RUBICON CROSS

RUBICON CROSS
Biography, Discography, and Musical Legacy

Born from the fateful encounter between C.J. Snare, the iconic vocalist of the American multi-platinum band FIREHOUSE, and Chris Green, a technical guitarist from the UK, this band is highly acclaimed as a rare example that fuses classical American hard rock melodic sensibility with modern heavy metal aggressiveness.

1. Genesis and Historical Context

The formation of RUBICON CROSS went beyond a mere collaboration between musicians, symbolizing a crossroads of the US and UK rock scenes in the early 2000s.

1.1 Fateful Encounter During the 2003 European Tour

The seeds of the project were sown during FIREHOUSE's European tour through Spain and the UK in the autumn of 2003. At the time, FIREHOUSE had survived the grunge movement of the early 1990s and was still active as a powerful live act. On this tour, the British melodic rock band PRIDE served as the support act (opening act) for FIREHOUSE.

Chris Green, who was the guitarist for PRIDE at the time, later self-deprecatingly recalled their position on this tour as the "dogsbody slot." PRIDE was the "first band" to play before the headliner FIREHOUSE and the main support Danny Vaughn of Tyketto, putting them in a position where they struggled to capture the audience's attention. However, a performance in Madrid, Spain, became the turning point.

FIREHOUSE's tour manager noticed the excellence of Chris Green's guitar playing and suggested to C.J. Snare, "You should check out the guitarist from that support band." C.J. Snare watched PRIDE's stage from the VIP balcony and witnessed Chris Green's epic guitar solo on the ballad "Still Raining." At that moment, C.J. Snare was deeply impressed by Green's skill and expressiveness, deciding to approach him about participating in his own solo project.

1.2 Cultivating Friendship and Crossing the Rubicon

More than a decade passed between their initial meeting in 2003 and the actual release of their full-length album in 2014. This period was by no means a void, but rather a crucial "maturation period" for building a mutual bond of trust. C.J. Snare and Chris Green stayed in touch after the tour, establishing a close friendship where they shared personal joys, struggles, and relationship troubles. Their relationship grew so deep that they served as the best man at each other's weddings.

Initially, this project was conceived as a solo album for C.J. Snare, but as the songwriting progressed, it became obvious that the chemistry between the two transcended a mere "singer and backing musician" relationship. They decided to establish the project as a permanent band, and as a statement of this commitment, they named the band RUBICON CROSS.

The band name is derived from the historical anecdote of the ancient Roman hero Julius Caesar making an irreversible decision by "crossing the Rubicon" in 49 BC. For C.J. Snare and Chris Green, this band represented a challenge to a heavier, more modern sound distinct from their existing careers (FIREHOUSE and PRIDE/Furyon), marking the arrival at a musical "point of no return."

1.3 Overcoming Geographical Barriers and Gathering in Chicago

The greatest barrier at the beginning of their formation was the geographical distance, with C.J. Snare in the United States (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) and Chris Green in the United Kingdom. An early track, "Movin' On," was written in a small bedsit apartment in Brighton, UK. However, the production process accelerated dramatically after Chris Green relocated to the US and established a base in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago and Milwaukee are only about a hour and a half drive apart, which enabled frequent studio sessions.

2. Member Biography

RUBICON CROSS started as a "project," but ultimately evolved into an organically bound "band of brothers." Detailed profiles of the primary members and their roles within the band are described below.

2.1 C.J. Snare - Lead Vocals

• Full Name: Carl Jeffrey Snare
• Roles: Lead Vocals, Songwriting, Engineering
• Associated Bands: FIREHOUSE, Maxx Warrior

C.J. Snare is widely known as the frontman of FIREHOUSE, which scored global hits in the early 1990s such as "Don't Treat Me Bad" and "Love of a Lifetime." His vocal style was a textbook melodic rock singing approach, characterized by crystalline high tones and emotionally rich expressiveness.

However, in RUBICON CROSS, C.J. Snare achieved a return to the "heavy metal" roots of his past. Prior to joining FIREHOUSE, he had been a member of Maxx Warrior, a more aggressive metal band, and always harbored a hunger for "heavy music." In RUBICON CROSS, he deliberately held back his trademark ultra-high-register shrieks, establishing a "street-wise" singing style that heavily utilized a thicker, grittier mid-range (high alto) capable of competing with down-tuned guitar riffs.

