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Interview with Sweet Crystal's MarQ Andrew Speck

How would you describe your music to any person who may have never heard it before?

Thanks for having us! I’m MarQ Andrew Speck (Q), lead vocalist and keyboard player for the 26-time Detroit Music Award-winning band Sweet Crystal. Along with founding members guitarist Bill Blatter and drummer Steve Wieser, and now joined by newest member and bass player Martin Kuchar, we have been at the forefront of the Christian rock scene here in Michigan, even before this genre had its own radio and broadcast outlets.


Four musicians performing on stage: a keyboardist, guitarist, drummer, and bassist. Bright lights and vibrant colors. Website and names shown.

What's the significance of your musical moniker?

Our trademarked slogan - Reaching The World, One Song At A Time™  - pretty much says it all about our music, message, mission and ministry: we are here to reach out to a world with songs of hope and inspiration that rock! What's the significance of your band's band?

The name of the band, Sweet Crystal, reflects the message of our music and mission, referring to passages in the Book of Revelation that describe a river of sweet water flowing out from the throne of God, clear as crystal. Sounded like an amazing sight to see and place to be…so we adopted it and never looked back!


What are your musical influences?


We started out totally influenced by the progressive rock English music scene of the ’60s and ’70s: bands like Pink Floyd, Yes, Genesis, Atomic Rooster, and Uriah Heep all left their musical marks on our writing and playing. In the 70’s, we started listened to a lot of American bands like Kansas, Journey, Rush and Spock’s Beard to keep our creative juices flowing.


What are your musical inspirations?


Being a Christian progressive rock band, of course, the Bible is a huge inspiration for lyrics and themes, but more than that, we try and write songs that offer hope, inspiration and always a light at the end of every dark tunnel in life. Chances are, whatever the listener is going through, one of us has also struggled with it as well, If we can point them in the same direction that got us through, maybe that will be all they need to triumph as well.


If given the chance, what musician(s) would you like to collaborate with? Rather, this is to either write a song or be featured on a track.


We think our music would be a great fit for producer/superstar Alan Parsons to work with. His signature sounds and musical styling (think “Dark Side Of The Moon”) would make any and every Sweet Crystal song that much…you know, sweeter!


What's the new single about?


‘This Way Forever (Pearl Sound Remix) is a re-imagining of the story of the Prodigal Son in the Bible, but from the prodigal’s point of view. The song features the signature guitar and keyboard arrangements the band is well known for, as well as an overall message of hope and encouragement.


What's something you hope people take away from the new single?


It seems to us that it’s just too easy these days to walk away from a situation, a person, even from God, without realizing the consequences of that action until later down the road. We want to encourage listeners to look before they leap, in a manner of speaking.


What did you allow yourself to do creatively for this song that you haven’t in the past?


The song ‘This Way Forever (Pearl Sound Remix)’ is a tune previously released but has been rerecorded and remixed in collaboration once again with award-winning mixer/engineer Chuck Alkazian (Christina Aguilera, Mitch Ryder, Pop Evil) at both Pearl Sound Studios and Nightcrier Studios.


When you find yourself in a creative rut, what do you usually turn to? Any habits, environments or even non- musical sources that help you reconnect with your creativity?


Actually, we are very prolific as a band. We still get together almost every weekend to work on new songs, rehearse the live show…whatever. We have hundreds of hours of older ideas recorded during these studio sessions from over the decades, so we have plenty of licks and jams to go back to if we are ever stuck in a rut… but we rarely are in need of inspiration. We inspire each other even after all these years together.


Do you have any favourite songs to perform live? Could be your own music or even a cover. Any reason why?


As a band, we have a love and affiliation with the men and women of the Armed Services. When we perform live, we always acknowledge the veterans and families of vets before we play our patriotic salute to them with our song ‘Warriors’ (from our ‘III’ CD)…and when we finish, to see the tears in the eyes of the audience who feel like we do…that is a moment that helps us realize the path we’re taking musically is exactly where we are meant to be. A reoccurring epiphany indeed.


If you could perform a show this very second anywhere in the world, where would it be?


Would love to travel to the UK – just to visit that part of the world that was so instrumental in influencing our sound right from the beginning… how cool to play there after all these years?


Is there any particular venue(s) or city/cities that comes to mind?


No…but another thought is that everyone in the band is of German descent…maybe a pub crawl through Germany might also be an interesting addition to our musical journey!


What do you currently have planned for the remainder of the year?


Booking shows and benefit concerts to play again as we all get back to normal. More new songs are being recorded for our next release ‘8’, this time around featuring more lead vocals from our guitarist Bill.


One more single, ‘Original Sin’, coming out before the full release that should keep our brand and message alive across the web! We don’t chase current mainstream music trends but will stay true to our progressive arena rock beginnings and inspirational themes. The songs will be new and fresh, but the sound will remain classic Crystal, which our fans appreciate.


Basically, we plan to remain exactly who we are for as long as can.


If your music was a type of food, what would it be and why?


We once had a local ice cream shop create a flavour of ice cream exactly as we requested for a contest named ‘Sweet Crystal Rocks’! Butter pecan ice cream with caramel swirls and rock candy nuggets scattered throughout. Tasty and very sweet – that’s our music to a T!


What's the funniest thing that's ever happened to you while performing?


The band was once booked at a rowdy country bar (unknown to us at the time) where the stage was behind a wire mesh barrier. Why? Because the patrons had a nightly ritual of throwing drinks and bottles at the band, even if they loved them. A definite unnerving experience worthy of Spinal Tap!


What's the most random thing that has ever inspired you to write a song?


Take a listen to ‘Heaven’s Call’ from our 7th Heaven release. Written in the space of 30 minutes when we heard about a very dear friend and supporter passing away from Covid (fine on Friday, feeling bad on Saturday, on to heaven on Sunday). Kicked us in the gut. Beautiful song, lousy reason to write it.


Thanks for the time today, Q. Is there anything else you may want to add that I didn't cover before you go?


We hope that the music, message and words we sing will make a difference in the lives of everyone who hears them. Our music is about us, but it’s also about you. We hope someone who hears our music – or attends a Sweet Crystal show – to come away feeling better about themselves, knowing that whatever they are dealing with, chances are we’ve dealt with it as well.

Follow Sweet Crystal: WEBSITE: www.sweetcrystal.com

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