Fighting Instinct was a

Christian rock Christian rock is a form of rock music that features lyrics focusing on matters of Christian faith, often with an emphasis on Jesus in Christianity, Jesus. This music is typically performed by Christians, Christian individuals. The extent to whi ...

band formed in

Winston-Salem Winston-Salem is a city in Forsyth County, North Carolina, United States, and its county seat. At the 2020 census, the population was 249,545, making it the fifth-most populous city in North Carolina and the 91st-most populous city in the Uni ...

Greensboro Greensboro (; ) is a city in Guilford County, North Carolina, United States, and its county seat. At the 2020 census, its population was 299,035; it was estimated to be 307,381 in 2024. It is the third-most populous city in North Carolina, af ...

North Carolina North Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, South Carolina to the south, Georgia (U.S. stat ...

. It was founded by

TJ Harris Decyfer Down is an American Christian rock band formed in 1999 and based in Morehead City, North Carolina, United States. Until 2002 – the year that Christopher Clonts joined the band – they went by the moniker Allysonhymn (pronounced All-e ...

and Dallas Farmer. They played together for several years before they met up with Jason Weekly in the Winston-Salem/Greensboro area. Jason Weekly came up with the band's name. They released their first CD, ''Fighting Instinct'', in mid-2006. The first single off this album, "I Found Forever," was featured on both rock and Christian radio stations. "I Found Forever" rose to No. 31 on the active rock charts with virtually no touring. The band's Christian single, "Back to You", reached No. 5 on the Christian CHR charts. "Back to You" and "Just to Please You" were only released to Christian radio stations. In October 2008, the band announced on their MySpace that they were releasing a five-song EP, but also announced they were going to disband at the end of the year. Their Lead Vocalist, TJ Harris, joined the band

Decyfer Down Decyfer Down is an American Christian rock band formed in 1999 and based in Morehead City, North Carolina, United States. Until 2002 – the year that Christopher Clonts joined the band – they went by the moniker Allysonhymn (pronounced All-e ...

in 2008. Later, in 2016, Harris reported in an interview that he left Fighting Instinct because Decyfer Down had asked him to join them.

Music history

The group were called "One to Watch" by ''

CCM Magazine ''CCM Magazine'' is an online magazine focusing on contemporary Christian music and media, published by Logan and Amanda Sekulow. History ''CCM'' was first published in July 1978, as a printed magazine. It has been owned by Salem since 1999. O ...

''. They have a mutual appreciation of the band

Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin were an English rock music, rock band formed in London in 1968. The band comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist-keyboardist John Paul Jones (musician), John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham. With a he ...

. They released, ''Fighting Instinct'', on July 27, 2006, with

Gotee Records Gotee Records is a record label of Christian hip-hop, based in Franklin, Tennessee in the United States. History The label was founded in 1994 by TobyMac, Todd Collins and Joey Elwood. The first album produced is Out of Eden's '' Lovin' th ...

. Their first

studio album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track cartridge, 8-track or Cassette tape, cassette), or digital distribution, dig ...

, ''Fighting Instinct'', was reviewed in

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

, ''CCM Magazine'', (A-) "While the formula that Fighting Instinct has come up with isn’t exactly new, the songs are so well-conceived that you don’t care."

Christian Broadcasting Network The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) is an American Christian media production and distribution organization. Founded in 1960 by Pat Robertson, it produces the long-running TV series ''The 700 Club'', co-produces the ongoing ''Superbook (198 ...

, ''

Christianity Today ''Christianity Today'' is an evangelical Christian media magazine founded in 1956 by Billy Graham. It is published by Christianity Today International based in Carol Stream, Illinois. ''The Washington Post'' calls ''Christianity Today'' "eva ...

'',

Cross Rhythms Cross Rhythms is a Christian media organisation based in Stoke-on-Trent, England. It operates an FM and online radio station, produces radio shows sent internationally, and its website has resources about contemporary Christian music. His ...

, ''

HM Magazine ''HM Magazine'' is a monthly, digital and print on demand publication focusing on hard music and alternative culture of interest to Christians. It is based in Houston, Texas. Originally published as ''Heaven's Metal'', it was renamed to ''HM'' in ...

'', Jesus Freak Hideout, New Release Today, and ''The Phantom Tollbooth''. The song, "I Found Forever", charted on two ''Billboard'' magazine charts.

Discography

Albums

EPs

Compilations

Singles

Members

; Original lineup :

- vocals and guitar : Jason Weekly - bass guitar : Dallas Farmer - drums ; Second lineup :

- lead vocals and rhythm guitar : Jason Weekly - bass guitar : Derek Dyre - lead guitar and backing vocals : Chris Burrow - drums

References

{{Reflist American Christian rock groups Musical groups established in 2004 Musical groups disestablished in 2008 Musical groups from North Carolina Gotee Records artists