CrowneVict – Bent
It all began in 1997 when the frustration of two successful New England bands, Everdown (Tooth and Nail Records) and Big John Studd (Husky Records), began to part their ways and begin their with newly expanded musical interests. Bent up with constant member problems and differing musical directions, the two bands formed an early version of what’s now known as CrowneVict.
Since then, with a reputation built on their live performances, Crowne Vict has been quickly expanding their fan base across New England. Defying most heavy stereo-types, they seem to enjoy confusing the crowd with their unexpected break-downs, and repelling the norm with a tasty blend of post-hardcore, noise, emo, metal, hip-hop, and aggro music styles.
Crowne Vict has basically evolved through a series of side projects, such as Pinehurst, a melodic Rock or Emo mix that never really solidified. A couple of shows were played, and many songs were written, but, due to unforeseen member problems, it was all put on hold. It was during this time off when the root of CrowneVict formed. Guitarists John Helmig and Dave Ball, and soon-to-be drummer John Becht, began playing together again after the split up of Everdown and Big John Studd. This time everything seemed to click and fall into place better than before. John Becht, former bassist of Everdown, decided to switch from playing bass to playing drums, and the trio began to write. The birth of previous side projects had allowed for newer influences and different musical tastes to meld into one cohesive blend of aggressive groove and melody.
It took 2 years, countless auditions, rehearsal space problems, stolen gear, and a lot of luck (both bad and good) to finally find the right members to complete CrowneVict’s lineup. In the Winter of 1999, however, they finally pulled through, and the circle was completed with the addition of Christopher Greene on Vocals and Brian Silvia on bass. Brian, having many years of playing under his belt, and a talent for making a 7-string bass look easy to play, soaked it all up quickly, and the foundation for several songs were laid over the next few months. Shortly after Brian was added, Greene, a guitarist/vocalist living in the area and practicing down the hall, happened to hear the group playing, and stopped in to free-style some vocals over the music. Although being new at fronting a band, his versatility as a vocalist scored him enough points to land the job. Over the next year, the musicians grew together, and the music took on a life of it’s own.
Shortly after Greene joined the band, they’ve been invited to several local music festivals, including being picked out 150 bands to play the Vans Warped Tour, and, with some on-line help from their fans, have been selected to play the Limp Bizkit/Cypres Hill/Flawless Records showcase at CBGB’s in downtown NYC. Crowne Victs’ veteran founding members have shared a stage with many national and popular local acts including: POD, Nothingface, Napalm Death, MXPX, Stain’d, For Love Not Lisa, Puller, Downset, Powerman 5000, Gargantua Soul, Living Sacrafice, Quintaine Americana, Sam Black Church, Tree, HonkeyBall, Scissorfight, Stompbox, Only Living Witness.
Crowne Vict will always be musically unique and ride the fine line of being hard to categorize, which seems comparable at times to a movie receiving an NC-17 rating… except there’s less nudity and more noise. But, regardless of whether they’re breaking into a heavy groove, or just laying back with some ambient melodies, they definitely leave their mark on the listener.
