Crosses (band)

Crosses
Also known as†††
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active2011–present
Labels
Members
Past membersChuck Doom

Crosses (usually stylized as †††) is an American musical side project of Deftones singer Chino Moreno and Far guitarist Shaun Lopez, based in Los Angeles, California,[1] and formed in 2011.

History

[edit]

Debut EPs and self-titled release (2011–2014)

[edit]

Having recorded together previously,[2] Deftones singer Chino Moreno began recording with childhood friend and neighbor Shaun Lopez of the band Far, as well as Chuck Doom.[2] Moreno described the project as "minimal and soothing and it's sort of like the stuff I like listening to when I'm not screaming my head off."[2] With a tentative title of Crosses as the name of the project, they began recording for over four hours a day, completing nearly 16 songs with plans to self-release a series of EPs.[2]

Recorded at Airport Studios in Los Angeles, California,[3] their debut EP was released for free on August 2, 2011,[1][4][5] with a higher quality version made available for purchase on their website.[5] Duff McKagan, of Velvet Revolver and Loaded, contributed additional bass to the song "This Is a Trick" while Chris Robyn of Far performed live drums on the EP. Dino Campanella of the rock band Dredg has also worked as a live drummer for the band.[6]

Crosses contributed a previously unreleased song titled "The Years" to the Batman: Arkham City – The Album, the soundtrack to the game of the same name. It was also featured in the game's Joker trailer.[7]

A second EP from Crosses was released on January 24, 2012.

In 2012, Crosses played the Lollapalooza Chile festival[8] as well as the Quilmes Rock festival.[9]

Crosses released a vinyl single, including the tracks "Option" and "Telepathy" from their first two EPs, for Record Store Day 2012.[10] The band also released an official remix of the Rob Zombie song, "Dragula", appearing on Zombie's 2012 album Mondo Sex Head.

At the end of 2012, "Telepathy" appeared on the soundtrack for video game Need for Speed: Most Wanted.

A postulated third Crosses EP was not released, and Moreno put Crosses temporarily on hold while he concluded work with Deftones (the album Koi No Yokan, issued in November 2012) and another side project, Palms, with ex-members of Isis (releasing their debut album, Palms, in June 2013).[11]

In September 2013, Crosses signed with Sumerian Records.[12]

In October 2013, Crosses announced that a full-length album was set to be released on November 26, 2013 through Sumerian, and also posted the new track "The Epilogue" online for streaming.[13] On November 25, the day before the intended release date, the new track "Bitches Brew" was posted online for streaming with an accompanying music video directed by Raul Gonzo,[14] with the announcement that the album would be released on February 11, 2014.[15] Crosses' eponymous debut contains remastered versions of all songs from the previous two EPs as well as five new tracks (essentially, what would have been EP 3). The track order intermingles new tracks and songs from both EPs.

On April 19, 2014, for Record Store Day, Crosses reissued the first two EPs as well as EP 3, all on colored 10-inch vinyl.[16]

In 2014, Crosses appeared as part of the Australian music festival Soundwave, followed by a US spring tour.

New material and Permanent Radiant (2020–2022)

[edit]

On December 24, 2020, Crosses released a cover of Cause and Effect's "The Beginning of the End", marking the first release from the band since 2014. Exactly one year later on December 24, 2021, Crosses released a cover of Q Lazzarus's song "Goodbye Horses". With the release of "Goodbye Horses" came the announcement that Crosses had signed a world-wide record deal with Warner Records with new music arriving in early 2022.[17]

On March 18, 2022, Crosses released a double single called "Initiation/Protection", followed in October by "Day One/Vivien". After the launch of the "Vivien" music video, the duo announced the EP Permanent Radiant that was released on December 9, 2022.

On December 23, 2022, Crosses released a cover of George Michael's "One More Try". This would be the third cover to follow their release date pattern of Dec 23-24

Goodnight, God Bless, I Love U, Delete. (2023–present)

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On August 4, 2023, Crosses announced that their second full length studio album Goodnight, God Bless, I Love U, Delete. would be released October 13, 2023, on Warner Records. This marks the band's first album with a major label; the same label that Chino Moreno's band Deftones is signed to. The lead single, "Invisible Hand", was released the same day with a music video.

