Interview with Rockers from Down Under: Crosson

We're so excited to be able to bring you a short interview with Jason Crosson, frontman for the hard rockin' Australian band Crosson!  Thank you so much Jason for making the time for us!!!

*If someone asks you to describe your sound, what would you say?
 
The best way to describe CROSSON’s sound is ‘Catchy Theatrical Glam Rock’ with loud guitars, big harmonies and huge Choruses!!
 
*How does the music “down under” differ from music in other
Countries?
 
Back in the day Australian Rock had its unique sound that came from that era ie AC/DC , The Angles, Rose Tattoo etc. This came from an era a working class guys sweating it out on the pubs. With CROSSON, it’s a mixture of the bands I grew up with such as  KISS, Motley Crue, Ozzy , Stryper, Scorpions etc. but given a new millennium twist.
 
 
*Who are some of your musical heroes?
I’ve been a KISS fan since I was very young, so I guess they would be my biggest influence. However bands like Motley Crue, Alice Cooper, Ozzy, Scorpions, Dokken, Stryper, WASP, Bon Jovi, ACDC, Ratt, etc. all played a big part!

*Do any of you come from a musical family?
I actually played the piano accordion from ages 6 – 16 where I was bashing out ABBA mixed with German polkas….. (Did I really need reminding of that !!! ) My brother then introduced me to the electric guitar and my father was devastated when I traded the piano accordion  for a 6 stringed axe and distortion pedal!!  

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*Is the songwriting done mainly by one member or is it a group collaboration? What is the songwriting process?
I do most of the writing and demoing, however,  when I’m stuck my good friend  John Kater comes to the rescue and provides a different and creative view. The writing comes in various ways. It could be a melody that’s pops into my head while I’m driving or walking. I’ll record it on my phone and then go home put music and structure to it. Another method could be just mucking around on the guitar and all of a sudden a song appears.
 
*Let’s jump right into your album, “Invincible”. Which track did you lay down first?
I think ‘Hero’ was the first one written for that album. It was actually demoed  during the sessions for our  last album but it was such a good track I wanted to save it for Invincible. Never Give up was definitely  the last track written as I was looking for an 80’s Bon Jovi’s style track to complete the album.
 
*Could you pick a few songs and briefly explain the meaning behind them?
Rock Warriors -  is a tribute to the bands of the genre that came before us and laid the foundations for rock and metal so that the bands of today can exist. “We salute you all!!”
 
Success Needs No Apologies – The title sums this one up. Many people work hard, take risks and eventually after years of persistence, reap the benefits. Why should those people who have taken the risks, paid their dues and come out the other side successful apologize for their success  to those who have been too afraid to do anything with their lives and subsequently live a life of mediocrity??
    
*I have to say, the description of your opening track, “Rock Warriors” had me laughing hard when it said it was as “catchy as Chlamydia”. Brilliant! Lol
I threw that in to see if anyone was actually reading the press release!!…… Looks like someone was paying attention J !!!

*Now, you only have one ballad on this album, “Unconditional Love” and you duet with Finnish pop singer, Jessica Wolff. How did that come about?
The song  was originally tracked and mixed with just me on the lead vocal.  However, afterwards I thought having it as a duet would be great. My friend Steve Ravic (who also directed the video) had suggested Jessica and shortly afterwards she signed with our label in Germany , Metalapolis Records. This way we kept it all in the family so to speak.
 
*Classic Rock Magazine describes you as a mixture of Motley Crue, KISS, The Darkness & Steel Panther. Another description by The Metal Factory compares you to Alice Cooper, KISS, Sweet & T Rex! How does that make you feel stacking up to those rock legends?
I just laugh!! You can’t take this stuff too seriously. Its great for press releases and makes people pay attention so it definitely helps our cause. You’ve to bleed it for all you can.. right ?? J
 
*How do you feel you’ve grown from your first album to “Invincible”?
The writing and demoing for Invincible was a different ball game compared to what we have done in the past. My writing partner was unavailable so basically I had to learn Protocols and do most the writing, producing and arrangements myself. I guess it was a challenge but it proved that I could do it if I dedicated the time and committed to the project.
After the demoing was complete, then we used pretty much the same team in the studio and the magic came together.  
 
