Paul Crook
Encyclopedia
Paul Crook is an American guitarist currently recording and performing with Meat Loaf
. He has also recorded and toured with Anthrax
, Sebastian Bach
and Marya Roxx.
, he started playing guitar at the age of 10 when his father, Dennis, bought him a cheap acoustic as a Christmas gift. Crook took to the guitar quickly and found himself practicing hours-on-end. His father, after seeing this for a few years, then bought him his first "real" guitar: a black Gibson Les Paul Custom
.
The 10th grade was when Paul found himself in "Triton", his first club band based in South Plainfield, New Jersey
. A heavy metal cover band, members included Paul Crook (lead guitar), Mark Crook (bass guitar
), Gary Columbus (drums), Andreas Weber (rhythm guitar) and Jack Scharniko (vocals). They rehearsed in Gary's basement, where most of Paul's gear remains. Currently Andreas's two sons are in a melodic death metal band of the same name.
. They wrote and recorded several songs together. Jack introduced Paul to the members of Blue Öyster Cult
, who took Paul out on the road in 1986 as a keyboard/guitar tech. From there Paul met the guys in Anthrax
.
In 1989 Crook became guitar tech for Dan Spitz
, and, in 1995, replaced Spitz (although not an official member). Crook toured with ANTHRAX for the rest of the decade and performed on two records: Stomp 442
and Volume 8: The Threat Is Real
which he also co-produced and engineered.
In 1999, Sebastian Bach
of Skid Row fame asked Paul to join his band. They did shows together, touring around the world (until 2004). Their only recording was "Rock Bottom", a KISS
tribute record.
In 2000 Paul teamed up with Scott Metaxas from Prophet
and Nuclear Assault
fame. The two of them started producing local talent out of Scott's home studio in Neshanic, New Jersey
. Billy Milano
's M.O.D.
record The Rebel You Love to Hate
was recorded at this location.
In 2001 Paul teamed up with Glenn Hughes. Together, they composed the ballad "Feels Like Home" for Glenn's solo record: "Building The Machine
".
In 2003 Kasim Sulton
asked Paul to join Meat Loaf
's Neverland Express
. Crook appeared in the music video "Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself" and then hit the road for a long world tour including television appearances.
A live DVD was filmed at the end of the tour (in Australia): "Bat out of Hell: Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra".
In 2004 Paul auditioned for the smash hit musical We Will Rock You
, featuring the music of Queen
. He had to audition for Brian May
, one of his main influences. May trained Paul personally for the position. Paul relocated to Las Vegas
to perform his favorite Queen songs. After a 16 month run the show moved to Toronto, Canada. To this day Paul remains in Las Vegas and still calls it his home.
In 2006 Paul hit the studio with Meat Loaf and the Neverland Express to record "Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose
". The album was produced by Desmond Child
.
While touring Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose
a camera crew was called in to record every move the band made. This footage later became known as the documentary film: "Meat Loaf In Search Of Paradise".
In 2007 (while on a ML tour break) Crook received a text message from famed producer Kevin Shirley
, who asked Paul to play on a heavy metal
record for Marya Roxx. Kevin assembled a solid band: Paul (guitars), Scott Metaxas (bass), Derek Sherinian
(keys) and Brian Tichy
(drums). They re-wrote and recorded 12 songs in 10 days at The Document Room in Malibu, CA.
2008 brought Paul out on the road for Meat Loaf's CASA DE CARNE tour.
2009 was a very busy year. After a tour of Europe with Marya Roxx, Paul jumped back in the studio with Meat Loaf. This time Rob Cavallo
was called in to produce. They began recording on June 1 in Calabasas, CA. Many stellar musicians were brought in to create the massive sound. Sharing guitar duties alongside Paul were Brian May
, Steve Vai
, Justin Hawkins
, Randy Flowers and Tim Pierce.
While recording the Meat Loaf's Hang Cool, Teddy Bear album Paul was asked by Rob Cavallo
to record on a song with Adam Lambert
from American Idol
fame. The song was "Time for Miracles
". It was released and went to #9 on iTunes. "Time for Miracles
" was a part of the motion picture soundtrack "2012
".
