By Nicholas Jason Lopez
Hard Rock group Santa Cruz performed for the first time in over a year with new members Pav Cruz (lead guitar), Toxy Cruz (drums) and Ero Cruz (bass) as they played to 50,000 fans in Tallinn, Estonia on a show that also featured Bon Jovi. Their recent shows have featured live airings of “Changing Of Seasons” and “Tell Me Why,” which will appear on their upcoming album, ‘Katharsis,’ due out this fall.
‘Katharsis’ was recorded at The Hideout Recording Studio in Las Vegas with producer Kane Churko (Ozzy Osbourne, Papa Roach, Five Finger Death Punch). The band is set to play the Louder Than Life Festival in Louisville, Ky., The Viper Room on Oct. 5 and then Aftershock 2019 in Sacramento, Calif..
Over time, Santa Cruz have scored two Top 5 albums in Europe and toured alongside AC/DC, I Prevail, Through Fire, Fozzy, Amaranthe and Sebastian Bach.
Music Bugle – What are your expectations of The Viper Room show coming up on Oct. 5?
Archie Cruz – I’m super stoked to get to rip that legendary venue for the 1st time, especially having written a song `River Phoenix,` so it feels like a pilgrimage of sorts.
Music Bugle – Describe the feeling of playing in front of 50,000 people as you did recently.
Archie Cruz – It’s something I wouldn’t mind doing more often haha. It’s very surreal, you got like, an ocean of people in front of you and you’re just out there, doing your thing. I can only imagine the feeling when they know all your songs and lyrics and are singing along.
Music Bugle – What made you choose the songs “Changing Of Seasons” and “Tell Me Why” as the first ones to come out from ‘Katharsis’?
Archie Cruz – We wanted to open the game with “Changing Of Seasons,” as it’s very dramatic and comments on the events that went down a year and a half ago. With “Tell Me Why,” it’s more traditional and the lyrics are basic boy & girl stuff, so it was a good neutral choice for the second single.
Music Bugle – What was it like putting ‘Katharsis” together and how does it compare to your earliest work?
Archie Cruz – It was an intense process, since it took only like half a year from scratch to having that finished product in our hands. It’s very different from earlier Santa Cruz and it’s gonna surprise a lot of people I’m sure.
Music Bugle – What do you consider your biggest memory as a band thus far?
Archie Cruz – Opening for Bon Jovi for sure. Opening for Whitesnake was cool too.
Music Bugle – Whom do you consider your biggest musical influences in terms of sound?
Archie Cruz – Queen, Led Zeppelin, Foo Fighters.
Music Bugle – What’s something you feel people should know about the band?
Archie Cruz – We always give out a hundred percent at the shows and nobody ever leaves disappointed.
Music Bugle – What are some of your longer term plans down the road?
Archie Cruz: Do more tours and get to tour every territory as much as we can!
Music Bugle – Describe your most meaningful song or set of lyrics and why.
Archie Cruz: I’d say “True Believer” from the next album, that means quite a lot to me.
Music Bugle – What’s something you’ve been working to improve on as a band?
Archie Cruz: Better spirits, no jealousy inside of the band, and great work environment.
