Crazy Lixx Frontman Danny Rexon Talks New Music, Old Stories & Rumours

Just a few days before the release of Crazy Lixx’s new album, Thrill of the Bite, we received an offer we couldn’t refuse—an opportunity to have an in-depth conversation with the frontman and founder of this Swedish melodic rock band, Danny Rexon. It had been a long time since the last Junkyard Q&A interview, and it was about time we revived this great tradition.

For this occasion, not only did we have an amazing guest who gladly accepted our invitation, but he also took the time to answer all of our (un)comfortable questions in detail.

Hey, we won’t keep you waiting any longer—start reading and find out what secrets Danny Rexon and his band Crazy Lixx have in store!

1.Crazy Lixx is back with Thrill of the Bite—your brand new studio album! With the release just days away, how are you feeling? What’s the vibe in the band right now?

I’d say the vibe is very good. We’ve gotten a lot of really great feedback on the songs that we’ve released so far, and a lot of great comments from everybody. So really happy about it. And we have high hopes that people will like the whole album as well.

2. On each album, you’ve successfully leveled up the energy throughout your whole career. How do you plan to outdo yourselves this time?

I’ve always felt that we haven’t released our best album yet. You can see a lot of bands that have peaked and are on their way down—they’ve had their “hit record,” so to speak. I’ve always felt that we haven’t gotten there yet. Maybe this is the one—you never know. But I always feel that we can do better and take that extra step. So that’s always been my motivation to outdo the last one. But as I said, maybe this will be the peak of Crazy Lixx’s career. We’ll see.

3.Judging by the singles you’ve released so far—each accompanied by horror-themed videos featuring vampires, slashers, and other eerie elements—is there a pattern or overarching theme/topic to the album? Is Thrill of the Bite a collection of short horror stories, or are these just pieces of a bigger picture?

Well, it’s not a concept album by any means, but there is certainly an overarching theme, which is vampires. You will see a lot of stuff in the lyrics that ties into this. I don’t think we have ever mentioned vampires in the lyrics, but you’ll hear references to it all throughout the album. So there’s definitely a horror vibe to this album.

We usually work like that—we pick a loosely based theme to get us a hunch of what we want to do lyrically and visually. The concept of Thrill of the Bite is, of course, based on vampires. So you’re correct in saying there is an overarching theme on this album.

4.What were the two hardest and the two easiest songs to create for Thrill of the Bite?

Well, the easiest ones were probably the ones I didn’t do. So that would be Hunt for Danger – I wasn’t involved in that one at all. Run Run Wild also came to me more or less finished musically. I wrote the lyrics and reworked the song, but a lot of it was already done by the time I started working on it. So, l’d say those were the easiest, probably because they were mostly finished when I got involved.

As for the hardest ones, that’s tough to say.

Little Miss Dangerous was challenging because it’s a long song, so there was a lot to record. Plus, you’ve got all the key changes and everything, which made it a bit complex. The same goes for the video— it was a long one to make. Vocally, Highway Hurricane was quite difficult as well, just because of the high and powerful vocals. It’s a demanding song to sing, so it was pretty straining on my voice. So, l’d say maybe those two.

5.In the last five years, you’ve released Street Lethal (2021), Two Shots of Glory (2024), and now Thrill of the Bite—plus, you’ve been working with other artists like Chez Kane. How and where do you find so much inspiration for all of this?

I’m not sure – l don’t actively look for inspiration. It’s always just come to me, and honestly, I don’t know what l’d do if I didn’t have an outlet to let it out. That said, I do feel like I could have been more productive during this time.

I can tell you there’s a lot more material recorded at the demo stage than what l’ve been able to produce and release. Since 2021, I’ve made two albums with Chez Kane, plus two studio albums with Crazy Lixx and a compilation album. But there’s still a lot of material that could have been turned into full albums as well. So, I hope to be able to release more stuff in the future.

6.Crazy Lixx has a signature sound that blends classic ‘80s vibes with a modern touch. How do you achieve that balance in production?

I think it comes pretty naturally because what we’re trying to do is essentially recreate the kind of big production that, in the ’80s and ’90s, would have cost millions of dollars in high-end studios with top-tier gear. But now, with technological advances, you can kind of make it from your own home studio. However, it does come with its limitations, of course. So, trying to capture that sound while using modern technology, I think, gives you that kind of modern touch, so to speak.

And then, of course, it’s a deliberate choice as well because you have to compete with other bands that may not be as nostalgic in their sound. When people stream your music and you’re in a constant flow of playlists or whatever, if you incorporate a sound that’s very similar to the ’80s, I think you would stand out in a negative way against others. This is especially true when it comes to the perceived loudness of songs, the amount of compression used in modern music, and the clarity and separation of the sounds.

So, I think you do need to lean into modern production a bit because the competition is there, and you have to factor that in as well.

