About The Classic Crime
The rock band The Classic Crime hails from the Pacific Northwest, a region whose rich artistic history boasts perhaps the biggest rock n' roll martyr: Kurt Cobain. Not to mention the countless other denizens of the area whose music has turned a corner for underground and popular music, from Pearl Jam to Gatsby's American Dream.
What is the Classic Crime? History is filled with heroes that made the ultimate sacrifice and martyrs who died for their cause. Whether their actions were viewed as "criminal" in their day was irrelevant. From those fighting against injustice to those who stood up for the folks who don't fit in, dying for one's beliefs or one's art is the Classic Crime.
The Classic Crime released their debut album, "Albatross" in 2006. Sounding refreshingly original, the vocals are unique, the lyrics are hopeful, and the boys' hearts are all in the right place.
An albatross is one of the most beautiful and complex creatures in the world. It has a wingspan of up to 14 feet, a lifespan of 80 years, and no natural predators. Perhaps best of all, it can travel 20,000 miles in 20 days. "That's what I wanted for this record and for our band," offers singer Matt MacDonald. "Stats like that."
I grew up listening to mostly my dad's music," says guitarist Justin Duque, whose father force-fed him a steady diet of Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and Jimi Hendrix. On his own, the soon-to-be guitarist discovered Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden and Nirvana, and they changed his life.
The Albatross was following up with two just as impressive albums, Seattle Sessions in 2007 and The Silver Cord in 2008.
The Silver Cord was what many called one of the most complete rock albums released in recent history.
"This is the most thematic thing we have ever done," comments vocalist Matt MacDonald. "The Silver Cord is a metaphor from literary history dating back to the Torah and the Old Testament. There are also numerous stories of people who have had out of body experiences on hospital beds who have seen The Silver Cord. After being proclaimed dead and then coming back to life, many have made reference to a small tinsel-like silver thread which connects their mortal bodies to their immortal souls. The idea is that when the cord is severed, you pass on. It's impossible to think about this cord without realizing how fragile life truly is. Every song on this album follows that theme in some way. And while there are songs on the new record that could have easily been on Albatross, we wanted more of a contrast from song to song. This is the three-dimensional version of ourselves...an album that you can dig into and listen to again and again."
Doubters will be silenced in seconds. A dramatic swell of tragic emotion echoes from MacDonald's soul, introducing the ride that is to come on the opener, "The End." The track begins with just vocals and guitar, and words cannot express the desperation that seeps from the opening lines. As the second track kicks in, an evolution into inviting melody and dissonant energy leaves you feeling filled with life yet unsettled at the same time.
MacDonald's words will cut straight to the heart, piercing bone and marrow, with clever candor and poignant commentary. "Abracadavers," a song inspired by the "Bodies Exhibit" which travels the world showing what physically lies beneath each of our skin, confronts the mortality that each of us face: We're all the same, made of hair and bones and water and blood cells. And we're all to blame, for spending way too much time on ourselves. "God and Drugs," a self-revealing take on the emptiness of addictive substance, speaks of how such potions so poorly emulate true happiness: It's a constant reminder of what I can and cannot have. The smell the taste its all just fake the truth is what I lack. So I will keep on running and keep my head above the ground, and I will look for you in places you cannot be found. And on the album's opener, "Just a Man," The CC confronts the pride that each of us possesses, reminding us that there are no ultimate answers in humankind alone: I know that my faults bring me down, it's a constant battle. That's why I have to be honest with you now. I'm not your saint, I'm not your savior.
After scanning over 40,000 copies of their debut and honing their live show to machinelike precision, The CC are poised to make another run across the nation and beyond, setting their sights on hundreds and hundreds of shows in the months to come. They have joined forces with everyone from Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Mest, MxPx, Emery, and Anberlin. They were featured on Warped tour 2006 and will be joining 2008's installment as well. While some struggle to capture the magic of their recordings live, suffice it to say that this band is only at their most potent and accurate in the show atmosphere. This is a legitimate unit that will prove their mettle in the chapter that is to come.
Yet with all their dedication to music for music's sake, The Classic Crime is surprisingly dedicated to a greater, practical purpose as the end-all-be-all of their band's existence. It is with these higher goals in mind that they push onward into this next era.
"We want to reach as many people as possible and we want to help people," states MacDonald. "I think music is powerful and people can find emotional therapy in it. We want to make music that is meaningful, that people can relate to. Also, we hope to generate enough of a career so we can go to third world countries and try to serve people in need on physical level. I think we are put on this earth to serve something other than just ourselves."
The Classic Crime is a new take on an old rock n' roll sound for a generation hungry to be heard.
"Music has a profound effect on the listener. It even has the power to lift spirits and change lives," reasons singer Matt MacDonald. "If we can see our music change a life for the better, than we've been paid in the kind of way we hope to be."
"We have been given a talent to write and play music and it is my hope to give that to other people," adds MacDonald. "[We want] to inspire hope in other people who have dreams, doubts, and struggles. As Dustin says, “Every scar is a bridge to someone's broken heart.' And it is my hope that our scars can help heal hearts."
