While many University of Tampa students may not be familiar with the band Crash Kings just yet, it’s almost certain that their big break is on the horizon.
The piano rock and guitar-less trio fuse over-driven bass sounds, smashing drums and infectious ballads to produce a clarifying and fresh sound.
I had the honor of sitting down with lead singer/pianist/clavinet player, Tony Beliveau, and his brother/guitarist Mike Beliveau.
Here is my experience of tapping into the bands psyche and learning about their future plans and current outlook on the music world:
Zach Fraser: For someone who hasn’t heard your band, how would you describe your sound?
Mike Beliveau: It’s piano rock, so basically our whole thing is that we rock without guitars: rock n’ roll music.
You know it’s very, very urban-blues-rock. Whites Stripes, sort of Foo Fighters-esque. It’s got an edge, but with a pop style to it.
ZF: Naturally Mountain Man being the single from the album, it gets the most plays, but if you could recommend one song on your album for a new fan to listen to, what would it be?
Tony Beliveau: I think mine on the record would be Saving Grace.
I mean I like a lot of them, but Mountain Man is the single. I love that one too, but other than Mountain Man, Saving Grace would be mine.
MB: It’s tough to pick a favorite, you know? They’ve all been favorites at one time or another. I think that […] my favorite is whatever is fresh, whatever’s new.
So my current favorite song would not be on the record. I mean, it’s like a new song.
ZF: I know you’ve said you wanted to make a piano rock band, what bands inspired this?
TB: I think that there are a lot of guitar rock bands that influenced the sound I was going for.
I just wanted to do it without guitar. A lot of classic rock, stuff like Queen, Led Zeppelin, Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Muse, Deep Purple, and The Who.
MB: The Beatles.
TB: The Beatles, The Beatles, always The Beatles. You know, the trick was to do it without guitar and see how much sound we could make.
ZF: How do you even pronounce the instrument you use, Tony, instead of guitar? Clavinet? And what exactly is it?
TB: It’s a keyboard with guitar strings inside and guitar pickups.
It was originally designed to emulate the sound of a harpsichord, but electronically, so once you hook it up to guitar pedals and amps and stuff it becomes distorted.
Mine is one of the few that was customized in the late ‘70s with a whammy bar. All the strings are attached to a chastity, which basically allows you to pitch and bend.
ZF: You guys are from L.A., but what has been your favorite city to play?
MB: Seattle is always a favorite. Austin, Texas is a big favorite. And we’re still learning, you know? We’re still emerging as a band, so I think [that] wherever the crowds are bringing the energy [is where] it’s going to be a good show.
So, it doesn’t matter. You know there’s great parts of the country all over, parts that are beautiful and great places to visit. Where the good show is is where the crowd really gets into it [and] brings the energy.
ZF: What plans do you guys have for after this tour wraps up?
MB: More touring.
TB: Probably make another music video.
ZF: I know you two are brothers, I have two younger brothers as well. How is it touring as siblings as opposed to just band mates?
MB: You know, there’s the brother tension like any siblings.
TB: But, you know, any best friends would do the same thing.
MB: You’re in close quarters with anybody, you know? Sibling rivalry is there, but, most importantly, we agree on the music. And musically it’s amazing, so it’s worth it. Any fighting that I have I’d probably have the same amount with the next guy.
ZF: You guys are in it right now, doing what so many kids would die to do. How does it feel?
MB: It’s very inspiring, very… humbling? Maybe. It’s definitely hard work.
TB: Until you’re on a bus and have a crew of people moving your stuff for you… We have a lot of equipment between the three of us.
It’s hard in the aspect of us doing most of the work, but it’s still worth it. It’s what we love to do.
You know, it’s what we signed up for and it’s awesome to be able to do that and have it as a full-time job. It’s definitely the best job I’ve ever had.
Make sure to grab a copy of the band’s self-titled debut album and keep an eye out for Crash Kings in 2010.