Getting to Know… SWEET CRYSTAL | Interview 🎤

In the 405^th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from Michigan Christian rock band, SWEET CRYSTAL.

“Our trademarked slogan – Reaching The World, One Song At A Time TM – pretty much says it all about our music message, mission and ministry.” Awesome, SWEET CRYSTAL! In response to our first burning question, lead vocalist and keyboardist Marq Andrew Speck (Q) expounds, “We are here to reach out to a world with songs of hope and inspiration; a musical light at the end of every dark tunnel you might be going through…” Now that’s inspirational! Speck provides the inside scoop on the Detroit, Christian rock band’s genesis, goals, musical influences, and current, and future musical endeavors. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into 🎤 Getting to Know… SWEET CRYSTAL: Interview No. 405!

For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes Sweet Crystal distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

Thanks for having us! I’m Marq Andrew Speck (Q), lead vocalist and keyboard player for SWEET CRYSTAL. Along with founding band members guitarist Bill Blatter and drummer Steve Wieser, and newest member and bass player Martin Kuchar, we have been at the forefront of the Christian rock scene here in Michigan even before this genre had its own radio and broadcast outlets.

The guys in SWEET CRYSTAL feel this interaction is key to our longevity. Our trademarked slogan – Reaching The World, One Song At A Time TM – pretty much says it all about our music message, mission and ministry. We are here to reach out to a world with songs of hope and inspiration; a musical light at the end of every dark tunnel you might be going through because chances are good – we’ve gone through those very same tunnels ourselves and definitely have found a way out.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Sweet Crystal form and what were some of the goals or visions you had early on?

Basically, we are considered a Detroit band and have been since we started this journey. In the beginning, we opened up for such classic rock acts as Bob Seger, Foghat, Nazareth, Steppenwolf and many more before finding our true path into the Christian music field. The name of the band reflects the message of our music and mission referring to passages in the Book Of Revelation that describe a river of sweet water flowing out from the throne of God, clear as crystal. Sounded like an amazing sight to see and place to be…so we adopted it and never looked back!

Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

Besides being a 26 time (and counting) Detroit Music Award winning band, two of the more interesting aspects of SWEET CRYSTAL is our longevity and our staying true to our musical styling. The three of us founding members have been playing together for 50 years (!) which means 2024 will be the band’s Golden Jubilee Celebration year. We think there are not a lot of bands that can claim that accomplishment. To this day, we don’t “chase” current trends in mainstream music but stay true to our progressive arena rock beginnings. The songs are new and fresh, but the sound remains classic Crystal, which our fans appreciate. Artists that ‘chase’ trends are already falling behind. You can copy but you can never catch up so set your own individual course. That way, you will always be in the lead of your own musical race.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Whom would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

We started out totally influenced by the progressive rock English music scene of the 60’s and 70’s: bands like Pink Floyd, Yes, Genesis, Atomic Rooster, Uriah Heep all left their musical marks on our writing and playing. In the 70’s, we started listened to a lot of American bands like Kansas, Journey, Rush and Spock’s Beard to keep our creative juices flowing.

Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

The band was once booked at a rowdy country bar (unknown to us at the time) where the stage was behind a wire mesh barrier. Why? Because the patrons had a nightly ritual of throwing drinks and bottles at the band even if they loved them. A definite unnerving experience worthy of Spinal Tap!

Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

As a band, we have a love and affiliation with the men and women of the Armed Services. When we perform live, we always acknowledge the veterans and families of vets before we play our patriotic salute to them with our song “Warriors” (from our III CD)…and when we finish, to see the tears in the eyes of the audience who feel like we do…that is a moment that helps us realize the path we’re taking musically is exactly where we are meant to be. A reoccurring epiphany indeed.

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left of center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

It varies with each band member: I (Q) am big time into acting with four feature film roles and various television appearances. Guitarist Bill is into competitive marksmanship and was recently endorsed for ISP Technologies, a high-end music merchandiser here in Michigan. Drummer Steve takes to the golf course to release the extra energy he has and has gotten good enough to start competing in the professional circuit. Marty works with mentally challenged adults, giving back in a way that the rest of us admire more than he knows.

Closing out, what is SWEET CRYSTAL currently working on, promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

Our latest single “Whatever Is Needed, Whatever It Takes” (which reached over 46,000 streams in its first 8 weeks out) is just the first track coming from our full length release, 8, slated for later this year. As we looked around at the rubble and trouble in the world, this Bible verse came to mind:

‘We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.’  — 1 Timothy 6:7

We can look forward to leaving all these trials and tribulations behind one day… but in the meantime, it’s up to all of us to stay ready to help each other with whatever is needed, whatever it takes. “Whatever Is Needed, Whatever It Takes” continues where last year’s “7^th HEAVEN” left off: it’s a rock anthem of hope and inspiration featuring our signature guitar sounds, synth melodies, straight ahead drumming with just a few hundred chanting fans thrown in for good measure.

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Getting to Know… SWEET CRYSTAL: Interview No. 405 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; SWEET CRYSTAL; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Królestwo Nauki, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pete Linforth, Tumisu from Pixabay]