It’s been four years to the day since we last featured Crimson Star. Time to find out what they’ve been up to the in meantime!
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
Jay: We are based in Birmingham, West Midlands
How did you meet?
Jay: Me and Roj first met in the mid 00’s when both playing in different metal bands, that used to gig together frequently. When I started this new project in 2015, we needed someone with a huge bass sound, as we wanted to be a 3 piece and Roj was an obvious choice that came to mind.
Roj: Luckily I accepted their request! Haha. Chris joined the band in June 2019 after us spending almost a year trying to find a suitable replacement drummer.
How long have you been playing as a band?
Roj: Since I joined in June 2015, things started to be taken a bit more seriously. Jay chucked me in at the deep end and got me to come and record with the band after only 6 weeks playing with them.
Jay: We hadn’t even played live as a band!
Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?
Jay: The name was a song from a previous band, which was about someone very close to me and when it came to picking a band name, it just seemed to fit with the musical style and direction we were looking to go.
What are your influences?
Jay: There are too many to mention them all, but my favourite band is Pearl Jam, and I love John Frusciante (So glad he is back with the chilis). I’m a huge Chris Cornell fan as well, that voice is simply amazing!
Roj: I’m a huge Deftones fan, but listen to a really big array of music including Jazz, Soul, lots of electronic music and a lot of 90’s music.
Chris: Foo fighters and Nirvana are some of my absolute favourites and I have to say Dave Grohl is a huge influence in my drumming.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
Jay: I like to class it as Driven Rock Tunage! It’s hard, driven music with lots of melody and passion. People can’t seem to pigeon hole us which we think is a good thing. I’d describe it to a deaf person as like a beautiful car driving extremely fast across the Californian desert!
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
Jay: Whatever the music makes me feel, but sometimes current affairs and things going on in the world make their way into the words or the way that they are sang.
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
Roj: Loud, Groovy, BOOMS and lots of energy. Due to drummer issues when only played 5 shows in 2019 but now we have Chris, 2020 is shaping up nicely with festival slots and more gigs around the UK!
Jay: I like to have fun so whenever I’m not singing, I’m either dancing or jumping around. There are certain parts of songs that take me to another place!
Chris: I love seeing the energy the other guys bring and just try my best to add to that by drumming with a lot of energy!
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
Jay: Not so wild, but I once ordered a pint at the bar, mid set (the joys of a wireless guitar system).
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
Jay: Fender Telecaster, Marshall DSL100H, Marshall 1960 cabinet, Sure SM58 and far too many guitar pedals to mention!
Roj: I love my Orange Bass Terror, Trace Elliot Cabinet and the MXR Octave deluxe is my go to pedal.
Chris: Tama drum shells, Paiste Cymbals and a Roland SPD-SX sampling pad.
What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?
Chris: Really excited about the release of my first record with the band, its being released on April 3rd 2020, it’s a noice little EP called The Olde Dawg.
What are your plans for 2020?
Jay: Release the new EP, gig as much as possible and were hoping to get another recording session in towards the end of the year. We are very eager to get working on new material and release it asap!
Roj: We are really looking forward to playing Rockpool in February alongside some fantastic bands, and also our first time at Wildfire Festival in June.
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!
Chris: I can’t say anything other than Pearl Jam or Jay will kill me.
Roj: I think we would have to choose another local Birmingham band to open up, a fellow Brummie band called Three Knuckle Shuffle, they’re always up for a hell of a show and a party afterwards.
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