Crooked Halo

I Want You To Know... Q&A With: CROOKED HALO


I Want You To Know...

by Genefreak23

 

A moody and rather haunting guitar riff sneaks up on you, and makes you shift from your comfortable position. Then the mood suddenly shifts from moody, to potentially menacing, soon to be followed by lead singer and guitarist Mike Deardeuffs initially subdued vocals, which grow to an emotional peak as the song "Neurotic" grows in intensity....

Hampton, Ia's Crooked Halo delivers its brand of alternative rock with a healthy dose of grunge infused into the hook laden songs on their first recorded effort "Debriefing & Cocktails", and on the song "Phoney", the band shows they have no problem bringing the "edge" when they need to.

I know from personal experience, that this rock trio puts its heart into everything they do, and have true passion for music, and creative expression. I also know that these guys find something special about every opportunity they get to play live, and that to me is the definition of music appreciation... if you are a musician that is.

All the traveling, and loading and unloading of equipment is worth every second to the guys in Crooked Halo. American Death Threat Mag caught up with these guys and got em to answer our questions! 

 

Names of band members?
Steve the perv-drums
Mikey-vocals/guitar
Denver-vocals/bass

Background story of the band?
Denver: Mike and Steve had a previous band that had disbanded. Steve and I met at a party and chatted it up a bit and within a week or two I was playing with them.

Band name: how was it thought up?
Denver: It was something that just kinda hit Mike while he was driving one day. We had been trying to come up with something and he had a revelation I guess and so it goes from there

Main influences:
Steve: Friends, family, Dave Grohl, JB--KG, S.O.A.D., Chili Peppers, The Transplants, John Bonham, Joey Jordison, Matt McDonough and Gary(Team America Fuck yeah)!
Denver: I'm influenced by all the local bands out there bustin there asses just to be able to play music that they love. Bass wise I'm influenced by a wide range of artists. From Bootsy to Ryan Martinie, Marcus Miller to Blasko.....that's my man right there! And of course, Spotswood(Team America Coming to save the motherfuckin day yeah)
Mike: My main influence is being under the influence! And I.N.T.E.L.L.I.G.E.N.C.E.(Freedom is the only way yeah!)

Age each member started play, how and why:
Mike: I was 16 and I basically just wanted to play.
Steve: I was 10 when I started playin the single snare drum. Started the full kit at 12 years old. I started with jazz studies and have always played rock in the meantime.
Denver: I was 23 when I started. I'm 26 now. I guess I was bored and needed more music in my life.

Live gear used:
Steve: Pearl kit, Sabian and Roc n Soc
Mike: Digitech, Crate, Genz Benz
Denver: Ashdown!!!

Funnest venue played?
Steve: One of the funnest was probably the Swampfest gig. It was an outdoor battle that had Firehouse headline.
Denver: Yeah it was cool. Tattoo artists inside busy as hell and half naked chicks in bubbles. I'm always a fan of outdoor shows.

Best gig?
Mike:They have all been fun and they just keep getting better.
Denver: I'd say the drunker Steve is the better the gig. As far as crazyiness happening. I have been body checked a few time in the middle of a set by that crazy ass. I probably deserve it though from kickin his cymbals and bass mic around.

Worst gig?
Mike: I wouldn't say that there has been a worst gig.
Steve: We have definately had some interesting one's.
Denver: Yeah but they have all been fun as shit though.

Most memorable gig or story:
Mikey: It's hard to just choose one or a couple cause every show has had something crazy happen. From people moshing and falling over shit and crazy stage diving to just plain crazy stage antics.
Denver: It ain't a show til something gets knocked over.

Messages in your music?
Steve: Evolving balls of rubber bands.......if you know what I mean!!!
Denver: Life man.

Advice for young musicians?
Steve: Find your own groove!
Mikey: Be yourself.
Denver: I'm stealing a quote and copying Mikey a bit, "Have the balls to be yourself."

Other Iowa or midwestern bands people should check out:
Steve: There are so many great area bands.
Mikey: Keep an eye out for Amereimage, Hemann and the Hulks, Speedfinger, Smoking BLindfolded.........
Denver: There are alot of great bands out there with, ummm, Grinwire, Ritual Fixx is awesome, Black Days Down from Minneapolis, The Obstacles from Chicago area, Weaver at the Loom......man there are tons of great acts out there. Go catch a show.

Announcements?
Mikey: Check us out at myspace.com/slantedcircle, let us know what you think.
Denver: Watch out for a possible road trip to Chicago this spring.

http://www.myspace.com/slantedcircle

Thanks for taking the time bros!