In October 2023, they announced their "Familiar World Tour",[18] as well as doing a few international shows opening for with Avenged Sevenfold.[19]

Style

[edit]

The musical style of Crosses is often referred to as electronic,[20][21] electronic rock,[22] dark wave or dark pop,[23][24] dream pop[25] or witch house.[26][27][28] However, Carson O'Shoney of Consequence of Sound and Daniel Brockman of The Boston Phoenix note that Crosses only shares a resemblance to witch house in aesthetics and imagery, and not the group's actual music.[29][30] O'Shoney said that Crosses' witch house influence is "noticeable just by looking at the tracklist—every song has at least one † in it. The name of the band is †††. The name of the EP is †. Everything about the EP points to witch house—until you listen to the actual music."[29] The group's decision to use this imagery stems from Chino Moreno's interest in the art and mystique around religion. Moreno however also said, "I didn't want people to think we are a religious band, a satanic band or that we are a witch-house band. It's difficult using a religious symbol, but at the same time, I think in an artistic way, it can totally go somewhere else and I think we are kind of walking that line."[28]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[31]
AUS
[32]
Crosses 26 43
Goodnight, God Bless, I Love U, Delete. 139

Extended plays

[edit]
List of extended plays, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
Heat

[31]
EP 1
  • Released: August 2, 2011
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download, 10"
EP 2
  • Released: January 24, 2012
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download, 10"
8
EP 3
  • Released: April 19, 2014
  • Label: Sumerian
  • Formats: 10"
Daytrotter Session - Mar 30, 2014[34][35]
  • Released: April 15, 2014
  • Label: Daytrotter
  • Formats: Digital download
Permanent Radiant
  • Released: December 9, 2022
  • Label: Warner
  • Formats: CD, 12" digital download
Permanent Radiant Remixed
  • Released: July 7, 2023
  • Label: Warner
  • Formats: digital download
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

[edit]
List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Alt.

[36]
US
Main.
"Option" / "Telepathy"[37] 2012 EP 1 / Crosses
"The Epilogue"[38] 2013 27 40 Crosses
"The Beginning of the End" (originally by Cause and Effect) 2020 Non-album singles
"Goodbye Horses" (originally by Q Lazzarus) 2021
"Initiation" / "Protection" 2022
"Day One" / "Vivien" Permanent Radiant
"Sensation"
"One More Try" (originally by George Michael) Non-album single
"Invisible Hand" 2023 27 Goodnight, God Bless, I Love U, Delete.
"Light as a Feather"
"Big Youth" (featuring El-P)
"Pulseplagg" 2024
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Music videos

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List of music videos, showing year released and directors
Title Year Director(s)
"Bitches Brew" 2013 Raul Gonzo[14]
"The Epilogue" 2014
"Initiation" 2022 Lorenzo Diego Carrera
"Protection" Lorenzo Diego Carrera
"Vivien" Shaun Lopez and Lorenzo Diego Carrera
"Sensation"
"Holier"
"Invisible Hand" 2023
"Light as a Feather"
"Big Youth" 2024 Un­known

Compilation contributions

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Title Year Album
"The Years"[39] 2011 Batman: Arkham City – The Album
"Dragula" (Crosses Remix)[40] 2012 Mondo Sex Head
"Tunnel Lights (Crosses Remix)"[41] 2024 Undone EP

