Petty Crux

Earworm.

Petty Crux is an earworm.

Now, if that may sound like a strange way to start a review, let's back up just a little bit. Petty Crux is a powerpopping, brit-rock, indie band, currently taking New York by storm. Having played at all the major clubs in the Miami area and winning the 2006 Miami New Times Battle of the Band, the boys simply needed a larger stage to set their eyes upon. They've been called by those in the know "bold and engaging, with superstar written all over them," and claimed to be a "rival of any good Brit pop band coming out of the U.K."

And they're an earworm.

One of the great things about our job here at the Ripple, is that while we're sifting through the musical detritus that lines the rock and roll highway, we occasionally stumble upon a treasure, a tiny gem, sparkling under the faint glow of recognition. Clemente, one of the main Cruxers, popped their self-produced debut All That Survived the Crash, over to our illustrious office and eventually it landed on my desk with all the fanfare of another piece of junk mail. A car wash coupon. A pizza flier.

What I didn't expect was an earworm.

So, always working for you oh waverider, I plunked the disc into the player and immediately started bopping my head to "Real Love," a crushing, chiming display of smooth powerpop with a killer riff, nice vocals with a swooping bass line leading to a charging chorus. It was then, while I was grooving with the boys, digging what they were laying down, letting that fantastic hook penetrate my body, that the earworm made its way into my brain. Days later, I was in my closet folding clothes, hanging my vast assortment of rock and roll t-shirts, when I found myself singing a song. But what song? I didn't even recognize the melody coming from my own mouth and then it hit me. "Real Love," had worked its way into my brain. It was now a part of my consciousness. It was that good.

And that's what an earworm is, a line, a hook, a melody that works its way into your brain where you hear it over and over. When that song is a television jingle it can be torture, but with the Petty Crux melody, it was just good fun, like having a jukebox bolted into my head.

Then, suddenly, "What do You Care," with its spasmodic, angular guitar riff rocking over a Gang of Four or the Automatic beat followed next, emanating from my mouth with a chorus as memorable as anything to come from the current wave of postpunk guitar bands like the Killers or the Strokes. I could hear the sparkling guitar, that incessant, instantly catchy hook. I was banging my hands against the closet door to that driving drum beat that sends the chorus into fifth gear. All I could remember thinking was that this song needs to be heard, it should be huge. The earworm had worked its way from my cortex to my auditory center.

"Slow," a mournful ballad came next with its swooping vocal line, a beautiful and evocative tune. "Heroes Are Lonely," breaks form, launching off with a jazzy drum and keyboard intro harkening back to the days of Level 42 or Curiosity Killed the Cat. There again were those smooth, soaring vocals, the insistent guitar lines, beautiful background vocal harmonies, a head-bopping bass line and a chorus that seared straight into my nervous system. The earworm had worked its way deeper, now entering my limbic system, where "Apocalypse. . . For Now," drove the damn thing home. Following a scattering, chopping guitar riff, and thudding rhythm, the boys craft another perfectly paced powerpop gem.

Is "All That Survived the Crash," a perfect album. Well, no. Overall, the songs suffer from a lack of production like you'd expect from a self-produced release. "Take My Hand," a tender ballad, is just screaming out for orchestration and a symphonic accompaniment, but these are minor complaints, simple things for any powerful producer to smooth out and embellish. What Crash, does show is a band brimming with potential, capable of crafting some instantly memorable melodies and the skills to drive those melodies soaring to heights that few bands can obtain. The future will decide where Petty Crux take their talent, but we at the Ripple will be there, waiting, watching to see what happens. Waiting for Clemente and the boys to drill that next earworm into my brain. The first one's already made its way to my cerebellum, so I guess I got room for more.

--Racer

Sorry, the boys don't have a video yet. But check them out at www.myspace.com/pettycrux. The songs are available there for download. Check out "Real Love," "What do You Care," and "Stand," to get a glimpse where these guys are coming from.
- The Ripple Effect

NeuFutur Magazine Introduces Petty Crux
By admin • Mar 14th, 2008 • Category: Artist News

These Brit pop rockers are ready to let the world in on what promises to be the next big moment in the history of Rock music. Watching them, you feel like you are in a dream. You aren’t sure whether to rock out, just close your eyes and sing along or stand and let the music take you. But even beyond the indulgence of a live show, their debut record, “Walking * Sleeping * Dreaming” is a rock album that dances in and out of delicate, atmospheric melodies and aggressive, powerful guitar drives.