Meat Loaf
Michael Lee Aday , better known by his stage name, Meat Loaf, is an American hard rock musician and actor...
. He has also recorded and toured with Anthrax
Anthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
, Sebastian Bach
Sebastian Bach
Sebastian Bach is a Canadian heavy metal singer who achieved mainstream success as frontman of Skid Row from 1987 to 1996. Since his departure from Skid Row, he has had many television roles, acted within Broadway plays, and leads a successful solo career.-Early life:Bach was born Sebastian...
and Marya Roxx.
Biography
Growing up in Green Brook Township, New JerseyGreen Brook Township, New Jersey
Green Brook Township is a township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 7,203....
, he started playing guitar at the age of 10 when his father, Dennis, bought him a cheap acoustic as a Christmas gift. Crook took to the guitar quickly and found himself practicing hours-on-end. His father, after seeing this for a few years, then bought him his first "real" guitar: a black Gibson Les Paul Custom
Gibson Les Paul Custom
The Gibson Les Paul Custom is a higher end variation of the Gibson Les Paul guitar. It was developed in 1954 after Gibson had introduced the Les Paul model in 1952.-Notable Les Paul Custom players:...
.
The 10th grade was when Paul found himself in "Triton", his first club band based in South Plainfield, New Jersey
South Plainfield, New Jersey
South Plainfield is a Borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 23,385....
. A heavy metal cover band, members included Paul Crook (lead guitar), Mark Crook (bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
), Gary Columbus (drums), Andreas Weber (rhythm guitar) and Jack Scharniko (vocals). They rehearsed in Gary's basement, where most of Paul's gear remains. Currently Andreas's two sons are in a melodic death metal band of the same name.
Professional career
A few years later Paul teamed up with Jack Secret (aka Tony Geranios), the keyboard tech for RushRush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
. They wrote and recorded several songs together. Jack introduced Paul to the members of Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult, often abbreviated BÖC, is an American rock band, most of whose members first came together in Long Island, NY in 1967 as the band Soft White Underbelly...
, who took Paul out on the road in 1986 as a keyboard/guitar tech. From there Paul met the guys in Anthrax
Anthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
.
In 1989 Crook became guitar tech for Dan Spitz
Dan Spitz
Dan Spitz is a musician best known for his work as the lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Anthrax from 1983–1995 and from 2005 to 2007. He is the brother of former White Lion and Black Sabbath bassist Dave Spitz.-Personal life:...
, and, in 1995, replaced Spitz (although not an official member). Crook toured with ANTHRAX for the rest of the decade and performed on two records: Stomp 442
Stomp 442
Stomp 442 is the name of the seventh album by American heavy metal band Anthrax. It was released in 1995, by Elektra Records. The band and Butcher Brothers produced the album, which includes the singles, "Fueled" and "Nothing". The album debuted at #47 on the Billboard 200 charts...
and Volume 8: The Threat Is Real
Volume 8: The Threat Is Real
Volume 8: The Threat is Real is the eighth studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax. The album was released in July 1998 by Ignition Records. The band and Paul Crook produced the album, which includes the single "Inside Out". Other singles released were "Crush", "P & V" and "Born Again...
which he also co-produced and engineered.
In 1999, Sebastian Bach
Sebastian Bach
Sebastian Bach is a Canadian heavy metal singer who achieved mainstream success as frontman of Skid Row from 1987 to 1996. Since his departure from Skid Row, he has had many television roles, acted within Broadway plays, and leads a successful solo career.-Early life:Bach was born Sebastian...
of Skid Row fame asked Paul to join his band. They did shows together, touring around the world (until 2004). Their only recording was "Rock Bottom", a KISS
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
tribute record.
