KJAG: Michael, tell us about the origins of The Culprits. How did the band come together, and what inspired the name?
Morrow: The band was built as a vehicle for my songwriting. Seeing Ted Nugent or Toby Keith using
just their names, I originally just called the band Michael Morrow. But over time I felt it needed
a band name to follow. Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, Buddy Holly and The Crickets, etc. I
thought that was always more interesting than just an artist’s name. Much like song lyrics,
Culprits, just came to me. It sounded right. Having an original idea in entertainment is very
difficult. I’ve had band names that I thought were unique, back in the day, only to search the
web and find a dozen other bands running with the name. I had this one in mind around 2015
when Juliet March was my bass player but didn’t start using it until the band lineup firmed up in
2016.
I have used many fine musicians over the years. Steve Haywood joined Michael Morrow & The
Culprits in 2019. He has been my right-hand man since then. He can boast that he has played
more shows, recorded more songs and has had a longer stay in the band than anyone. Side
note: what a great bass player! Because we play regionally, internationally and locally, it can be
hard on drummers so we do sometimes use fill ins, but we consider ourselves very lucky to
have Seedie Wolfe on the drums. He understands the songs better than anyone!
KJAG: You’ve developed a unique sound blending different genres. How would you describe The Culprits’ musical style to someone hearing you for the first time?
Morrow: A child on the 70s, grew up in the 80s in my big listening years and adulting in the 90s really
affected me as a songwriter. People are surprised by the fact that I enjoy early 80s pop and
80s and 90s metal. That being said, my voice fits so well in more of a 70s vibe. Led Zeppelin,
Kiss, Aerosmith are a big part of my style. I’m not a blues player but influenced by blues-rock
influenced bands. Couple that with love of a good melodic song (that 80s influence) and I think
that gets us a bit of where I am. I love guitars! They are possibly one of the sexiest things on
the planet. That’s why so many of us play them. They are front and center in the music, but I
do like to paint with different size brushes and strokes so to speak.
KJAG: What’s the creative process like when writing and recording your music? Do you all contribute to the songwriting, or does one member typically take the lead?
Morrow: I write songs. Typically, it’s a riff or something I find interesting on guitar. Rarely basic chord
progressions, but maybe. I do keep notes on song ideas maybe scarce lyrics, but the music
needs to happen first. Otherwise, it sounds very forced to me. I do write about 20% of my
songs in Open E tuning. Which makes me think about songs differently. That has been a good
tool for me. I will then bring it to Steve and get his input. Sometimes he will get a co-write.
Then I’ll typically bring it into rehearsal. Seedie has been really understanding the needs the
new material we are working. Lyrically, it is rare that I have anyone add anything to something
I’d be singing.
KJAG: Can you share some stories from your early days performing live? What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
Morrow: Some get butterflies from performing. Maybe when I was 16 when I first performed at a talent
show I did, but I relish the crowd. Bigger the better, it feeds the show. But when I was 20 or 21,
we would perform and people would compliment us and I would be quick to tell them no, I
messed this up and that up. I quickly learned that they never heard it and that was more self-
analysis. I also believe when cell phones came out and people were video taping and sharing
your shows, that you no longer had control of your performance. So, you better be good. You
can’t slouch. I work hard at making sure my vocals are not flat. I expect the same out of the
band. But I’m also a guy who likes a live feel and shooting from the hip. I’ve always enjoyed a
certain looseness in performance. But let’s hit those vocals!
KJAG: Your sound has evolved over time. How do you feel about the band’s growth musically, and where do you see your sound heading in the future?
Hard Rock Countryfied Blues (2013) and Bad Penny (2015) will be getting a ten-year vinyl
release this year coming up. The style of that has been my style. A little twang but rock.
Raucous ( 2017) was more of a hard rock album. I’m With The Banned (2020) was a return to
my style. Songs like Cherry Blossom and Rambler, off of that album, are 2 of our more well-
known songs. Greater Than Gravity (2022), I think showed the most growth in songwriting. A
lot of thought went into a song like Around The Sun, our most streamed song. Rise has a great
time change signature in it but then a song like Seven Years Bad Love is that blues rock I’m
known for. As far as the future goes, I like to write what comes to me. It’s like what Keith
Richards said, ‘it’s like this antenna in my head that these ideas come down into’ The new
album we are working on seems to have some real good hooks to them
New Music:
KJAG: Your latest track/album (mention the specific release) has been getting some great attention. What was the inspiration behind it, and how does it reflect where The Culprits are as a band right now?
Are there any standout tracks on this release that hold a special place for you? Why?
