ROYAL CRUSH BIO
Founded in 1997 by guitarist/songwriter Blake Smith, Royal Crush has made numerous strides in the regional music scene since its inception.
After one release (Comets & Stars), numerous showcases and some critical acclaim, Smit [+]ROYAL CRUSH BIO
Founded in 1997 by guitarist/songwriter Blake Smith, Royal Crush has made numerous strides in the regional music scene since its inception.
After one release (Comets & Stars), numerous showcases and some critical acclaim, Smith decided it was time to take a much needed break by the end of 1998. The pop inspired debut failed to attain the commercial success the band was after. For Smith, it was time to re-think things.
By late summer 1999, Smith enlisted vocalist/guitarist Laron Simpson, bassist Paul Cristiano and drummer Paul Latta in search of a more accessible sound. This made sense as Simpson was the touring vocalist for Royal Crush previously and the three were now backing a local solo artist. They were now ready to do something they had always wanted to do, start a band with an emphasis on songwriting.
With all the pieces in place, the band was afforded the opportunity to record with friend and former Dragonfly front man (Smith's band previous to Royal Crush) Declan Young at The Loft Studios in Nashville. The results were good enough to inspire a second trip to Nashville. From this point, things got rolling. The band started playing gigs around town under the name A.M.P. (Adventures in Modern Pop) and had garnered local attention by being nominated for The Tulsa World Spot Awards (Rising Star, Best Pop Act), been a finalist in Z-104.5's Next Big Thing Contest and contributed material to various compilation discs. The success of the band was based solely on the strength of their original material.
By late 2000, early 2001 the band had started work on a new disc with emphasis on heavier guitars and a more explosive rhythm section. By June 2001, drummer Paul Latta was out and the band spent the rest of the summer finishing the recording and working on new material. By early Fall of 2001 Mark Meeker was given the nod for the open drum slot and the band started playing out again, only this time under the name Royal Crush. Sensing the band had reached a middle ground combining both crunchy guitars and pop melodies, the change seemed only natural.
Their new disc is titled 'Now' and was released mid-May 2002 to favorable reviews. The band is currently working on a follow-up EP slated for an early fall release
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