CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX (official)

Crippled Black Phoenix is a progressive/post rock group from the United Kingdom, brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Justin Greaves. Several musicians have contributed to Crippled Black Phoenix's albums and played with them during their live shows.

“One thing we’ll never do is stick to the rules and stay within the box.”

734 years of confusion has made up the historic legacy of Crippled Black Phoenix.
Much has been written and even more has been speculated incorrectly, such is the mystique that surrounds the band.

So, let’s cut all the blurb and jump straight from 2004, the beginning of the story, to 2021. The present finds CBP in a good place, a familiar place but also a different one.

Now consisting of founder, multi-instrumentalist and composer Justin Greaves. Vocalist/lyricist Belinda Kordic. Piano, trumpet & synth player Helen Stanley and guitarist Andy Taylor. This core of the band are now also joined by vocalist/lyricist Joel Segerstedt.

After recording the critically acclaimed mini-album “Ellengæst” with various friends joining Belinda on vocal duties, CBP then focused on finding the right guy to join them as a vocalist.

Greaves says:
“Joel was recommended through a past tour manager Jeanette Anderson and Stockholm based guitarist friend Uffe Cederlund. Coming from these good people, we were pretty confident that Joel would be a cool dude. We checked out his band The Open Up And Bleeds, and were digging what we heard, so here we are and we’re feeling really good creatively.”

Joel joins Belinda to be the male part of the now staple female/male vocal combination that’s an integral part of the CBP sound.

This change heralds in the next chapter in the long eventful history of the band. It also sees a band that’s closer and more powerful than ever. With Belinda stepping up to do more vocals and other random sounds, an organic process given that Belinda first appeared in 2011 as part of the band, debuting on “(Mankind) The Crafty Ape” and also becoming a full time band member after spending a lot more time on stage on all the tours.

Helen joined in 2016 as part of the “Bronze” album cycle, and then stayed on full-time. Bringing added colour and sass to the band, dropping many suckers with her trumpet skills on stage as well as insane piano action.

Andy came along on a couple of trips to play festivals during 2017/18, and it was clear that the union was one that would last and be a sonic success. This has proved true. Andy is now the full time guitarist and compliments Justin’s guitar style perfectly, adding tone and a unique touch to the dynamics of the band.

Crippled Black Phoenix are, like their namesake, a tough old bird and this new chapter is already off to a great start. Ellengæst was received amazingly well, and is a sign of things to come.