Interviews: WE THE CROOKED

We have had the opportunity to interview the Modern Rock band WE THE CROOKED from the UK. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or come out just like that?

J.C: We simply liked the antagonistic idea of crookedness in general, and hoped it would inspire us to create rock music that was a little different than the rest.

NV: Yeah, we turned ‘crooked’ into a verb. At some point, the name began to guide the music too. We often stumble across unusual musical ideas that we build into our songs, specifically because they sound weird, disjointed or ‘crooked’.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

J.C: When I first got into music as a teenager, I was attracted to the raw, high-energy sounds of rock music: passionate, gritty vocals, thundering drums, growling bass and streams of pure guitar energy. Still to this day I love it, it's a very potent sound.

RS: It’s something about the edge rock music has. Its rebellious history appealed to me especially in my youth. I needed something loud, aggressively cathartic, and brash to compliment my emotions at the time. Though I've matured, I think that stays with me.

NV: For me, the sound of a distorted electric guitar is magical. I think JC put it well with ‘potent’, playing rock music makes you feel 10 feet tall.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

J.C: Some of us knew each other from the local scene, but we actually met our guitarist Neelesh on Craigslist.

NV: Craigslist is the seedier, international version of Gumtree. If you hear about people getting murdered by strangers online, there’s a good chance it was on Craiglist. Thankfully, this time it really worked out!

4. Each band member favourite band?

J.C: Nirvana.

Neelesh: Nirvana.

Russ: Tool, probably.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

J.C: Sometimes you just want to write music that doesn’t exist in the real world. Sometimes it's that in combination with a feeling or message that you want to express to someone or anyone who will listen.

6. Where was your last gig?

JC: The legendary Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto, Canada, with a couple of stand-ins. It was a hot, packed room. Against Covid rules, we invited our fans up on stage to dance and headbang. It felt like living again. It was glorious.

7. Where would you like to play?

JC: We’d love to come play in the UK and see how our style of rock would be received by Brits.

NV: Seconded. I’m British, so I’m invested in finding out whether our brand of alternative rock can be seeded here.

8. Who would you like to support?

J.C: In the UK? The Subways

NV: Soooo many. If I can dream? Ash, Feeder or Royal Blood would be bucket list material.

9. Who not?

J.C.: There is nobody we’d decline, unless they eat babies. Not cool.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

J.C.: Not actual stage fright, but definitely some nerves when experiencing a new stage situation, be it playing a difficult new song, dealing with gear malfunction, or vibing with new musicians. At the end of the day, confidence comes with preparation, and is cemented with experience.

RS: I identify it more as an adrenaline spike than uneasiness. Honestly, don't drink alcohol to cope, it's the absolute worst thing to make a habit of. Stick to water, and eat a light meal of pasta to settle you in.

N.V: Sure, but it’s an easy beast to slay. You just need to face it, smile at it, and see how quickly it runs away. I believe they call that exposure therapy? After a few shows, you’ll build trust in your abilities.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

J.C.: Still to this day I admire the 90s Seattle grunge bands the most, for their creatively heavy sounds and deep lyrics.

NV: Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses and Weezer built me, musically. Not that I listen to them much anymore.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

RS: A blowjob probably, unfortunately for them I don't swing that way. Someone in Lisbon asked me for the latter half of my sandwich.

13. What do you think of your fans?

JC: Our fans always interest us because their tastes in music are always so diverse. They’re not always into rock music themselves.

RS: The idea of ‘having fans’ is a strange concept for me, even now. I just approach everyone with the same attitude. We're all human. I reserve my individual judgement for later.

14. What do you think of our site?

NV: Any site that gives a voice to upcoming musicians is worthy of applause.

15. Something to add?

J.C: Be kind to one another. If you like our spirit and want to see where this goes, follow us at @wethecrooked