Relient K is a Christian rock band that was formed in 1998 in Canton, Ohio. The band was named after Matt Hoopes's Plymouth Reliant car.
Matt Thiessen – vocals, guitar, piano Matt Hoopes – guitar, background vocals David Douglas – drums, background vocals John Warne – bass guitar, background vocals Jonathan Schneck – guitar, bells, banjo, background vocals
Todd Frescone – drums (1997-1998) Stephen Cushman – drums, background vocals (1998–1999) Jared Byers – drums (1999-2000) Brian Pittman – bass guitar (1998–2004)
Although Relient K's first CD, All Work and No Play, reached very little commercial success, it caught the attention of dc Talk's Toby McKeehan. After he signed the band to his label, Gotee Records, Relient K released their very brief debut entitled 2000 A.D.D. EP in 2000. Later that year, they released Relient K, their first self-titled CD. It was distinctly Christian rock and featured lyrics with a wide range of pop-culture references.
In 2001, the band released their sophomore album, The Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek. This album launched both Relient K and their sound to a whole new level. There were still plenty of pop-culture references on this album, which was evident in the hit single "Sadie Hawkins Dance." This album contained many more softer songs and slightly lighter guitars. They would continue chords through tracks in order to fluidly transition in between songs, a trend that continued on their later albums.
It landed them in the Christian rock limelight, as they were then asked to do their rendition of the popular VeggieTales song "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" for the 2002 VeggieTales movie Jonah. This song mixes the sounds of The Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek and their third album, Two Lefts Don't Make a Right...but Three Do.