*You have worked with legendary producer, Duane Baron who has worked with such greats as Ozzy, Motley Crue & Alice Cooper as well as having Dave Donnelly mastering the album who has worked with Aerosmith, KISS and Whitesnake! That must have been incredible working with them. Can you walk us thru that?
Duane and Dave worked on our last album ‘Spreading the Rock and Roll Disease’ and did such an amazing job that it was a no-brainer to engage their services again.  Duane is married to an Aussie, so he has a soft spot for us folks from Down Under, and really looks after us.  How did we end up working with them? I contacted them and asked them if they would like to work with us and they said yes!!!
 
*This is one of my favorite questions to ask. What song off of this record, do you feel captures the essence of this band?
Wow!!! If I had to put my finger on one track, I’d say ‘Never Give Up’. I’ve been working on CROSSON for many years and getting rejections left right and center. Invincible has spent last 10 weeks the top 30 of the Official German Metal and Rock charts. This was due to having great people around me (musicians, engineers, label, publicists etc) but it also a lot to do about being persistent and not giving up.
 
Another track would be Rock Warriors.  The line goes “ We don’t give a damn what the critics say, we’re all Rock Warriors”.   In other words, it doesn’t bother us if you don’t like the big red an black  hair, the platform boots, the makeup  etc. We are part of this great genre and will continue to do what we do!!
 
*I’ve read that your shows are pretty amazing. You do multiple wardrobe changes and utilize a lot of fun stuff like smoke, sirens and choreography. When I think “theatrical”, my mind goes straight to Alice Cooper & Lizzy Borden. Did either of them inspire what you do on stage?
Alice and KiSS are big influences. I heard Paul Stanley say that when they started KISS they wanted to put together the band they wanted to see. I basically took these words of wisdom and put together the band I wanted to see. Lots of energy great songs and of course, sexy girls on stage!! ( I think I may have stolen the girls idea from Motley Crue.. sorry guys J !!!!)
 
*Does it feel as exciting now, getting onstage and performing, as it did back with the first album?
Any opportunity I can get to ’shake my booty’ is exciting !! People are still in awe about what we do, which is great.
 
*Have you had many challenges as a band? If so, what have they been and how did you conquer them?
You are always going to have challenges and obstacles along the way. You just need to work through them. Most of the internal challenges stopped when I decided to hire my musicians and dancers instead of trying to have them as part of a band. This made life so much easier and everyone now turns up and does their job instead of bickering and wanting to change things.
 
*Any upcoming shows coming up that you can shed a light on?
We are working on a new show which should see the light of day very soon.
 
*What kind of music do you listen to these days?
I’m always listening to albums from  the newer bands of the genre such  as W.E.T, Grand Design, Crazy Lixx, Vega, Shakra, Kissin Dynamite, Lipz, Crystal Ball etc. who are doing an amazing job keeping the spirit of rock and metal alive.  Its also great to hear new albums from old school artists such as  the new Stryper which is awesome.   
 
*Who would you like to collaborate with?
Off the top of my head it would be Desmond Child (writer and producer),  Paul Stanley, Michael Sweet (Stryper) and Erik Martennson (W.E.T, Eclipse , Ammunition etc.)  
 
*What advice would you give to others wanting to start a band?
Write songs until they are perfect. If they don’t make the cut, dump them. Practice until you are proficient at your instrument. Don’t skimp on your music production, image or videos. Save your money or get investors so that you can produce a great quality album and video. Also try and get a name behind your product i.e. a well-known engineer  producer etc. People will pay attention and take you seriously. Also put together a great image that stands out from the rest
Once your product is ready,  shop it until you drop!!! Alternatively engage a good publicist to get your product out there. But most of all Never Give Up!!!!!  
 
*What is the best advice you’ve ever been given regarding a music career?
“If you build it, they will come!!”
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