Years active 1998–2003 Website thebenjamingate.net | Labels ForeFront Active until 2003 | |
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Past members Costa BalamatsiasAdrienne LieschingBrett PalmerJustin MulderMarc "Mac" PautzChris PoisatNick Volsteedt Albums Come Put Your Head Up in My Heart, Contact, Demographics, ["untitled"], Untitled, Spinning Head Similar Adrienne Camp, Earthsuit, John Reuben, PAX217, Considering Lily Profiles | ||
The Benjamin Gate was a South African Christian rock band formed in 1998 by friends of musician Ben Herbert following his death in a traffic collision. Their name, which was also the name of one the entrances into the original city of Jerusalem, was chosen as a tribute to him.
Contents
History
The Benjamin Gate released two local, independent albums while in South Africa, Spinning Head and comeputyourheadupinmyheart. The band, along with their manager and co-songwriter Marc "Thux" Theodosiou, left Port Elizabeth and came to the United States in 2001 after David Bach at ForeFront Records heard their demo that they had sent to Nashville for mastering.
Many of the songs of comeputyourheadupinmyheart were retooled and re-released on their first major-label album for Forefront Records, ["untitled"]. This album and Contact were critically acclaimed albums. They were nominated for four Dove Awards, produced two No. 1 and one No. 2 singles, and toured the United States and Europe. Their merchandise was easily recognized by their gasmask logo. They had an endorsement contract from Oakley, Inc. This success helped them to be included on three Festival Con Dios tours.
Break-up
The group parted ways in 2003 due to Liesching's engagement to Christian artist, Jeremy Camp. It was noted that Liesching felt that with her new family starting, that she could not handle the duties required of her both as a musician and as a wife. Since then Liesching has married Camp and they have two daughters, born in 2004 and 2006. She has also released two solo albums as "Adie".
Pautz and his wife and children have relocated to South Africa. Balamatsias remained in Nashville playing with various artists until early 2006 when he relocated to South Africa. Volsteedt has also returned to the country.
Marc Theodosiou currently works in the music and technology industries in Nashville, TN.
Band members
Songs
All Over MeCome Put Your Head Up in My Heart · 1999
Your Kisses Blind MeContact · 2002
Do What You SayContact · 2002