Artist description voices without labels, music without a roof, a galaxy of sound.space melancholy with the radiance of discovery.different artists with the same vision

Music Style Alternative, Spacey, Heavy, Rock

Musical Influences Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, NIN, Jane's Addiction

Similar Artists Queens of the Stoneage, Feeder

Artist History Every band is looking for their niche, the one thing about them that no other band can provide. For some it's image, for others, style. But things are a little different for Neptune Crush. Their music is that "one thing"- it is them. They are unique. Blissfully somber. Haunting. Violently dramatic. Serenely intense. Words not used everyday to describe a rock and roll band, but they fit Neptune Crush. "You know that one song that you are sick of hearing over and over again? We're not that thing," stresses lead guitarist Jimmy Griffin. "There is a stamp on our music that comes through that lets you know it's us, but we don't do the same thing in every song." Soft breeze of a tornado. Mirror of truth veiled a by gentle mist. Tempest of emotion-laden melody. Galaxy of Sound. Unusual metaphors for relating the feelings conveyed by a rock song, but then again, Neptune Crush's music is anything but typical. Built on contradiction, it is the collision of polar forces that produces the unique spark inherent in Neptune's sound. "It's about being beaten down by the beauty of the world," says lead singer Elijah Swan, "crashing and burning but still retaining hope." With highly descriptive, image-filled lyrics, Neptune's songs convey meaning in a subtle, almost imperceptible way. Insight is there even before the mind can find a concept to label it with. "We try to create an image with the music for the listener to interpret," Elijah explains. The result is celestial poetry, that while having no one set story, is able to speak volumes to those who listen. The creation of this poetry has involved just as much engaging of opposites as does the music itself. Prior to 1999, when Neptune Crush formed, the members were part of different bands, although they did occasionally work together. Original bassist Tony Persyn, who was at the time the bassist for Universal recording artist Radio Iodine, had recorded and mixed some material for Jimmy and Elijah's band, Full on Venus. Drummer Eddie Spinaio was a member of Triple X. Jimmy relates the rest of the tale: "Our respective bands ended right about the same time, within a two or three month period. It was a real natural thing to start working together. Shortly thereafter we had the ad for a drummer written out, but we never had to place it because we got Ed’s name from a friend. It all happened within a month, really." When Tony parted ways with the band in early 2001, bassist Wil Pelly and keyboardist/sampler Steve Thomas joined to complete the sound that is Neptune Crush today.The result of this "evil alliance" is a cooperation of talents blending to create Neptune's signature space rock sound. Elijah’s ethereal vocals give the band their distinctive otherworldly sound, while Jimmy’s pounding guitar bespeaks primal rage. Steve’s keyboard textures weave a dream-like ecstasy, which is further electrified by Eddie's rhythmic aggression on drums. Wil’s bass guitar simultaneously solidifies the groove with the drums and mingles with the guitar and keyboard sounds. "Everyone leans into each other's realm, trying to get into where the others are coming from musically," explains Jimmy. "In the end, we have a hybrid, something none of us would have come up with in the first place, yet something that sounds like each of us." So what began as a chaos of eclectic tastes ends in musical harmony, a journey comparable to the gamut of human emotions which the songs represent. "You don't really get the full feeling of the music unless you experience it live," says Elijah. Eddie agrees. "The ups and downs of our live show really tell the complete story," he says. Neptune Crush recently released an independent, self-titled recording, and they maintain a busy regional touring schedule, headlining shows and opening for other bands at many different types of venues. Along the way they have shared the stage with bands such as Orgy, Primer 55, and Apartment 26. Hearing Neptune's music live is a breathtaking experience, a spectacle born of converging illusion and harsh reality. It transports the listener across space and time, allowing them to glimpse other realms, while at the same time exploring the depths of their own soul. Elijah describes the experience as a "super-sonic roller coaster." Yet another unusual phrase for an uncommon band. But, as they are quick to remind, it's not about them - "It’s about the music."

Group Members Elijah Swan (vocals, guitar)Jimmy Griffin (guitar)Eddie Spinaio (drums)Wil Pelly (bass)Steve Thomas (keyboard, samples)

Albums Neptune Crush

Press Reviews “I was blown away! This is the best electronic rock song I’ve heard since the glory days of Engines of Aggression.”-Demo review on www.rockreunion.com“…soothing, yet spooky at the same time…..they sound…like spirits from beyond.”-Demo review in The Industry magazine November 2000

Location St. Louis, MO - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).