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.
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."
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