Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!



The Channel Surfers are a brand new group with a sound that has been compared to the Beastie Boys. In January, 1998, guitarist Tim Bushong dropped his 6-string to answer some questions for the Hideout.



  • Jesus freak Hideout: Why the name, "Channel Surfers?"
    Tim Bishong: Our sound man came up with the idea because Tim and Brad (the sound guy) watch movies all the Time (no lives), and can never decide on which station to stay tuned to.

  • JFH: How did the band get started?
    Tim: It morphed from my previous band, Lovewar.

  • JFH: How would you describe your sound?
    Tim: Funky rock conglomeration.

  • JFH: What bands have influenced your sound?
    Tim: New Kids On The Block, The Neville Brothers, Celine Dion, Reba MacEntyre, Boyz II Men, Mozart, Backstreet Boys, Vanilla Ice, Tito and Latoya Jackson, Duane Eddy, Sandi Patti, Burt Bacharach, The Brothers 3, The Brothers Johnson, The Wayans Brothers, The Blackwood Brothers, The Marx Brothers, the Four Tops, Red Knuckles, Roy Rodgers, Cloda Rodgers, Rodger Whittaker, Petula Clark, Roy Clark.

  • JFH: You guys released your 1st album, "Tunnel Vision," this past fall, did you have any goals set while you were making it?
    Tim: To make a Christian album that is contemporary, not a decade behind the Times. Something that we could all be proud of and be happy with in 20 years. Something organic (no pun intended).

  • JFH: What happened to Jason? Why a new singer?
    Tim: Jason is a youth pastor and his schedule was soooo tight that we couldn't even get weekends open, so we opted to replace him with Aaron Scantlen, who is 21 and very boisterous.

  • JFH: What inspired the song "Masquerade?"
    Tim: Hypocrisy- just general, everyday two-facedness.

  • JFH: Who sings "Lonely Guy?" Where you guys trying to make it sound like James Brown?
    Tim: Jason Brown. Yes, we all like James Brown, and it's kind of a joke on all the celebrity lonely guys.

  • JFH: What is "the Sounds" about?
    Tim: Going to small punk shows that are underground, and when the band hits, the old die-hard fans are like, "Oh, they've sold out now!".

  • JFH: What is "CTC?"
    Tim: Cerritos Town Center in Long Beach, CA- a nice place to visit.

  • JFH: What is your favorite CS song?
    Tim: Jon- "CTC" and the hidden track "Breathe", Lance- "Wasteland," our new song, Aaron (the new singer)- "Wasteland" and "Like Job," Timothy- "The Sounds"... 'because it's radically us'.

  • JFH: What's your favorite movie?
    Tim: Lance- Jackie Chan's movies and Mallrats, Jon- I'm Gonna Get You Sucka and Austin Powers, Tim- Crimes and Misdemeanors and So I Married An Axe Murderer (and Zelig), Aaron- So I Married An Axe Murderer and Point Break.

  • JFH: Do you guys watch a lot of TV?
    Tim: In comparison with our peers, probably not, but Seinfeld, SNL, and MTV are some favs.

  • JFH: What does the future hold in store for The Channel Surfers?
    Tim: We are currently working on several new songs, trying to improve our live set, and story boarding our next video.

  • JFH: The Jesus freak Hideout site was started out of appreciation for good Christian music. We've set a goal to try to use the site to spread Christian music, as well as God's Word, & show others how great Christian music can be. Do you listen to Christian music? If so, what bands?
    Tim: Jon and Lance grew up with the Violent Burning and The 77's, but we mostly listen to worship music, as far as Christian music goes. We all have different tastes- Aaron likes Kirk Franklin, Tim- classical, and we all like jazz, funk, etc...we honestly don't listen to a lot of Christian music.

  • JFH: I really appreciate your taking the Time out of your busy schedule to answer some questions for us. Are there any last comments you'd like to make?
    Tim: Thanks for the opportunity to spew, and to our fans out there- we love all 3 of you! We are currently on tour with Reality Check, so keep your ears open.

     

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    This Friday, June 27, 2025
    ALBUMS
    7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
    The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
    Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
    Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
    Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
    Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
    JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
    Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
    Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
    Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
    SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
    The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
    We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

    SINGLES
    Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
    ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
    Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
    Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
    Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
    Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
    Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
    Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
    Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
    Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
    Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
    KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
    Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
    Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
    Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
    Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
    LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
    Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
    Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
    Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
    PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
    Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
    The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
    Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
    Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

    DVD
    Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

    Next Friday, July 4, 2025
    ALBUMS
    Chad Cory America [DREAM]
    Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

    SINGLES
    Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



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