When Crack The Sky first appeared on hte American recording scene both critics and disk jockeys proclaimed that this band of refugees from the Ohio River Valley had the potential to be a major American musical force. With Come On Dad, thier third album for Lifesong Records, Crack The Sky has fulfilled all the prophecies of these wonderfully foresighted folks.
Crack The Sky has changed, both in personality and in its music. Their music has moved onto a new, more accessable plane. Worry not, the same zaniness and musical invention that first attracted their fanatical and loyal audience are still present. Bot now this band, on both record and in performance, has developed into one of the most exciting acts on the current scene, presenting the everchanging patterns of thier unique music with a real passion and a new found urgency.
The band's music is still dominated by the dual guitar mastery of Rick Witkowski and Jim Griffiths, the profound bass lines of Joe Macre and the almost umbelievable intensity of Joey D'Amico's drumwork. The songs of John Palumbo form the core of the groups material, but John, who is preparing for a solo project, is no longer performing with the band.
Taking up the lead singing is Gary Lee Chappell, yet another refugee from the polluted skies and slopes of Stubenville, OH. Gary, a former FM disk jockey, is now bringing his own unique interpretations to the groups material.
Yet another young Ohioan, Vincent De Paul, is joining the group for its 1977 Tour on a variety of keyboards, Moogs, Aprs, etc.
The new album, produced by "wunderkind" Rob Stevens, also responsible for the production of artists like Dean Friedman and the critically acclaimed Lavender Hill Mob, is rich with sound and imagery. Many of the songs focus on the relationships between family members, and are filled with the originality that one has come to expect of resident mad genius, John Palumbo.
The group is currently touring and meeting unprecedented response from audience and critics. There are places in this country where Crack The Sky's arrival in town is an occasion for much celebration and bedlam. Crack The Sky is about to crack wide open, and deservedly so.
Source: http://www.crackthesky.com/library/lifesong-cts-bio.html
