Craving Strange

According to their bio, Craving Strange have crafted a sound which is like a chopped salad of Foo Fighters, Stone Temple Pilots and Jimmy Eat World leading to an edgy and poppy sound – which sounds pretty cool to me! The band have already achieved some pretty solid highs in their career, so when they got in touch about their tracks on their reverb nation page, I couldn’t help but want to hear more!

Opening with Sunrise there’s a sense of a band who have developed their sound, taking what could be an all-out hammering rock track and almost holding it back, allowing the melody and creativeness to do the talking rather than relying on all out power or distortion. Catchy and melodic throughout, it’s easy to see why the band have drawn comparison to the bands they have, the rhythms simply flow out of the tracks and leave you wanting to hear more. Throwing in a guitar solo to keep you engaged, the best way I can describe this music is it’s the sort of thing you want to be playing whilst you drive at night, it’s got that atmospheric feel to things that would work with the glare of the lights and the emptiness of the night, it’s a well crafted track which I know I’ll be listening to more!

Tonight We Die For throws another nod to their influences, once again crafting a track which is going to lure you in and make you want to hear more. Catchy and melodic throughout, this is another track which demonstrates the bands ability to craft tracks which are going to engage the people who listen to them. Crafted for the live scene, this is a track which audiences are going to love, it’s got the right balance which will work on a stage. Out The Window follows much the same conventions, once again almost reigning in their power to allow the song-writing to do the talking through the track. The vocals rove around here, matched by the bass while the guitars are kept restrained, not allowing the temptation to hit the distortion pedal too early to take over and instead creating another catchy and powerful track. It’s In My Skin though which comes as the real surprise on the selection here, almost sounding funky as it grows yet still keeping the power held back. The key thing here is the bass line, it seems to build the track into being before the guitars take over the lead for the chorus. It’s easy to see why these guys have had the recognition they have, this track is one which is going to convert a lot of people to the ways of the band – another high point for sure.

Closing the selection with Keepers Are Killers the band seem intent on showing off just how able they are, this time harking towards the likes of Buckcherry in the funky edge which the track has. The vocals sound akin to the likes of Live whilst the guitar work here takes on that funky approach, the approach which is going to get crowds of people dancing rather than moshing – something which has been severely lacking on the music scene of late. Another well performed track, the final moments of this one left me in no doubt that this is a band we need to get over to the UK to play some gigs – the live circuit needs it!

Craving Strange have indeed taken their influences and crafted tracks which work as heavy rock tracks, but equally as moments which you’re going to just sit back and listen to. Personally, I think the time is about right for music of this sort to come back out again, and I’ve got a feeling that these guys could well be leading the charge – one to watch out for!

