Veer Union Singer Crispin Earl Discusses the Band’s New Album, Tour Plans + More

Canadian rock band The Veer Union are currently on tour with My Darkest Days in support of their new album ‘Divide the Blackened Sky.’

The band's latest single 'Bitter End' has been heating up the airwaves recently -- check out our song review of the new tune here. The Veer Union are also set to play with bands like Chevelle, Godsmack, Janus, Cavo and numerous others this year.

When Loudwire caught up with frontman Crispin Earl, he dished all about their sophomore album 'Divide the Blackened Sky,' their new single ‘Bitter End,' touring, his love of Soundgarden and much more.

Congrats on ‘Divide the Blackened Sky.’ What would you say is the overall theme of the album and what inspired this theme?

It’s a darker record; it’s a lot heavier and darker of a record for us. It’s just that essentially if you look at the graphics of the record, it’s an eclipse and you can see just a tiny little bit of light coming from behind the moon -- it’s symbolic of how difficult it was to get to this point. There’s been some difficulties through the band over the last couple of years; trying to keep things together because the music industry’s in a bit of a rough place and it’s hard for new bands to continue to go on -- so that’s essentially what the vibe of ‘Divide the Blackened Sky’ is about.

Can you tell me about the latest single ‘Bitter End’ musically and lyrically?

There was a point in time where we recorded most of the record and there was a point in time where we kind of wanted to take a break to just clear our heads. I went away on vacation for a couple months and I came back and we were like, “You know what? Let’s do one more song for this record.” It ended up being about everything we’ve gone through up until that point. We fought our whole entire lives to be able to do music as a career.
No one said it was going to be easy, which it hasn’t been and really what it boiled down to is we’re going to fight ‘til the ‘Bitter End,' this is what we want to do, this is what we’ve always dreamed of doing. Even though things are going to be difficult, you just got to keep on pushing forward and essentially that’s what the song is about.

‘Bitter End’ had a great run in our Cage Matches -- you beat out some big acts such as Adelitas Way and Eve to Adam. How does it feel to have such support from your fans?

Every day that we get to continue doing music, we’re just so lucky and we know that there’s no way we’d be able to do that without our fans. We just feel really really lucky to be a band that can continue to do that. I think it’s always a little bit weird though when you’re doing the Cage Matches though because a lot of the time, especially for us, being fans of music we’re competing against bands that we’re fans of.

You have a few dates coming up with My Darkest Days, Cavo and Janus. Is there one band that you would love to go on tour with that you haven’t yet?

Oh jeez, I’m just wondering, the list would be so long. I’ve always been a really big fan of Staind and I know Staind is out right now and I think we’ve got a couple of festival dates with them that we’re going to be playing, which is going to be cool. I would definitely say at the top of my list would be Soundgarden. Chris Cornell has definitely been an idol of mine forever and to be able to play with an iconic band like that would be one of the coolest things, for sure.

You guys are also set to play the MassChaos tour with Godsmack, Staind and Chevelle in April for a few dates. How do you feel about that experience?

I can’t wait, there’s nothing cooler than to be able to play dates like that when you’re playing with bands that you’re completely fans of. I mean it’s one thing to get a free ticket to the show, but it’s even better when you get to share the stage with such great bands. Chevelle I’ve also been a huge fan of that band since the very beginning. They just consistently do records that are always awesome. I love the new Staind record as well. It’s going to be really great, also we’re going out with Janus -- they’re an awesome band and they’ve got a brand new single which is awesome. Yeah, there’s lots of great new music out, lots of great new bands. I t’s going to be a great experience for sure.

What does the touring schedule of The Veer Union look like for the rest of 2012?

Well as every band knows there’s always something new around the corner. We’re definitely going to be out as long as we possibly can. We’re definitely road dogs -- it’s something we love to do and what we live for is being out on the road, so we’ll see what comes. Right now, as far as everything that’s booked, we’re going to be out like you said with My Darkest Days, then out with Cavo and Janus, then we’ve got a few festival dates in with that and we’ll see how May and June goes.

How would you describe your live performance while touring on your first album versus touring on this new album?

You know I think a lot of people noticed on our last record that even though it has its rock points, it also has its mellower points. Although when people would come see us play live they would be like, “Man, they’re a lot heavier live.” I would definitely say that our new record is a lot heavier so you can imagine how much heavier the live shows are going to be.

You mentioned earlier how tough it is for up and coming bands. What advice would you give to a brand new band or to someone who is thinking about going into this industry?

I would definitely say for any band the best advice I can give is if you do this, do it because you love it, because there’s no other reason to do it.

Where do you see The Veer Union in ten years?

Doing the same thing, loving music, creating art no matter what, that’s where I’ve wanted to be. My mind set has never ever changed and I know that the members feel the exact same way, to be able to continue to create art that people appreciate.

Hopefully you guys will be able to do that tour with Soundgarden by then.

[Laughs] I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

Well with all of the touring you have for 2012 so far, what is one thing you must bring on tour with you -- no electronics.

No electronics. One thing … well I would definitely say you can’t be on the bus without your flannel pants. [Laughs] You got to have your PJ’s man, you've got to be comfortable on that bus; that and your personal porn collection -- you've got to have that as well. [Laughs]

The Veer Union's 'Divide the Blackened Sky' is available now.