On April 5, 2024, C.J. Snare passed away suddenly at the age of 64. RUBICON CROSS has gained increased significance as one of the final works documenting the heaviest and most aggressive side of his career.

2.2 Chris Green - Lead Guitar

• Origin: United Kingdom
• Roles: Lead Guitar, Songwriting
• Associated Bands: PRIDE, Furyon, Tyketto

Chris Green is a technical guitarist who inherits the lineage of the "guitar hero" in the modern hard rock scene. His playing style lies in the fusion of the melodious phrasing from his PRIDE days and the dark, modern riff-work developed during his time with Furyon.

In RUBICON CROSS, he served as the "architect" of the sound, delivering cavernous distortions and extra-low tones. He was praised by the media as the answer to the question "Where are the new guitar gods?" and exuded a presence comparable to past masters like Eddie Van Halen and Zakk Wylde. Following his time with RUBICON CROSS, he solidified his reputation by playing as the guitarist for Tyketto from 2014 to 2023.

2.3 Simon Farmery - Bass

• Origin: United Kingdom
• Roles: Bass, Songwriting
• Associated Bands: PRIDE, Furyon

Simon Farmery is a close ally who has worked with Chris Green for many years. He also relocated from the UK to the US, coincidentally settling within 20 miles of Chris Green's residence. This coincidence became the deciding factor in bringing him in as the bassist for RUBICON CROSS. Going beyond a mere rhythm section member, he was credited as a co-writer for the track "Save Me Within"—one of the album's highlights—playing a vital role in the band's songwriting. His bass playing anchors the bottom end of the songs, providing a heavy tone that fills the space required for modern heaviness.

2.4 Robert Behnke - Drums

• Role: Drums
• Associated Bands: Seventh Omen

Robert Behnke is the drummer recruited to complete the band's rhythm section. His playing style has been described as "killer drumming," fully demonstrating its driving force particularly in the up-tempo track "Locked & Loaded." His drumming never lost its power even during melodious parts, serving as an anchor that held the overall sound of the band closer to metal.

2.5 Jeff Lerman - Guitar

• Role: Guitar (Rhythm/Second)

Jeff Lerman joined the band as the second guitarist. In order to replicate the multi-layered guitar orchestration that Chris Green constructed in the studio within a live environment, another guitarist was indispensable. With his addition, RUBICON CROSS fully transitioned from a project into a proper "band."

3. Musical Style and Identity

The musical style of RUBICON CROSS has been defined by critics as "the ultimate mash-up of modern heavy metal and melody."

3.1 The Fusion of "FIREHOUSE" and "Furyon"

The band's sound concept lies in the collision between the catchiness of "1990s American melodic rock" symbolized by C.J. Snare and the dark, aggressive texture of "modern European metal" brought in by Chris Green.

• Vocals: C.J. Snare's voice served to "oxygenate" the heavy guitar sound, imparting emotional depth.
• Guitar: Chris Green's riffs heavily utilized down-tuning, possessing the sharpness and weight characteristic of modern metal. This created a contemporary edge.

3.2 Production System and the Contribution of Rick Beato

The recording of the album was carried out primarily at the following two locations:

1. Snare Bear Studios: C.J. Snare's private studio located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The majority of vocal tracking and engineering took place here.
2. Black Dog Studios: Located in Atlanta, Georgia. Additional tracking was performed here.

Of particular note is the involvement of Rick Beato, who handled the mixing and mastering. Before gaining global fame as a music theorist and commentator on YouTube, he was already a platinum producer who had worked with acts like Shinedown. Thanks to Beato's craftsmanship, RUBICON CROSS's sound achieved a "HUGE" and "polished" sonic landscape that rivaled major-label blockbusters, despite being an independent production.

3.3 Lyric Themes

The "decade of life experiences" shared by C.J. Snare and Chris Green forms the core of the lyrics.

• Struggle and Survival: "Kill Or Be Killed", "Bleed With Me"
• Relationship Conflicts: "Next Worst Enemy", "R U Angry"
• Inner Salvation: "Save Me Within"

In contrast to the optimistic love songs of the FIREHOUSE era, these lyrics are painted from a more realistic and at times cynical adult perspective.

4. Discography

The official releases of RUBICON CROSS consist of one limited edition EP and one full-length album (both Japanese and international editions).

