About
2012
Kracked Earth” is a rock band for the internet age!
Kracked Earth was founded in 2008 by former Andy’s Diner Keyboardist, Guitarist, and Composer Andy Kinch and lifelong friends Tim Lynk, and Doug Scarratt (Saxon) other members include Session drummer Elyan Fernova, Bassist Simon Dennis, and Percussionist Mark Millin. Special guests included Don Schiff (Elvis, Lana Lane), Butch Thomas (Sting, Elton John), and Troy Donockley (Mandalaband, Nightwish).
The band’s debut album Splash was recorded in the UK, Australia, and the USA mainly via the internet, and released via CD, and all popular digital formats. The artwork was created by world-renowned fantasy artist Ed Unitsky.
“The ‘Splash’ project is something very special to me as I get to sing the songs that have been specifically written for me to sing by my very close friend Andy Kinch.”
Tim Lynk
2016
The song was performed by and credited to a certain Lester Forrest, who was, in fact, the band’s keyboard player, founding member, and vocalist Woolly Wolstenholme.
Largely overlooked compared to the band’s more popular catalog, the song evokes the feelings of someone for whom the darkness of the night provides energy and freedom that his daytime city existence does not allow. (Well, that’s my take on it anyway!)
As a long-time fan of the band and fellow Mellotron geek, it was suggested that the song was and is vastly underrated and was deserving of an update and exposure to a wider audience.
Never one to resist a challenge, I got to work on the arrangement, which retains some of the features of the original, but I’ve given it my spin, making the odd change here and there to the chord structure and instrumentation.
I wanted to keep the basics very simple, by using mainly piano, acoustic bass, and of course Mellotron!
Above all else, I hope Woolly would be happy with my interpretation of his charming little ditty. Also, a big thank you to my Kracked Earth colleagues Don Schiff and Tim Lynk for their help in bringing my ideas to reality.
2017
Kracked Earth released “Epitaph” only on video, a (Cover) as a tribute to Greg Lake, the song was originally recorded and performed by King Crimson.
The band returned with a new single New Horizons which was released on March 17th, 2017. New Horizons has always been one of Justin Hayward’s best songs, and during the summer of 2015, the success of the NASA mission resonated with my feelings for the song and resulted in my desire to record my version.
A second single Onward Upwards Pre-Production Instrumental (feat Doug Scarratt) is released.
About the song
Well, this happened while we were recording the album Splash Down in Brighton, UK.
Doug Scarratt was laying down his lead guitar for the song “Onward Upwards”, and it was amazing, just one take and that was it. We tried a few others, but none were like this very special effort.
Great we all thought. It’s in the can. We can all relax. Let’s all go home.
But, you see, there was a problem. His part, while brilliant of course, lasted the entire length of the song! There simply wasn’t enough room for the vocal, and just chopping into it just didn’t work.
So, unfortunately, I had to consign what was effectively Doug’s 4-minute solo to the bin.
We then changed the feel completely by getting our good friend Butch Thomas to blow some sax on the track, which worked well.
OK, so what we have here is the pre-production backing track of “Onwards Upwards” complete with the amazing Doug Scarratt in all his glory.
On August 3,
“When The City Sleeps” is the title of the new Kracked Earth single of an obscure B side by Barclay James Harvest for the single Breathless, which the band released under the pseudonym of Bombadil in 1972.
The song was performed by and credited to a certain Lester Forrest, who was, in fact, the band’s keyboard player, founding member, and vocalist Woolly Wolstenholme.
Largely overlooked compared to the band’s more popular catalog, the song evokes the feelings of someone for whom the darkness of the night provides energy and freedom that his daytime city existence does not allow. (Well, that’s my take on it anyway!)
As a long-time fan of the band and fellow Mellotron geek, it was suggested that the song was and is vastly underrated and was deserving of an update and exposure to a wider audience.
Never one to resist a challenge, I got to work on the arrangement, which retains some of the features of the original, but I’ve given it my spin, making the odd change here and there to the chord structure and instrumentation.
I wanted to keep the basics very simple, by using mainly piano, acoustic bass, and of course Mellotron!
Above all else, I hope Woolly would be happy with my interpretation of his charming little ditty. Also, a big thank you to my Kracked Earth colleagues Don Schiff and Tim Lynk for their help in bringing my ideas to reality.
2019
Immortal is released on Limited Edition LP, CD, and Digital
I would
Therefore, I have decided that any profit I make from the sale of the vinyl copies will be donated to the charity. This release is limited to just 250 copies worldwide. There also is a Deluxe version, featuring extra songs and demos, available via digital download. Lastly, there is a Limited Edition CD.
Love and Hugs. Andy
Band Members
Andy Kinch: Mellotron, Moog, Nord, and Roland synthesizers, acoustic guitar, backing vocals.
Tim Lynk: vocals
Elyan Fernova: drums
Doug Scarratt: guitars
Simon Dennis: bass
Mark Millin: percussion
Kracked Earth Online
Facebook | Youtube | ReverbNation
Discography
Immortal [ LP ] (2019) LP, Digital and Streaming
Immortal [ Deluxe Edition ] CD (2019) CD Digital and Streaming
Onward Upwards Pre-Production Instrumental (feat Doug Scarratt) – Single (2017) Digital and Streaming
When the City Sleeps – Single (2017) Digital and Streaming
New Horizons – Single (2017) Digital and Streaming
Everlastin’ Love – Single (2016) Digital and Streaming
Splash (2012) CD, Digital and Streaming