About
“As it should be at all shows, you will find no band-crowd separation. You’ll locate Ray either in the middle of the crowd, or half the crowd on stage, screaming the lyrics into the mike like they have written them themselves. After a brutally energetic set you will find the members of the band being non-band members, conversing and connecting without tonnes of superiority, with everyone and anyone that feels like a chat. You don’t get a sense of hunger for fame and the celebrity it brings when you talk with them. In an over-populated scene that seems to have forgotten about the mortality rate of the average band, these guys make and share music as an obligation to themselves, with a humility equivalent to few, sharing their experiences of what is happening in the world around them in a positive manner with anyone who wants to listen.
“Up in arms to our feet, won’t become a plastic population, the melody of a conscious generation”
Brave and powerful words and synopsis of the sound that punch you in the gut and make you take notice of the passion cultivated in making and sharing their music. For little over a decade Crossingpoint has been a major player in the South African hardcore scene, bringing positive and punishing sounds with an unwavering message to the kids. Originally formed in 1998, their determination, hard work and do-it-yourself values distinctive of their punk roots, have assisted them in turning complications on their path into opportunities of progress. The sound we all have come to associate with Crossingpoint has developed over the years with different members present, but stayed uncompromising. The band best describe their sound as “a passionate and often dark brutal synthesis of hardcore, metal, and punk in combination with a relevant message”.
Brandon, Ray, Ross and Richard advocate a Straight Edge lifestyle with a cruelty free way of existence. In the early 80’s a band called Minor Threat coined the term in a song with the same name. This song is believed to have been the start of the Straight Edge movement within the Punk scene. This movement had the intent of spreading a positive and personal message: there’s no need for alcohol, cigarettes, mind altering drugs or promiscuous behaviour to have a good time. Straight-edge principles are adopted by the individual in an effort to first better themselves, and then the world in which they live. Modern interpretations of the philosophy include a vegetarian (or vegan) diet and an intensified consciousness and involvement in environmental and political issues.
Hardcore has slowly been adopted by a wider audience, and many bands have diluted their message and their lifestyles to better agree with the listener. Where it used to be about an unbending message in response to societal problems, these days it seems bands easily shy away from a specific message as not to offend potential followers. Crossingpoint have stayed true to their roots by playing creative, energy-driven music with an insightful spiritual message that inspires application.
The world is never going to change over night, but “my heart is changed by yours and your heart is changed by mine”, therefore change happens in the minds and hearts of individuals who lead through example and encourages change within others. Crossingpoint’s urgent and honest message is aimed at reaching the individual in a thoughtful way and helping them to see the world for what it truly is. They put out the message that there is hope and that it is possible to have faith, which gives comfort, peace, and strength in these crazy times we live in.”
- words by Christelle Duvenage (Vixxen Magazine)
“For almost a decade Crossingpoint has been at the forefront of the hardcore scene in South Africa. Their positive sounds and awesome stage presence have inspired many kids to do the windmill and all sorts of other funny dance moves which those hardcore kids love to do. These guys are awesome and they’re easy to relate to on stage and off. A friend of mine once said that when you sing about something you love it is much more powerful than singing about something you hate, and being passionate and real about their faith Crossingpoint have spoken the truth, in love, into many people’s lives.”
- Utami Rostoll, Deputy Editor – Truth Magazine
