What is your creative process when making music?
I (Marq Andrew Speck) am the main source of starting songs. I have musical and melodic ideas that I
present to the guys at every rehearsal (and we still rehearse after all these decades pretty much every
week at our private studio) and then they all add their input and expertise to make every song a real
band production. We constantly record every rehearsal and jam session because you never know when
a new riff will open up the creative juices.
Even after all these years, the guys get together every week to rehearse, jam and write. There are
mountains of ideas (all recorded during rehearsals) that we regularly revisit to see what riffs and chord
patterns jump out to our ears. The thinking is – if it moves us musically, it should resonate well with our
fans and friends. Some ideas are just throwaways… but quite often we will listen back and look at each
other smiling and shaking our heads “Yup…that’s pretty good”. We take those ideas and polish them to
a very Sweet Crystal sheen.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Not so much a musician (although he is a massively talented musician in his own right) but we feel our
music would be a great fit for producer/superstar Alan Parsons to work with. His signature sounds and
musical styling (think “Dark Side Of The Moon”) would make any and every SWEET CRYSTAL song that
much…you know, sweeter!
How do you differ from most other artists?
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. 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.
What interests or hobbies do you have outside of music?
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.
New Album/Ep In The Works?
This new single ‘This Way Forever (Pearl Sound Remix)’ continues where last year’s “Whatever Is
Needed, Whatever It Takes” single left off: it’s a song of hope and inspiration featuring our signature
guitar sounds, synth melodies, layered vocals and straight-ahead drumming. It’s the second single from
our upcoming release ‘8’ which is slated for later this year.
Who/How Came Up With The Band Name?
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!
What first got you into music?
Unlike most bands that have a lifecycle of about three to five years, this band of high school buddies
(founding members Marq Andrew Speck, Bill Blatter and Steve Wieser) have been playing together for
now 50 years (Interesting fact: 2024 was our official Sweet Crystal Golden Jubilee Year meaning 5
decades of the music and message we offer – pretty sweet accomplishment in our books). We
got together right out of high school (and actually Bill and Steve played together during high school!). To
this day we get together every week to rehearse, record and just enjoy each other’s company. Does it
get old after 5 decades together? Absolutely not! We just get better with age.
Who inspired you to make music?
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. We also listened to a lot of American bands like Kansas, Journey, Rush and Spock’s
Beard to keep our creative juices flowing. It’s this background in progressive rock that continues to
influence and direct our writing and live performances.
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
Would love the chance to open for Neal Morse (Spock’s Beard; Transatlantic; Flying Colors; more). His
brand of progressive rock and inspiring lyrics would seem a perfect fit to us.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
We think all social media sites can be an asset to a band, a solo musician, or pretty much any creative
when used correctly. There are so many ways to get yourself out there…but always remember that
thousands of others doing exactly the same thing so take heart, do what you do with a good attitude
and appreciate what comes your way. Don’t put the media and websites on a pedestal in your life but as
simple creative rungs on your ladder along the way.
The world is an amazingly diverse place that thanks to the Internet and social media, seems to get
increasingly smaller every day. We don’t know if other cultures value music differently but it seems that
there are many more unique bands coming out of Europe than there are here in the States. It also
seems other countries really appreciate original bands and new sounds where as the US seems more focused on recreating the past with it’s focus on ‘tribute bands’… at least in the local live performance
venues and events.
What is your favourite song to perform?
Our song ‘Warriors’ (from the III cd) is always a special song to play live because there are always
veterans in the audience and most everyone has a veteran in their lives. We are big supporters of the
men and women of our Armed Forces, for all first responders for that matter. We write songs of hope,
inspiration and about the gratitude for the freedoms we’ve been afforded. We want every listener to
feel better about their lives and this world we’ve been given after hearing the messages in our tunes.
For us, our music and message is still a mission and a musical ministry.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
Stop promoting competitions between artists and bands – there is room in the world for everyone’s
style of music. There is a negative to chasing current mainstream music trends but will staying true to
your personal music vision and path – that will lift you and your listeners to a higher satisfaction in life.
What’s next for you?
More new songs are already in pre-production for our next full release ‘8’. This time around we will be
featuring more lead vocals from Bill (guitarist), which will make it even sweeter. Looking for even more
ways to get our music, message, mission and ministry out into an increasingly dark world looking for
hope and light! With 26 Detroit Music Awards under our belt, we think it’s time to aim for some Dove
and Grammy Awards. Basically, we plan to remain exactly who we are for as long as can.
Our trademarked slogan – Reaching The World, One Song At A Time ™ – 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.
Basically we plan to remain exactly who we are for as long as can.
WEBSITE: www.sweetcrystal.com
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/SweetCrystalBand
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@SweetCrystal/videos
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/sweet_crystal
REVERBNATION: www.reverbnation.com/sweetcrystal
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST: http://tinyurl.com/3v43ne3u
BANDCAMP: https://sweetcrystal.bandcamp.com
TWITTER: www.twitter.com/sweet_crystal
APPLE MUSIC: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/sweet-crystal/6373913