What truly makes this band great is their mystic fusing of mind, body and soul into every aspect of their music. “Music builds our confidence. It heals our wounds and holds us together. Music is a way for the brain and soul to speak the same language.” The soul of their music comes from the soul of people, creating something very special between their music and the listener.

The Band has combined their styles and influences to create a truly dynamic and diverse sound which bleeds genuine emotion. “We’re inspired by life circumstances, love, change and the human spirit. Heartache is a big influence.” It’s this band’s ability to capture human emotions and translate it into accessible, intelligent rock and roll that makes them the lead candidate for “next big thing.” This Band has the makings of glory as they continue to fuse their rock foundation with new influences and progressive styles sure to create a loyal and enthusiastic fan base for years to come. Once this band hits it big, they’ll stay that way.

The Band won the Miami New Times Battle of the Bands in 2006 and was also featured on FIU Radio, which offered the band a whole hour of airtime. They have played every major venue in Miami and have opened for Universal Recording artist Seer. The group was featured on “Talent Quest” on television and was highlighted in Gumbo Teen Magazine. Two forthcoming releases have been announced: “Walking * Sleeping * Dreaming” (full-length) and “We The People” (EP). The group is currently working with A&R Select, the leading indie A&R firm in Hollywood, CA. - NeuFutur Magazine

New Rock from Petty Crux was uploaded recently on Cyqo Music for the community to listen to. Petty Crux is a widely recognized name in Independent Music and again a favorite on IndependentAlbums.com. I strongly suggest you take a listen to "Heroes Are Lonely" which they have made available for download (http://www.cyqo.com/pettycrux). Go take a listen! - Independent Albums

"Bold and engaging, This Band has superstar written all over."
– A&R Select - A&R Select

“They rival any good Brit Pop Band coming out of the UK.”
- American Indie Music Podcast - American Indie Music Podcast

“A fresh new sound... you would never think these guys are
frm the U.S, Fantastic music !”
- Steven Gordon, Music Producer- - Steve Gordon

Robyn Lockett
Spotlight
01/07
Not so Empty after all

The crowd screams and claps for the encore of none other than “Petty Crux.” As local artist from Miami, this group has been hitting just about every café throughout Florida. Made up of Clemente (Lead Vocals, Piano, Guitar) Steve (Piano, vocals, guitar) Jason (Guitars, keys, glockenspiel, etc.) and Paul (Drums, Percussion), Petty Crux are nothing but a ball of energy that brings forth great music.

With a name like Petty Crux, these guys are sure to be noticed. Something so simple turned out to be so unique. The name takes thought and their sound causes movement.

Most rock groups have a specific audience, but Crux writes their music for people of all walks of life. They feel they are honest men who want everyone to identify with their music how ever they can, “We don’t really care who listens, as long as they listen to our music.”(Jason)

The group takes everything in life, and makes it into a song that at least one person can relate to. From ex-girlfriends to a book they’ve read, Petty Crux have the ability to make everything they go in contact with, a lyric to fame.

For decades rock bands such as Petty Crux, have broken away from the norm and used their music to preach about he ills of society. Not only do they hit on sensitive subjects, but they don’t hide anything nor do they conserve their selves in their songs.

“Music is a form of expression. If it helps someone else, that’s a extra bonus, but really we just want to play music and travel,” (Clemente) confessed.

When you’re apart of such a big group, there are some advantages compared to being a solo artist. The energy and the chemistry Petty Crux has, provides a much better crowd interaction and energy. When you have five different people contributing to the success of one group, you get a unique sound from a unique blend.

“The most memorable experience had been the recording process,“ Petty Crux said. “It was very interesting; we got mad at each other then we were happy again, it put great emotion into our album.”(Clemente)

While other really big artists are focusing on traveling all over the country, Petty crux is keeping things close to home. Since the group is fairly new, they feel they need to build up a huge fan base in their home state of NY and expand later. However, don’t let that stop you from checking out this group up close and personal.

If you would like more information on where to find these five guys in action check them out at myspace.com/ pettycrux. And don’t forget, “perfect practice makes perfect, so stick to it because it’s all worth it in the end,” (Jason) said Petty Crux.
- Gumbo Teen Magazine

It’s no secret that Petty Crux are a Ripple favorite, so it should really come as no surprise that when we received an invitation to catch the band,s first live performance, with their new members in tow, that a Ripple representative would be in attendance. Little did I know that it was going to be lil’ ole me! After all, it was Racer who first heard their album All That Survived The Crash and was so high on these guys that he whipped out some bizarre form of Greco Roman torture, contorted me into pretzel form, and beat me over the head with the album until I fell in love with it. I was left aghast that he didn’t catch the first flight from the Bay Area for this gig, and even more aghast that he would think enough of my abilities to capture music in the live setting to send me off to tackle this assignment. So, with bags packed and a crash pad all set up, I piled in the Popemobile and made the relatively short journey up the I-5 to LaLaLand.