In 2000 Paul teamed up with Scott Metaxas from Prophet
Prophet (band)
Prophet was an American Melodic Rock band from New Jersey, United States. The last lineup of the group was Russell Arcara , Dave DiPietro , Ken Dubman , Scott Metaxas , Joe Zujkowski and Jim Callahan...
and Nuclear Assault
Nuclear Assault
Nuclear Assault is an American thrash metal/crossover thrash band formed in 1984.-History:After the release of Anthrax's debut album Fistful of Metal, bass player Danny Lilker, a founding member of the group, was fired by the band...
fame. The two of them started producing local talent out of Scott's home studio in Neshanic, New Jersey
Neshanic, New Jersey
Neshanic is an unincorporated community within Hillsborough Township, New Jersey in Somerset County, New Jersey. Neshanic is located near the South Branch Raritan River.-History:...
. Billy Milano
Billy Milano
Billy Milano is a Bronx-born heavy metal musician now based in Austin, Texas. He was the singer, guitarist, and bassist of crossover thrash band M.O.D., and the singer of its predecessor, Stormtroopers of Death....
's M.O.D.
M.O.D.
M.O.D. was a crossover thrash band from New York City, fronted by former Anthrax roadie and Stormtroopers of Death vocalist Billy Milano. The band existed from 1986 to 1997, and again from 2001 to 2008...
record The Rebel You Love to Hate
The Rebel You Love to Hate
The Rebel You Love to Hate is the sixth full-length studio album from American crossover thrash band, M.O.D.. It was released in 2003 on Nuclear Blast Records and follows 1996's Dictated Aggression...
was recorded at this location.
In 2001 Paul teamed up with Glenn Hughes. Together, they composed the ballad "Feels Like Home" for Glenn's solo record: "Building The Machine
Building the Machine
Building the Machine is a studio album by former Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and Trapeze vocalist/ bassist Glenn Hughes. It was his eighth solo studio album and was released in 2001 on SPV, DNA and Nippon Crown records.-History:...
".
In 2003 Kasim Sulton
Kasim Sulton
Kasim Sulton is an American bass guitarist, keyboardist, and vocalist. Best known for his work with Utopia, Sulton sang lead on 1980's "Set Me Free," Utopia's only top 40 hit in the United States...
asked Paul to join Meat Loaf
Meat Loaf
Michael Lee Aday , better known by his stage name, Meat Loaf, is an American hard rock musician and actor...
's Neverland Express
Neverland Express
The Neverland Express is the name for Meat Loaf's live band. The name is most likely taken from Jim Steinman's affinity for Peter Pan.This list does not contain guest members.-Current lineup:Paul Crook: Lead Guitars: Guitars, VocalsDanny Miranda: Bass...
. Crook appeared in the music video "Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself" and then hit the road for a long world tour including television appearances.
A live DVD was filmed at the end of the tour (in Australia): "Bat out of Hell: Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra".
In 2004 Paul auditioned for the smash hit musical We Will Rock You
We Will Rock You (musical)
We Will Rock You is a jukebox musical, based on the songs of Queen and named after their hit single of the same name. The musical was written by British comedian and author Ben Elton in collaboration with Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor...
, featuring the music of Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
. He had to audition for Brian May
Brian May
Brian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
, one of his main influences. May trained Paul personally for the position. Paul relocated to Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
to perform his favorite Queen songs. After a 16 month run the show moved to Toronto, Canada. To this day Paul remains in Las Vegas and still calls it his home.
In 2006 Paul hit the studio with Meat Loaf and the Neverland Express to record "Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose
Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose
Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster is Loose is an album by Meat Loaf, the third and last in the Bat Out of Hell series. It was released in October 2006, 29 years after Bat Out of Hell , and 13 years after Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell .Produced by Desmond Child, it is the only Bat album not...
". The album was produced by Desmond Child
Desmond Child
Desmond Child is an American musician, songwriter, and producer. He is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.-Career:...
.
While touring Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose
Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose
Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster is Loose is an album by Meat Loaf, the third and last in the Bat Out of Hell series. It was released in October 2006, 29 years after Bat Out of Hell , and 13 years after Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell .Produced by Desmond Child, it is the only Bat album not...
a camera crew was called in to record every move the band made. This footage later became known as the documentary film: "Meat Loaf In Search Of Paradise".
