Hot Cross was a post-hardcore band from Philadelphia.[1] They were signed to Hope Division Records and Equal Vision Records. The band was composed of former members of such bands as Saetia (vocalist Billy Werner and drummer Greg Drudy, who was also a founding member and the original drummer of post-punkers Interpol), Off Minor (bassist/guitarist Matt Smith), You and I (guitarist Casey Boland), Neil Perry, The Now and Joshua fit for Battle (bassist/guitarist Josh Jakubowski).[2]
Hot Cross | |
|---|---|
 Werner and Hot Cross at the Cake Shop in NYC | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | Post-hardcore, hardcore punk |
| Years active | 2000–2007 |
| Labels | Level Plane, Equal Vision |
| Members | Billy Werner Greg Drudy Matt Smith Casey Boland Josh Jakubowski |
| Website | hotcross |
Style
editTheir songs are composed of intricate (and in the beginning of their career, dueling) guitars heavily influenced by Drive Like Jehu. They initially signed with Level Plane in 2003.[1]
History
editHot Cross formed in 2000. They released their debut EP A New Set of Lungs in 2001. They released their debut album Cryonics in 2003. They released their second full-length album Risk Revival in 2007. They released their second EP Fair Trades & Farewells in 2004.[citation needed]
On May 2, 2006, Hot Cross announced that they had signed to Hope Division/Equal Vision Records and would be releasing their next full length on this label.[citation needed]
On August 10, 2006, the band announced on their website that they would be re-recording their CD originally recorded by Mike Hill. The album was recorded by former Hot Cross member Josh Jakubowski.
On July 7, 2007, the band announced on their MySpace that they were "indefinitely inactive," effectively ending their 7 years together and cutting their 2007 tour short.[3]
Bassist Matt Smith is currently involved with a project called Halo of Snakes. They are scheduled to release a record on Harvcore.[citation needed] Casey Boland and Josh Jakubowski began a new project called Vista Rhymes.[4] Their first album VR:1 was made available via streaming in 2022.[citation needed]
Members
edit- Billy Werner – lead vocals
- Josh Jakubowski – guitar, vocals
- Casey Boland – guitar, vocals
- Matt Smith – bass
- Greg Drudy – drums
Discography
editStudio albums
edit- Cryonics (2003)
- Risk Revival (2007)
EPs
edit- A New Set of Lungs (2001)
- Fair Trades & Farewells (2004)
Splits
edit- Split with Light the Fuse and Run (2003) (Songs: 1. "The Eye Is A Tricky Machine", 2. "In Memory Of Movern")
- Split with Lickgoldensky (2004) (Songs: 1. "A Voice Turned Vacant", 2. "Patience And Prudence")
- Split with The Holy Shroud (2005) (Songs: 1. "Tacoma")
References
edit- ^ a b "Hot Cross | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ McElligatt, Colin (2 February 2010). "Hot Cross - Cryonics - Review - Stylus Magazine". Archived from the original on 2010-02-02. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ MySpace.com - Hot Cross - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Hardcore / Punk / Rock - www.myspace.com/hotcross Archived 2007-03-22 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ https://vistarhymes.bandcamp.com/album/vr-1 Vista Rhymes
External links
edit- Official site
- Allmusic
- Interview with Billy from 2011 about post-Hot Cross life
- Interview with Billy shortly before the release of CryonicsArchived February 20, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- An interview with Billy from Hot Cross from Under the Volcano issue 96 Archived 2014-02-22 at the Wayback Machine
- Hot Cross lyrics
- Hot Cross Interview at REDEFINE Magazine, March 2007
- Billy Werner talks about Hot Cross, Risk Revival, Saetia with Punknews.org