Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a Finnish hard rock band formed in 2007 in Helsinki by Archie Cruz and Johnny Parkkonen.The following year, bass player Middy Toivonen joined in. The band released two demos in 2008-2009.After changing a number of temporary drummers, they settled for a full-time drummer, Taz Fagerström in 2009 becoming a 4-member band.After a self-released EP of 6 songs titled Anthems for the Young 'n' Restless, they signed with Finnish Spinefarm Records in 2012 and released their first studio album Screaming for Adrenaline in April 2013.Their eponymous 2nd album Santa Cruz was released in March 2015.The album featured a heavier sound than the previous and the band has described its sound as "glamcore".Their debut album reached no. 27 on Finnish album chart and their second album debuted as no. 3. In June 2016, Santa Cruz released the single "Sky Diving Without A Parachute" then soon after, a rendition of One Direction’s title "Drag Me Down".The band released their third album, "Bad Blood Rising" in November 2017, featuring the singles “River Phoenix” and “Young Blood Rising.” The songs of the band have appeared in a TV commercial of Mercedes-Benz and in sports compilation clips of U.S. ESPN television network.The band had live shows in England, Belgium and Germany in 2013.In 2015, the band made a European tour of 27 gigs.In 2016, the band toured with Sebastian Bach in the U.S. Vocalist and guitarist Archie Cruz has appeared in "The Local Band" lineup with Alexi Laiho (of Children of Bodom), Olli Herman (of Reckless Love) and Jussi 69 (of the 69 Eyes). On March 18th, 2018 the band, through their social media accounts, announced the cancellation of their upcoming U.S. tour as well as the departure of Johnny, Middy, and Taz.This leaves Archie as the sole original member of the band. On April 16th, 2018 Brody DeRozie was announced as the band's new guitarist, however on May 22nd, 2018 Brody announced his departure from Santa Cruz. On July 7th, 2018 Archie posted a video on his YouTube Channel, featuring new Santa Cruz guitarist, Pav Cruz. On August 3rd, 2018 Jordan Marshall was announced as the band’s new drummer. On September 8th, 2018 the band’s Instagram page (as well as Archie’s) removed all of their posts, leaving only “2.0” in their bio and on their story.