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 Crash Kelly, the Toronto, Ont. based, glam-rockers, have returned with a solid new release entitled “Electric Satisfaction.” This eleven track, retro-rocking CD has music critics praising them throughout the industry. The band, which includes leader/guitarist/vocalist Sean Kelly, Allister Thompson-guitar, Jordan Michael Stewart -bass, Kevin Taylor drums, has a penchant for big hooks, screaming leads and arena rock anthems.
"Electric Satifaction" is the bands second release and shows great signs of growth, progression and songwriting maturity over their debut CD “Penny Pills,” which was released in early 2005. For “Electric Satisfaction” the band brought in ex-Guns n’ Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke to handle the production duties. Clarke was instrumental in helping the band hone in on their sound. The results speak for themselves. Crash Kelly is now on the fast track for fame and fortune.
Leading up to the release, Crash Kelly opened a few arena shows in Canada for Kelly’s childhood idol and inspiration, Alice Cooper. It was the first time that Kelly had an opportunity to hear his band in an arena type setting. The band simply kicked ass in that setting, winning over thousands of new fans. Crash Kelly vows to return to the big arenas, hopefully next time as headliners.
What follows is an exclusive interview with Crash Kelly’s Sean Kelly in which he discusses what it was like working with Gilby, the new CD and much more. And make sure that you pick up a copy of “Electric Satisfaction,” coming out on July 25 at music stores everywhere.
Since last time we heard from Crash Kelly, you have made a couple of line-up changes, a new bassist and drummer. Tell us a bit about them and why they were chosen to be in the band.
Jordan Michael Stewart played bass on the record, and Kevin Taylor is the drummer on the record. I have known Jordan for 10 years, and we have played together in other projects prior to Crash Kelly. Jordan is a great showman and he really enjoys the whole rock n roll experience, so he brings a lot of energy to Crash Kelly. Kevin Taylor was actually the first ever drummer in Crash Kelly, so getting him back in the fold was a no-brainer, he actually took a break form playing music a few years ago, but he got the itch again and it worked out perfectly that we were looking for someone to do the new record at the time. They are both great guys and good friends.
Your new CD was produced by Gilby Clarke. Whose idea was it to get Gilby involved? Did it have anything to do with the fact that when GlamMetal.com reviewed “Penny Pills” we said it sounded a bit like Gilby’s first solo CD?
Haha, as much as I’d like to say that the Glammetal review was an influence, I’m afraid it wasn’t. I had always wanted to work with Gilby, even prior to recording Penny Pills. I love his solo work, and I thought we would connect on a musical level. Fortunately, I was right. I actually sent Gilby an e-mail before we even signed the deal with Liquor and Poker Music, and he totally got what I was trying to do with this act and agreed to produce the next record.
 What kind of influence did Gilby have on the band’s sound? Was there a big difference in the sound on the demos from the CD?
Gilby has an incredible knack for getting to the core of the song. I tend to be an “everything and the kitchen sink” type of guy when I produce, but Gilby helped to hone in on the raw essence of the music, and he showed me that the energy of the song comes through best when the sonics have room to breathe. Gilby also has the perfect gear for making great sounding rock records, he has the best guitars, the best amps, a killer drum set etc. However, having that stuff doesn’t mean shit if you don’t know how to use ‘em, and Gilby is great at getting classic tones. We have a shared love of a lot of the same music form the 70s’, and Gilby knows how to capture the vibe of those records.
Did Gilby help in the songwriting or play on any tracks?
Gilby didn’t contribute any songwriting, but he certainly made some excellent arrangement contributions. He also played some guitar, keyboards, percussion, background vocals etc. Gilby and I traded off solos in “Hang Out Where You Matter,” and he also played some lead guitar fills in “You’re a Drag When You’re High.” Teddy Zig-Zag Andreadis also played some piano on the record, which was very cool.
Did you have to pinch yourself at all in disbelief that Gilby was producing your CD?
To tell you the truth, it just felt right. Obviously, I was thrilled and excited to be working with Gilby, but he’s not the type of guy who is going to impose his status on you. He’s a no-nonsense guy who LOVES rock n roll music, and he is one of the hardest working musicians I’ve ever met. At all times he treated me and the boys with respect and courtesy. You really get the sense that for all his accomplishments and success, he’s still a kid from Cleveland who loves jamming with his buddies. He’s one of the good guys, and I have a true respect for him. Having said all that, it was definitely a dream come true to work with him.
