Chicago's pop-punk, disco-funk, rap, pure-pop team SUPERCHICK have signed with Columbia Records. Elizabeth Cook reports.

Superchick

Seldom has the mainstream record industry identified a more deserving case than the long term record contract offered by the monolithic Columbia Records to Chicago's Superchick. For informed CCM followers have long known tht Superchick are a very special kind of group who, since their emergence in 2001 with the 'Karaoke Superstars' album have produced a stream of radio-friendly songs with lyrics that really expose the lies of so much contemporary youth culture linked to a shifting musical palate that takes in pop-punk, disco-funk, hip-hop and pristine pop such as the title track ballad from the band's 2005 album 'Beauty From Pain'. It's that classic album, named by Cross Rhythms as one of the best albums of the year, which brought them to the attention of Columbia Records A&R executive Steve Lillywhite. The Grammy Award winning producer said, "From the moment I heard Superchick I knew there was a level of songwriting that sat with the best of what pop music has to offer. And the moment I saw them live, I was convinced they were the complete package."

Wisely, Columbia Records will be launching Superchick to the great pop public with a modified re-release of their classic album. As well as its radio-friendly gems such as "Pure", "Stories (Down To The Bottom)", "It's On" and the haunting title track, the re-issued album will include remixes of the original album's "Anthem" and "We Live", the group's CCM hit "One Girl Revolution" from 'Karaoke Superstars' and a brand new track specially recorded for the project, "Stand In The Rain".

Superchick (they dropped the 'k' in square brackets with the release of 'Beauty From Pain') consist of keyboardist, deejay, songwriter and producer extraordinaire Max Hsu; lead singer Tricia Block; lead guitarist Dave Ghazarian; guitarist, vocalist Melissa Block; bassist, vocalist Matt Dally and drummer Brandon Estelle. Melissa summed up the band's excitement at landing the Columbia contract. "I never in my wildest dreams thought we'd be working with such an accomplished and celebrated producer. We're excited that the album will be re-released because of its accessibility to so many people. We are still the same band and will continue to communicate the same positive message for anyone and everyone."

Since Superchick's silver screen debut on Legally Blonde with the song "One Girl Revolution" the band have had their songs on numerous film and television shows. Their music can be heard on films such as The Glass House, Stewart Little 3 and Legally Blonde 2. They have also held many spots on television shows like Alias, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, The Practice and Nightline. When asked if he likes the mainstream exposure the band receives, drummer Brandon Estelle said, "Yeah, I'm stoked because we've been in more than 60 movies and TV shows, and we're even going to get on this PlayStation game. It's a robot fighting game, but it's presenting the Gospel to kids who don't have it." Amazingly, some critics did not like the album when it was first released, and misunderstood its message. Keyboard player Max Hsu said, "I remember one in particular who talked about how the basic message of 'Beauty From Pain' was a bit empty, how it was basically 'hold on.' I was sad that he didn't understand."

From the beginning of their career Superchick have been an advocate of presenting a positive message for teenagers struggling with insecurity and peer pressure. The band have achieved this through positive, upbeat tunes such as "One Girl Revolution" and "Me Against The World".

Bassist and vocalist Matt Dally said to Christian Retailing magazine, "'Beauty From Pain' talks about the growth that comes through bad situations and things that hurt. I think every single person in the band has gone through some rough times over the last year, so every note and every word sung, everyone feels it, and that's exciting." The band wanted to offer their fans hope by presenting the other side of pain, a place where hope exists and character is developed. Drummer Brandon Estelle told CCM magazine, "A lot of times kids are taught not to question God, but on 'Beauty From Pain' we make it clear: That's a part of life, and you have to ask God, 'Why is this happening? Why is this going on?' We just want to tell kids it's alright to get upset; it's alright to cry, because the turnout is going to be good."

Although the album explores some deeper issues, the group continue to experiment with the musical fusion of rock, hip-hop and pop sounds for which they've become known. 'Beauty From Pain' would not have been complete without it's fun, energy-popping punk tunes, such as the track "Bowling Ball". "This song is about girls dating guys that are in no way good for them," Trisha described. "It says you need that boy like you need a bowling ball dropped on your head."

But, when all is said and done, the band have serious lyrical content in most of their songs. As Max Hsu told CCM, "I think when we get into ministries, we get into it to minister to people, but we get changed ourselves. I got a letter from a girl who said that everyone used to make fun of her little brother who had reading problems, but after listening to our song 'Hero', they've stopped. It's God using us to talk to people when sometimes they don't hear him any other way, and I feel grateful to have been a part of that."