Words: Dave Nicholls - Dave Nicholls at Loud-Stuff.com

So this month I bring to you April’s Band of the Month: Craving Strange. The band is about to release their debut CD, currently with out a name. The band consists of former members of Sick As Monday and Silent Fate. Here is a brief history of Craving Strange. After Sick As Monday broke up guitarist/front man Jimmy Gerovac and drummer Jimi Tassone decided to keep going with their music by forming something new and different. They had a lot of unused material that they decided would fit perfectly for this new project. The two just kept writing everyday. Eventually they joined forces with a new comer to the scene bassist, Tommy Wendt and briefly former Pull guitarist Jerry. This would be Tommy’s first serious project. Their first official show took place at the Munchaba Lounge in Levittown . At this point the band did not have a name. As I recall it was literally announced on that night. Craving Strange played a few more gigs with Jerry on guitar until he decided that it was best for him to part ways due to prior obligations. The band searched for a guitarist until they found one in former Silent Fate guitarist, Frank “Junior” Guerton. With his metal background, Frank brings a different vibe to the band. He definitely adds the edge to their sound.
Seeing Craving Strange live is an experience within itself. Jimmy never misses a note with his falsetto vocals. Frank is dead on with the harmonies and his gut wrenching solos. Jimi is a solid drummer who manages to be innovative while not overplaying. Finally Tommy is the true lunatic of the band. He is always moving around the stage with his hands rapidly moving all over the bass. They will never play the same show twice; you will always share a new experience with Craving Strange.
Their sound consists of a hard edge with melodic riffs and catchy hooks in the choruses. When I asked Jimmy about the band’s unique style he had this to say, “We’re not ever really concerned with what style or genre we’re writing in at the time we just want to write great songs. Whatever the song need’s it gets and I think that’s one thing that has helped us develop our own sound. It’s not about fitting in to a mold, styles and trends die but great songs are forever, we like to think we’re on that path.”
Their debut CD will feature songs such as “Out the window”, “Awake and Alone”, “Tonight We Die For”, and “Savior Self” just to name a few. Their songs range from topics that make you smile while having a good time, to songs that are so powerful that they make you think. To give you an idea, here is just a taste of their song “Savior Self”:
“Shot down and stepped on until we learn.
Just get our best side then we’re off to war.
Rose colored cyanide.
We paint our faces till we burn but it looks tight.
Savior self you’re not alone.”
Gerovac explains his interpretation of lyrics: “Savior self to me is more about a feeling of how unprepared we are for different aspects of life when it’s thrust upon us. We’re taught almost from birth to follow directions, wait our turn, color in the lines, don’t draw attention to yourself, it’s important to fit in, trust that there is a plan for you etc., but then we find out real quick that life is more about adapting and reacting to situations you can’t possibly plan for, experiencing your own unique highs and lows, making and learning from your mistakes and just figuring out what works for you.” This is a song that everyone can definitely relate to, as are pretty much all of the songs that the band has written for their upcoming CD.
The Craving Strange fans are very devoted. They know every single lyric to every song and there is always someone out there dancing or screaming off the top of their lungs, having a great time. The band has yet to announce a date for the albums official release. The band put so much effort in this CD and it will be a musical experience worth waiting for.
- Aural Fix Magazine

On Thanksgiving eve. 2008, I was at Munchaba Lounge to video tape a showcase gig by the Jeff Regan Band. One of the opening acts that night was Craving Strange, a four piece rock band . As I had a job to do, I started out anxious for this band to get their set over with so I could get on with what I was there to do. I’t didn’t take long for them to change my mind about that. They could have played all night and I would have been there until the end.
To say that Craving Strange was a pleasant surprise would be a great understatement. They are one of the most impressive young bands I’ve seen in recent memory. They have a congruency that is rare, in a culture where individualism is the rule of the day. these guys are a unit. They all look and sound like they belong together.
The sound of the band is hard and heavy with a definite hook sensibility. The lyric content is strong and intelligent and the hard edged sound is complimented by some genuine melody. Unlike a lot of hard and heavy bands that just scream, strange brings an absolute heart felt passion to singing. Lead vocalist Jimmy Gerovac has a powerful driving voice and, as the guy who writes the lyrics, makes sure you know he feels every word.
The band includes strong instrumental chops as well. Drummer Jimi Tassone, lead guitarist Frank Guertin, formerly of Silent Fate and bassist Tommy Wendt present a formidable ensemble to compliment Gerovac’s excellent song writing and guitar work.
Their performance on this night at the now defunct Munchaba Lounge, started with an oversight by the soundman, who forgot to power up the monitor system. The band played the first song of the set without being able to hear themselves at all, which would have gone completely unnoticed if the band had not mentioned it. They played flawlessly but, since they couldn’t tell, felt a need to apologize to the crowd.
After a few minutes of the soundman getting things straightened out the band restarted the show and unleashed a furious rock show worthy of several encores, as they played through the songs of their upcoming CD release. The set included one cover, Pat Benetar’s Love Is A Battlefield, played in the original key and Gerovac hit every note without a struggle.
They had a small but loyal following with them on this night that seemed to know all the lyrics to their songs, which to me is a sign that this band is destined for good things. That small following is sure to grow. Rate this band as one to keep an eye on. Find out where they’re playing and hear their music at cravingstrange.net.
- Hank Porter MindDog Music