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.