7.You guys are known for producing stunning music videos, almost like mini-movies. Little Miss Dangerous and Hunt for Danger are great examples. In an era dominated by smartphones, social media, and short-form content, how important is it to create high-production music videos? Is it worth the effort?

I would say it is worth the effort because it shows the creative side of the band —not just putting the band on a stage, having them play in their regular stage clothes, and then calling it a day. Because, as you say, in this era where a lot of content is really fast and short-form, people are just spoon-fed this stuff. A way to stand out is to actually make something that has a bit more depth to it, a bit more content, and to get people to stay and watch it.

But there’s a lot of work, of course. We do a lot of it ourselves—all the stage props, the story, the costumes, and the concepts. We do it all ourselves. I edit the videos, you know, cut them and put them together.

So, is it worth the effort in the end? Well, you know, it’s all part of the big picture. You have to promote your band, and I think a video is a great way to do it. It’s up there on YouTube for a long time, and a lot of people can, you know, discover your band through that. So, I would say it is.

8.Let’s talk about your UST videos. Can you explain to our readers what a UST video is, how you select them, and how they’ve contributed to Crazy Lixx’s success?

A UST is basically a concept that I came up with—a play on words based on OST, which stands for “official soundtrack” or “original soundtrack.” So, UST would then be an “unofficial soundtrack,” right? The concept is that we take old movies—both well-known ones and deep cuts or lesser-known films—and we edit them to fit one of our songs. Essentially, it’s a reimagining of how it would have been if there were a trailer for the movie featuring our music. The reason I pick films from the ’80s and ’90s, of course, is because our music hearkens back to that era, so it often makes for a great fit.

How I select them varies from song to song. I always try to find a movie that relates to the lyrics or the overall vibe of the song to create an interesting mix of both and make a compelling video. And I would say it’s contributed a lot to our success lately.

I started this concept roughly two years ago, and we’ve had a couple of viral videos that have reached multiple millions of views. A lot of new fans have discovered our music through these videos and then explored our discography. To the point where YouTube is now our biggest platform for music online—we had over 20 million plays last year, compared to about 4 million plays on Spotify. So, it’s a huge platform for us when it comes to the music side of things. And, of course, the USTs play a big part in that—not just the official videos.

What’s wrong with this interview? Well, nothing! Relax and just keep reading. If you like it so far, it gets even better – Junkyard Rock Stories

9. Can you share three of your best memories from the early days of Crazy Lixx?

I guess the first recording of our debut album was a great experience. We worked with Chris Laney in the old Polar Studios, which were built by ABBA back in the day in Stockholm.

Also going on that first tour, supporting Hardcore Superstar in the UK — that was a big moment. That tour ended with our original guitarist, Vic Zino, leaving the band to join Hardcore Superstar, but at the time, it was still a major step forward for us.

From the early days, I’d say playing at Sweden Rock Festival for the first time in 2007 was a huge moment. That’s a festival I had visited a lot since I was a kid, and I had always dreamed of playing there. We played a really small stage, but still, you know, it felt like we had made it to that big festival where all of our favorite bands played.

So, those are all great memories from the 2000s.

10. What was the Swedish sleaze-glam music scene like in the 2000s when you started, and how has it evolved? How has that shift affected Crazy Lixx?

Well, there was a bigger scene back in the 2000s, I would say. Since Crashdïet released their first album, Rest in Sleaze, in 2005, there was a brief period when it was very big in Sweden. But I’d say the scene has died out significantly here. You can still see it abroad, but we Swedes tend to move on to the next thing pretty quickly, so it has shifted a lot.

I’d say the audience for that kind of music isn’t very big in Sweden anymore compared to back then, which is also why we usually play abroad.

11. What keeps you dedicated to the hair/glam/sleaze genre? Have you intentionally tried to keep it alive, or has it always been a natural part of your sound?

I think it’s something that I don’t make by choice – t’s just the music I grew up with and have always loved since I was a kid. So, I usually say, I didn’t choose this. It chose me. You know, I was hooked from the very first time I heard We’re Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister, The Final Countdown by Europe, or Crazy Crazy Nights by KISS. Those are some of the songs I remember from my childhood, and I think they’ve just been an integral part of my upbringing.

12. Does it bother you when older fans gatekeep the genre, refusing to accept newer hair/glam/sleaze bands? Have you experienced this with Crazy Lixx?

I guess I have, like you will certainly have —, for example— when we play the Monsters of Rock cruise in the U.S., you’ll have an American audience that only goes to see the old bands — your Teslas, your Wingers, your Extremes, or whatever — but they have a hard time connecting with the newer bands.

But, you know, I guess to each their own. I kind of get that. I don’t check out many new bands anymore either. So, I think maybe it has to do with age. You reach a point where you just love the stuff you listened to as a kid and when you were younger, and it becomes harder to connect with new music.

13. If a major AI company offered a large sum of money to buy all your recordings for non-music-related purposes, would you sell? What’s your take on AI’s impact on the music industry?

