Breaking

6.12.2022

Crosson interview: "...nothing beats playing live to a crazy, appreciative crowd" - Jason Crosson


1. Hello Jason and welcome to METAL PRISON NO ESCAPE! You are about to release a new Crosson album entitled "Ready Aim Rock"! When will we get to listen to the first samples out of the album?

Thanks for having me. 
Yes we are very excited about the new album which is sounding great. The first single / video titled ‘United’ will be released on June 16.   

2. Have you collaborated with a label for the release of "Ready Aim Rock" or you will self-release it and why?

We have set up our own label called Galaxy Records which released our last studio album Rock N Roll Love Affair (2020) and CROSSON - Live At The Orpheum (2021). We have a distribution network in place and have publicists in territories around the globe so it makes more sense. 


3. How many songs are included on "Ready Aim Rock" and what is the length of the album? 
When was the album written and recorded and what should we expect in terms of songwriting and production this time?

We initially recorded 11 songs, but it will be a 10 song album. Reason being is that I feel that too many bands are releasing albums that are way too long and it’s hard to keep a listener’s attention. We’d rather just give our best 10 and make it ‘Killer No Filler’!!
I wrote and demoed the album over a 12 month period and the band tracked it late last year. Over the past 4 months its been getting mixed and we’ve been working on the video, artwork, photos, new costumes etc. to have everything ready on time. 
"Ready Aim Rock" is definitely the most mature album we’ve done. It still includes the CROSSON catchy stadium rock anthems that you’d expect, but on this, I channeled my inner Jim Steinman (writer for Meat Loaf / Bonnie Tyler) for a few of the songs, so there are some epic songs on it. 
I lost both my parents during the writing of this album so there are a few songs like ‘Afterlife’ and ‘Love Is Endless‘  that pay homage. 

4. "Ready Aim Rock" is released 2 years after "Rock 'n' Roll Love Affair". What has changed for Crosson from your previous studio album until now?

It was just time to grow or we risked repeating ourselves. Of course, we didn’t want to change too drastically. This album sees CROSSON maturing in the songwriting department while still keeping our signature sound.  
The album is still being mixed by Duane Baron ( Motley Crue, Poison, Ozzy) and mastered by Dave Donnelly ( Whitesnake, Cher, KISS) who have been our engineering team for the past 4 albums. This time around we discovered a great engineer Jack Gao who has a studio in Sydney and he was amazing to work with.  
We also have a new guitarists Marko Rado, who is really influenced by Yngwie Malmsteem and George Lynch and his playing is amazing. Once you listen to his solos, the hairs on your neck will stand up. 

5. Between "Rock 'n' Roll Love Affair" and "Ready Aim Rock", you released a live album! "Live at the Orpheum" came out as a best of for the band. Was this live album also closing a chapter in the band’s discography while a new one opens with "Ready Aim Rock"?

Good question. It was more of a closing of the chapter to the old set and some of the songs and choreographed routines that we have been playing for years which we probably won’t revisit. With our live shows, we are limited to time and with every new album coming out you need to drop songs to make way for the new ones. ‘Live At The Orpheum’ captured a time in our history, so if you want to relive that it’s there.  

6. It is not usual for a rock band to have dancers on stage. How did you come to make this decision?

Paul Stanley said that KISS put the band together they wanted to see. Taking these words of wisdom, I put together the band I wanted to see which included costumes, theatrics, rock anthems  and choreographed beautiful girls. Motley Crue did it for a few songs and I thought it would be great to make that the main part of the show.
From day one its been me and 2 girls and that’s how the image of the band is portrayed. 
Its obviously a lot more work as I need to rehearse with the musicians and then with the girls buts worth it as the girls really add that special element to the show and image of the band.
 

7. What is the best and what is the worst thing that happened to Crosson so far?

The worst? Unfortunately, there are a lot of dishonest people and sharks in this industry and I’ve encountered many of them throughout this journey. What doesn’t kill you makes your stronger... right??
The best? I guess it just being able to do what I love to do. Although I love making new music and putting the whole package together (albums, videos, artwork, designing the image etc) but in the end,  nothing beats playing live to a crazy, appreciative crowd.  

9. And which are your favorite classic glam rock bands?

If there was no KISS, then there would definitely be no CROSSON. At the end of the day, I’m an 80s rock child and have been influenced by a plethora of 80s bands such as, Motley Crue, Scorpions, Def Leppard, Dokken, Iron Maiden, Dio, Stryper, Vandenberg, Cheap Trick, Ozzy, Poison, WASP (the list just goes on !!!)

10. What's you next live plans? Will an extensive tour follow the release of "Ready Aim Rock" or you will rather focus on certain live dates?

In Australia, we will be heading out on national tour in October with Crashdiet from Sweden to support the album. We also have a few more tours penned for 2023. 

11. Thank you so much for the interview, Jason! It was great to have you! The last words are yours! Please also give us the links where fans can order the Crosson merch and support the band.

Thanks so much for having me and congrats on the great work you are doing with Metal Prison – No Escape and for keeping the genre alive in kicking. 
We look forward one day to company to Hungary to play for all the crazy Hungarian metal maniacs.
Feel free to visit us at 
If you would like some merch, our shop is:

sw

No comments:

Post a Comment