Interview with Mark Crosby from Nightblade

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

It's been a lifelong passion and started. I started writing songs when I was 15. I worked for a while in marketing and product development/ideas, I probably would have remained in that field. 

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I spend a lot of time in health and fitness. Being around different people and characters are always good ammunition for song writing. 

How long has your band been around?

Nightblade has been established since early 2010, so coming up 14 years now.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

We are a Midlands based band in the UK, and we are all from a working-class background, which help colour and shape our music.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

I remember it took a few weeks to get settled with the name of the band and we drew up a short list. We were looking for a name that obviously sounded rocky but sounded a bit generic too.

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

The 100 club in Camden sticks out for nostalgic reasons and the abundance of talent who have played there. We have played with Snakecharmer and meeting Mick Moody and Neil Murray was great...I was a massive Whitesnake fan in my earlier years. For the same reasons it was really good to play with Blaze Bailey…..all of my pocket money when I was young went on Iron Maiden records.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

I always enjoy our gigs at Kidderminster Town Hall, Robert Plant’s local venue too. The 100 Club Camden, The O2 in Birmingham. I would love to play Download.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

Alter Bridge, Shinedown and Pearl Jam.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

You need passion a mile wide, self-belief and a load of tenacity.

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

Stay with your passion and don't give it up for anything. 

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

‘Find The Strength Within’, which is about my folks.

 Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

‘Only You’ is a favourite and got a lot of airplay too. Also, ‘Hope To Be There’ and

‘Stop’. 

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

Different scenarios that happen in life, different people I meet and current affairs are all good topics to write about. I take lyrics and new material to a practice, and we collectively come up with the music together. We can also jam and come up with an idea from that.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

A message that hopefully people can relate to. Thought provoking, inspiration, consolation and Uplifting. I would be happy if I thought I achieved any one of those things.

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

We all agree with the songs and the content of our albums, which is the main thing. We are a pretty amicable bunch on the whole too...we don't have any egos in the band which helps massively😂

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

Having done 4 albums in as many years, I would be lying if I said I didn't fancy 5 in 5. Our first cover version in 6 albums so I'm interested to see how that does. It took a lot of shortlisting before we decided on Baker Street. Our plan is also to get out and gig our new material.