Hot Cross: Pick Up, ProceedHot Cross: Pick Up, Proceed
While Hot Cross often gets slapped with the "ex-members of" label, it's clearly time to stop romanticizing the past. With no signs of slowing down, this group has lasted longer and progressed more than the members' late-'90s efforts -- Saetia, You and I. Yet those bands still hang on to the hearts of many, myself included. Call it nostalgia. But let's focus on the present.
Intricate guitar lines, sing-speak vocals and driving rhythms. 2004's Fair Trades & Farewells EP was an exceptional teaser, barely clocking in at 17 minutes. The three-year wait for a follow-up full length can seem like a lifetime. But if the rough 2005 demos on the band's MySpace are any indication, Risk Revival should defy expectations. Here's hoping Hot Cross gets more of the attention they deserve in 2007. They've no doubt paid their dues.
Doing it themselves
- Drummer Greg Drudy runs Level Plane Records, which put out all the Hot Cross releases before the band got signed to Equal Vision Records earlier this year.
- Bassist Matt Smith has designed most of their album artwork and merchandise.
- Ex-guitarist Josh Jakubowsky owns Cannon Road Studio, where he recorded the Fair Trades & Farewells EP. He parted ways with Hot Cross because his schedule as a recording engineer got in the way of extensive touring. And when the band was unsatisfied with the way their new full-length (and EVR debut) sounded, they went to Josh to re-record it. Expect a February 2007 release date.
The Fest V Performance:
Saturday, Oct. 28, 6:30 @ the Atlantic w/ Ampere, Das Oath, Planes Mistaken For Stars, Haram
Other upcoming shows:
(w/ Ampere, Das Oath)
Oct. 27 @ Yo Yo Gallery in Atlanta, GA
Oct. 29 @ Lunchbox Records in Charlotte, NC
Oct. 30 @ Warehouse Next Door in Washington D.C.
Photo credit: Hot Cross by Adam Elewa
