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.”