Crash Kings

Few bands can claim the record that Crash Kings have after just one album. Their debut single "Mountain Man" reached #1 on the Billboard Alternative Rock chart, quite a feat for a new band. The unique feeling to Crash Kings doesn't end there. Their debut album full of catchy single-worthy songs was released in 2009, and has spawned two charting singles thus far. We recently caught up with the band for a few questions.


*Well it's been out for over a year now, so how pleased are you with how the album has done?

1. I think that the album has done very well! We've had the opportunity to travel this whole country and it's great to see more and more people coming out to support us.
*How is the writing process going for a next album? How long before we can expect some new Crash Kings material?

2. The writing process is going really well for our next record. There are some songs we think people might like. We probably won't play those songs live until our next record is out. Once we have a date to record, we'll have a better idea of when that would be.
*Are you excited to be touring with Anberlin and Civil Twilight? How did you get hooked up with those bands?

3. We are very excited about this upcoming tour with Anberlin and Civil Twilight! These are some serious live bands. Anberlin put the tour together, and we're honored to be a part of it! There's gonna be some magic... You know, their people contacted our people and blah blah blah
*A lot of bands toil around for years before they gain popularity and a major record deal. Your rise to fame was fairly quick and sudden. Is it still crazy to you how quickly this band has come together and how much success you've had to this point?

4. Not at all. Are we famous? We had no idea. We're just really lucky to be touring the country, playing our music.
*How surreal was it when you heard that "Mountain Man" had made it to number one on the charts?

5. All we can say is: Vegas, Caesars Palace, Wine, Jet (The band), Poker...
*It's easy to hear influences from all over the musical landscape in your music, but personally, who are your individual influences?

6. For piano, I would say my Dad and The Beatles were my biggest influences! On the rhodes, I would say Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, Billy Preston. Some of Jason's influences are Buddy Rich, John Bonham, Steve Gad.
*What's been the best experience so far as a band? The best moment that you'll probably never forget?

7. Taking a bow with stone temple pilots after their encore in Winnipeg.
*If you could tour with any band or artist out there right now, who would it be?

8. Led Zeppelin
*Similarly, if you could come up with a dream collaboration for Crash Kings, who would it be with?

9. AC/DC
*What are the band's touring plans beyond this tour with Anberlin and Civil Twilight?

10. We have no tour plans after this tour with civil twilight and anberlin.

by Peter Fenn