Crush 40 | |
|---|---|
 Crush 40 performing at Summer of Sonic 2010 in London. From left to right; Jun Senoue and Johnny Gioeli. | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Sons of Angels |
| Origin | Japan, United States |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Labels | Wave Master, Frontiers, Victor |
| Members | |
Crush 40 is a Japanese-American hard rock band. The group consists of guitarist and composer Jun Senoue and principal vocalist Johnny Gioeli. Crush 40 is best known for their contributions to the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series.
Senoue has been employed by Sega as a composer since 1993. While preparing music for Sonic Adventure, he contacted Gioeli to perform the game's theme song, "Open Your Heart". They also recorded the soundtrack for NASCAR Arcade under the name "Sons of Angels", which was released in Japan as the album Thrill of the Feel (2000). Afterward, Senoue and Gioeli continued recording music for further Sonic titles, as well as their own original songs.
Crush 40 has released a total of two studio albums, two live albums, two compilations, an EP, and individual tracks, mostly under Sega's Wave Master label. The band's musical style of hard rock, considered by some to be a continuation of glam rock, has created a legacy with fans of the Sonic video game series.