A Q&A with Crone Tye

Industrial grit and glam-punk swagger…

What’s the title of your latest release, and what does it mean to you?
Tye: Our latest release is our debut single ‘No Guts, No Glamour’. We’ve both released loads of music over the years and I’m in a number of touring and recording bands, so this project and the music is symbolic of two like-minded friends in Mik and myself, coming together to use our knowledge and skills to create something fresh and new but nostalgic together.

What was the hardest part about putting this release together, and why?
Mik: The hardest part is always scheduling and sorting out the behind-the-scenes elements. Once the songs are recorded it’s pretty straightforward. Having the ability to be able to record in a home environment helps. I’ve spent many years building a strong resource of tools to create our vision.

Who produced the release – what did they bring to it? If you produced it yourselves what do enjoy most about producing your own material?
Mik: I produced the song. As it’s an industrial electronic project with loud guitars and vocals, it made sense for me to do it with my studio setup. I’ve produced a number of bands over the years both signed and unsigned and the most important aspect is preparation. As long as the source sounds are good and you have total understanding of how to operate the software you are on your way. It also helps to reference the finished song mix to other inspirational recordings. The ability to be able to record in our own time and not worry about studio budget also helps.

What do you want the listener to take away from listening to your music?
Tye: We want them to have had fun with it and be eager to hear more! I usually put a lot of allegory, references and thought into my lyrics so I love it when people delve into the concepts and themes and perhaps even learn something or be exposed to an alternate perspective to what they’re used to, but if they want a more surface-level reading and just want to jam the tunes, that’s fine by me! It’s why we write hooks and sick riffs!

What band/artists have influenced you the most since you started this project, and why?
Tye: I’ve channelled my 80s and 90s influences with this project. Bands like Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson blended with W.A.S.P, Shotgun Messiah, Skid Row, stuff like that.
Mik: I take influence from a wide range of artists. I think the electronic influence is influenced by artists such as Ministry, Skinny Puppy and the more rock element to our sound is late 80s L.A. bands like Love/Hate, Faster Pussycat, L.A. Guns. For the actual songwriting I look at all different sources of artists. Sometimes it takes a different form of music to hear certain chord progressions, melodies and how they fit together. I would say bands like Foreigner are great for this. Also the Bee Gees. Master songwriters. The Barbra Streisand album *Guilty* is a Barry Gibb masterpiece.

What countries would you like to tour? Are there any standout venues you’d like to play in?
Mik: America, it’s such a huge place. I’ve spent some time in LA and I love the gritty atmosphere. The Whisky a Go Go, New York, Chicago. I think our band would fit in with a big city. 70s New York would have been great. Like how the movie Taxi Driver shows it.
Tye: Definitely America, but I’m happy to play everywhere and anywhere! Download Festival is obviously a bucket list one.

If you could pick one track for our readers to listen to in order to get a taste of your music, what would you pick, and why?
Tye: Our brand new debut single! ‘No Guts, No Glamour’.

What ambitions do you have for the band/your career?
Mik: I would like to build a solid body of work. Keep releasing singles. Get our songs on movie soundtracks. Create a visual element to our music, whether it be a video or art. It’s important to keep creating. Personally if I’m not making music, art, video etc., I’m lost. It’s my release.

Finally, as you leave the stage, what are your parting words?
Tye: I say a lot of stuff onstage hahaha, but usually towards the end I’m in a very grateful and fulfilled state of mind so I pour thanks on the crowd as well as telling them I hope to see them again and making sure they know we appreciate all and any of their support.
Mik: I play guitar live so usually the last thing I do is lift my guitar high above my head with both hands. This is my homage to the rock and roll gods for letting me do the show. Almost like a prayer.

Find out more about Crone Tye at linktr.ee/cronetye