by Alexandra Mrozowska
— Senior Columnist —
2020’s contribution to the music jargon are terms such as a “quarantine jam” and a “lockdown video”. One of them was a cover version of a Led Zeppelin’s classic “Immigrant Song” recorded by the British guitarist Micky Crystal with (more than) a little help of his friends – Dino Jelusick (Animal Drive, Dirty Shirley, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) on vocals, Colin Parkinson (ex-Inglorious) on bass, Kyle Hughes (Bumblefoot) on drums, guest solos provided by Ivan Keller (Animal Drive) & Jordan Ziff (Ratt). But it wasn’t the first time Micky Crystal has caught everyone’s attention this year, as in April he made the headlines leaving the UK NWOBHM legends Tygers Of Pan Tang after seven-year stint. Hardrock Haven caught up with Micky to find out more about both as well as discuss joys and challenges of music teaching.
Hardrock Haven: How did you get in touch with each of guys who took part in the “Immigrant Song” lockdown video? What was the feedback and what’s prompted the choice of one of Led Zeppelin’s staple songs?
Micky Crystal: Kyle [Hughes] and I have toured together a lot so it was natural for us to work together on this video. He introduced Dino and myself. We discussed who could play bass and I suggested Colin Parkinson who turned out to be a mutual friend. Jordan [Ziff] was suggested by Dino and Ivan [Keller] plays with Dino in Animal Drive so it all came together very organically. And to be honest, we didn’t really over think it. We came up with an arrangement and wanted to combine Led Zeppelin’s studio and live version. The feedback has been great and exceeded any expectations that I had.
What else were you up to during the lockdown?
Micky Crystal: I’ve spent a lot of time learning how to mix and master. I’ve done some demos for some guitar companies and have a new lesson package in the works which I’m excited about.
Probably you were asked about it way too many times already, but why did you leave Tygers Of Pan Tang after a seven-year stint earlier this year? And still, was your tenure in the band a valuable experience?
Micky Crystal: To be honest, it just got to a point where I was no longer happy in that camp. The democratic side of the band disappeared and it was time to move on. But at the same time, I learnt a lot and grew a lot as a person. I was 24 when I joined and left at 31. I was heavily involved in the creative process and while the self-titled album was more of a band effort, the latest album Ritual for me was when the cracks really started to appear. I felt along with a few other band members I was doing the lion’s share of the work while others contributed very little. It certainly wasn’t a band effort.
Hardrock Haven: With a band changing their line-up as often as Tygers Of Pan Tang do, you must have been compared to the group’s previous guitarists, probably most often to John Sykes…
Micky Crystal: When I joined the band I expected the comparisons with Sykes because of what he went on to achieve as a musician and a guitar player. My knowledge of the band prior to being involved was of the history with him. I was fine with the comparison, it comes with the territory of joining a legacy type of band that you’re going to be compared to who and what has come before. The feedback I received was generally positive so I appreciate the fans for welcoming me in.
Hardrock Haven: In your official announcement of your departure from the band, you’ve mentioned it being a starting point to “a new chapter and new goals”. Do you have any specific plans regarding that?
Micky Crystal: Yeah I’ve been working on a home studio setup so I can film, record and do sessions. I’m aiming to get more lesson packages out and do more demo work too. Touring is on hold at the moment due to the lockdown so I think it’s important to try and stay as creative as possible.
Hardrock Haven: Speaking of touring, you’ve also been a part of Marco Mendoza’s Viva La Rock tour. How did you hook up with Marco and did you enjoy the experience?
Micky Crystal: Absolutely, I love playing with Marco. I met him at a NAMM show in LA. We got talking and have some mutual friends, we ended up jamming together and from that I got the offer to tour with him. Touring with Marco is a great experience and I’ve learnt a lot from him, how can you not, he has a such a wealth of experience and in so many different styles too.
Hardrock Haven: Most people associate you with Rock/Metal, but for example your participation in Steve Ireland’s Tipping Point EP was a whole different story genre-wise. Do you feel equally comfortable in different kinds of music?
Micky Crystal: Yeah I’m happy playing other genres but I don’t really consider myself a Metal player at all to be honest. I see myself as a Rock/Blues player who tries to incorporate other styles. I’m a huge fan of Fusion players like Scott Henderson and Frank Gambale so would try and integrate those influences into my Rock and Blues playing.
Hardrock Haven: You’re also a music educator. What do you think is the most rewarding part of teaching?
Micky Crystal: I think seeing students have those lightbulb moments where a concept you’ve been working on with them clicks and makes sense so they can run with it and come up with their own ideas is always rewarding.
Hardrock Haven: What kind of personality an ideal teacher – teaching music or any other subject – should have?
Micky Crystal: Patience and understanding what the student’s goals are. I had a lightbulb moment early in my teaching career when realising not everyone has the same goals regarding music and playing the guitar. I had in my head that everyone would have the same goals as me but that was me being a naive 18-year-old (laughs). I think understanding that and catering to people’s goals where possible is incredibly important. Getting results is important and not trying to show off what you can do as a musician or trying to confuse people with unnecessary information. Making it easy to understand and digestible is important. I think players like Paul Gilbert and Guthrie Govan are incredible examples of breaking down concepts and making them very easy to understand.
Hardrock Haven: Generally, you offer guitar lessons in person as well as on Skype. With all the current discussions about pros and cons of online teaching, do you think it’s as effective as meeting face to face with a student?
Micky Crystal: I’ve found online lessons to be effective when it’s one to one as I think sometimes people feel more relaxed when they’re at home. As a teacher you have to be more precise with any command like fret numbers and which fingers to use etc etc. I’ve been teaching some classes during lockdown too and they can be a little more tricky but I think as long as you double check that the students are following the material being studied then it’s ok.
Hardrock Haven: As an educator, you equal technical skills with what you call “the understanding of performing in front of the audience”. Do you think one can be actually taught how to perform successfully, or is there a certain amount of natural charisma required?
Micky Crystal: Yeah I think it can be taught, I think just in the way that you would study Jimi Hendrix guitar playing you can study his stage performance and learn from that. I was incredibly shy when I first started playing live but I think a combination of teaching and gigging helped build my confidence.
Hardrock Haven: Obviously you didn’t have as many tools and options to learn the guitar as the kids today, so what was your experience as a learner like?
Micky Crystal: I would listen to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix and lots of Blues albums to try and figure out what they were doing and jam along with them. I would get books and guitar magazines with transcriptions and learn from those too. In a way, I think it was good as it held my attention and worked on my ear more than just watching someone play something and repeating, not that there’s anything wrong with that but I feel you’re not working on your ear as much.
Hardrock Haven: What kind of gear do you use when touring and recording? Do you use variety of effects or keep your guitar setup mostly basic?
Micky Crystal: For recording I’m using a Suhr Reactive Load Box with Impulse Response’s so I can use my amps. I’ve got a few different amps I record with, a Victory V130 Super Countess, Victory Sheriff and a Bogner Shiva. I can cover a lot of tones with those amps. As far as effects go, I’m really liking the SoundToys Plugins at the minute particularly the delays and reverbs. For touring, you generally have to travel light so I have a compact pedal board with some essentials that will get me through the gig regardless of what amp shows up, a tuner, drive pedal, boost and a delay.
Hardrock Haven: Is there anything you’d like to add in the end?
Micky Crystal: Thanks so much for the interview!
Visit Micky Crystal online: https://www.facebook.com/MickyCrystalOfficial/
Photo credit Les Deux Pieds Dans La Fosse.
Very good interview.