The Black Crayons

My taste in music today has been what I believe it's always been, good. Not that I"m one to say what's good and what's crap, but after playing music for over 15 years I think I've payed my dues and therefore have some say in the matter. As a song writer I don't fancy myself a "heavyweight" nor do consider myself a genius. For a long time there was a lack of inspiration in the air, in my heart and especially on the radio. The music that we in our 30's were forced to grow up with just didn't cut it. The 80's were coming to an end and other than punk rock there was nothing worth lending your ear to. In the 90's there was Kurt Cobain and a handful of cool indie bands that didn't get enough airplay or respect. The only thing to do was to turn my attention to the manuals left behind by the bands of the 60's and 70's. I was fortunate to become friends with Jackson Browne when I was a kid, he pushed me to play as much as possible and was always there whenever I was in a jam. Whether it was a needing an amp because I was at a gig and mine had blown, or needing studio time. Song writers from his era understood what music was and that the songs were the most important thing in a band. Let's face it, the rock music back then had quality and was gearing everyone towards change. Song writers were going against the grain and the listener had something to think about. It is now 2008 and things are looking up once again. We are finding ourselves surrounded by bands that could care less about the mainstream, it's companies and it's twisted ways. With the ability to self record, self produce and self promote bands are able to reach their fans without too much help. Personally I think it's the way it should be. You work hard and the reward will be what you put into it. A perfect example of this is The Brian Jonestown Massacre. With the revolution that was started by Anton Newcombe and his band we can once again be proud of our generation's music. This is only my belief but I think that because of the guts and no hold back attitude that Anton has delivered we are all able to reach within ourselves and pull out the best in our song writing. Let's take a look at what came in the following years since the BJM landed. The Black Angels, The Warlocks, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Dead Meadow, The Lovetones, The Tyde, The Morning After Girls, The Brothers Movement, Sweet Jane, Spindrift, The Dolly Rocker Movement, The Stevenson Ranch Davidians, The Black Ryder, Rocking Horse People, Ojos Rojos, Spirit Vine, The Blue Angel Lounge, The Myrrors, Christian Bland, The Koolaid Electric Company, The Left Outsides, The Lea Shores, The Asteroid #4, The Out Crowd, The Quarter After, The Laurels....and I'm forgetting a lot more bands. And out all these bands what has it done for me? It has inspired me to create The Black Crayons. A band that myself and childhood friend Julian Anderle started in 2005. We got to work right away and recorded some great quality demos, spent more time writing soon after and have enough material for three albums. In 2007 we went into the studio to record our "Babylon Tx." ep with the help of engineer/producer Brian Susko, we were able to put together what I feel are a solid collection of recordings. We're yet to release those sessions but I am looking to release them as a pre-production take collectable on vinyl. The Black Crayons like many of us have had trouble holding on to band members, our roots our still intact, Julian Anderle and myself (Alfonso Contreras) still write, record and move forward. The pop mania, bubblegum punk and 90's musical disaster sill lingers in many musicians and so finding the perfect group to play with can be a challenge at times. We are planning a recording session for this summer of 08. We're still lacking a solid bass player and drummer, but that didn't hold us back from recording the Babylon Tx ep back in 07. If we have to do it again we will. There are shows scheduled this summer and they will still be played with fill-ins if need be, we've been fortunate to receive help from our friends. So once again I find myself inspired, music is on the up an up and we are having our revolution. If we weren't I wouldn't be playing music, and right now it's all I can keep my mind on. To take a listen to The Black Crayons go to www.myspace.com/theblackcrayons Support your local and worldwide underground music. Without our help it stays under foot and we can't afford another dry spell.

-Alfonso Contreras