Heaven's Metal Exclusive: Crimson Thorn Interview
Like the onslaught of "Internet Exclusives" from both the new issues of Heaven's Metal Fanzine and HM Magazine, this really is a "companion piece" here, as it is the "cut" text that didn't make the print magazine and, conversely, this text does not include the text from the printed zine. We hope you enjoy reading both. Here is the remainder of the excellent interview done by Bryan Krotzer.
BK: How many times has Andy Kopesky quit Thorn and then rejoined? I love Andy, but I’m starting to lose track!!!
Luke: Just twice. He’s been in it with us for a long time and believe me, over all these years, there have been times that I felt like quitting.
Miles: Andy always left not really wanting to, but due to circumstances that he felt didn’t allow him to be committed. I am always open to taking time off or having big margins in your life. Andy is such a cool dude it was easy for me to ask him back both times (because he knew all our songs) and if he quits again I would not have hard feelings, because life does have its twists and turns. I don’t know if I ever wanted to quit the band or ever will, I know my wife has wanted me to a number of times because it does take commitment. With two kids and a full time job, I have become adept at juggling things. I really do love getting together with these guys and playing a show here and there. It is always a blast. I think if we were to play more regularly, it may become too much and cause problems.
BK: Luke, how would you describe your friendship with Miles over the years? As far as I’m concerned, you two guys are the Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of Crimson Thorn--keeping it going for all these years!
Luke: Miles is the brother that the Lord sent me. We are like David and Jonathan of the Old Testament. Or Frodo and Sam from Lord of the Rings. God has put us on a mission together. He designed us to be brothers and bandmates. I could go on forever, but that says it.
Miles: HAAAAA yeah baby, thanks Luke. Yeah I remember seeing this big dude with long hair (Luke came out of the womb with long hair and a low voice) at the New Union way back 1989-90 probably a Barren Cross or Rez Band concert and I started to casually talk to him and he was starting a band called "Obadiah." Well we exchanged numbers because I was not doing anything musically. A few months later I was sitting on my parents couch on a hot August day and Luke calls me and I was really dumbfounded that this great guy was calling me asking me to play lead guitar in his band. I was like, "Umm well let me think about it for awhile and get back to you when I am directed by the Lord, SURE I WILL DO IT, when do we start!" It was one of those really exciting moments in life I will never forget. Yeah I will tell you what; Luke has been a spiritual leader in my life. His steadfast heart and genuine relationship with the Lord has so encouraged me. I almost feel like Timothy looking up to the Paul type of figure in Luke. Luke has always been a friend to me and has been closer than a bother. I feel very comfortable around him and enjoy his mild yet oh so wacky personality. I love him intensely and really respect his walk with the Lord. I thank the Lord He has blessed me with such a Godly brother as Luke; it is really hard for me to explain. I am a lucky guy. I hope I am blessed to continue writing music with this wonderful man of God!
BK: What was behind the band’s decision to repackage and re-release UNEARTHED and Dissection? I’ve heard good things. How have the sales for that gone so far?
Luke: We ran out of Unearthed and Dissection cd’s and a lot of people really wanted them. I even saw copies on ebay being sold for around $90 by the final bid. So we decided to re-release them together on a two disk set along with our full length Plagued demo. So there are about thirty songs on there. Sales have been pretty steady and the people who are new to our music have been very happy because that’s a lot of music packed in there.
Miles: Yeah we have done well with them. We still have a few copies left, but it was also a chance for me to do some graphics and re-package all of our works into a two disc set. We still have more so anyone wanting a good collection of our material, get one before they are gone. If anyone needs cheap graphic design, logo creation or a cheap website put together contact me at "Cleft in the Rock Studios" at msunde@hotmail.com.
BK: When will crimsonthorn.com be updated with 2006 news for your fans worldwide to read?
Miles: Yeah I started "Cleft in the Rock Studios" in an effort to branch out and do some graphic/web design. I am trying to get my name out there. So let me know if anyone out there needs any work done, I would love to increase my experience and do some more freelance work. I plan on re-vamping the whole site. I will be working on it this summer and it will have some multimedia pieces, current pictures, hopefully some lyrics, and many more fun things (I hope). If anyone has ideas of what they would like to see on the new website send them to us. Currently we have a few of our summer gigs listed with times and dates. Be sure to come see us this summer.
Luke: I just wanted to add that we also have a myspace site at www.myspace.com/officialcrimsonthorn I do that one myself. There are four downloadable songs for those of you who haven’t heard us and are into very intense metal. Plus it gives me a thrill to watch how many people have visited the site, so check it out!
BK: Will you ever go back to playing bass in Thorn?
Luke: No, maybe play some on cd’s here and there, but I am absolutely in love with playing guitar. I have a long way to go, but God has caused growth in my abilities and I’m really growing. I’d say right now Crimson Thorn is the strongest it’s ever been with our musical ability. I think we’ve really grown as a band.
NEXT PAGE
All Pages | 1 | 2
Return to Internet Exclusives