G23


- American Death Threat Magazine

I Want You To Know... Q&A With: CROOKED HALO


I Want You To Know...

by Genefreak23

 

A moody and rather haunting guitar riff sneaks up on you, and makes you shift from your comfortable position. Then the mood suddenly shifts from moody, to potentially menacing, soon to be followed by lead singer and guitarist Mike Deardeuffs initially subdued vocals, which grow to an emotional peak as the song "Neurotic" grows in intensity....

Hampton, Ia's Crooked Halo delivers its brand of alternative rock with a healthy dose of grunge infused into the hook laden songs on their first recorded effort "Debriefing & Cocktails", and on the song "Phoney", the band shows they have no problem bringing the "edge" when they need to.

I know from personal experience, that this rock trio puts its heart into everything they do, and have true passion for music, and creative expression. I also know that these guys find something special about every opportunity they get to play live, and that to me is the definition of music appreciation... if you are a musician that is.

All the traveling, and loading and unloading of equipment is worth every second to the guys in Crooked Halo. American Death Threat Mag caught up with these guys and got em to answer our questions! 

 

Names of band members?
Steve the perv-drums
Mikey-vocals/guitar
Denver-vocals/bass

Background story of the band?
Denver: Mike and Steve had a previous band that had disbanded. Steve and I met at a party and chatted it up a bit and within a week or two I was playing with them.

Band name: how was it thought up?
Denver: It was something that just kinda hit Mike while he was driving one day. We had been trying to come up with something and he had a revelation I guess and so it goes from there

Main influences:
Steve: Friends, family, Dave Grohl, JB--KG, S.O.A.D., Chili Peppers, The Transplants, John Bonham, Joey Jordison, Matt McDonough and Gary(Team America Fuck yeah)!
Denver: I'm influenced by all the local bands out there bustin there asses just to be able to play music that they love. Bass wise I'm influenced by a wide range of artists. From Bootsy to Ryan Martinie, Marcus Miller to Blasko.....that's my man right there! And of course, Spotswood(Team America Coming to save the motherfuckin day yeah)
Mike: My main influence is being under the influence! And I.N.T.E.L.L.I.G.E.N.C.E.(Freedom is the only way yeah!)

Age each member started play, how and why:
Mike: I was 16 and I basically just wanted to play.
Steve: I was 10 when I started playin the single snare drum. Started the full kit at 12 years old. I started with jazz studies and have always played rock in the meantime.
Denver: I was 23 when I started. I'm 26 now. I guess I was bored and needed more music in my life.

Live gear used:
Steve: Pearl kit, Sabian and Roc n Soc
Mike: Digitech, Crate, Genz Benz
Denver: Ashdown!!!

Funnest venue played?
Steve: One of the funnest was probably the Swampfest gig. It was an outdoor battle that had Firehouse headline.
Denver: Yeah it was cool. Tattoo artists inside busy as hell and half naked chicks in bubbles. I'm always a fan of outdoor shows.

Best gig?
Mike:They have all been fun and they just keep getting better.
Denver: I'd say the drunker Steve is the better the gig. As far as crazyiness happening. I have been body checked a few time in the middle of a set by that crazy ass. I probably deserve it though from kickin his cymbals and bass mic around.

Worst gig?
Mike: I wouldn't say that there has been a worst gig.
Steve: We have definately had some interesting one's.
Denver: Yeah but they have all been fun as shit though.

Most memorable gig or story:
Mikey: It's hard to just choose one or a couple cause every show has had something crazy happen. From people moshing and falling over shit and crazy stage diving to just plain crazy stage antics.
Denver: It ain't a show til something gets knocked over.

Messages in your music?
Steve: Evolving balls of rubber bands.......if you know what I mean!!!
Denver: Life man.

Advice for young musicians?
Steve: Find your own groove!
Mikey: Be yourself.
Denver: I'm stealing a quote and copying Mikey a bit, "Have the balls to be yourself."

Other Iowa or midwestern bands people should check out:
Steve: There are so many great area bands.
Mikey: Keep an eye out for Amereimage, Hemann and the Hulks, Speedfinger, Smoking BLindfolded.........
Denver: There are alot of great bands out there with, ummm, Grinwire, Ritual Fixx is awesome, Black Days Down from Minneapolis, The Obstacles from Chicago area, Weaver at the Loom......man there are tons of great acts out there. Go catch a show.

Announcements?
Mikey: Check us out at myspace.com/slantedcircle, let us know what you think.
Denver: Watch out for a possible road trip to Chicago this spring.

http://www.myspace.com/slantedcircle

Thanks for taking the time bros!

G23


- American Death Threat Magazine