Santa Cruz (band)

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Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz in 2012
Santa Cruz in 2012
Background information
OriginHelsinki, Finland
GenresGlam metal, heavy metal, hard rock, metalcore
Years active2007–2021
LabelsSpinefarm (2012–2015)
M-Theory Audio (2015–2021)
Young 'N' Restless Records (2021)
Associated actsThe Local Band, Sebastian Bach
Websitesantacruzbandofficial.com
MembersArchie Cruz
Toxy London
Past membersLeo Stillman
Tomi Pulkkinen
Joonas Parkkonen
Middy Toivonen
Taz Fagerström
Jordan Marshall
Brody DeRozie
Crispy Borell
Thomas Hewson
Pav Popov
Ero Lamberg
Joe Perez

Santa Cruz was a Finnish hard rock band formed in 2007 in Helsinki by Archie Cruz and Johnny Parkkonen. The band's music has appeared in TV commercials for Mercedes-Benz[1] and in sports compilations on ESPN.[2]

Vocalist and guitarist Archie Cruz has appeared in "The Local Band" lineup with Alexi Laiho (of Children of Bodom), Olli Herman (of Reckless Love) and Jussi 69 (of the 69 Eyes).[3]

History[]

Formation and demos (2007–2013)[]

Arttu Kuosmanen and Joonas Parkkonen formed Santa Cruz in 2007, with bassist Mitja Toivonen joining in 2008. The band released two demos in 2008–2009.[4] After changing a number of temporary drummers,[5] they settled for a full-time drummer, Taz Fagerström in 2009, becoming a four-member band.[6] The band released a self-released EP of six songs titled Anthems for the Young 'n' Restless, which helped them get signed with Finnish record label Spinefarm Records in 2012[7]

Screaming for Adrenaline (2013–2015)[]

The band released their first studio album Screaming for Adrenaline in April 2013.[8] The album reached No. 27 on the Finnish album chart.[9] The band had live shows in England, Belgium, and Germany in 2013.[10]

Santa Cruz and "Skydiving Without a Parachute" (2015–2016)[]

Their eponymous second album Santa Cruz was released in March 2015. The album featured a heavier sound than the previous and the band has described its sound as "glamcore". The album debuted as No. 3 on Finnish album chart.[9] In 2015, the band made a European tour of 27 gigs.[2] In 2016, the band toured with Sebastian Bach in the U.S.[11][12] In June 2016, Santa Cruz released the single "Sky Diving Without A Parachute".

"Drag Me Down" and Bad Blood Rising (2016–2017)[]

In late 2016, the band released a cover of One Direction’s "Drag Me Down". The band released their third album, Bad Blood Rising in November 2017, featuring the singles “River Phoenix” and “Young Blood Rising.”

Lineup changes and Katharsis (2018–2019)[]

On 18 March 2018, the band, through their social media accounts, announced the cancellation of their upcoming U.S. tour as well as the departure of Johnny, Middy (Who would later join Alexi Laiho’s new and final band Bodom After Midnight) and Taz, leaving Archie as the sole original member of the band.[13]

On 16 April 2018, Brody DeRozie was announced as the band's new guitarist, however on 22 May 2018, Brody announced his departure from Santa Cruz.[14]

On 7 July 2018, Archie posted a video on his YouTube channel, featuring new Santa Cruz guitarist, Pav Cruz.[15] While no official announcement was made, it is believed that both Crispy Cruz, and Bones Cruz were the bassists in the band during late 2018, and early 2019, respectively. On 3 August 2018, Jordan Marshall was announced as the band's new drummer, however on 31 January 2019 Jordan left the band, three days into tour rehearsal.

In early 2019, drummer Toxy Cruz, and bassist Ero Cruz were announced as the band's new rhythm section, rounding out the new lineup. This lineup would go on to play a few European shows and a small Latin American tour.

On 22 September 2019, the band issued a statement that guitarist Pav Cruz would not be joining them on their upcoming US tour due to "immigration issues", and that guitarist Joe Perez would be filling in. Pav released his own statement shortly after, clarifying that he was leaving the band permanently, and that it was due to his own personal choice, and had nothing to do with any immigration issues.

The band released their fourth album, Katharsis, in October 2019, which features lead vocalist Archie Cruz, and producer Kane Churko on all instruments.

Archie Cruz's rehab and band line-up changes & Moonchild (2020–present)[]

On 2 May 2020, following a tumultuous break-up with Archie's fiancé, he left California and headed back to his native Finland throwing plans for Santa Cruz up in the air while Archie dealt with his personal issues. Ero Cruz and others left the band, leaving the future line-up and planning for Santa Cruz uncertain.

On 29 May 2020, Archie Cruz announced on Instagram that he had successfully completed a rehab program.

