Michigan Metal Band Make Their Way To Fans Out West

Battlecross

Battlecross plays the Whiskey A Go Go Dec. 9 and Chain Reaction Dec. 11

Battlecross is an American heavy metal band from Canton, Michigan. They will be performing live at Whisky A Go Go in LA on Dec. 9 and Chain Reaction in Anaheim on Dec. 11.

The band was founded in 2003 when the childhood best friends and neighbors formed the earliest beginnings of Battlecross while attending Salem High School. The band describes their sound as “Blue Collar Thrash Metal.”

Although a multitude of members came and went, together, they played local shows around Detroit and in the Midwest and opened for such acts as Dying Fetus, GWAR, DevilDriver, The Absence, Vital Remains and The Faceless.

The OC Concert Guide had the opportunity to catch up with Battlecross and discuss their metal genre inspiration, working with producers Eyal Levi and Mark Lewis and their upcoming shows in LA and OC.

OCCG: How did you come up with your title, Battlecross and what’s the meaning behind it?
Battlecross: Honestly, the name Battlecross was chosen simply because it sounded cool. No real meaning behind it other than that. It wasn’t until after the fact that we realized that it’s a battlefield symbol for a soldier buried on the field. Knowing that, we feel we carry a certain obligation with us – one that we’ve always had, to support and rally behind our troops and brothers in the armed forces. Coincidence or serendipity, call it what you will, we stand behind our guys!

OCCG: What inspired your metal genre and who are your biggest musical inspirations?
Battlecross: There’s no question that Pantera and Metallica definitely inspired us from an early age and continues to inspire us now, including our own brand of inspirations. For myself, GWAR has and will always be a huge inspiration. Some, if not most, would call that strange, but to each their own. From our individual inspirations comes a collective mindset to bring the heaviest and catchiest metal we can provide.

OCCG: What was it like working with producers Eyal Levi and Mark Lewis?
Battlecross: Fantastic! Both are great guys, very knowledgable and intelligent. Mark and Eyal know what they want to hear, and they know exactly how to push us in the right direction. Eyal has a knack for getting the best out of us without being too pushy, which is a great feeling. It’s one thing to have a schedule, but each artist is fickle in their own ways, and the dudes at Audiohammer wisely insists and a very calm, but matter-of-fact manner. It was a treat recording with them and we can’t wait to do it again.

OCCG: What’s your most and least favorite part about touring?
Battlecross: The best part of touring is doing what we love, and having the opportunity to travel the world and share our time with our fans. Without them, as it is with any metal band, we are nothing. The worst part, of course, would have to be the long drives and lack of a decent diet. It’s not exactly easy to find healthy food at a gas station, save for a select few fruits and vegetables available.

OCCG: What are you most looking forward to at your upcoming shows at the Whisky A Go Go in LA on Dec. 9 and Chain Reaction in Anaheim on Dec. 11?
Battlecross: WARM(ER) WEATHER, haha. I packed shorts solely for our brief stay on the west coast. I can only hope that there won’t be a sudden polar vortex or some nonsense that we’re accustomed to in Michigan. In all seriousness, we’re stoked to see friends and fans and have some good shows. Touring life is a simple life, if not harsh at times.

OCCG: Despite the recently cancelled Machine Head tour, you guys have confirmed the Winter Warriors Headlining Tour honoring America’s Veterans. How did you feel about the cancellation and how did you guys overcome it? Battlecross: Things happen, man. Simply just have to roll with the punches and get out on the road. This, our first major cancellation we’ve had to deal with, and though it may not be the last, we just hope it doesn’t become a trend. We were looking forward to hanging out with the MH and CoB dudes, but perhaps another time. Though, I must say, I’m impressed by our team. With our manager Velda and our booker Tim busting their asses to secure a headliner in such a short amount of time is no easy feat. We’re grateful to be out on the road doing what we do best.

OCCG: What’s next for you guys?
Battlecross: After the Winter Warriors tour, we have about a week and a half to finish up pre-production and then it’s off to Orlando to record album number three. To say we’re excited in an understatement. The parser is on! Everyone told us how important our sophomore release was going to be, and after that was said and down, we’re being told just how much more important our third will be. We have to come out gangbusters on this one, and from what I’ve heard from the rest of the dudes in the band, you will not be disappointed.

OCCG: What’s a random fact your fans don’t know about you yet?
Battlecross: None of us own a boat? Haha. I guess what throws a lot of people off are our ages. Aside form our drummer who’s still a baby at 21, the rest of us are in our late twenties to early thirties. We don’t have many secrets, really. Just a bunch of average dudes who got lucky with our passions for music and live performance.