4.1 Limited Edition EP (2011)

A 4-track EP independently released in 2011 ahead of the full album. This work served as a "calling card" to present the direction of RUBICON CROSS's sound to the industry and fans alike.

• Release Date: August 2011
• Label: Independent
• Format: CD, Digital

No.	Title (English)	Notes
1	Movin' On	The earliest track, transitioning from an acoustic intro into a heavy progression.
2	Next Worst Enemy	A straightforward rock number with a catchy riff.
3	R U Angry	Characterized by aggressive vocals and guitar work.
4	Shine	A song showcasing the ballad side of the band.

Analysis: Critics highly praised it for boasting an extremely high level of completion as modern hard rock, entirely devoid of the raw unpolished nature often found in unsigned bands' independent releases. In particular, "Next Worst Enemy" was evaluated as having single-cut potential.

4.2 RUBICON CROSS (Debut Album) (2014)

The band's sole full-length album, serving as the culmination of RUBICON CROSS's musical legacy.

• Japan Release Date: May 14, 2014
• Japan Label: King Records / Nexus
• Japan Catalog Number: KICP-1687
• US/Global Release Date: May 19, 2014
• US Label: INgrooves

Track-by-Track Analysis

The following track analysis is based on the track list of the Japanese edition (KICP-1687).

1. Locked & Loaded

• Composed by: C.J. Snare, Chris Green
• Analysis: A high-velocity track kicking off the album. It was featured on the soundtrack of the Xbox 360/PS3 video game "DiRT Showdown," sitting alongside younger bands like Rise Against. True to its title "Locked & Loaded," the song loudly declares the band's state of battle-readiness.

2. Next Worst Enemy

• Composed by: C.J. Snare, Chris Green
• Analysis: Re-recorded from the EP. A track that can be called the band's sonic manifesto, it beautifully fuses Green's heavy riffing with C.J. Snare's melodious chorus. The lyrics depict the collapse of a relationship, where someone once loved transforms into the "next worst enemy."

3. Bleed With Me

• Composed by: C.J. Snare, Chris Green
• Analysis: The lead single from this work, which also spawned a music video. Starting with a fierce guitar intro accompanied by thunderous drums, it is a "bad ass" heavy tune. It stands as one of the tracks that best embodies the band's raw energy during live performances.

4. Save Me Within

• Composed by: C.J. Snare, Chris Green, Simon Farmery
• Analysis: A power ballad co-written by bassist Simon Farmery. It has been described as "a cry blending pain, despair, and hope." While following the traditional power ballad format, it takes a darker and more introspective approach, shaking the listener's emotions. Following C.J. Snare's passing, many fans cited this song as a tribute.

5. You Will Remember Me

• Composed by: C.J. Snare, Chris Green
• Analysis: As the title implies, an anthem singing of self-assertion and the hunger to be remembered. C.J. Snare's vocals soar high, delivering the aura of stadium rock. With a powerful hook in the chorus, the song was intentionally crafted for live sing-alongs.

6. Movin' On

• Composed by: C.J. Snare, Chris Green
• Analysis: The memorable very first song co-written by C.J. Snare and Chris Green. The acoustic guitar intro evokes a traditional Western rock groove, but instantly transforms into a modern, heavy approach. A track symbolizing the band's duality (static and dynamic, old and new).

7. R U Angry

• Composed by: C.J. Snare, Chris Green
• Analysis: An aggressive number directly channeling anger. Here, C.J. Snare deliberately rasps his voice, using a "choky" singing style to express an explosion of emotion. Chris Green's guitar solo is also highly technical yet violently resonant.

8. Shine

• Composed by: C.J. Snare, Chris Green
• Analysis: A song previously included on the EP. Structurally building up gradually from a quiet opening, C.J. Snare's talent as a melody maker shines through fully. It features a melancholic melodic line that is familiar and accessible even to FIREHOUSE fans.

9. Kill Or Be Killed

• Composed by: C.J. Snare, Chris Green
• Analysis: A song possessed of an unrelenting metal drive, true to its title "Kill Or Be Killed." It falls into the heaviest category on the album, dominated by dark riffs reminiscent of Chris Green's tenure with Furyon.

10. All The Little Things

• Composed by: C.J. Snare, Chris Green
• Analysis: The track closing out the standard edition. Pivoting sharply from the preceding heavy tracks, it is an upbeat number incorporating elements of old-time rock 'n' roll and melodic punk. It wraps up a serious album with a fun atmosphere.

