Interview with CRUSADER
!!!HARD 'N HEAVY METAL FROM THE UK!!!
We had a conversation with Kyle Stevens (Guitars) & Tommy Baptist (Vocals). Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about CRUSADER (Members, Starting Year etc).
KS: Believe it or not, CRUSADER started in 2018. Me & Scott (Bassist) met through work, both played guitar, loved old school music, lived in the same neighbourhood and became fast friends. The music came fast too but we had to go through a few different iterations of the band before we arrived at the version you hear today. We really took our time, being very conscious of building strong foundations musically and crafting something we could really stand behind. After a few lineup changes and auditions we had almost given up on finding THE singer with the chops we were looking for until we came across Tommy and well, the rest as they say is history! We would never release anything we can't put our seal of approval on, worth the wait I say.
You have recently released your EP ''In For The Kill''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
TB: It was very well received! So well in fact we got accused of being artificially made with intelligence. Now I can't speak robot to save my life, but my windpipes were bred organically in a free range farm. It's all natural baby!
KS: No AI to be found! But no It's been incredible to see the reactions and support we've received from people & press alike. Makes us even more excited to keep on cooking up new stuff! We're super grateful for everyone who has taken a chance on a brand new band with all the other music that's released on a daily basis.
Label or DIY and why?
TB: DIY because full control over your material is non-negotiable. These boys made cool songs because they wanted to express themselves and I'm of the same mind. Giving anyone who isn't involved in the creative process any degree of control is madness in my opinion.
KS: Technology has made so much possible/accessible that used to be gatekept by record labels. I think if the right partnership came along it could be a consideration in the future. But for now, I echo Tommy's sentiments!
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
KS: I played the biggest show of a previous bands career with an inaudible guitar for two whole songs due to a loose patch cable. This is why roadies are needed! (I blame Rum)
TB: I once fell of the stage and was caught by a middle-aged woman in a wheelchair. Make with that what you will!
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
TB: Digital is the new world order and it's convenient to have it all in one place. The accessibility of it is its strongest feature. I myself haven't really used any other format in my life pretty much so I can't speak to the validity of the other ones. They sound cool, though! I can barely imagine music being played through Tape these days, but I always wanted one of those cassette players growing up!
KS: I love being able to see my favourite records' artwork up close. It does really feel like the real deal holding a vinyl in your hands but, convenience is king so digital it shall be!
Your music style is Hard 'n' Heavy Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
KS: I was raised on Motown, soul and funk music predominantly as a kid and fell in love with Rock & metal as a preteen, shortly picked up a guitar at the age of 11. Everyone in the band has a really wide range of music we listen to. From Christopher Cross to Keel, from Bryan Ferry to Banshee, from Judas Priest to Journey. If it grooves, has great melodies, is performed well, has heart and great production I'm there! Me & Tommy have also had our hand in session work through the years so it means we're used to playing/listening to different kinds of music. With CRUSADER though, we wear our main influences proudly. Just listen to the EP and all the influences are right there!
TB: Brother... There are so many one cannot name them all. For this project what was in mind for me at least was the lead singers from bands like Extreme, Van Halen and a little bit of Soundgarden for that extra spice! My all time influence for vocals in this style though is the undisputed champion of Burn Mr. Glenn Hughes. Now THOSE are some organic pipes worth talking about!
Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
TB: Nothing. Everyone and their mother can be a band now. Ideally, you have fun making your music and it connects with people. The process in and of itself is its own reward, honestly. As far as any sacrifices made - can't think of any myself. Sorry!
KS: Besides time and potentially your sanity at times, no other sacrifices necessary. Nobody gets into the rock n roll business anymore for the fame and fortune, so having a good time doing what you love is where it's at.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
TB: I can't speak for the boys, but whatever they want in this regard, I'll follow. I serve at the pleasure of the president.
KS: We haven't played live yet as CRUSADER! We've been so focused on nailing the sound we had in our heads that we've spent a long time honing our songwriting, performance, production and that side of things and we're not done yet! We've only released three songs so far, once more material is released we'll see where we're at with the live performances and what the demand is like.
What attributes do you think that a new Hard 'n' Heavy Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
TB: Authenticity, Good Work Ethic and Pure Joy.
KS: I think the genre in some ways has become a little predictable for a genre that was firstly about rebellion and going against the grain. It's tough to stand out and be unique but It'd be cool to see bands take more risks, personally.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Hard 'n' Heavy Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
TB: All digital platforms help spread music around quick as you like. That was never the problem - the problem is getting paid for it! The way the business model is set up ensures the up and coming artist gets paid as little as humanly possible while also remaining within the limits of the law the checks the box that they DID get paid for work done. Good stuff will find the right ears and the music speaks for itself, I think.
KS: We're proof that digital platforms help new bands, we wouldn't have any of the success/interest we've enjoyed over the last four weeks without it!
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in the UK (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
TB: I know very little about this one - deferring to the boys here!
KS: We've been locked in the studio in our little bubble for a long time, unfortunately I wouldn't be a very good person to ask about this either! But The Black Heart, Helgis, Blondies, The Worlds End are always a good time!
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
TB: Oh gosh now I'm starting to feel ignorant. No sir, we do not, my apologies!
KS: Teach us!
What are your future plans?
TB: A physical release with a bonus track is imminent. From there, onwards and upwards towards new songs baby!
KS: Yeah! We're going to tie up this EP with a bonus track, some merch and a physical release. Then we'll be putting our heads together for another release in the near future, we've got some ideas already that I'm stoked about!
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
TB: Thank you for indulging us and for your time!
KS: Thanks very much for having us.
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
PS. Many thanks to Markus (https://www.facebook.com/MetalMessage.Global) for this interview (Cheers mate!)
CRUSADER CONTACT:
https://www.instagram.com/thebandcrusader/
https://thebandcrusader.bandcamp.com/album/in-for-the-kill
https://music.apple.com/us/album/in-for-the-kill-single/1814720251