Liberty n' Justice

Liberty n' Justice (LnJ) was founded in 1991 by Justin Murr and Patrick Marchand. Just out of high school, they recorded their first album, "Armed With The Cross," in 1992 on independent label Glory Rock Records. With the music of one and the voice of the other, they embarked on a six month tour to support it. Liberty n' Justice played everywhere: churches, youth events, children's homes, concerts, and elderly homes. "Armed with the Cross" went on to sell 5500 units.
Along the way, Liberty n' Justice added new band members Robert Sliger, Angie Beckett, James Beckett, Sarah Day, Bob Bacon, and Kim Todd. The band members thought they were building momentum and decided to go back into the studio in 1994.
The album they recorded, "Big Guns," was over budget, had no musical direction, and lackluster production. It only sold 900 units. Many national and local magazines and newspapers wrote LnJ off.
Murr says, "I was doing music, trying to glorify God, but my heart just wasn't right. We would go play for a youth group on Friday telling them how Jesus changed our lives, but be out in a bar on Saturday. I was living a hypocrite's curse and I just couldn't take it anymore. I just walked away."
In 1996, Murr says God was trying to get his attention. He and Marchand went into the studio to work on "Forever Till The End" and they recorded 28 tunes. But Marchand said he didn't feel like he wanted to do this anymore.
By this time, every major label had passed on Liberty n' Justice, and the band was drawing very few people to its shows. Murr said it had become a strain on their relationship. "I felt like Moses; I knew what I was called to do, but through my own actions I couldn't get there," he said.
Just as Murr was about to trash the project, a long-time recording buddy and co-writer of most of LnJ's songs said he would sing leads on the project. Gregg Clemons (former CBS recording artist) took the project to the next level.
"Gregg is one of the most talented people I know and this project is the record I am most proud of." Murr says.
At this time LnJ was just a studio group, but the songs caught the attention of a publishing company in Nashville. Murr says the company flew him to Nashville, picked him up in a limo, and took him to dinner. At dinner they offered a very "bad deal" which Murr turned down.
Two years later Murr had married and his wife was expecting a baby. Finances were tight. He decided to call the record company and try to sell the songs to relieve the financial strain. Murr says when he called he was told, "Your songs are outdated and your music belongs in a bargain bin." Murr says he couldn't believe it. He gave up on music.
In 2000, Marchand called Murr and the two got together. After talking, they decided to record a fourth album, "Bargain Bin," for Innate Records. Marchand and Murr along with Holly Jones and Murr's wife Sharon, went on the 2000 "Karaoke Live" tour. They toured as a track band, more like a ministry. They played everywhere, giving the salvation message. The band saw 600 kids give their hearts or recommit their lives to Jesus Christ.
"It put in perspective what I was called to do," Murr says. "Just imagine singing in a concert for 62 kids, doing an altar call, and having 58 kids come forward. It was awesome and totally blew me away."
At the end of our tour, Murr started planning a tour for 2001, but things fell apart. Marchand was marrying Jones, and the Murrs had just had a second child. It was the second time Murr and Marchand had strained their relationship, so they decided "Bargain Bin" would be their "swan song."
At a church service in January 2002, Murr's pastor, Tom McGuire, spoke with him. "God is going to renew the fire from your youth," McGuire said. At the time, Murr had no idea what that meant. He says he had given up on music and had not written a song in over four years.
But one day, Murr began writing again and the words seemed to flow.
"I saved up $1800 and decided to start recording a new album." Murr says. "Anyone who knows me knows I'm no singer, but for some reason I went into this to start recording a solo album. I just remembered the Petra song "I Am Available." It talks about how my ability is not God's main concern; it's my availability and willingness to learn."
Then, Murr says, a "God Thing" happened. He called Jamie Rowe (Guardian/London Calling) and Dale Thompson (Bride) and asked them to sing on two different songs for the album. To his surprise, they agreed. From there, things snowballed and the album finally got direction.
Murr formed a partnership with Bill Tate and Gary Manuel called 3 Chord Records. They decided to use the band name Liberty n' Justice for the new album, which is titled "Welcome to the Revolution." The album features 18 known singers, including Lou Gramm of Foreigner and Michael Sweet of Stryper.
One month before "Welcome To The Revolution" was released, Murr went back into the studio to start working on another CD.
"I have a dream and I know God put this dream in my heart." Murr says. "For this new record, I expanded on the original idea. I thought how cool and what kind of ministry would it be to have 'known' rock singers singing Christian songs."
Murr wanted to go in a new direction with this CD as well. "Revolution" sold better than anyone thought it would, but Murr 'musically' had only worked with two people during his recording career. So he hired a producer named Mike Layne best known for his work with Leaderdogs and Mudvayne.
"Mike brought it all together," says Murr. "This record is really a turning point in the history of Liberty n' Justice."
Since then the band has released several more albums collaborating with such special guest vocalists such as: Lou Gramm of Foreigner, Chris Jericho of Fozzy, Phil Collen of Def Leppard, Sebastian Bach, Leif Garrett, Michael Sweet of Stryper, C J Snare of Firehouse, Rubicon Cross, Jack Russell of Great White, Kip Winger of Winger, and various others.
In 2011, LNJ released "Sin," the final song recorded by Jani Lane (Warrant) before he died.

R.I.P. Justin Murr: January 23, 1973 - September 27, 2021