‘m not sure I really understand the question. Do you mean they would buy our catalog to train AI? Because I’m pretty sure they can do that anyway—our music is out there, and, you know, they wouldn’t care about permission. I wouldn’t sell it for them to be able to make music under our name without involving us — that would be quite odd.

My take on AI is that it will be a great tool. I’m sure it will change the music industry a lot, just as streaming did. But I think it’s too early to say exactly what impact it will have. I’m sure it will have a meaningful effect on the music industry because, you know, it probably will on every industry.

14. If a secret music industry elite chose you to replace the singer of a legendary band, which band would it be?

I think Mötley Crüe would probably need a new singer, to be honest. So that would be the closest comparison. I would say KISS, but it’s impossible for KISS to have another singer replace Paul Stanley. And, you know, they’re not even a band anymore—they won’t be touring anymore, probably. So, yeah, maybe Crüe.

15. Which famous actor and actress would be the perfect match to star in the next two Crazy Lixx music videos?

Oh, you mean like big actors? I don’t know if that would really make a difference. I’m not sure if it would be a good idea to have someone famous in them, actually. I prefer unknown actors and actresses in music videos. So, nothing that comes to mind off the top of my head.

16. If Crazy Lixx starred in a horror movie, who would survive until the end, and who would go first?

I think we’d probably all die at once. Or maybe you’ll have the killer sabotage the tour bus, and it falls of the cliff or something, and we all go up in flames in the same time. That would probably be a good way to go.

17. Tell us a true, wild Crazy Lixx rock ‘n’ roll story—the kind that belongs in “The Dirt” true rockstars category!

I’ll have to pass on this one, I think. But I can tell you that a lot of the stuff you read in The Dirt and similar books might be a bit exaggerated. That said, I’m sure we have stories like that too. Maybe I’ll tell you when the band is no longer a thing, or when the biography comes out someday…

18. What have been the most challenging times for the band?

I’d say the toughest times were when we lost members. Losing both our guitarists in 2015 was especially hard. We were at a point where we even considered not continuing anymore. But we pulled through and, in the end, always came out stronger. So, I think challenging times don’t necessarily mean bad things in the long run.

19. Tell us about your first gig, the worst gig that almost made you quit, and the weirdest place you’ve ever played.

Oh, there’s a lot! I think the weirdest place was Transylvania, for sure. We played a motorcycle festival there—no vampires or anything like that—but just the fact that it was in Transylvania made it feel pretty surreal.

As for my first gig, do you mean my first gig with Crazy Lixx or just in general? I was briefly in a pop-punk band when I was 14 or 15, where I played bass guitar. That was probably my first gig with an audience.

The gig that almost made me want to quit? Well, I’ve never really wanted to quit music because of a gig. You can have bad gigs sometimes. We played one in Russia where the PA system actually caught fire during the set. That didn’t feel great, but it didn’t make me want to quit music altogether—just never play that venue again.

20. Out of all the bands you’ve toured or played with, who have you become the closest friends with? Any fun or crazy stories?

I’d say the contemporary guys from Swedish bands. You have bands like H.E.A.T, for example, or Eclipse—those are probably the ones we’ve been closest to. We meet them a lot on the road and have had plenty of chances to talk.

As for crazy stories… you’ll have to wait for the biopic, I guess.

21. What’s the weirdest or funniest rumor you’ve heard about yourself? And what’s the strangest question you’ve received on social media?

There’s a rumor that there’s something romantically going on with me and Chez Kane. People have assumed that we are a couple but that is not a case. I’m married and she has a long standing boyfriend. We are just co-workers. But I think that’s the rumor that goes around sometimes, just because of the fact that we work together a lot. I guess.

22. Thrill of the Bite will be your ninth studio album, right? That’s the same number as Mötley Crüe and more than Ratt, Cinderella, Guns N’ Roses, and Winger. That’s a huge achievement! How does it feel? Are you thinking about slowing down, taking a break, or pushing even harder?

Well, no, this is actually our eighth album because we did a compilation album before, and that doesn’t really count.

As I mentioned earlier, recording albums is a bit cheaper now than it was back in the day. There used to be a lot more money involved. But it does feel great to be this far into our career—we’ve been doing this for 20 years now—so maybe it’s not that strange that we have so much material out. That said, I still feel like our best work is ahead of us. As long as I feel like I haven’t made the best album I possibly can, I’ll keep pushing. So, you can definitely expect more albums in the future.

And what’s next for Crazy Lixx? I’d say we’re pushing even harder. I haven’t reached my goal yet. I want to work with music until the day I die. Now, whether that’s in a band or as a touring musician remains to be seen. But as long as I believe I can still do better, I’ll keep going.

Crazy Lixx @ Instagram – Facebook

Follow the band on their socials and mark your calendars on February 14th – Thrill Of The Bite is coming!

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