Their name has no spiritual meaning, but was derived from an incident in which the bass player was wearing Rod Laver-branded shoes from Adidas.
[4][5] One reviewer called their sound "hardcore rap", stating that it defied easy classification,[6] and another that the album "singlehandedly made the label live up to its name.
[4] One reviewer found that the effort was tighter and more musically focused, but at the same time failed "to reach the listener at the deeper emotional and intellectual level" lyrically.
[9] In support of Trying the group embarked on a national tour with Slick Shoes, Ace Troubleshooter, and Calibretto 13, on which they played both secular and religious venues.
Rudy Nielson, vocalist, had been a youth pastor prior to forming the group,[10] and the band was said to have a "strong commitment to ministry.
[12] HM editor Doug Van Pelt praised the new incarnation of the rhythm section, stating that it brought credibility to the band's sound.