Interviews: Crüzer

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Thrash Metal band Crüzer from Canada. Check out the interview and follow this band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name? Did you plan it or come out just like that?

Initially, the name was thought to be used for a different Lynyrd Skynyrd or ZZ Top style band. We then decided to change “Cruiser” to “Crüzer” and use this for our metal band. We figured this would give us a broad enough name to explore all avenues of metal.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

In one way or another, each of us grew up listening to classic rock or metal - for some of us, our parents were musicians, others were ’70s hippies or ’80s rockers. We were all exposed at an early age… Diary of a Madman by Ozzy Osbourne was commonly on the tape deck on the ride to kindergarten for one of us, and the soundtrack to Stephen King’s Maximum Overdrive was influential on another. AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Van Halen are some of our early favourites. One way or another, each of our primordial lizard brains became addicted to hard rock and heavy metal, and we knew we had to be a part of it. In this band, we wanted to pursue a unique style that blends thrash riffs, screaming, and catchy hooks, so there is something for everyone

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Yeah, we went to high school together. Nico and Ben were in a band called 13th Prophet back in high school, and Alex and Esteban played in Catacrusis. Years later, a couple of us went to see Medevil play a local show and were super impressed with Eric’s bodacious pipes - we recognized him from school and asked him to link up with us.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Eric W.: Bathory, Sanctuary, Nevermore, Vio-lence, Northlane, Laaz Rockit, Dark Angel, Arch/Matheos, Monuments, AC/DC

Ben Higgins: Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Pantera, Arch Enemy, Opeth, Dream Theater, Killswitch Engage, System Of A Down, Deep Purple, Wintersun.

Nico: Van Halen, Opeth.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Eric Willmott: It definitely depends on the band. Cruzer, being a thrash band, lends itself to all kinds of…tropes, shall we say? The fun part is subverting those tropes, like the lyrics to our song I Need Thrash:

We’ll never rest till SCREAMS of metal

Ring out across the land

But don’t go out “killing posers,”

That shit’s for boomers, man!

Ben Higgins: I find inspiration in the most unlikely of places. One minute I’ll be just sitting there, and a riff will pop into my head, and I will rush to figure it out. Other times, I'll be playing guitar, and a sweet riff materializes from jamming along. I sometimes will listen to bands I like and get inspiration that way. Also, when the boys and I get together and we’re just jamming or having fun, something will come up. That's how we came up with concepts for Look To The Skies, just by shooting ideas off and workshopping them.

6. Where was your last gig?

Eric W.: It was our first gig! The Hyperspace Metal Festival at the Cobalt. Eric has attended and played at the festival before in other bands. Always a great time! We already have some more shows lined up for the summer, so stay tuned! The next one is at the Astoria on June 27. Tickets here: https://orangetickets.ca/detalles_evento.php?id_evento=1990

7. Where would you like to act?

Eric Willmott: Where would I like to play, you mean? Wacken, obviously! That is a very cliche answer, I know, but come on! It's the mecca of metal festivals!!! In the short term thought we are looking to play the Rickshaw in Vancouver or the Commodore Ballroom.

Ben Higgins: Short-term goals, I would love to play the Rickshaw in Vancouver, or the Commodore Ballroom. Long term, Ozzfest would be a dream, and of course, Wacken.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Eric W.: MORE THRASH BANDS!!! It would be a dream come true to play with an old school thrash band from the 80s (Testament, Possessed, Exodus, etc). It’d also be amazing to play with some of the newer bands out there (Municipal Waste, Toxic Holocaust, Havok, Evile, etc). Basically, sharing the bill with any legacy thrash act from the last 40 years would be a dream. I NEED THRASH!!! IT’S WHAT I CRAVE! THRASH, ETERNAL SLAVE!!! 

Ben Higgins: I think it would be sweet to play with Devin Townsend, maybe even Killswitch Engage. Like Eric said, though, Testament, Havok, and Toxic Holocaust would be killer. 

9. Who not?

Eric W.: Iced Earth immediately springs to mind. And maybe Ted Nugent! Hahaha. And as much as I love Emperor, if they bring that homophobic piece of shit Faust back on the drums, I ain’t going anywhere near that stage, venue, or town.

Ben Higgins: I ain't too fussy about it. There aren't many bands I wouldn't play with, cause to me it's about playing music with the boys and connecting with the crowd. 

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Eric W.: Stage Fright is totally normal, but you’ve just got to get out there and do it! Seriously, I’ve been getting on stage and performing my whole life. There is still that slight moment of unease right before you go on, but it melts away as soon as you step in front of the crowd. Best way to beat it? Get in front of more crowds!!! The more you perform, the easier it gets.

Ben Higgins: Still do to a degree. It's a mixture of excitement, nerves, and adrenaline. I've always contended with but I just enjoy playing so much and connecting with the listeners that I push past it. 

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Eric’s biggest influence is the Swedish black metal band Bathory. Hearing those amazing albums like Under the Sign of the Black Mark and Blood Fire Death, and learning that they were essentially recorded in a garage, greatly inspired me to try the same thing in my bedroom with a computer. 15-ish years later, I'm still on the amazing journey that path has taken me. Also, Quothon (the vocalist) had a huge influence on my harsh vocals. For my clean singing, I gotta shout out my second biggest influence, Warrel Dane! Mostly his stuff with Nevermore, but Sanctuary is incredible as well. I just listened to Refuge Denied again today; that album is about as metal as it gets. Total desert island material. Our primary songwriter, Ben, takes inspiration from bands like Dream Theater, Dio, Deep Purple, and a whole host of others. We always try to take little bits of inspiration from all sorts of genres and piece them together into something we’d like to listen to and something you’ve never heard before.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Eric W.: I’ve never done fan mail before! Though I imagine nothing could be worse than a dead crucified mouse! (If you know, you know…)

Ben Higgins: Probably to touch my hair as it's silky smooth and luscious.

13. What do you think of your fans? 

Eric W.: We hope they’re just like us! Just a gaggle of thrashers out to have a good time. We love anyone who comes to our shows and is ready to party with us!

Ben Higgins: I appreciate anyone who listens to our music and finds any bit of enjoyment in it. I'm thankful for thoughts who show their support because Cruzer is something that is special to me, and I'm glad I can share this with them. 

14. What do you think of our site?

Awesome little hub of metal you got going here! Great way to learn about new up-and-coming bands. Keep up the good work!

15. Something to add?

EARTHLINGS!!!! LOOK TO THE SKIES! BELIEVE YOUR EYES! SUBMIT TO YOUR ALIEN OVERLORDS! LISTEN TO OUR ALBUM UNTIL YOUR BRAIN MELTS AND YOUR SPEAKERS EXPLODE!!! GET YOUR PIT VIPERS ON! DOOO ITTTTT!!!!!