Interview with Crone Tye

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

Mik: I've always loved rock and metal music. The characters and imagery are what drew me to it. There is something appealing to a young impressionable human like the Iron Maiden album covers and the stereotypes that go with metal music. In one respect it's clever marketing but in another it's artistic and fills the imagination with escapism from everyday life. We become fans and wholeheartedly believe in the message and product. If I wasn't doing music I would be working in the film industry in one way or the other.

Tye: I was always a frenetic child with darker and more “weird” interests, so getting into my late childhood and early teens and discovering rock and metal just fit perfectly for my own personal intensity and developing outlook on life. My love and appreciation for all alternative culture and music has snowballed with ever increasing momentum since then

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

Mik: I love watching horror movies and riding my Harley Davidson. I also like to read biographies. It's interesting to see how people achieved their goals and hear the stories that went with it.

Tye: I read extensively and constantly so I never run out of new topics, muses and themes to write about or creative approaches to take. I love to travel too and try to keep in good shape, I love animals and writing too. Like Mik I'm also a huge film fan.

How long has your band been around?

Mik: This is a new project with Tye and myself, so around 6 months. We have known each other for years but this is the first time we have collaborated on music together.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

 Mik: We are based in Leeds and surrounding areas. There has always been a great alternative scene. The goth scene of the 80s for example. Sisters of Mercy and The Cult. The heavier side of music like Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride. Academy Studios in Dewsbury, Peaceville Records. All within a 30 mile radius.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

 Mik: I used my last name and Tye’s first name. We are a duo so it made sense.

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

 Mik: As this is a new project we currently haven't played any shows. As a musician though past shows I would say the Marquee Club in London, The Borderline in London. Bradford Rios back in the day too.

Tye: There has been so many over the years, but recently, I played a wedding in Glastonbury with my band INHERITOR. The entire concept and build up was novel and funny but as soon as we hit the stage it became a roaring show and there was so much love for us!

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

Mik: The old theatres are cool. I once played Wakefield Opera House as part of a University concert. That was great.

Tye: I've got many fond memories playing the Key Club in Leeds.

 If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

Mik: Rammstein, Rage against the machine, Limp Bizkit, Nine Inch Nails, Ratt, Ministry

 Tye: 90s Manson, purely for the rock n roll danger and chaos, I'd say debauchery, but I'm straight edge so that seems a bit contradictory.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

Mik: Listen to everyone in the band. Get someone else to mix the songs. Understand the importance of marketing your music. Make sure everything is of a professional standard. Don't follow trends because the trend is on its way out of fashion by the time you start to get noticed. Be an Innovator not an imitator.

Tye: Be yourself, imitate what you love, fake it til’ you make it in an organic way. If that makes sense…

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

 Mik: This single is really catchy and Tye’s lyrics fit our horror film influences perfectly. The project is ongoing so we will see where the future takes us.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which gets requested the most?

 Mik: We are primarily a studio band so that is something we will have to get back to you on that. The single No Guts, No Glamour is getting a great response from radio so at present this song. Available on all streaming platforms by the way.

Tye: No Guts is getting a great radio response and people love it! Personally, many people always ask if my band INHERITOR will be playing our song Death Spiral, it's super heavy but also got some great guitar hooks and catchy chorus lines.

What is the creative process like for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

 Mik: I write and program the music and Tye writes the lyrics and vocal melodies. I send a rough version of the music to Tye then we meet up in a studio to record the vocals.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

Mik: We stay away from politics and real life. We like to tell stories. We are heavily influenced by Horror Cinema so we stick to a set formula of fictional story telling.

Tye: It really depends on the vision and song, I'm not sure I've ever tried to “send a message”, more just explore themes people can read into if they choose, or just singalong and bang their heads and not take it any deeper.

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

 Mik: There are only 2 of us so no we get along like Burt and Ernie from Sesame Street

Tye: Or slightly more cultured Beavis and Butthead.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

Mik: We will work on new music and keep pushing our Sleazy Punk Gothic Industrial music to the masses. In the word’s of Lemmy raise the flag on the flagpole and see who salutes it. Thank you for interviewing us.