Detroit Live Magazine Article

Found another story on the band both in print and online. Although there are a few typos (read that: an interesting new spelling of my name in particular), it's always interesting to read another person's perspective on the history and direction of the band:

From the December 2010 issue of Detroit Live Magazine:

If patience is a virtue then the guys from Sweet Crystal are due for Sainthood. In 1971, these three high school kids united to form the band Sweet Crystal. With influences springing from British prog rock bands like Uriah Heap, ELO, Deep Purple and Pink Floyd, their main goal was like most bands, to create great music and eventually get signed to a label. As the 70’s rolled on Mark Speq (keys), Bill Blatter (Guitars) and Steve Weiser (drums) worked hard to create the epic 7-11 minute songs that were all the rage on the prog rock scene. It wasn’t until meeting producer Ollie McLaughlin that their writing began to evolve into something a bit more marketable. “Until I met Ollie I was into writing these epic songs, Ollie showed us how to “get to it”. He really helped us learn to tell the story more efficiently while staying true to the artistry of the song”, he influenced our writing style. Ollie has since passed but his expertise and legacy live on in us” says Speq.

Diligently working the late 70’s and early 80’s Detroit music scene, Sweet Crystal rocked clubs like The Silver Bird and the Ritz (10&1/2 Frazho), sharing the stage with bands like Toby Redd and the Almighty Strutt. Culminating at a performance in 1980 during the Republican National Convention at Harpos where the son of President Gerald Ford actually got on stage to rock out with the band. “The Detroit music scene in those days was a force to be reckoned with.” says Speq, “There were so many great bands as well as venues to play.”

Throughout the 80s Sweet Crystal continued to perform and record. With members coming and going the three main members stayed constant. By the 90’s the band was still together, yet doing more writing for TV shows and commercials. Playing live had all but stopped. And while the band continued to write and record, things had slowed a bit. Then around the turn of the century they began to feel the urge to perform again. In 2003 they released “Still Standing”. “The release of that album pushed us to perform again. One thing led to another where we found ourselves playing in Nashville, Tennessee for the CIS (Christian Music Organization). And to our surprise at the end of the show we were awarded a lifetime music award. It’s the biggest award we’ve ever received and we were honored beyond words to receive it. About a month later we were contacted by Tate Records. They said they loved our music and were very impressed by our longevity and they signed us. We couldn’t believe it, that after almost 40 years we were now a signed band. Tate records came in, signed us and helped us record our 3rd album. Fittingly entitled “3“. It’s by far, our best yet.” says Speq.

So there ya go boys and girls. To all of you who have been doing this a whole year and are feeling impatient about not being “discovered yet” this should serve as a lesson. Don’t be in a rush. It will happen or it won’t. But as long as you stay true to you dreams whether it takes 4 months, 4 years or 40 years, if and when it does you’ll be able to say you did it your way.

Congrats to Sweet Crystal. Be at their Charity CD Release Party on Dec 17th at the Token Lounge.
$10 cover at door gets you the new Sweet Crystal CD and $3 goes to the Detroit Rescue Mission.

Nice Mention in Dexter/Chelsea Papers

As we approach the CD Release party on 12/17 at The Token in Westland, another local paper decided it worth mentioning. Sweet indeed. Here's what Daniel Lai had to write about us:

Dexter resident enjoys success with band's new album


Bringing its message of hope to listeners, the band Sweet Crystal recently released its first national album titled “Three,” and will celebrate with a CD release party on Dec. 17 at the Token Lounge in Westland.

The band, which has been together for 39 years, is based out of Plymouth and consists of Marq Speck of Plymouth (lead vocals, keyboards), Bill Blatter of White Lake (guitar, vocals) and Steve Wieser of Dexter (drums).

Though the trio considers themselves a Christian Rock band, Speck said their music focuses less on the power of salvation through Christ and more on rediscovering themselves through faith.

“It’s about how we overcame obstacles during our lives,” he said.

Speck said originally the band started out right out of high school performing rock and roll music while trying to invent a name for itself.

“We did the rock and roll thing just like everyone else,” Speck said.

During the 1970s and ’80s, Sweet Crystal built up a following opening up for bands as diverse as Bob Seger, Nazareth, Steppenwolf, Foghat, Rare Earth and Stryper.

“It wasn’t until I met my wife that we were able to realize who we were musically and move into that Christian Rock realm,” Speck said.

In 1985, gold record producer Henry Weck released Sweet Crystal’s debut EP, “Power-N-Glory.”

