ABOUT | Crossing Crusades

ABOUT CROSSING CRUSADES

Crossing Crusades is a high energy and thought provoking metal band based out of Tacoma, WA.

This mega five piece brings tasteful melodies , sing along chorus' and head banging break downs. This rag tag group of musicians pride themselves in providing you a musical journey in the writing of each song.

This brotherhood is comprised of Retten Steincipher, Sam Thompson, Aaron Lee, Wyatt Olney and Jesse Van Dyke. While each member was on our own Crusade of life, the passion for delivering high quality music Crossed at this point. This point is the intersection of creativity and fun that hopefully will never end.

A brief introduction to the brothers of CC

Photo Courtesy of Joe Doleski

Sam Thompson- Guitar and Vocals

Bio: Sam's Journey to CC was an easy one. Sam has played in previous projects with Retten and Aaron. He is a musical brainiac who was in talks with Retten about going for another big project, after years of hiatus, here we are today!

Music History: Mystic Jimmy, Emberz Ablaze, Burning Beautiful, Valley of Achor

Musical Influences: Nirvana, Atreyu, Underoath, Killswitch Engage, Bullet for My Valentine, Brand New, A7X, Slipnot, and his mother.

Retten Steincipher- Guitar

Bio: Retten is a musical addict who has spent his life playing any instrument he can get his hands on. His journey to C.C. started in Jr. High Jazz bnad where he played with Aaron. In high school they decided to write and play other styles of music. Retten has played with many muscicians and many different groups gathering experience to help his ulimate project, Crossing Crusades. In his musical journey he has performed on Saxophone, Drums and Guitar.

Music History: Pennywise Cover Band, Airwig Emberz Ablaze, Burning Beautiful, Valley of Achor, Afraid of Figs, Quickie, Lust Punch

Musical Influences: Foo Fighters, Atreyu, Underoath, Killswitch Engage, Bullet for My Valentine, Less Than Jake, A7X

Wyatt Olney- Lead Vocals

Bio: Wyatt Olney is a Veteran of the Seattle music scene for nearly 2 decades now. A multi-instramentalist; Wyatt spent the 2000's playing in Thrash and Hardcore bands like DEATHBEAT, Edge of Oblivion, Miss Midnight and From Under The Flames. He released 5 solo acoustic albums between 2011 and 2015 before founding Wyatt Olney & The Wreckage in 2015, which became a Seattle Rock staple.

Wyatt's journey to Crossing Crusades began through a friendship between both bands as they would play together throughout the Pacific Northwest. Since 2018, Wyatt would appear onstage with the band occasionally, performing vocals on early Crossing Crusades songs like "March On" and "Gravity". In early 2019, Wyatt was asked to front Crossing Crusades after the departure of our previous frontman. Wyatt brings a ferocious energy and fiery passion to our songwriting and stage performance. Wyatt's first full contribution to the band was the song "Creatures".

Music History: Miss Midnight, Edge of Oblivion, From Under The Flames, DEATHBEAT, Slither, Wyatt Olney and the Wreckage

Musical Influences: Dragged Under, Trivium, As I Lay Dying, Killswitch Engage, Bring Me The Horizon, All That Remains, The Used, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden

Jesse Van Dyke- Drums

Bio: A self proclaimed drummer for hire has been tearing up drum sets all over the Seattle area. As Crossing Crusades was looking for a beat master they found out that two distinct connections were already in place to make this member possible. We found our perfect drummer at the perfect time.

Music History: Groove Yard, Delta Sol, Helles, Wicked Garden

Musical Influences: Led Zeppelin, Tool, Metallica, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Pantera, Pink Floyd, The Eagles

Aaron Lee- Bass

Bio: This journey also started in Jr. High Jazz band with Retten. They have been friends since they can remember and loved playing music together. Retten contacted Aaron after getting this project started with Sam. They have been in many bands together in the past and Aaron was ready to get back into music after sometime away.