How do you manage to balance maintaining your artistic vision while appealing to your audience’s expectations with your music?
Morrow: Currently our latest single is our re-work of Def Leppard’s ‘Pour Some Sugar’. We did a
countryfied rock vibe on it. It really came out well. We released it in between albums as we
write for the new one.
On the Band’s Dynamics:
KJAG: The dynamics of a band can be crucial to its success. How does each member bring something unique to the table when you create and perform music?
Morrow: We will be releasing a new song in about 6 weeks which will feature Steve Haywood on
vocals. I do believe this song ‘Good Boy’ will be a big song for us. It’s nice when we perform to
get a vocal break. Steve is an accomplished singer, but this would mean a cover song. So, I
wanted to have an original composition for him to be part of the show. Watch it become our
biggest song!
KJAG: What has been the most rewarding part of being in a band like The Culprits? How do you support each other both creatively and personally?
Morrow: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Do you play music for people to make them happy
thus making you happy or do you play to be happy and they feed off of your happiness? I
choose the latter. I believe wholeheartedly that you must fulfill yourself, you must be true to
yourself and if that means trying something different, then great. Otherwise, you’ll live
wondering and unfulfilled.
About Touring and Performing:
KJAG: Touring can be intense. How do you all stay grounded while on the road? Any pre-show rituals or favorite venues you love to play at?
Morrow: There is great respect amongst each other in the band. That and humor is key. …and getting
breakfast after the show.
KJAG: What’s one of the most memorable live performances you’ve had as a band? What made that moment stand out for you?
Morrow: The most rewarding part of Michael Morrow & The Culprits has been that we follow through
and support crazy ideas. We take chances on ideas. We are aware keenly of everyone’s
personal situation and work around that to reduce any pressure on decision making.
Fan Interaction and Impact:
KJAG: How important is fan engagement to you? Have you had any memorable fan interactions or experiences that you can share?
Morrow: No real rituals, getting a soundcheck in time is always nice with time to change clothes. We are
very grounded at our age.
What message do you hope listeners take away from your music, and how do you want to impact your audience both musically and personally?
Looking Ahead:
What’s next for The Culprits? Any exciting projects or tours on the horizon?
How do you see the future of The Culprits? Are there any new musical directions or collaborations you’re excited about exploring?
Personal Insights:
Michael, as the frontman, what inspires you personally outside of music? How does that influence the music you create with the band?
KJAG: Do you have any advice for up-and-coming bands trying to navigate the music industry today?
Morrell: It’s tough out there and I think a lot of us are trying to make our own road without record labels.
Morrow: It’s a good thing because if you can dream it and dare so, you can follow it.
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12. I’m learning that maybe we don’t need to get up early and hit the road…but maybe we do. We
miscalculate this at times. Get there early, find food when you can. Not all hotels are the same.
Not all crowds are the same. Generally, sound guys are real good dudes but understand
sometimes they are having a day. My favorite gigs were playing in front of 5,000 people in
Sioux Falls with my extended family in attendance. A great crowd in a hall in Bilston, UK.
Watching my $3500 Black Gretsch ‘Penelope’ get blown over onto the concrete faced down at
an outdoor show in Windsor, CO…only to find it didn’t have a scratch (thankfully)
13. Fan engagement is everything! It’s always a nice surprise meeting someone who has been
listening to you and this being their first live show. Or it’s their first time and they are digging
your vibe. This past Summer we met a gal and her husband in the UK. She insisted that the
next time we played her town that we stay at their house. Well, we’re gonna find out in a few
months if we get ghosted, lol.
14. The songs are what matter to me most. They are why we perform so; my hope is that people
add the songs to their streaming or buy the vinyl or CD. That in some way our music lives with
them. If I didn’t have my songwriting, I don’t think I’d perform any longer.
15. We are writing, recording and getting ready for our first pro video shoot in 3 years. It will be a
big launch for our upcoming song ‘Good Boy’ As well, we have a second single that we’ll
release a few months after that.
16. Write-Record-Perform is the Mantra of the band. That has not changed and if anything, we are
doing more of that. My hope is to continue to expand our territory. To get out on the road
further. In terms of new musical directions or collaborations, I’ve toyed with expanding the
band to either have a female singer or keyboard player in the band or both but from a touring
standpoint that increases scheduling difficulty and to be honest part of our sound is that classic
3 pc sound.
17. I think being a man and understand that being firm with grace, being decisive and inclusive is
something to show and teach to those that hear and see it. Also, let’s have fun and enjoy life.