References

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  1. ^ a b "Crosses offer free downloadable digital EP". Kill Your Stereo. August 2, 2011. Archived from the original on April 6, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d Wiederhorn, Jon (March 30, 2011). "Deftones Frontman Excited for Tour, 'Covers' Album, New Side Project". Noisecreep. AOL. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  3. ^ EP 1 (digital booklet). Crosses. 2011.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ^ Adams, Sean (August 2, 2011). "Download: Deftones' Chino Moreno & Shaun Lopez from Far release free Crosses EP". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Deftones / Far Sideproject Release Free EP". Rock Sound. August 2, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  6. ^ Vince, Neilstein. "How Come You Didn't Tell Me Dino Campanella was Playing Drums for ††† (Crosses)???". MetalSucks. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
  7. ^ Heisel, Scott (September 6, 2011). "Panic! At the Disco, Coheed and Cambria, Blaqk Audio on Batman: Arkham City soundtrack". Alternative Press. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
  8. ^ "Lollapalooza Chile 2012 Lineup". Lineup.lollapaloozacl.com. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  9. ^ "†††. Live 2012. Argen†ina". Crossesmusic.com. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  10. ^ "Record Store Day - April 21, 2012". Strictly Discs. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  11. ^ "Interview: Chino Moreno (Deftones)". YouTube. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  12. ^ Brian Kraus. "††† (Crosses, members of Deftones and Far) join the Sumerian Records roster". Alternative Press. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  13. ^ Kraus, Brian (October 5, 2013). "††† (Crosses, members of Deftones and Far on Sumerian Records) stream new single, '†he epilogue'". Alternative Press. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  14. ^ a b Muller, Marissa (November 25, 2013). "††† (Crosses) Conjure Up Ghosts in 'Bi†ches Brew'". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Archived from the original on November 28, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  15. ^ Martins, Chris (November 5, 2013). "Stream Crosses' 'Bitches Brew,' Electronic Doom From Deftones' Chino Moreno". Spin. Spin Media. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  16. ^ "Lucky Witness: Crosses (†††) to Release Record Store Day 2014 Exclusive Vinyls". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  17. ^ Doria, Matt (December 24, 2021). "††† (Crosses) return with dizzying cover of Q Lazzarus' 'Goodbye Horses'". NME. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  18. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  19. ^ "Avenged Sevenfold announce European headline dates with †††…". Kerrang!. January 22, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  20. ^ Negrete, Guillermo (August 5, 2011). "Deftones' Chino Moreno Premieres Side Project 'Crosses' With New Free EP". KROQ. CBS Radio. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  21. ^ Warner, Brett (August 2, 2011). "Deftones Singer Chino Moreno Unveils New Side Project, Crosses †††". Ology. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  22. ^ "Chino Moreno Discusses New ††† (Crosses) Project Before SF Shows". Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  23. ^ Haynes, Gavin (April 14, 2016). "Deftones: 'It took a tragedy for us to really reconnect'". The Guardian. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  24. ^ Jones, Cat. "Extended Q&A: Crosses' Chino Moreno". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on April 16, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  25. ^ Heaney, Gregory. "+++ - (Crosses) +++". Allmusic. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  26. ^ Galil, Leor (December 13, 2011). "The Best Free Albums of 2011". Forbes. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
  27. ^ Breihan, Tom (August 2, 2011). "Deftones Dude Has a Witch House Project". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
  28. ^ a b Pettigrew, Jason (November 7, 2011). "Interview: Crosses' Chino Moreno and Shaun Lopez open up about their elusive band". Alternative Press. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
  29. ^ a b O'Shoney, Carson (August 21, 2011). "Review: EP1". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
  30. ^ Brockman, Daniel (February 28, 2012). "Review: EP2". The Boston Phoenix. Phoenix Media/Communications Group. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
  31. ^ a b "Crosses Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  32. ^ "Discography Crosses". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  33. ^ Bloom, Madison (August 4, 2023). "Chino Moreno's ††† (Crosses) Announce New Album, Share Video for New Song: Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  34. ^ "††† – Daytrotter Session (2014, 320 kbps, File) - Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  35. ^ "††† (Crosses) – Daytrotter Session - Mar 30, 2014 - Paste Magazine". Paste Magazine. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  36. ^
  37. ^ Korbel, Meaghann (April 20, 2012). "Alarm's guide to Record Store Day 2012". Alarm. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  38. ^ "The Epilogue - Crosses". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  39. ^ Kaye, Ben (September 27, 2011). "Check Out: ††† (Crosses) – 'The Years' (CoS Premiere)". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  40. ^ "Rob Zombie's Mondo Sex Head". Yahoo! Finance. Marketwire. June 19, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  41. ^ Gregory, Allie (August 2, 2024). "Chelsea Wolfe Gets Full of Hell, ††† (Crosses), Boy Harsher for Undone EP". Exclaim!. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
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