CRYSTAL THOMAS & THE FLOWERS OF EVIL:
CRYSTAL,
TIM McCORMACK,
SPENCER P JONES
MATT GREEN &
CLARE MOORE
'Crystal Thomas & The Flowers Of Evil's ALBUM NOW AVAILABLE ON ITUNES
Influences
Bonnie "Prince" Billy Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Patti Smith Neil Young and Crazy Horse PJ Harvey Lucinda Williams Tex Don & Charlie Mick Harvey The Dirty Three Ian Rilen and the Love Addicts Tom Waits Spencer P Jones Mark Lanegan Nina Simone Captain Beefheart James Cruickshank Joel Silbersher Leonard Cohen Divinyls Paul Kelly The Drones Dave Graney & Clare Moore Matt Walker Neko Case Keith Silver(my clarinet mentor) Townes Van Zandt Gene Clarke Miles Davis Nirvana The Doors Howlin Wolf Lightning Hopkins
Sounds Like
CHECK OUT PHOTO'S BY THE BLACK SHADOW FROM THE WINTERLONG BENEFIT AT THE THORNBURY THEATRE 30TH AUGUST 2009 - CRYSTAL THOMAS & MICK HARVEY PERFORMING 'BONNIE & CLYDE' + CRYSTAL THOMAS & THE FLOWERS OF EVIL. You can view photo's from the night by going to this website: www.photos.blackshadow.com.au
**CHECK IT OUT**
This is a video recorded at the Brass Monkey in Cronulla NSW on a recent tour with Tex Perkins and James Cruickshank.
It was an impromptu performance. After playing the song at soundcheck that afternoon we decided to play it during our set that night...
The song is a cover of a song by Gene Clarke - 'Gypsy Rider' featuring - Crystal Thomas, Matt Green, Tex Perkins and James Cruickshank.
“An heiress to a tradition of dramatic, confessional music that explores the dark side of life and love. She is backed by what really is an all-star Melbourne band, the Baudelaire -quotin’ Flowers Of Evil. Her voice is smoky and sensual, wrapping itself around her lyrics and (Matt) Green’s guitar figures like a purring cat. Her stage presence is arresting as her voice” Tom Hawking, Editor Inpress
Crystal Thomas’ lyrics, at once honest and mysterious, draw the listener into her sometimes sinister, always melodic, tales of suffering, hope, desire, deception and other tricks kept up beauty's sleeve. She creates brooding, haunting musical landscapes, brilliantly realized by her seriously impressive band.
The Flowers of Evil features the talents of: (SHARING THE ROLE OF TIME KEEPER) Former Moodist and current Lurid Yellow mist member - Clare Moore - drums percussion & vocals and also on occasion - Phil Collings (Surrealists) drums,
Matt Green (Jordie Lane's band, Tracey McNeil) - electric guitar, mandolin, dobro and vocals,
Spencer P Jones (Beasts Of Bourbon) - Guitars,
Tim McCormack (Downhills Home, Grunt Bucket, James McCann's other band) - upright and electric bass; and
Crystal Thomas (Roadside Prophets) on lead vocals, clarinet & guitar.
The Flowers Of Evil released their debut album in October 2008 on Stovepipe Records.
This album was recorded in Matt Walker’s studio - the 8 Track Shack - recording their debut album, with Matt at the helm as mentor and producer. The songs can sometimes be delicate (No Vacancy, The Heat is Rising) or emotive (Beauty and the Magician, Little Blue Flowers), but at other times show that this band can rock too (Pretty Pink Clouds, No Return).
The album also features guest performances by Conway Savage (Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds), Rui Pereira (The Drones), Matt Walker, Jen Anderson and Liz Stringer.
Crystal Thomas & The Flowers Of Evil are currently recording their follow up album at Matt Walker's 8 Track shack with Matt Walker & Spencer P Jones co-producing the recording. A single 'La Tormenta' from the forthcoming album is due to be released on November 20th 2009 & The album is due to be released in early 2010.
Crystal’s past gigs include appearances with Mick Harvey, Matt Walker, Jeff Lang, Tex Perkins, Bill Chambers, Don Walker, Tim Rogers, Spencer P Jones, the Darling Downs, Black Pony Express, the Community Cup and many more.
“In the same way that pop songwriters can find sparkling melody within personal sadness, so too can the dark side of rock’n’roll be a vehicle for potency and passion.
Like a poet using rich and flourishing metaphor to describe or a painter finding vivid colours to illustrate emotional turmoil and humanity’s latent inhumanity, it has been the quest of musicians such as Crystal Thomas to take the darkest recesses of human behaviour and transform them into pristine musical form.
‘Madhouse’ illustrates the fine line between passion and irrational attraction, complimented naturally by Thomas’s duet with Conway Savage to create the lush, romantic beauty of ‘No Vacancy’. While the raw sexuality of ‘Pretty Pink Clouds’ is simply unavoidable” – Patrick Emery
Crystal, good on 'ya girly-girl!!! You want to know something??? You're a good egg!!! You know that. I was born on a farm and can tell a good egg from a bad one, from 50 paces. You know you are always welcomed at my flat for a visit and chin-wag. ALWAYS!! I hope to see you soon and take care, love, Johnny
Hey Crystal, w'tas a good night indeed. Enjoyed your company!! I hope you and Tim got things sorted? I was on your side all night. Thanks for the Crissi card! Hopefully will see you at your show. Crystal, your a blast to hang out with, see 'ya when I'm looking at 'ya!! Johnny XX
Thank you very much for the Link Up & Sharing Your Music
Nice to meet you through cyberlink!
Keep up the Great Work!
Wishes you All the Best in 2009!
Enjoy your Week!
Once again I have a favour to ask of everyone out there in the MySpace world, and I’m sorry because I know these things can get a bit annoying, but every vote counts, and I am happy to return the favour if you need me to vote or rate anything of yours, so… if you get the chance could you please rate my new song “Million Miles Away” on Triple J Unearthed?
ello' Still can't get hold of Luke but the complete line up on the night will be:
-You -Me -Alex Lashlie
Sorry there can't be anyone else on the bill just the rate its going with contacting Luke there won't be enough money to pay for anyone else . have a good one jules x
Hey. Just letting you know that our Melbourne Album Launch is this Friday at The Tote. Its With James McCanns Dirty Skirt Band, Black Pony Express & Little John. 8pm/$10. Hope you can make it!
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