During mid-2020, Archie was accepted as a cast member/participant of the reality TV show Survivor Finland ("Selviytyjät Suomi") due to air in Finland February 2021. After the filming of Survivor Finland, Archie has been writing and recording new music during October / November at Crehate Studios in Gothenburg Sweden.

With new management in place plus a team of American and Swedish Producers / Co-writers Archie continues to compile material for and negotiating a new album expected out 2021.

In January 2021, Archie Cruz announced the upcoming release of his new single, "Moonchild", and stated that he and Toxy were the only current official members of Santa Cruz. The single was released on 19 February 2021 on all major music platforms, with a music video being released on YouTube simultaneously.

The same occurred on 9 April 2021, when a new release titled "Crossfire" was uploaded to all major music platforms, also with an accompanying music video on YouTube.

In July 2021, the official Santa Cruz Instagram page was deleted, throwing the future of the band into further speculation.

Members[]

Santa Cruz in 2013

Current members[]

  • Archie Cruz – Vocals, Guitar (2007–Present)
  • Toxy London – Drums (2019–Present)

Former Members[]

  • Leo Stillman – Drums (2007)
  • Tomi Pulkkinen – Drums (2008)
  • Johnny Parkkonen – Guitar (2007–2018)
  • Middy Toivonen – Bass (2008–2018)
  • Taz Fagerström – Drums (2009–2018)
  • Jordan Marshall – Drums (2018–2019)
  • Brody DeRozie – Guitar (2018)
  • Pav Popov – Guitar (2018–2019)
  • Ero Lamberg – Bass (2019–2020)
  • Joe Perez – Guitar (2019–2020)

Timeline[]

Discography[]

Studio albums[]

  • Screaming for Adrenaline (2013)
  • Santa Cruz (2015)
  • Bad Blood Rising (2017)
  • Katharsis (2019)
  • TBA (2021)

Singles[]

  • Relentless Renegades (2013)
  • Nothing Compares to You (2013)
  • We Are the Ones to Fall (2014)
  • Wasted and Wounded (2014)
  • My Remedy (2015)
  • Skydiving Without a Parachute (2016)
  • Drag Me Down (2016)
  • River Phoenix (2017)
  • Young Blood Rising (2017)
  • Changing of Seasons (2019)
  • Tell Me Why (2019)
  • Into the War (2019)
  • Testify (2019)
  • Moonchild (2021)
  • Crossfire (2021)

EPs[]

  • Another Rush of Adrenaline (2009)
  • Anthems for the Young 'n' Restless (2011)

Music videos[]

  • Anthem for the Young 'n' Restless (2011)
  • Aiming High (2013)
  • Relentless Renegades (2013)
  • Nothing Compares to You (2013)
  • We Are the Ones to Fall (2014)
  • Wasted N' Wounded (2014)
  • My Remedy (2015)
  • Let Them Burn (2015)
  • Young Blood Rising (2017)
  • Testify (2019)
  • Moonchild (2021)
  • Crossfire (2021)

References[]

  1. ^ "Santa Cruz-yhtye suuren luokan automainoksessa". Yle Uutiset. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "Suomalaisbändi Santa Cruz kertoo, kuinka Yhdysvalloissa kävi tsägä – video". Yle Uutiset. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  3. ^ "THE LOCAL BAND Featuring CHILDREN OF BODOM's Alexi Laiho Perform Classics From MÖTLEY CRÜE, SKID ROW, RATT And VAN HALEN Live In Helsinki; Video Available". Bravewords.com. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  4. ^ "Vihdin Uutiset: Rokkibändi Santa Cruz haluaa Lauri Tähkän syövän sanansa". Vihdinuutiset.fi. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  5. ^ "Fresh Acts: Santa Cruz STALKERs Fresh Act September 2010 - STALKER MAGAZINE inside out of rock´n´roll". Stalker.cd. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  6. ^ "at Metal from Finland". Metal From Finland. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  7. ^ "Santa Cruz". Melodic-hardrock.com. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  8. ^ "Levyarviot: Santa Cruz - Screaming for Adrenaline". Imperiumi.net. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b "Listablogi: Kädet terveimmillään". Listablogi.blogspot.fi. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  10. ^ "Band | Santa Cruz". Santacruzbandofficial.com. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  11. ^ "Past gigs | Santa Cruz". Santacruzbandofficial.com. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  12. ^ "YleX | yle.fi". Yle.fi. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  13. ^ "Finnish Rock Band SANTA CRUZ Implodes In Middle Of U.S. Tour With FOZZY". Blabbermouth.net. 19 March 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  14. ^ "Santa Cruz announce new guitarist Brody DeRozie following departure of three members". Sleazeroxx.com. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  15. ^ "Shred Till You Drop Vol. 3: The Prodigal Son Rides Again!". YouTube. Retrieved 11 October 2020.

External links[]

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