The band spent the ’90s in the studio, writing and recording songs for independent films, corporate client events and personal music projects until, in 2003, they released “Still Standing,” their second record and debut full-length release.

The new millennium also saw the band reaching fans across the globe, thanks to the Internet. Taking advantage of the new technology, the band re-released “Power-N-Glory” in remastered form and saw the album generate as much excitement as it did first time around.

Recently, Sweet Crystal signed with the Tate Music Group (TMG), a high profile Christian music label out of Oklahoma.

“It’s exciting. We’re not sure what that is going to do for us yet,” Speck said.

He said he credits the band’s longevity to its ability to remain focused.

“The three of us never had a falling out. We’ve never really had a fight. It’s always been a democracy,” he said. “A lot of people think the lead singer is the one that keeps the band together, but I think Bill stands out with his guitar and Steve is the foundation for the group.”

He said the band is looking forward to the CD release party at the Token Lounge.

“For our CD release party we're teaming with Detroit Rescue (Mission). Whenever we play we do it to help out the community, and there is so many good things that the Detroit Rescue (Mission) does,” Speck said.

The cost to attend the concert is $10, but $3 off of every ticket sale, CD or merchandise purchase will go to the Detroit Rescue (Mission).

“The success of the night will be reflected in our donation to the Rescue (Mission),” he said.

The band is also performing on Feb. 5, 2011 to benefit the Wounded Warriors Project at Callahan’s Neighborhood Bar in Auburn Hills.

“We want to give something back to our veterans who have sacrificed so much for us,” he said.

For more information on the Feb. 5 show, visit www.warriors211.com.

Sweet Crystal’s newest album can be purchased online at www.amazon.com, www.itunes.com, and www.cdbaby.com.

For more information about the band, visit www.sweetcrystal.com.

Nice Article on SC in Local Paper

We saw a very nice article on the band published yesterday (11/18/10) in a local Michigan paper. Our thanks to Ms. Sharon Dargay for the nice overview on who we are and what we stand for:

Longtime rockers bring message of hope to listeners

Sweet Crystal has been touching lives “one song at a time” for most of its 36 years.

“We do it because we can. Anything we're involved with is for a benevolent event, charities, people in need,” said Marq Speck of Canton, keyboard player and vocalist for the rock band. “For our CD release party we're teaming with Detroit Rescue (Mission). We like doing that kind of stuff. Whenever we play we do it to give back.”

The trio considers itself a Christian band, but is light on the preaching and heavy on positive messages and original songs that Speck and fellow band members, Steve Wieser and Bill Blatter, hope resonate with their generation — Boomers who grew up in the 1960s who are tried of the same classic rock songs, but don't quite relate to new music and rap.

“I saw them when I was in college,” said Denise Albrecht of Farmington Hills, who is helping to promote their events, including a gig Nov. 19 in Plymouth and a CD release Dec. 17 in Westland. “I remember them distinctly. One of them came out on the dance floor and was jamming.

“I'm amazed because they've done so much with the music. It's not the tough, hard rock music with vulgar words. It's a lot of good songs. They have a positive direction in their lyrics. It leaves a person feeling better about their life and direction.”

Albrecht said the band's sound has been compared to a cross between Journey and Kansas, although Speck said “I don't think we sound like anyone other than ourselves.”

MESSAGE OF HOPE

His song lyrics focus on his own life, his difficulties and escape from the “hell” he put himself and others through while living the rock and roll lifestyle in the mid- to late 1970s.

“That's what I sing about. It's not about ‘Jesus saves you,' but more or less it's ‘man, I was lost and now I'm found.' People are looking for that encouragement. It's a message of hope. It works well in bars and clubs. People there are looking for something.”

Although Wieser lives in Dexter and Blatter is in White Lake, band members grew up in the West Bloomfield and Southfield areas and formed the group after high school. They toured extensively in the 1970s, opening for such acts as Rare Earth, Foghat and Nazareth.

“When we started out we had stars in our eyes and glitter in our hair. Until I turned my life around I was mired in the rock and roll lifestyle,” said Speck, who credits his wife of 30 years for helping him to change. When he did, Wieser and Blatter liked the direction the band was taking, both musically and personally. Two other band members parted ways.

The trio continued to play live shows and work as fulltime musicians until about 15 years ago. Speck is an information technology manager at a film studio; Blatter works for a company that builds high-end guitars and sound systems; Wieser is retired from the auto industry.