In 2007 (while on a ML tour break) Crook received a text message from famed producer Kevin Shirley
Kevin Shirley
Kevin Shirley is a music producer and mixer for many artists, such as the bands Journey, Iron Maiden, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Joe Bonamassa, Marya Roxx, Dream Theater, Tyler Bryant, Mr. Big, and Europe.-Biography:...
, who asked Paul to play on a heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
record for Marya Roxx. Kevin assembled a solid band: Paul (guitars), Scott Metaxas (bass), Derek Sherinian
Derek Sherinian
Derek Sherinian is a rock keyboardist who has toured and recorded for Alice Cooper, Billy Idol, Yngwie Malmsteen, Kiss, and Alice In Chains. He was also a member of Dream Theater and is the founder of the instrumental metal-fusion band Planet X...
(keys) and Brian Tichy
Brian Tichy
Brian Tichy is a drummer, guitar player, vocalist and songwriter. He is currently the drummer with Whitesnake. Previously he was the drummer for Foreigner from 2009 until 2010, when he was replaced by Jason Sutter. Tichy began playing drums at age eight and started playing guitar at age 12...
(drums). They re-wrote and recorded 12 songs in 10 days at The Document Room in Malibu, CA.
2008 brought Paul out on the road for Meat Loaf's CASA DE CARNE tour.
2009 was a very busy year. After a tour of Europe with Marya Roxx, Paul jumped back in the studio with Meat Loaf. This time Rob Cavallo
Rob Cavallo
Rob Cavallo is a record producer and A&R, most famous for signing and producing Green Day. He is currently Chairman of Warner Bros. Records.- History :...
was called in to produce. They began recording on June 1 in Calabasas, CA. Many stellar musicians were brought in to create the massive sound. Sharing guitar duties alongside Paul were Brian May
Brian May
Brian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
, Steve Vai
Steve Vai
Steven Siro "Steve" Vai is a three time Grammy Award-winning American guitarist, songwriter and producer who has sold over 15 million albums. Steve Vai is widely known as a flamboyant guitar virtuoso....
, Justin Hawkins
Justin Hawkins
Justin David Hawkins is an English musician and singer-songwriter, best known for being the lead singer and lead guitarist of The Darkness, alongside his brother, guitarist Dan Hawkins...
, Randy Flowers and Tim Pierce.
While recording the Meat Loaf's Hang Cool, Teddy Bear album Paul was asked by Rob Cavallo
Rob Cavallo
Rob Cavallo is a record producer and A&R, most famous for signing and producing Green Day. He is currently Chairman of Warner Bros. Records.- History :...
to record on a song with Adam Lambert
Adam Lambert
Adam Mitchel Lambert is an American singer, songwriter, and actor from San Diego, California. In May 2009, he finished as the runner-up on the eighth season of American Idol...
from American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
fame. The song was "Time for Miracles
Time for Miracles
"Time for Miracles" is Adam Lambert's second single. It was released on October 16, 2009 via Amazon.com. Although the song was his first since American Idol, it was not released as his official debut single. Instead, the title track to his album, For Your Entertainment, was released. The song is...
". It was released and went to #9 on iTunes. "Time for Miracles
Time for Miracles
"Time for Miracles" is Adam Lambert's second single. It was released on October 16, 2009 via Amazon.com. Although the song was his first since American Idol, it was not released as his official debut single. Instead, the title track to his album, For Your Entertainment, was released. The song is...
" was a part of the motion picture soundtrack "2012
2012 (film)
2012 is a 2009 American disaster film directed by Roland Emmerich. It stars John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Thandie Newton, Danny Glover, and Woody Harrelson. It was produced by Emmerich's production company, Centropolis Entertainment and was distributed by Columbia Pictures...
".
Work
- Meat Loaf: "Hell In A Handbasket" Produced and Engineered by Paul Crook to be released 10/2011
- Meat Loaf: "Hang Cool Teddy Bear" Produced by Rob CavalloRob CavalloRob Cavallo is a record producer and A&R, most famous for signing and producing Green Day. He is currently Chairman of Warner Bros. Records.- History :...
released 4/2010 - Adam Lambert: "Time For Miracles" Soundtrack for the Major Motion Picture: "2012"
- Meat Loaf: "Bat Out Of Hell III, The Monster's Loose" Produced by Desmond ChildDesmond ChildDesmond Child is an American musician, songwriter, and producer. He is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.-Career:...
