A Show of Faith : Christian-Themed Rock Proves a Family Affair at Kickoff of Costa Mesa Series

Not all teens choose their music simply to spite their parents. Take the 600 or so youths who attended Friday’s concert by the Supertones, Fold Zandura and Value Pac.

Not only would most of their parents have approved of the wholesome music and atmosphere at this inaugural show in a series of Christian-themed concerts at Edwards Mesa Cinema, many parents were there, and did approve.

The Supertones, from Mission Viejo, headlined this family-friendly affair--dubbed “The Chamber,” and continuing on alternate Fridays--that merged contemporary rock music with frequent, overt displays of religious faith.

The ska band’s leader, drummer Jason Carson, made no bones about it, telling the audience: “You come to a Supertones show, we’re gonna praise God.”

Sure enough. At one point, he led a hushed crowd through a brief prayer of thanks and then an a cappella rendering of the spiritual “Amazing Grace.”

Some fans welcomed the straightforward approach.

“Other groups don’t talk that directly about God, but the Supertones do. . . . They don’t make you read between the lines,” said Christyl Stone, 16, who drove from Hemet with her friend Amy Adams, 17.

Accompanied by his older sister Jennifer, 18-year-old Brian Jannsen from Orange concurred: “I like that the Supertones express their faith straight out. But you can still dance and groove to the music.”

Musically, the Mission Viejo group was at its best playing energetic, bouncy ska that packed a makeshift pit with a throng of pogo-ers. Highlights among the upbeat, horn-driven selections included “Unknown,” “Found” and the set-closing “Adonai,” which found Carson’s father on stage urging his son’s band on.

“In delivering their praises with music, [the Supertones] make Jesus Christ more accessible to kids and worshiping is that much more fun,” offered 14-year-old Matt Miller of Irvine after the concert. “I play the trombone, and I really dug hearing their [three-piece] horn section live. It was a cool show.”

The Supertones worked familiar musical terrain, but scored points for performing with commitment and enthusiasm.

But the group’s heavenly vision could be more powerful with lyrics that were channeled through a deeper, more personal or metaphorical vein. As it is, their overly declarative anthems of faith, devotion and redemption are big and bold, but lack meaningful detail.

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Opening act Fold Zandura dispelled the too-common notion in the secular world that all Christian rock bands sound alike and skirt conflict or drama. Fronted by singer, songwriter and guitarist Jyro Xhan, the power trio played a compelling set of edgy, aggressive, psychedelic-tinged rock ‘n’ roll.

Xhan used to front the industrial band Mortal, and he retained some of that band’s noisy yet gripping dissonance in such songs as “Return” and “Never,” both from Fold Zandura’s 1995 EP, “(Return).”

Xhan unleashed a torrent of emotion with his searing guitar leads and howling vocals, which at times recalled the Sex Pistols’ John Lydon (a.k.a. Johnny Rotten). Yet Fold Zandura--also featuring bassist Jerome Fontamillas and drummer Frank Lenz of Huntington Beach--could be wonderfully pop-like as well, as it proved during the radiant “One Color,” the hook-filled “Forever Throw” and a melodic David Bowie cover.

In a surprise cameo appearance, Value Pac--which headlines its own concert at the Mesa on March 21--followed Fold Zandura with a four-song teaser of spirited but undistinctive punk rock.

Rick Denton, a mechanic from Aliso Viejo, came to the concert with four youngsters, including two of his own kids, Joshua, 14, and Alexandra, 9. He said he enjoyed the music, particularly that of the Supertones, but was even happier with the family-oriented atmosphere of the Chamber.

“Why not play here?” Denton asked rhetorically. “It makes sense--it’s affordable and open to all ages. These [Christian] bands wouldn’t play at clubs or bars and are all committed Christians who espouse a real positive message. This series provides an opportunity to have fun and bring kids [closer] to Christ at the same time.”

* The Chamber concert series, on alternate Friday nights, continues March 21 with Value Pac, Slick Shoes and Project 86 at Edwards Mesa Cinema, 1884 Newport Blvd. Costa Mesa. MxPx headlines on April 4. (714) 251-3977.