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Full Crosses' Rig Info: https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/crosses

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What if Deftones\u2019 lead singer Chino Moreno fully leaned into his love for the Cure and Depeche Mode\u2014think \u201cDigital Bath,\u201d \u201cTeenager,\u201d \u201cAnniversary of an Uninteresting Event,\u201d and \u201cCherry Waves?\u201d The short answer is Crosses (often seen as \u2020\u2020\u2020). And the sole sonic sniper pillowing and piercing through Moreno\u2019s moodily melodic vocals is multi-instrumentalist Shaun Lopez.

Crosses was formed by cofounding members Lopez and bassist Chuck Doom in the late 2000s before recruiting Chino Moreno to front the dark dance party. The trio released three EPs and a self-titled debut album between 2011 and 2014 before going on hiatus in 2015.

For almost 15 years, the nucleus of Shawn Lopez and Chino Moreno have creatively layered and disguised guitar and synth combining new wave, electronica, goth rock, industrial, and ambient pop producing a soundtrack to neo-noir readaptation of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly that subs the old west and gunplay with after-hours Miami and foreplay.

\u201cWhen we started Crosses, I was just learning to play piano. I think back then I wanted to make synthy-sounding songs, but I didn\u2019t know how to play synths so I was like, \u2018how can I get my guitar to sound like a synth,\u2019 so I just incorporated pedals, lap steel, and anything to make my guitar unrecognizable,\u201d admits Lopez.

Prior to working with Moreno in Crosses, Lopez cofounded Far\u2014an influential post-hardcore 1990s contemporary of the Deftones in Sacramento\u2014and has tallied a variety of producer credits collaborating with Chon, Rob Zombie, Lupe Fiasco, Dead Sara, Whitechapel, and others. That sort of versatility is evident when experiencing Crosses with a pair of headphones or seeing them perform onstage.

Throughout the band\u2019s run, Lopez has interplayed and interwoven guitar and synths countering brooding against beauty and gentle versus tense. When Crosses was revitalized in 2022 with fresh material\u2014and the departure of bassist Chuck Doom\u2014the remaining duo doubled down on their digital-based dynamism featuring even more synths, keys, and electronic experimentation where he would even sample his guitar through his keys.

\u201cSince those first songs, I\u2019ve really learned how to play piano and keyboards and by better understanding that new instrument, at times, I\u2019ve become more inspired by synths over guitar,\u201d recalls Lopez.

But no matter how many synths or keyboards get put to tape, you\u2019ll still see Lopez onstage with a guitar draped over his shoulder.

\u201cI do prefer to play guitar live because it\u2019s more fun and I can run around. I am always chasing sounds no matter the instrument it takes to get there. My sound is growing because I\u2019m always learning. I think if you stop learning you stop progressing. but guitar will always be home,\u201d states Lopez.

Prior to Crosses\u2019 sold-out show at Nashville\u2019s Marathon Music Works, Lopez welcomed PG\u2019s Perry Bean onstage to dissect his setup. The lone instrumentalist showed off six stellar guitars, broke down the heavy lifting his FM9 endures for Crosses\u2019 sets, introduced a peculiar pedal he can\u2019t live without, and demonstrated a Gretsch that sounds like an angry orca.

Full Crosses' Rig Info: https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/crosses

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