- Marya Roxx: "21?!" Produced by Kevin ShirleyKevin ShirleyKevin Shirley is a music producer and mixer for many artists, such as the bands Journey, Iron Maiden, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Joe Bonamassa, Marya Roxx, Dream Theater, Tyler Bryant, Mr. Big, and Europe.-Biography:...
- Meat Loaf: 3 Bats Live3 Bats Live3 Bats Live is a music DVD by rock singer Meat Loaf. Recorded in 2007 at London, Ontario during his "Seize the Night" tour, it mainly features songs from the Bat out of Hell trilogy.- Track listing :...
DVD and CD - Meat Loaf: Bat out of Hell: Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra DVD and CD.
- Meat Loaf: Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is LooseBat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is LooseBat Out of Hell III: The Monster is Loose is an album by Meat Loaf, the third and last in the Bat Out of Hell series. It was released in October 2006, 29 years after Bat Out of Hell , and 13 years after Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell .Produced by Desmond Child, it is the only Bat album not...
CD - Meat Loaf: "Couldn't Have Said It BetterCouldn't Have Said It BetterCouldn't Have Said It Better is a 2003 album by Meat Loaf.Only for the third time in his career, Meat Loaf released an album without any songs written by Jim Steinman...
" music video. - Anthrax: Stomp 442Stomp 442Stomp 442 is the name of the seventh album by American heavy metal band Anthrax. It was released in 1995, by Elektra Records. The band and Butcher Brothers produced the album, which includes the singles, "Fueled" and "Nothing". The album debuted at #47 on the Billboard 200 charts...
CD - Anthrax: Volume 8: The Threat Is RealVolume 8: The Threat Is RealVolume 8: The Threat is Real is the eighth studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax. The album was released in July 1998 by Ignition Records. The band and Paul Crook produced the album, which includes the single "Inside Out". Other singles released were "Crush", "P & V" and "Born Again...
CD - Anthrax: "Twister Forever" CD
- Anthrax: "The Four Horsemen" CD
- Sebastian Bach: "The Last Hard Men"
- Glenn Hughes: "Building The Machine"
- M.O.D.: The Rebel You Love to HateThe Rebel You Love to HateThe Rebel You Love to Hate is the sixth full-length studio album from American crossover thrash band, M.O.D.. It was released in 2003 on Nuclear Blast Records and follows 1996's Dictated Aggression...
CD - John Carpenter's: Ghosts of MarsGhosts of MarsJohn Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars is a 2001 American science fiction action horror film composed, written, and directed by John Carpenter. The film stars Ice Cube, Natasha Henstridge, Jason Statham, Pam Grier, Clea DuVall, and Joanna Cassidy...
Major Motion Picture soundtrack
Bands
- Currently the Lead Guitarist for Meat LoafMeat LoafMichael Lee Aday , better known by his stage name, Meat Loaf, is an American hard rock musician and actor...
- Lead Guitarist for the Queen musical We Will Rock YouWe Will Rock You (musical)We Will Rock You is a jukebox musical, based on the songs of Queen and named after their hit single of the same name. The musical was written by British comedian and author Ben Elton in collaboration with Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor...
in Las Vegas 2004-05 - Lead Guitarist for AnthraxAnthrax (band)Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
1995-2001 - Lead Guitarist for Sebastian BachSebastian BachSebastian Bach is a Canadian heavy metal singer who achieved mainstream success as frontman of Skid Row from 1987 to 1996. Since his departure from Skid Row, he has had many television roles, acted within Broadway plays, and leads a successful solo career.-Early life:Bach was born Sebastian...
Sources
- http://soundperformancelab.com/Ref/paul_crook.html
- http://www.uberrock.co.uk/interviews/52-January-interviews/457-paul-crook-interview-exclusive.html