Crashing Wayward want you to come Closer in their new single and video — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
A preview of the Las Vegas modern rock outfit’s upcoming debut album Listen!, Closer is powered by singer Peter Summit’s striking voice, multiple guitar textures and gripping fast-paced rhythm. The song “speaks to relationships — specifically unhealthy, addictive romantic relationships,” explains Summit. “It focuses on the obsession someone might have and also to the awareness that this might not be the right place for that person.”
Coming hot on the heels of their powerful and evocative previous single Breathe, Closer is one of many highlights on Listen!, due out June 9 on the RFK Media label. The 11-track album was produced by heavy hitter Mike Gillies, whose credits include a long tenure with Metallica as well as studio work with Mötley Crüe and The Cult. Lyrically poetic and musically illuminating, Crashing Wayward paint a landscape that stretches beyond alternative hard rock and explores the diverse influences of each of the band’s members — in addition to vocalist Summit, Crashing Wayward includes guitarists Stacey David Blades and David Harris, bassist Carl Raether and drummer Shon McKee.
“There are four strong songwriters with all different types of influences, so this creates a unique sound,” says Blades. “From a guitar standpoint, David Harris plays a lot in open tunings which gives the riffs a very different vibe along with my mainly drop-D tuning. When you put the guitar parts together, they are very different. Added to that is Carl Raether’s powerful bass lines plus Shon McKee’s fantastic drumming — and with Pete’s distinctive vocals and melody lines, you get Crashing Wayward.”
The band came together in the spring of 2020, just when the world came to a halt. In that stillness, the band grew restless, feverishly writing emotionally fueled songs of hope, inclusion, and escape. The music on Listen! represents a cathartic release raw in approach yet refined in tone.
Says Summit about the striking album cover, an image of a woman with her mouth shut and masking tape across it: “The album art was taken during the Breathe photo session, although the concept of ‘No one will be silenced’ has been used in various high-profile projects such as the NOH8 silent campaign in 2008, which showed celebrities in protest of the Proposition 8 banning of same-sex marriage. The intention is to focus on the power in her eyes. ‘See us. Hear us!’ We felt that the title Listen! was powerful in portraying both the album’s cover and the lyrics throughout the album. Listen! speaks directly to life itself touching on topics of intolerance, mental health, suicide, love, peace, loss and political unrest.”
Crashing Wayward genuinely pour their soul, blood, sweat, tears, and hearts into their songs and live shows. Equally primordial and intellectual, their music embodies the fundamental hypnotic quality of rock music and makes them the band to watch in 2023 and beyond.
Watch the video for Closer above, pre-order the track HERE, sample more music from Crashing Wayward below, and crash the party on their website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