11. Shine (Acoustic Remix)

• Notes: Japan Bonus Track.
• Analysis: A special version included exclusively on the Japanese edition (KICP-1687). Stripping away distorted guitars, it is reconstructed around acoustic guitar and vocals. The inherent beauty of the song's melody stands out, allowing listeners to fully appreciate C.J. Snare's delicate expressiveness.

5. Reception and Market Impact

5.1 Critical Reception

RUBICON CROSS's debut album was generally well-received by the hard rock community.

Reevaluation of Vocals: The media expressed surprise and praise for C.J. Snare's adaptation to "modern heaviness." "New Noise" magazine poetically wrote that his voice "provided harmony and oxygen" to the gloomy tracks. On the other hand, "Blabbermouth" praised his stance of competing in the mid-range without relying on "falsetto shrieks," even in intense tempos outside of ballads, calling it "appealing."

Guitar Work: Evaluation for Chris Green was exceptionally high, credited with bringing a new dimension to a stagnant melodic rock scene through his "power of riffs" and "modern technique."

5.2 Development in the Japanese Market

In Japan, the album was released as a "Japan-first release" by King Records, an established hard rock/heavy metal label. The catchphrase read, "A heavy metal band launched by FIREHOUSE vocalist CJ Snare together with UK-born guitarist Chris Green," leveraging FIREHOUSE's name recognition while promoting it as a more "metal"-oriented work.

The luxurious specifications unique to the Japanese edition, such as the inclusion of a bonus track and liner notes with translated lyrics, appealed to enthusiastic Japanese collectors. Although detailed chart positions like Oricon were not recorded, it showed a clear presence in the "Hard Rock/Heavy Metal" categories of retailer rankings such as Yodobashi Camera.

5.3 Independent Spirit and INgrooves

In the global market, rather than signing directly with a major label, the album was released through INgrooves, a distributor under Universal Music Group. Chris Green stated in an interview, "we basically are the record company," choosing to organize their own PR companies and radio promotion teams to fully seize control over their product. While this was a contemporary business model that increased returns to the artists, it was simultaneously a grueling path requiring effort described as "blood, sweat, and selling your children."

6. Conclusion

6.1 End of the Band and Aftermath for Members

Following the 2014 album release and accompanying live activities (such as their debut performance at H.O.M.E. Bar in Chicago), the band went on hiatus. While continuity as a permanent band was hoped for, each member returned to their respective main bands.

• Chris Green: Formally joined Tyketto in 2014, actively touring the world and performing until 2023.
• C.J. Snare: Continued his activities with FIREHOUSE, though he did so while battling health issues.

6.2 C.J. Snare's Untimely Death and Reevaluation

In April 2024, the news of C.J. Snare's passing sent shockwaves through rock fans worldwide.

The music of RUBICON CROSS, particularly "Save Me Within," is being reevaluated as a vital legacy for understanding his "other side." Distinct from the "cheerful American rocker" persona he showcased in FIREHOUSE, his presence in RUBICON CROSS poured out deeper, heavier, and more human emotions.

Although RUBICON CROSS did not match FIREHOUSE in terms of commercial scale, it has carved its name in rock history as proof that a rare vocalist like C.J. Snare never gave up on his artistic exploration and fully crossed his own Rubicon.

Data Lists

Table 1: Discography List

Title	Type	Release Year	Label	Region	Catalog No.	Notes
Limited Edition EP	EP	2011	Independent	US/UK	N/A	4-track independent release
RUBICON CROSS	Album	2014	King Records	Japan	KICP-1687	Includes Japan bonus track
RUBICON CROSS	Album	2014	INgrooves	Global	N/A	10-track standard edition
Bleed With Me	Single	2014	INgrooves	Global	N/A	Digital single

Table 2: Members and Associated Personnel List

English Name	Role	Associated Bands
C.J. Snare	Vocal/Engineering	FIREHOUSE, Maxx Warrior
Chris Green	Guitar	PRIDE, Furyon, Tyketto
Simon Farmery	Bass	PRIDE, Furyon
Robert Behnke	Drums	Seventh Omen
Jeff Lerman	Guitar
Rick Beato	Mixing/Mastering	Shinedown Producer