Nights Out Magazine

Enter the way-back machine with us - The following article appeared in the March 1986 issue of Nights Out, a San Diego-based entertainment magazine. The author was Karen Pearl.

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A caller, wanting to find out ifthe rock band Crystal was playing at the Dance Machine in Imperial Beach, was surprised by the response, "Yup, she sure is."

In person, there is no mistaking the gender of this animated five-man rock 'n roll band. This extremely danceable band has a strong stage presence and an aggresive back beat that cannot be ignored.

The members of the band: Raymond Cameron, rhythm and lead guitar; Bill "Mr. Bill" Cornish, keyboards; Grady McGrew, lead and rhythm guitar; Andy Nossal, bass and lead vbocals; and Rick Williams, drums. All in their twenties, they recently celebrated their third year together as Crystal. The band's name was inspired by an unusual animated film, The Dark Crystal. (The band vehemently denies that their name is related to any chemical substance.)

Their self-produced debut album, The One For You, features five of their own songs including the catchy "Piece of My Heart." Although it has sold 700 copies in a little less than two months, Crystal is not quite satisfied with these statistics. They say that their number one priority is to be signed-on by a major record label.

Another priority is to get some exposure on local radio stations. They have been featured on disc jockey Jim McInnis' Homegrown Hour radio show on KGB FM, hoping to attract listeners who will request Crystal's music on the airwaves.

A reviewer for the Los Angeles Times described them as "musicians with passion and a surprising amount of instrumental finesse."

Booked for the next seven months, they have one-week engagements at The Bacchanal, Mony Mony's and Whiskey Flats, respectively, during the first three weeks of March. According to Paul Blazevich, general manager of Mony Mony's, "We're really looking forward to their appearance here, March 17th to the 22nd. They have such a high energy level. I think th reason they're so cohesive is because they are so dedicated to their work. They sure are a talented bunch of individuals."

Crystal's success is causing other local bands to scramble for bookings.

For variety and a change of scenery, Crystal plays a club in Reno, Nevada every few months and tours the Northwestern United States twice a year, "San Diego audiences are more receptive to our music," comments lead singer Nossal. "In the Northwest, the audiences are more steadfast. It is harder to get them to accept more original music."

Once, in Billings, Montana, the band was pleasantly surprised when the rock band Toto sat in on one of Crystal's gigs.

On stage, the band has a good-natured attitude toward their audience, with no foul language or crude innuendos that mar the performance of many bands. They are spirited performers who obviously enjoy working together.

Four of the bands's members grew up in San Diego, and drummer Rick Williams moved here several years ago. They met through mutual acquaitances.

Crystal's musical influences are diverse. Nossal and Cornish have orchestral and jazz backgrounds, while the others have more experience with rock music. Nossal emphasizes that their different musical backgrounds create a good balance in their sound. The band defines themselves as "Standard rock and roll musicians," but they play a variety of music to please their audiences. The fact that all five members sing also enhances theur versatility.

Although they play a combination fo popular tunes and originals, Crystal's long-range goal is to make a name for themselves with their original music and not have to rely on playing other artist' music.

The band is capable of masterful imitation which the sometimes use to tease their audiences with something they call "Great Beginnings." This is when the band starts playing an overly-requested song and then abruptly ends it. This ploy provokes mixed reactions from the audience.

Despite their antices, Crystal is a hard working, serious band that serves as its own roadies. They object to what they call the "groupie scene," but, as one member quipped,"We don't object to sex."