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Josh Scogin is a powerhouse in the hardcore music scene, renowned for his raw energy, uncompromising stage presence, and a signature sound that fuses mathcore, noise rock, and hardcore into an intense, unforgettable experience, taking "Christian music" to a whole new level.
He began his career in 1997 as the lead singer of hardcore band, Luti-kriss, releasing their first split EP in 1999 with Trivial. In 2000, they released their first independent EP with Pluto Records. The following year, they came out with their first debut album, Throwing Myself. The album was released through Solid State Records in 2001, carving the path for the signature hardcore sound Josh (and Norma Jean) would be known for. After the release of this album, Luti-kriss went on to change their name to Norma Jean, a name that became synonymous with the chaotic faith-driven hardcore.
Scogin started to gain notoriety after the release of the 2002 studio album Bless the Martyr and Kiss the Child. Although this album was a hit, Josh left the band to pursue his next project, The Chariot. When asked why he left Norma Jean in a 2008 interview, he stated, "There was no knock-down drag-out fight or anything; it was just a very spiritual thing or just something I felt led by the Lord to do."
Come 2003, Josh dove headfirst into his calling with his next project The Chariot in 2003. They released their debut album, Everything is Alive, Everything is Breathing, Nothing is Dead, Nothing is Bleeding, in 2004. In 2005, they released their Unsung EP, which set a tone for the band's coming years and projects. Josh, alongside his band, released the following album, The Fiancรฉe, in 2007, which was one of the band's biggest hits, placing on the Billboard 200 at #169. The album featured Hayley Williams of Paramore on the song Then Came to Kill, harmonizing her soft lyrics with Josh's raw screams.
A couple of years later, in 2009, The Chariot released their third studio album, Wars and Rumors of War. This album held a darker tone and sentiment as it came out after his father's death. Although this album was viewed as a more personal album by fans of his work, that can also be said for all of his work, as he pours his personal beliefs, feelings, and energy into his lyrics.
During this time, Josh came out with his solo project A Rose, by Any Other Name. This project didn't take the rough-edged, hardcore-tinged path his other works did, as it was more of a soft, acoustic-esque, country-leaning album. Rose, by Any Other Name, felt deeply personal as it connected with his roots in Georgia, his love for his wife, and faith. He would only release the one album titled One For My Master and One For My Dame under this stage name.
In 2010, The Chariot released their second-to-last album, Long Live. In an interview with RVA Magazine, Wolf, then-bassist of The Chariot, would take the place for Josh's interview. Wolf would go on to say that this album was special because it aimed to "break down the barriers of musicians and the people who came to the shows." The Chariot, alongside Solid State Records, would host a contest where the winners would have their names written into the track titles. Wolf would then state,
"As far as lyrics go, the whole record is about the fact there is no difference between us, and we're all special in the eyes of the Lord. There's nothing different about us, so the idea of creating a space for the names to be the titles was really just showing that that's the case."
The album went on to emphasize the fact that at the end of the day, your favorite band members are still just regular people. The only difference is that you're in the crowd and they're on stage.
In 2012, The Chariot would release their final album, One Wing; this was quoted as one of their weirder albums by Josh in an interview with Alternative Press. One Wing would be an album full of energy and lyrical drive, showcasing the band's soundscape. The album placed at #85 on the Billboard 200, being received with open arms by fans and critics alike.
With the announcement of disbandment, Josh went on with his band to perform their final tour, Goodnight My Lady and A Forever Farewell. The band officially disbanded in latter 2013, after finishing the tour. When asked by Alternative Press why they disbanded, Josh went on to state,
"I don't know: I guess everyone wants a really gnarly story, but sometimes you just feel like, "Man, this is the right time." There's never a convenient time—well, I guess there is a convenient time, but it's a place no artist wants to find themselves."
Though the chapter for The Chariot had closed, Josh opened a new one with '68. Taking on a whole new sound and identity with his noise-rock meets post-modern hardcore, reminiscent of the eclectics of Panchiko or Blood Brothers.
'68 released their debut EP, Midnight, in late 2013. Songs like "Third Time is a Charm" and "Three is a Crowd" reflected his thoughts, and perhaps his fears, setting the tone for this new project. In an interview with New Noise Magazine, Josh went on to say,
"There was sort of a nervousness—the record's called "Midnight," which is sort of an homage to Cinderella, who at midnight, everything goes back to normal. I'd done Norma Jean, and I'd done The Chariot, and here I am attempting this third act of my life, and as I said, I'm aware this could all wrap up soon—if people aren't into it, they're not into it. -- I expect at any moment it'll start dinging, and I'll be like, "Man, it was a good ride." At the end of the day, you take every moment as it is and carry on and make the most of it, and who knows what the future holds."
There is a deeply personal element to this project. Beyond his rawness and vulnerability, Josh revealed that the band's name came from his late father's 1968 Camaro, adding another layer of personal depth.
In mid-2014, In Humor and Sadness was released, showcasing a defining noise-rock sound. Though mistakes and imperfections were left in, Josh felt that "it felt more human." This album was a masterpiece in every way, embracing imperfection. From Josh’s emotional vulnerability with stress to the vintage amps blowing out due to wear, it was beautifully unique and raw.
A couple of years later, '68 released one of their most cutting-edge albums, Two Parts Viper. Oddly enough, the title came to Josh in a dream. When he first heard the concept from the man in the dream, he didn’t understand it and took it as a negative. Later in the dream, the man explained that life’s complexities meant some parts needed to be like a viper, turning it into something positive. Two Parts Viper reflects on life, sorrow, and faith, with the final track, "What More Can I Say?", tying it together with Josh’s personal sociopolitical beliefs.
In 2020, Josh and '68 released another EP, Love Ain't Dead. While some argued it wasn’t as heavy as their previous works, this EP explored a blues-like sound and contained various electronic techniques. The album progressively grew heavier with each track, highlighting Josh’s willingness to explore new musical territory while still offering the lyrical vulnerability fans loved.
Leaning further into a bluesy feel, '68 released Give One Take One in 2021. Although online reviews are available, interviews and publicity are sparse. Still, fans continued to express admiration for the album. In 2023, '68 released Yes And..., their newest album to date. After two years in the making, it was filled with emotion and drive, making it heavier than their previous releases. As Josh explained, "Many of the bluesy tracks didn’t find a home, and some of the parts that were on the fence were doused with gasoline."
From his openness about his faith, to challenging the way Christianity is often perceived in music, he’s made a significant impact, whether spiritually or musically.
Author's note: Hopefully when discussing The Chariot and Norma Jean I don't seem too bland. I know I left out a lot but that is due to the fact that this "article" is centered around Josh as a musician rather than the bands as a whole. I did include more detail and personal opinions on 68' because it's a current work of his and something that is more personal to him (such as writing his own lyrics rather than a band collectively writing.)
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