Slowly and organically becoming an industry hotbed for unsigned music, The Dakota Lounge http://www.dakotalounge.com/, strategically located at 1026 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica, played host for the night’s events. The staff of the club is top notch, friendly and approachable, and they gave the patrons of the club a feeling of belonging. I never once got the impression that I was trying to compete with the “pretty people” of L.A., but that I was taking part in an event where the music was taking center stage and my enjoyment was paramount.

It had been a long time coming for these guys to make their way back in front of a live crowd and to talk to any of the band members prior to the gig, well . . . one would see that they all had a distracted approach to the conversations. They were aching to get under the lights, strap on their gear, and cut loose. Like an athlete sidelined for an extended period of time, unable to perform due to some injury, but one who’s competitive fire was left raging unchecked . . . that was Petty Crux. Light hearted, yet focused on the performance at hand. And when they did eventually take the stage, the packed house shook. The band hand delivered a set of heavily melodic rock with efficiency, musical proficiency, and a level of professionalism that sometimes seems to be lacking in the music world.

With newly appointed bass meister, Zach, laying down a groovin’ foundation of low end, Petty Crux opened the night’s set with “What Do You Care.” Clemente’s smooth as aged whiskey voice crooned out the verses, and to see the glimmer in his eyes, one immediately got the sense that this is where he belongs, in front of a crowd, bearing his soul through his music. And the crowd felt it, too. The up tempo drive of the song had the crowd shaking their collective ass in time with the music and those who were familiar with the tune were in full vocal harmony. Maybe most importantly, to look at the band, to look at the faces of those in attendance, there was joy. Everybody was smiling and having a good time . . . and in these tough times, isn’t that all we can ask for? Music to take our minds away from the crap that surrounds our everyday lives? Petty Crux just may be the cure to our nation’s depression!

The band followed the opener with the jazzier toned “Heroes Are Lonely.” The spotlight immediately was pointed on the other new guy, Taylor, who hammered away at the keyboards with a spirit of Stevie Wonder in his hip pocket. Throughout the night, drummer Paul attacked his kit as if in retaliation towards some deed done wrong, but for this song, he kicked down the funky beats while Taylor’s keyboards grabbed everyone’s attention, and the collective ass continued to shake. These guys simply did not let up on the groove factor, and in combination with the humidity of the room, the masses became a single bumpin’ and grindin’ entity shining under a layer of sweat. Every bit of emotion and fire that the band put out there, the crowd gave back with fair market value.

Throughout the performance, guitarist Jason appeared to be auditioning for a part in one of the Cirque de Sole shows as he balanced precariously upon his effects board. Swaying back and forth on one foot, squeezing out every last decibel of sound he could from the vast array of pedals laid out before him, Jason seemingly picked out notes from the air, processed them in his own special way, and released them back to gyrating crowd. Before I knew it, Petty Crux were powering through what could possibly be the bands catchiest tune of them all in “Apocalypse . . . For Now.” This is the song that first grabbed my attention with these guys when I heard the album and even on this night, it’s the song that had me humming throughout the night, into the next morning . . . over breakfast, down the freeway to my next engagement. I think y’all get the idea. Racer said it first and everybody seems to concur with the term. Ear worm.

Finally, the night ended with a rousing rendition of the album closer, “Hello.” Fan-fucking-tastic! I was warned prior to the gig that there was something special in store with this particular song, but to experience it was something completely unexpected and uplifting. Singer Clemente had the crowd contributing its boisterous and somewhat off key pipes for a rousing sing-along that built and built and built with tons of emotion. As the last notes of the music died out, I got the sense that I got the opportunity to witness something pretty special here. Phenomenally catchy music played with a bit rock n’ roll muscle performed for a crowd who I expect will follow this band with a fiery passion. In so many ways, it’s hard to believe that this was the bands first show with this line up and after a fairly lengthy hiatus. Did I witness history? I think it’s a tad early to really say, but this is for certain, there was something so damn compelling about this Petty Crux performance that I wouldn’t be surprised if this band snowballs and we begin to see these guys on billboards across the globe. Y’all need to go to the bands web page(s) and keep tabs as to when they’re playing again coz’ you’re not gonna’ want to miss them. And when you do catch ‘em, look me up coz’ I’ll be there somewhere . . . ass a-shakin’! - Pope JTE - Red Gage