BACKSTAGE PASS ARTICLE JULY 1997
CAPTAIN CRUSH
Written By: BOB CELOSKY
Captain Crush has just released their first self-produced album called Grounded, on indie label Crush Music. The reason that they decided to release an independant album was because they didn't want to get tangled in the web of corporate America. They had heard all of the horror stories about bands signed to a major label and losing all of their creative freedom. The band did try to go the corporate route by shopping their demo to major labels, but they gave up that pursuit after only two attempts because they thought the better choice would be to do it themselves. They feel that the music industry is heading towards the indies anyway, citing what Sub Pop records did for Nirvana or Epitaph did for The Offspring. All they need is an avenue to have their music heard. Fortunately for Bon (vocals/guitar), Jim (drums), and Red Richie (bass) this is now possible thanks to Grounded.
One thing that you can say about this band is that they are not sell-outs. There is not one ballad on Grounded and all of the songs are in-your-face thrash. However, Captain Crush's influences range all the way from Primus, to No Doubt, to King Diamond. "If the song is good, the song is good", Jim notes. And all of their influences come together to make the sound that is best described by Bon, "Like a bus full of clowns going over a cliff."
Most of the songs Grounded is older material that has been shelved for years. The reason it's seeing the light of day is because they finally got the money to put it on CD. There are absolutely no guitar overdubs at all on the album," says Jim. "Bon played all the guitar, including the solos, straight through in the studio." The songs on Grounded were written at a time when they were trying to be a "serious band". However, this band is not trying to make history. "We're not trying to be the big "rock stars". If people like our music and want to come see us play, that's what's important," notes Jim. The lyrics reflect things that were happening at the time, both politically and personally. The music is a collboration, but the lyrics are primarilly written by Bon. "Red and I both work full time, but Bon doesn't," notes Jim. "That shows you who's got the time to be creative," he laughs. Their newer material has a more sarcastic edge to it, however. "The music is always serious, but now the lyrics are more fun," notes Jim.
When Bon formed the band he auditioned several singers but didn't like any of them. So, he did what any self respecting musician would do, "He decided to sing himself" says Jim. Then a mutual friend brought Bon over to Jim's house in 1991. They weren't happy with their drummer they were playing with and were looking for a new one. "I was sleeping when they came over so I was kind of out of it. Bon asked me if I wanted to try out and I wasn't playing with anyone, so I said OK," relates Jim. "He gave me a tape with just guitar on it so I could learm the songs. A couple weeks later I went to practice and jammed with them. A few days after that, their drummer found his drums out on the driveway. That's how I knew I was in the band," laughs Jim. Red then decided to leave Captain Crush. They found a new bass player, but the spark they had with Red just wasn't there. But, the show must go on and they began recording Grounded. "Then we begged Red to come back," says Jim. When Red came back Grounded had already been recorded, but they didn't have the money to press it on CD. Yet they continued playing live and they finally found an investor to help them complete the project.
Grounded is a good reflection of what the band sounds like, but their live show is the best way to really get a feel for what this band is all about. The power and energy can not be described, only experienced. "I believe we hold the Chicago record for the shortest set played before security had to be called to break it up. It was about 12 minutes", laughs Jim.
Right now the band is focusing on playing live and putting on the best shows they possibly can. If the right distribution deal came along, they would take it only to get their music heard in different areas. They are just happy that their fans in Chicago can hear them on CD. But they really want to be known as a live band. "Thanks to Grounded," Jim says, "you know the songs, now go see us live."
You can catch Captain Crush Friday, July 18 at Smiler Coogans and Saturday, August
2 at Riley's Rock House. Grounded is available at Impulse Music (630-529-3070), through their website
at www,afternight.com/music/crush or contact them at crushmusik@aol.com