NEW GIGS

For a few years, they dabbled in recording for commercial endeavors and film. Four years ago they were asked to play for the Michigan Vet Fest, a benefit for military veterans, in Dearborn.

“People remembered us from the 1970s and 80s. We put the live show back together.”

The Christian Music Association invited the band to play a showcase in Nashville, Tenn., and the Christian Independent Alliance honored the band with its annual Momentum award in the “perseverance” category. That led to a contract with Tate Music Group, (TMG) and release of a new CD. The Internet has helped to distribute their sound around the globe. Sweet Crystal has sold CDs in Japan and the Netherlands; it's getting air play in Canada and has attracted listeners in Mexico and Sweden.

“Now all of a sudden we're playing three times a month. I haven't played that much in 12 years,” Speck said. “I feel blessed to have these guys in my life. We've all turned into men of character. We're family-loving people. We're all decent guys. But the music is the main glue. We love playing with each other. The things we come up with put smiles on our faces.”

Sweet Crystal Bio 2010

Just had a new bio written up on the band by author Brett Callwood- thought you might enjoy reading it:

Sweet Crystal is a very rare group of musicians. Not only has the band remained in existence for an impressive 39 years, but the core trio of Marq Speck (lead vocals, keyboards), Bill Blatter (guitar, vocals) and Steve Wieser (drums) has remained intact for the entirety of that time. That’s 39 years of quality hard, progressive rock music. 39 years of honing their skills as musicians and artists. 39 years of generating a respectable fan base. Perhaps most importantly, 39 years of finding their sound and standing on the front lines of the Michigan Christian rock scene, even before that particular branch of music had a name.

Sweet Crystal was formed in the winter of ‘71/’72, as the three young men were leaving high school and choosing their individual life-paths. As it happens, they were destined to spend the next four decades together, and Sweet Crystal would spend the ‘80s opening for bands as diverse as Bob Seger, Nazareth, Steppenwolf, Foghat, Rare Earth and Stryper.

In ’85, Brownsville Station drummer and gold-record-awarded Blackfoot producer Henry “H-Bomb” Weck sat behind the desk for Sweet Crystal’s debut EP, Power-N-Glory, which was subsequently released on the Nightcrier Music label. The band spent the ‘90s in the studio, writing and recording songs for independent films, corporate client events and personal music projects until, in 2003, they released Still Standing…, their second record and debut full-length release.

The new millennium also saw the band reaching fans across the globe, thanks to the internet. Taking advantage of the new technology available to them, the band rereleased Power-N-Glory in re-mastered form (tagged Resurrected Masters), and saw the album generate as much excitement as it did first time around.
Recently, Sweet Crystal has gone from strength to strength, signing with the Tate Music Group (TMG), a high profile Christian music label out of Oklahoma.
“After our recent showcase in Nashville,” says Speck, “an acquisition agent from TMG contacted us about taking over production and marketing of the next CD and we quickly agreed. This should be a great partnership in getting to a wider audience.”

The singer is right. Their new record deal is seeing Sweet Crystal gain new fans both from the Christian rock scene, but also with all fans of progressive and hard rock. With influences ranging from Queensryche, Yes, Genesis and Pink Floyd to Styx, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Queen, there is plenty in the Sweet Crystal arsenal to please all fans of quality rock ’n’ roll.

For proof, listen to Sweet Crystals latest full-length album, 3. Released in November 2010, the record has generated stellar reviews and song rotation on radio stations and internet music sites across the globe. Nearly 40 years into their career and the band are still reaching more and more people with their message. “We’ve always wanted to reach the world with the message in our music,” says Speck. “Our songs are meant to inspire and leave the listener feeling better about themselves and the direction their lives can take.”

Amen to that.

November To Remember

We don't remember the last time we played 3 weekends in a row, so that's why we are calling this a November To Remember!

Greetings friends, fans and family.

Seems like the time is flying by as we approach the end of 2010 and we here at Crystal Quarters hope we don't overwhelm you with all the great events and things to do, but we sure have a lot of appearances coming up quick. Pick your party (leaving room for the BIG BASH on 12/17... more on that later).

