Behind Crimson Eyes - Remove our Rose Coloured Glasses

Behind Crimson Eyes, vocalist and lyricist Josh Stuart says on the band's official website:

“I believe Behind Crimson Eyes has finally found its own identity after two years of self discovery. We are writing music that not only pushes us as musicians but also pushes the boundaries of music in general. It will be a far more rewarding listen than say Pavour Nocturnus or even Prologue. I think people will be able to relate to this record and this band a lot more now.”

Their path of self-discovery sounded interesting, with 'paranormal' listed as an influence.

“Back a couple years ago Aaron and I were obsessed with the paranormal. Whether it be vampires or ghosts we were just fascinated by it. Our first EP, Pavour Nocturnus, had a running paranormal theme throughout. Our music these days isn’t influenced so much by these things but there was a definite phase,” Josh says.

Behind Crimson Eyes most recently played on the bill at the 'Triple J One Night Stand' in Cowra on 20th April 2007. I get to ask Josh how it really was, participating in a “musical” one night stand.

“The One Night Stand was awesome. I think it was the best event our band could have been involved with because of the amount of coverage it was given. Not only did we get to play in front of 10-12 thousand people, but it was plugged for months with advertising on JJJ and our songs were given high rotation. So I think it put our name out there as this ‘big deal’ band.”

Before that, the band played the Soundwave Festivals in Brisbane, Sydney and Perth, 24th and 25th February and 3rd of March respectively. I quiz Josh on the fact that I had read the band enjoyed getting a chance to see other bands. Josh gives us the backstage scoop.

“Soundwave was heaps of fun. Everyone was on a level playing field of sorts. We all shared backstage rooms (except the biggest of bands +44 and Deftones) and everyone was keen to party and have fun. Usually at festivals of that size there is hierarchy and bureaucracy. So it was nice to be treated with the same respect as some of the other US bands. However, the highlight was to see Thrice play every night. That band is incredible.”

Behind Crimson Eyes bought their sound to over 150 shows in 2005. Josh gives us a retrospective of how they managed to fit in that much touring in a year and whether he feels that every show got the full Behind Crimson Eyes experience or were some shows a little slower and relaxed to compensate for the heavy touring schedule.

“Its weird thinking back to 2005, that year was such a blur. We used to party pretty hard back in those days so at least every show had an element of spontaneity. Obviously some shows would be better than others but I feel that as a band we are much more refined and consistent now than back then. Maybe that’s because we don’t party as hard but I’d like to think it is because we have worked hard on our live show over the last few years,” he says.

Behind Crimson Eyes are signed with hard rock and metal stalwart, Roadrunner Records. As often relationships between labels and artists can be fractious at best, Josh has some candidly positive words to say about Behind Crimson Eyes’ benefactors.

“The relationship with Roadrunner is amazing. We are all friends not just business associates. They come to our birthdays and we hang out outside of the working realm. It really feels like they care about this band and are willing to put in everything to make it work. It’s awesome to have your label believe in you as much as you do. I don’t think this band would have progressed the way it has with any other label.”

Their most recent album, A Revelation for Despair was released in late November 2006, and has seen the band on a seemingly endless touring treadmill. Moreover, the band has been working the crowds particularly in the all ages circuit. I ask Josh what impact this has had on the band and the success of the album and moreover, has he noticed a change in the crowds from their tours previously.

“I think it’s going really well. Prior to this tour, kids would be asking for old stuff but the more and more we play live the more kids are asking us to play the new material. I said from the start that this record would take time to hit home because it was exploring new territory and think that everyone is starting to get it. I think we have sold around 12 thousand records so far which is awesome cause it has only been out six months. We are all pretty keen to start writing again so I think in the next couple of months we’ll take some time off to start the writing process.”

So what is Behind Crimson Eyes' musical demographic? “I think our demographic would be around 14-24 and interestingly predominately girls. So playing as many under age and all age shows as possible is very important” but as Josh points out this is not simply a case of courting the target market or eager young record buyers, rather, “these are the shows that are the most fun! Kids aren’t jaded and bitter at the ‘scene’ and they aren’t there to get pissed and socialise. They are there for the music. They are there to jump around and have a good time. This is what makes these so shows so important to us.”

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