially licensed Gut Level Music and Against The Grain in support of the 1986/1987 40th Anniversary of each album. They are coming on CD and Vinyl. Read all the details below. The first 75 can get a Mike Stand Autographed Vinyl record. Only 300 of each CD and Vinyl are available. Go to girdermusic.com/preorder to grab yours. Both coming this December.

Gut Level Music (Cherry Bomb Vinyl)

The vinyl comes in a really awesome Cherry Bomb Red as shown. It's on audiophile quality vinyl pressing with a very high-quality Collector Grade inner sleeve. No need to upgrade nor throw away that cheap paper sleeve (which you always should). The 40th Anniversary Collector's Edition Hype Sticker is on the outside of the shrink. What makes this really special is that it includes the Bonus Track I Just Can't Let Go as well as 12x24" booklet inside that contains not only the lyrics but also a complete band timeline in the centerfold as well as comments and reflections from band members, industry people and those close to the Altar Boys.

Vinyl: Cherry Bomb Red, mastered for vinyl, inside a high-fidelity collector-grade inner sleeve

- A historical timeline centerfold spread on a 12x24" booklet inside the vinyl.

- Special hype sticker commemorating the 1986-2026 40th anniversary (on the outside of the vinyl shrink wrap)

- Reflections from Jeff Crandall (Altar Boys drummer), Kevin Lee (Lifesavers/LSU), Dan Kimball, John Smeby, Ronnie Lara, Rob Goraieb, Rob Watson, John Thompson, Doug Van Pelt, Mike Stand, and many more. 17 in all.

- "Loud, Raw and Unapologetic" -- a booklet section on the album, plus "From the Vault: The I Just Can't Let Go Story." The previously missing track is included on this release

- A massive collage of unreleased photos by Scott Waters (thanks to Chad Ashton and Mike Stand for the photos)

Gut Level Music (CD) w/ Collector Card

The CD includes a LTD trading card and collector sleeve, in a jewel case (unlike the 2015 release) as well as a 16 page expanded booklet with the timeline shown above across a few pages, unreleased, never before seen photos thanks to Chad Ashton and Mike Stand. Comments and reflections from over 17 members and industry people that were close to the band. There's also an entire history of the albums and of course lyrics. It's the 40th Anniversary. We made it special.

- CD: jewel case with collector sleeve, limited collector trading card, 12-page booklet

- Special hype sticker commemorating the 1986-2026 40th anniversary. Printed on the CD sleeve but not the album cover. (That would be stupid). lol.

- A historical timeline centerfold spread across multiple pages in the CD

- Booklet reflections from Jeff Crandall (Altar Boys drummer), Kevin Lee (Lifesavers/LSU), Dan Kimball, John Smeby, Ronnie Lara, Rob Goraieb, Rob Watson, John Thompson, Doug Van Pelt, Mike Stand, and many more. 17 in all.

- "Loud, Raw and Unapologetic" -- a booklet section on the album, plus "From the Vault: The I Just Can't Let Go Story." The previously missing track is included on this release

- A massive collage of unreleased photos by Scott Waters (thanks to Chad Ashton and Mike Stand for the photos)

Against The Grain (Denim Blue Vinyl)

The vinyl comes in denim blue. It's on audiophile quality vinyl pressing with a very high-quality Collector Grade inner sleeve. No need to upgrade nor throw away that cheap paper sleeve (which you always should). 40th Anniversary Hype Sticker on the outside of the shrink, an expanded inside 4 page / 8 panel insert that contains not only the lyrics but also a complete band timeline.

- Vinyl: Blue Denim, mastered for vinyl, inside a high-fidelity collector-grade inner sleeve

- Mastered for Vinyl (by Rob Colwell)

- First time reissued on vinyl since 1987

- Special hype sticker commemorating the 1987-2027 40th anniversary (On the outside of shrinkwrap)

- A massive collage of unreleased photos designed by Scott Waters (thanks to Chad Ashton and Mike Stand for the photos)

Against The Grain (CD) w/ Collector Card

The CD includes a LTD trading card and collector sleeve, in a jewel case as well as a 12 page expanded booklet with unreleased, never before seen photos thanks to Chad Ashton and Mike Stand. Artwork has been preserved honoring the release, but with all new inner packaging, readable lyrics and more.

- CD: jewel case with collector sleeve, limited collector trading card, 12-page booklet.

- First time reissued on CD and vinyl since 1987

- Special hype sticker commemorating the 1987-2027 40th anniversary printed on the outer sleeve, not the Cd cover. That would be dumb. lol

- A massive collage of unreleased photos designed by Scott Waters (thanks to Chad Ashton and Mike Stand for the photos)

For more info on Altar Boys, visit the JFH Artists Database.

 

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