Project Description

Interview with

CROOKED THIEVES

Interviewer – Vicky Hebbs

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For any new fans, how did it all begin? Where did you develop your interest in performing music?
Nathan – When I was about 11, my Dad bought an acoustic guitar I used to muck around on. I went on to learn more and joined a highschool band playing covers, and by my 13th birthday my parents bought me my first electric guitar. That’s when I started taking things more seriously, particularly inspired by Metallica.
Yelo – I sang and played guitar from a young age, but I pretended I played bass in order to join my first real band in highschool. At that point, being a performing musician became more of a reality to me, and it’s all I’ve wanted to do since! 
Shane – I wrote my first song when I was ten years old. It was an instant classic around the house. 
Jackson – I started playing drums when I was 7, and ever since then I wanted to be in a band and play on stage. It wasn’t until I was 17 that I finally joined a band, and at 19 I played an actual gig in a bar. Ever since I’ve been hooked, and played gigs non stop

When did you all meet and decide to form Crooked Thieves? 
Yelo – Shane and I have been playing in bands together since we were about 18, but made the move to Melbourne from QLD a couple of years ago to start something new. We reached out on Facebook for a drummer and guitarist to join a hard rock / metal project, and that’s how we found Jackson & Nathan! We worked really well together straight away and writing music together came so naturally. It was heavier than any band we’d been in before and we’ve been together for just over a year now. 

What kind of music did you listen to growing up?
Jackson – Classic Rock / Aussie rock – Hunters and Collectors, Nick Barker, Midnight Oil, then onto heavier stuff like Metallica and Slipknot etc.
Nathan – A little bit of everything, 
Yelo – Mostly classic rock and punk/ pop-punk stuff growing up, my fave bands were REM, Pearl Jam, The Clash and Green Day 
Shane – Pa never allowed music in the house… which is odd, because he’s deaf 

How has the music of your youth influenced your own life and music? 
Jackson – I always used listening to music as a release so it’s helped me through many rough spots, as well as the rock and metal influencing the way I write music today
Shane – I’ve found that a surprising amount of my adult life has been spent defending Nickelback… As far as the music of my childhood goes, to me it serves as a reminder of why I want to do this.
Nathan – Metallica in particular inspired me to start taking things more seriously. James Hetfield is my main inspiration, I feel a deep connection with the music he writes
Yelo – I’m really glad I listened to the music I did growing up, it just opened up so many avenues and has led to discovering some really awesome music. Oh and I am constantly aspiring for my bass to sound like Duff McKagan.

Your have just released your newest single “Maniac” from upcoming EP “Adrenaline.” What inspired the single?
Lyrically this song attempts to deal with the subject of being consumed by addiction, or things that are addictive. The way something can subtly take over your life and make you feel like you’re losing your mind. It’s like the high before the crash.
Every song on the EP is about adrenaline in some way, and this one in particular is about the adrenaline rush of getting away with giving in to your vices.

You are also due to release another single from the EP in the coming weeks – can you give any hints as to what we might expect from the next single? 
Who told you????
If you like going fast, you will dig it. 

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Has life changed much for you since the release of “Dancing in the Crowd”?
We’ve played a lot of fun gigs since, and got to experience recording our first EP together. We’ve definitely grown as a band since then – musically this EP is a lot heavier than Dancing.
Oh and Shane is getting sick of the paparazzi following him through the supermarket, but other than that nothing too dramatic.

Will you be touring once the EP is released? 
We’ve got some shows in the works to support the EP – the furthest we’ve gone for a show is down the coast at Airey’s Inlet, so we’re keen for some memorable road trips! 

What can fans expect from a Crooked Thieves gig? 
It’s basically a 30 minute adrenaline rush  – Big face-melting screams, fast riffs, headbanging, and four exhausted humans after the set. Oh and… the crosses. You’ll get it if you come to a gig. 

If you could perform live with one artist or band, Alive or Dead, who would they be? And why? 
Shane – Metallica
Yelo – Metallica
Nathan – Metallica
Jackson – Metallica, because if I chose anyone else the rest of the band would kill me

Do you have any longer-term goals or aspirations as a band?
Being able to do this full time, as a career, and travel to different countries would be an absolute dream! 

Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album
Jackson: Human Target – Thy Art is Murder
Yelo: Symphony & Metallica – Metallica 
Shane: St Anger – Metallica

Artist
Jackson: Northlane 
Shane: Metallica
Nathan: Metallica
Yelo: Metallica

Movie
Yelo: I am changing this to TV show and saying Dark on Netflix because it’s THE BEST
Jackson: Toy Story 2

Venue to play
Jackson: Wrangler Studios
Yelo: Cherry Bar (RIP for now)

Food
Yelo: Please don’t make me choose
Jackson: Pizza

Drink
Jackson: McDonald’s Coke
Yelo: Coffee 

Person in History
Yelo: Einstein 
Shane: Elvis Presley

Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?)
Yelo: I have a Metallica ninja star, and I want an octopus tattoo (They can edit their own genes on the fly and are extremely awesome) 
Nathan: Crucifixes on thumbs 
Shane: A portrait of David Spade on my left calf 

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AMNPLIFY – DB