Did he have a lot of rock n’ roll war stories to share with you? 
He shared a few, and those were very special memories. Let’s just say that the GNR circus must have been one HELL of a ride!
I love the new CD. It’s a good progression from your debut release “Penny Pills.” What was your game plan in writing the new CD, and how close did the final results sound to what you envisioned?
The game plan for this album, and any other album I write, is to just let the music flow. I try to remain immune to the trends that surround me and write music from the heart. I’m never TRYING to write in a retro style, but I almost exclusively listen to music from the 70’s and 80’s, so that is bound to come out in the writing. To answer the second part of your question, I couldn’t be happier about how the record turned out. Some things were just as I heard them in my head, and others turned out far better than I could have imagined.
‘Electric Satisfaction’ was much more of a band effort. How did that affect the songwriting process?
It didn’t, because I write all the music and lyrics myself, although “33 On The Charts” is a co-write from a few years back with my friend Dale Martindale. However, it was certainly a band effort in terms of the performance of the parts on the record, and the prep before hand. The guys served as great sounding boards for my ideas, and they proved there flexibility in taking the parts I had written and putting their own sonic stamp on them.
The guitar leads on this CD are mind blowing. How do you and Allister decide on who plays what part?
Thank you! In terms of parts, Al has two solos on the record, the first solo in “33 on the Charts,” and the first solo in “Cold Ethyl” (US version). I handled all the rest of the solos, with the exception of the one’s Gilby did. In terms of Rhythm guitar, I’m in the left speaker and Al’s in the right. Ted Burger played lead on the track “Count on Me, Count on You.”
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Crash Kelly opened a few dates on Alice Cooper’s recent tour of Canada. What was it like playing on the same bill as your childhood idol? How did Crash Kelly go over with the Cooper audience?
It was amazing to be playing in Arenas with Alice Cooper. Truly mind-blowing. It also stoked the flames in me to make sure Crash Kelly gets to do more arena shows, because it really felt like the perfect setting for those songs. I was surprised by how well we went over, the crowds were great. We even got a standing ovation at one show! It should be stated that Alice, his band, and his crew are some of the nicest people I’ve encountered in this business. A first class organization all the way.
What is the game plan to promote the new release? Do you plan on playing more big arena shows as openers?
Our plan is to tour the US and Canada this summer, and then keep on seeking out touring opportunities. We have one tour we are keeping our fingers crossed for, you’ll be the first to know!
Will there be a single from this CD? I think that "Ride The Wire" is an obvious one, followed by “She Put the Shock (In My Rock n’ Roll).”
That is indeed the first single, and it is doing quite well here in Canada. I think “She Put The Shock” would be a great follow-up. Good ears buddy!
Thanks ! Do you consider this to be make or break time in your career?
No, because every time I get to perform the songs I wrote for people who dig them, I feel like I’ve made it. My dreams have come true ten times over in the last four years, everything else is gravy.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how happy are you with where the band is now as far as popularity and commercial success?
I’ve never measured the success of my music career by money or popularity. Other wise, that score would be pretty low! There are MANY better ways to make money than the music biz. The fact of the matter is, I feel very privileged to have a record deal, to be able to make records with people I admire and respect, to be able to play with childhood heroes, and to be able to meet people who are genuinely moved by the music Crash Kelly makes. These are the things that really matter to me, because I never felt the need to be number one, I just wanted to get in the game and be a part of this great rock n roll legacy we humans have created. If I was to rate my own happiness in and of itself, I would say 10 +!
Electric Satisfaction was released in Canada last May, but it’s not coming out in the states until July 25. Why was there such a delay?
Quite simply because we had a great distribution opportunity in Canada through Fontana/Universal, and because we wanted Electric Satisfaction to be available for the Alice Cooper tour.
Since you are such a huge fan of 70’s glam, how do you feel about Def Leppard’s new retro cover CD?
I think it’s great! They have a great track listing on that album, my favorites being the Thin Lizzy, Bowie, ELO, and Roxy Music tunes. It’s a lot of fun, and you can tell the boys really love that music. Good on ‘em!
Any last words for your fans here on GlamMetal.com? Thanks for all of your support, and keep checking out Glammetal.com the number one Rock N Roll website on the web!
OK, we’re blushing now. Please people buy Crash Kelly’s new and f’ing amazing CD “Electric Satisfaction. You can check out more info on the band and tour dates at www.crashkelly.ca
Crash Kelly USA CD Release Party July 29, Buffalo NY. Click here for more details.
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