Artist:Code of Ethics
Song:Pleasant Valley Sunday
Album:Arms Around the World
The CCM band Code of Ethics had success with their 1995 album Arms Around the World and their cover of The Monkees classic Pleasant Valley Sunday. Their big problem was constant personnel changes. It's hard to build consistency when guys are always leaving. Jacksonville, FL. native Barry Blasz was lead singer, guitarist and wrote and produced all the songs. He changed his name to Barry Blaze so his name would be pronounced correctly. He formed Code of Silence in 1988 with Eric Switzer and Mark Tanner and self released a 1990 cassette. Their Depeche Mode influenced sound got them a deal with the indie label R.E.X. They released the 1991 album Virtual Paradox. The problem was they were too small to properly promote it. Then they missed a default payment and Switzer left the band. So they went to DeGarmo & Key's ForeFront label for the 1993 album Code of Ethics. Rick Brainer, Scott Kifer and Scott "Skippy" Chapman joined the band. The single Something Real topped the CCM charts. They toured with Newsboys. Brainer and Kifer left after the tour and were replaced by guitarist James Booth and keyboardist Gerald Josef for the 1995 album Arms Around the World. They helped Blaze write the songs and veteran CCM producer Tedd Tjornhorn was brought in to help produce. Their cover of Pleasant Valley Sunday turned out to be the big hit from the album. This album is available as a budget CD. Before the tour, Booth and Josef left. They were only supposed to be temporary. They didn't want to tour. Brainer returned and bassist Jeff Anderson joined. After the tour, the entire band turned over for the 1997 album Soulbait. ForeFront asked for a more rock and less electropop album. The album was critically panned and sold poorly. Again, the entire Band jumped ship. After ForeFront dropped them, Code of Ethics signed with Word for the 1999 album Blaze. It was more dance oriented and did OK. But Code of Ethics split up and Blaze returned to Jacksonville to be a worship leader at a local church. After a near fatal 2004 motorcycle accident that affected his hearing, Blaze went on a long hiatus until he released a 2008 album on his own label. Blaze still plays occasional shows. But I think he's very busy with his church. Here's the video for Pleasant Valley Sunday by Code of Ethics.
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