The Crayonz started in Dublin 2001 but are now based in Barcelona. They released their first single 'Falling out' soon after forming and the second 'Bringing the conversation down' in summer 2002. The next single 'Anything that can fly' was released early 2003 followed by the debut album 'Nena'. After taking a break and making a few changes to the linup the band is writing new songs and rehearsing. Gigs coming so stay tuned!..
Review of debut album "nena" by Hotpress Magazine - Ireland
Dublin-based three-piece The CrayonZ are the latest act to forget about the big record deal and go for the DIY approach on their debut album. The result may lack the frills that major label megabucks can afford, but Nena is chock-full of some of the most insistent garage rock songs this country has ever produced.
'Bringing the Conversation Down', one of the best singles of last year, still sounds as magnificent as it did on first listen. Big, brooding verses give way to one of the catchiest choruses never to make its way onto daytime radio playlists. The good news is it wasn't a once-off. 'Overthrow Your Operator' and 'Promised' are similarly endowed with a mixture of dark mood and saring melody, but one could argue that it's when they go for the pop jugular that The CrayonZ unearth pure gold.
Frontman Gerard Handrick writes guitar pop songs like nobody else, and tracks like 'This Time Around', 'Anything That Can Fly' and 'One Town' display an inherent and natural catchiness that is impossible to contrive. I defy anybody to listen to the opening bass riff on 'Suffer' without involuntarily tapping their toes.
I really hope that Nena brings The CrayonZ all tha A&R attention and contract offers that their music deserves. With a bigger budget and a bit of belief behind them, they could develop into something very special indeed. John Walshe - HotPress 09-10-03
"Three piece Crayonz looked like they meant business right from the off - and they went on to prove exactly that. Without doubt one of the most impressive outfits ever to grace a Bacardi/Hotpress stage. One number in particular 'bringing the conversation down' was a stunner of a song in anyone's book." Colm O'Hare - Hotpress Magazine on the CrayonZ live
"Another nod to trans-Atlantic guitar swinging, this time from these very shores. There's more than a hint of the pixies in the urgent bass and drums, but also a welcome touch of alternative country in the twanging lead vocal." Phil Udell, Hotpress Magazine on "Falling Out"
"More impressive stuff from the CrayonZ, following on from last year's low key debut. Still exhibiting a more than slight American influence, their previous twang has been replaced by a more guitar-orientated sound, with the title track in particular nodding in the direction of Dinosaur Jr and Buffalo Tom, Nice to see, in what is an exceptionally good fortnight for single releases, that the locals can hold their own." Phil Udell, Hotpress Magazine on "Bringing the Conversation Down"
"The Crayonz' combination of well written songs, decent musicianship and a good grasp of melody shows real promise" Hanna Hamilton, Hotpress Magazine review of "Anything that can fly"
Hoytocoyo - local rock bands Barcelona