Sat 11/13/10 Simon's After Dark 4936 Allen Road, Allen Park, MI 9PM start www.myspace.com/simonsbarandgrill

Fri 11/19/10 Plymouth Roc 1020 Ann Arbor Road, Plymouth, MI 11PM start www.plymouthrocbar.com

Sat 11/27/10 New York, New York 33151 23 Mile Road, Chesterfield, MI 9PM start
www.myspace.com/newyorknewyorkofficial

Now we have to tell you that almost every band appearance is usually in support of others. Example: join us on 11/13 at Simon's in Allen Park to support the PPPRM (Protect Personal Property Rights Michigan). This quasi-political organization is fighting to return more power to us peeps - reverting certain personal rights that have been legislated away from us in Lansing. What rights? Come by and learn! 5 bands, we hit the stage early in this new venue (at least for us). Education and rock - great formula for a grand evening out.



As you can see, something incredibly important for Sweet Crystal is on the horizon. We won't spoil all the details, but in conjunction with the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, Detroit's Doc of Rock and a great line-up of of bands and special guests, we are planning a party that will get your Christmas spirits soaring! Stay tuned and reserve the night.

New Review From Closer To (our) Home

We continue to gather some nice nuggets for "3".
This just in from an Emmy award-winning audio engineer and sound designer here in Michigan

"Your CD (3) is great! The song-writing is powerful. I've listened to it four times start to finish.
I can't remember the last time I did that for a new album."
Kevin Sharp
Owner/Operator
Metro 37 Studios
http://www.myspace.com/metro37studio

Thanks Kevin - looking forward to seeing you at the release party.

2010 Events

Amazing that the year is winding down - so many blessings and events and news to share and reflect upon. Stay tuned, stay standing, stay blessed.

"3" Review from South of the Border

Thanks to Roberto Lupercia who produces ROCK EVOLUCION, a progressive music radio how in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. http://www.myspace.com/rockevolucion. His comments on receiving a copy of "3":

"The CD arrived... I will schedule it for airplay in the next weeks.
I have been (listening to) it during the day, and I found the great elements from 70's and 80's hard rock, prog, classic and pompous rock, excellent !!! I found the copy of "Still Standing" that you send us some years ago for airplay. A great album too."

Thanks Roberto - from your lips to all your listener's ears.

A Beautiful Prayer Resurfaces

Wow... I thought I lost this. I did not write it, but I do want to live it.

BEAUTIFUL PRAYER....

I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;
it isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own! ,
but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.

THIS DAY IS YOURS DON'T THROW IT AWAY

"3" Review from within our borders

Thanks to our first US reviewer of the new "3" CD. We are humbled by the reception to what is a labor of love from the boys in the band. Take a look (and thanks Joe for your kind words):

I listened to the CD 3, straight thru 4 times. What I heard was hard work, sweat, few tears, and true passion for music.
Your band Sweet Crystal is a true talent. The song "Got to get you into my life" sounds like it was nothing but fun to do, and finding a track to put on the cd was tuff. I am loading into my Ipod.
Thank you. One day I will pop in on a gig. Keep it fun and pure from the heart.
Nice collection of work I know it took a lot of time to make a finish package.
Joe Kettler, On Air Talent
WMVG V103.3FM Radio, New Bern, NC
http://www.v1033.com

First International Review of "3"

As the official launch date of "3" approaches (11/02/2010), advanced copies of the disc have made it out into the world already for review and airplay.

Today, we received our first review to be published from our friends at StrutterZine inThe Netherlands.
We will post this soon on our new Sweet Crystal web pages (also coming in November), but in the meantime, here's a peak at what our international listeners are saying. Thanks to Gabor, a long time supporter of all things Crystal.

SWEET CRYSTAL ‘3’ (NIGHTCRIER MUSIC/TATE MUSIC GROUP/USA IMPORT)

Well, well, well, that is a long time ago… the Christian AOR band SWEET CRYSTAL makes a return with a new CD titled ‘3’. In the past we reviewed them a few times and if I remember it well, we even interviewed them. That was about 10+ years ago and now from out of nowhere the band returns with a full-length new CD and gladly musically nothing has changed. The band is still playing pure 1980s AOR with some Pomprock touches, reminding a lot of the last couple of SWEET COMFORT BAND, SERVANT and early ALLIES records, while also JOURNEY/SURVIVOR are clear similarities, but even FAITH NATION, WHITE HEART and early 80s PETRA come to mind when listening to their new album.

That means this is pretty much a dream for the AOR fans out there and I can honestly inform you this album is filled with high class AOR music from start to finish. It contains everything we want to hear in this genre, such as picture perfect clean vocalwork, catchy hooks, memorable melodies, smooth pompous keyboards, melodic guitarwork and a very strong rhythm section. The first 2 songs (“Holding our own” and “By the book”) are 2 great uptempo AOR rockers with a SURVIVOR meets JOURNEY kinda approach.

