From the end of Smash Fashion to the birth of Crymwav, this dark and dynamic rock project blends gritty intensity with infectious energy, paving the way for their upcoming LP Chop Chop.
1)Crymwav
was born from the ashes of smash fashion. Could you share more about that
transition and how the idea for this new project came about?
Yes…smash
fashion had come to a halt in 2019 when repo (smash fashion drummer) moved back
to finland… we did release a single the following year “got the heebee
geebees(at cbgb’s) on Canadian label yeah right reords but as a live band we
were at a standstill. After the covid outbreak we decided to start to audition
drummers and bass players to get the ball rolling on a 5th smash fashion
record…but nothing seemed to clink, chemistry wise.
Eventually
my friends scotty Renner and Greg Rogers came down to jam as they were also on
hiatus with goatsnake. This was a heavy rhythm section that had been playing
together for a while. Same as Stuart and I had been playing together for a long
time.in the meantime I had been writing more darker material, more reflective
of the times. I had also been flying back and forth to London as my girlfriend
was working there. I brought my guitar with me. She was staying in lad broke
grove and i wanted to try and channel some of the musical mojo of the area. Bands
like Hawkwind, motorhead, the clash, killing joke. I ended up writing a fistful
of hard-edged songs and brought them band to Los Angeles. We went into a
lockout rehearsal space and when the smoke cleared, Bruce Braddock(my bandmate
from the 80s punk band “the drills”, was in on bass guitar. we now had a line
up and a sets worth of new heaver darker material.crymwav was born…
2)Your music
draws inspiration from diverse genres and iconic bands like The Clash, Killing Joke
and Thin Lizzy. how do these influences shape your songwriting and overall
sound?
There are
many influences that make up Crymwav. I think there’s a chemistry not only
between Stuart and I , but the whole band. Bruce and i played together years
ago, we went to high school together! But primarily, we all came into the music
world via the American hardcore scene of the early 80s.so we all had similar
paths . 70s hard rock like kiss, ufo,the sweet, Alice cooper, thin lizzy, early
van halen, lords of the new church, blue oyster cult, punk, goth ,nwobhm all
were prevalent for all of us at the same time. And i think that was the magic
that got this going.we had all returned to the type of material that excited us
to play music in the first place.it felt fresh, new and organic.i knew we were
on to something.as a songwriter i feel I’m incorporating everything ive been
through in my newmusical journey..and i think its the same for the other guys
also.
3)Your
new single “contagious” blends dark energy with infectious hooks. What was the
inspiration behind this track, and how did come together in the studio?
“contagious “came together at the tail end of
our recording sessions for the new lp.it was the last song written and
submitted for consideration. I had been working on it for a while and felt it
was ready to show to the guys finally.it clicked right away and was tracted
rather fast after it was rehearsed a number of times.
I don’t think it’s about one specific thing, but many things. I felt that during the pandemic things changed on a number of fronts. A disease that was not only killing people and making them sick, but also dividing people as it also became a political lightening rod. People started to be more tribal… i feel that mabe the song is about protecting yourself fro the various agents of destruction.... Forces looking to take you down, invade your space…
4)JJ blair,
known for his work with legends like jeff beck, rod stewart produced
“contagious” how did his expertise impact the track and forth coming album?
JJ has an
understanding of what this band is about. He is also of our similar age bracket
so he knows where we are coming from musically. Plus hes an excellent guitar
player and all around musician himself. But most importantly , hes able to find
that mix balance for us.. We trust his ears and that is huge to hand trust over
to an outside source… luckly, he feels now like hes in our inner circle… which
isn”t easy to penetrate…we”ve let him.we are very excited to dig deeper into
this record with him… this (contagious) the first taste
5)The
music video for “contagious” is described as a ”visual fest” can you tell us
about the concept for the video and how it ties into the song’s themes?
The
opportunity arose to shoot a video for the song so we took advantage of it.its
a performance video primarly. but we added the “ plague doctor” shots to break
it up.. plague doctors (despite their scary image ) were actually on the
forfront fighting disease during the black death plague outbreak. They were the
good guys. I liked the imagery… he’s here to help you fight back what’s trying
to take you down.
6)Your
upcoming LP, tentatively titled “chop chop”, is set for release in march
2025.what can fans expect from this record in terms of themes, sound, and
evolution from your previous work?
There is a
variety of songs on this LP… yet a signature vibe and sound running through
them all. There are the dark gothic songs, the hi energy rock songs and the
heavier stuff…the ep we did last year “24/7” set the template… this record is
better produced and mixed on a different level for us… its a step up
7) Crymwav’s
music is described as both powerful and danceable. How do you balance gritty
rock intensity with melodies that make listeners want to move?
I think
we’ve found a balance that works… much of that is about the groove, the pocket.
Its the “roll” ..there’s plenty of “rock” bands out there.. But we are “rock
and roll”… roll is the groove… we play with conviction on top of that… and Stuart’s
ferocious yet melodic playing over the top of a hooky chorus… ive always
written melodic songs. These song were not premeditated… they just poured out
of me
8)Your
music feels built for stadiums, as guitar world mentioned. How does crymwav
translate that energy into live performances, and what can fans expect at your
shows?
Actually, i
was concerned about capturing what we were doing in the rehearsal space on
tape, and for the most part we have. Theres still a side that seems like we
will have to wait for the next one to showcase. A more experimental, jammy
side. Theres’s elements of it on a lot of this group of songs but would like to
delve deeper…we have more than enough songs to change things up live. Theres a
passion here so we live these songs… we don’t plat to backing tracks so what
you see is what you get so to speak…
9)Each
member of Crymwav brings a wealth of experience to the table. How does the
collaboration process work with in the band when it comes to writing and
arranging?
Generally,
i write the basic song. I bring it to the rehearsal room and play it.if it
passes the test of whether or not it
clicks, then each guy starts to lay in their parts… different songs have
different orgins. Some take off immediately, while others get slowly caressed
into being…alchemy at work!
10)With
“contagious” out and “chop chop “on the horizon, what are your goals for 2025?
Are there any plans for tours, collaborations, or surprises fans should look forward
to?
Yes, we have a 2nd single coming out in jan 25, LP end of march 25. We are also playing London UKmarch 28 at the legendary cart and hores (birth place of iron maiden” … playing our last show of the year here in los angeles 12/21/24 with the great “the hangmen” …. We do hope to tour in 2025… fingers crossed!!!Cheers….
Crymwav (@crymwav) • Instagram photos and videos
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