The Rules of the Game
Crushtor, a.k.a Tom Valcanis has always had a keen eye for figuring out the machinations behind the journalism game - relying on his wits and real-world experience instead of being holed up in a classroom being told what was relevant years ago by academics who skim over reality to rely on abstracts and theories instead. He specializes in finding out what people like, why they like it and how to get them to like something else. He's a keen listener and above all, a hawk-like observer of humans as organisms as a whole in their environments.
And their environments are inundated by the flood of words and images "the media" produce for the supposed information of others; that only tends to entertain and distract rather than inform and focus. Tom has the drive to get eyeballs on paper, forcing them to see far beyond the obvious. He wants to make what should be relevant become relevant again, and keep the trivial relegated to the margins.
Starting out reviewing unknown bands with bargain-basement demos in 2002 for 666metal.com, Tom has branched out into print journalism, writing for Melbourne-based street press Buzz Magazine that has garnered him interviews with international metal acts such as Soilwork, Cult of Luna and Machinae Supremacy as well as other rock-based groups including Have Heart, Against Me! and Flogging Molly.
With extensive contacts within the Australian and international music industry and beyond, Crushtor.net has the know-how to get a leg up in a carnivorous music journalism world, often tarred-thick with bullshit, often with bands striving tirelessly for no great reward.
Tom has aspirations to be the arrow of truth in a complacent quiver of slack-jawed corporate machine men whose only desire is to peddle cheap wares to an unsuspecting public, yearning for earnest and inspiring music.
Crushtor is one step ahead of the game. He knows the rules. And he wants to break them.