“Prisoner unbound” takes the band into an epic symphonic Pomprock direction that reminds me a bit of MAGNUM in their finest years. This is a haunting song with some superb arrangements and lovely vocalwork, actually really quite amazing tune we have here! Some URIAH HEEP (JOHN LAWTON era) can be heard during the semi-rocker “Got to get you into my life”, which is a very 1970s type of Classic Rocker, although the song itself is actually a THE BEATLES original! Up next is the beautiful WHITE HEARTish AOR ballad “Warriors” that has some very strong harmonyvocals, partly thanks to guest female singer KATHY OYSTER. Mid 1980s Pomprock meets Symphonic AOR can be heard in the excellent epic midtempo “Lion of Juddah” that sounds like the perfect cross between the later 1980s MAGNUM, GTR and PETRA circa 1984. Both “Another time, another place” and “US, Eternally” take the mid 80s JOURNEY/FORTUNE/SURVIVOR/ASIA highway all the way, so this is pure uptempo AOR, while closing track “The road less travelled” is a nice semi-ballad that sounds a bit like JOHN WETTON and JOHN PAYNE’s ASIA. The other 3 tracks are short instrumentals…

When listening to all these songs it is very clear that SWEET CRYSTAL is an incredible gifted band with a sound that should be heard by any fan of AOR, Pomp or even Symphonic Rock, because the high quality of their songs is remarkable and sometimes sounding as if they were classics made in the golden years of this genre (the 1980s). Mix up all the mentioned bands and you have SWEET CRYSTAL, must-have for any AOR fan out there. Togther with an excellent production, this CDR should be checked out asap at: www.sweetcrystal.com

From my good friend Russ Barnett - a timely reminder of a great upcoming event (featuring yours truly):

Hey everyone, just a reminder, only 7 weeks to go.

The 4th annual Michigan Vet Fest Free Benefit Concert / and Cruisin' Michigan Ave is getting closer.

Sat July 10, 10:00 A.M. until midnight
The Elks Club #1945 25000 Michigan Ave
Dearborn, Michigan
At least 15 bands on 2 stages, headlined by Salem Witchcraft and Frijid Pink!
Also featuring Sweet Crystal, The Lemon James Band, Groovedog, Curtice/Markley, Vince Smith, Banned From E.a.r.t.h. and many more!

There will be a one time only appearance by The Jim Haywood Tribute Band
Vendors, prizes, raffles, special guests, classic cars, motorcycles and more
100 % of all donations will go directly to the Veterans Haven in Wayne, Michigan www.vetshaveninfo.org http://www.vetshaveninfo.org>

http://www.myspace.com/vetfest>
We need your support now more than ever. Times are tough, but our veterans who have done so much for us still need help.
Please feel free to pass this info around. Tell your friends, family , and everyone you know.
Hope to see you there!
Thanks!
Russ
Regards,
Russ Barnett

You can make a tax deductible donation to Veteran's Haven all year around.
Tell them we sent you!
Veteran's Haven 4924 S.Wayne Rd
Wayne, Michigan 48184 734 728 0527

A story timeless

I did not write this but it touched my heart...

A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside.

"Your son is here," she said to the old man.

She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened.

Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw

the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent.. He reached

out his hand.The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old

man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.

The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the

Bed .

All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly

lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love

and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move

away and rest awhile.

He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was

oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking

of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging

greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients..

Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said

nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.

Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now

lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she

did what she had to do, he waited.

Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the

Marine interrupted her.

"Who was that man?" he asked.

The nurse was startled, "He was your father," she answered.

"No, he wasn't," the Marine replied. "I never saw him before in my

life.."

"Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?"

"I knew right away there had been a mistake,

but I also knew he needed his son, and his

son just wasn't here.

When I realized that he was too sick to tell

whether or not I was his son,

knowing how much he needed me, I stayed."

I came here tonight to find a Mr. William Grey. His Son was Killed in Iraq

today, and I was sent to inform him. What was this

Gentleman's Name?

The Nurse with Tears in

Her Eyes Answered,

Mr. William Grey.............

The next time someone needs you ....... just be there. Stay.

**************

WE ARE NOT HUMAN BEINGS GOING THROUGH A

TEMPORARY SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.

WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY HUMAN EXPERIENCE.