Bio
CRUSE is a duo and a collaborative adventure
Brad Koehler and ReGina Cruse
CRUSE is conveniently located in Lawrence, Kansas. We aim to let our creative beings BE and choose to share our efforts in order to motivate others to do the same. If we can do this, you can do that. We are primarily an electronic band, however, we always seek to make the digital more humanistic.
BRAD KOEHLER BIO: The Life of an Audio Alchemist
Early Life and Musical Experiences
Born in North Central Kansas in the Fall of 1966, Brad gravitated to a love of music at an early age. He began classical piano training at the age of five, and graduated to playing recitals and entering competitions throughout his school years. In high school, he pivoted from classical piano and became completely enthralled with the possibility of electronic sound design and electronic music. Synthesizers quickly became his love language. During college Brad connected with computer programmer Chris Hartman. Together they formed the electronic duo Manapsara. They created instrumental, industrial electronic music and, although rather avant-gard for this time and location, landed their first live performance playing at an art gallery exhibiting original work from Allen Ginsberg in Lawrence, Kansas for the famed River City Reunion. This was a multi-genre event in 1987 focused on Beat Generation authors, poets, artists and musicians such as William S. Burroughs, John Giorno, Kathy Acker, Keith Haring, Timothy Leary, Jello Biafra, Jim Carroll, Marianne Faithful and many others.
Professional Career Begins
In 1988 Manapsara pitched an idea to author William S. Burroughs involving composing an instrumental electronic soundtrack to his 1952 novel Queer, although the novel wasn't published until 1985. With Mr. Burroughs full support, the duo began writing their musical soundtrack to the novel - an original idea for the time period. The project was recorded at famed Alpha & Omega Studios in the Bay Area. An independent record label deal with Sub Rosa Records based in Brussels, Belgium followed with a rave New York Times record review appearing shortly after the 1989 release. MTV's 120 Minutes excerpted a 12" remix from this project and used it repeatedly as a program ID for two years. In January of 1990, Brad and Chris relocated to the Bay Area where Brad continued his education in Sound Recording Engineering and also began musical collaborations with San Francisco musical legend Connie Champagne, the late Slim Dali, and the soon-to-be international star Mx. Justin Vivian Bond. In late1992 Brad accepted an invitation by William S. Burrough to look after him and his daily care as a personal assistant back in Lawrence, Kansas.
Time With WSB
Upon returning to Lawrence, KS, Brad began looking after the daily duties and care of Mr. Burroughs and his many friends and visitors. Brad met ReGina Cruse - who would become his life-long friend and musical collaborator - shortly after returning to Lawrence. He invited ReGina to assist with the duties of looking after Mr. Burroughs. Both Brad and ReGina worked in service to Mr. Burroughs until a year before the author's passing in August of 1997.
The Music Continues
In the Summer of 1996, Brad and ReGina officially formed the electronic duo CRUSE and began writing, recording and performing. CRUSE began working with recording engineer and producer Robert Rebeck - who went on to write for and record hip hop legend Tech N9ne, as well as contribute music for the Alpha Dog film soundtrack among many other projects. CRUSE were invited to perform along the likes of The Lo-Fidelity AllStars, The Faint, Ron Jeremy's Circus SideShow and the Culture Club Reunion Tour to name a few. In 2000 they released CRUSE:THIS, an offering of 16 original songs. THIS produced extensive college radio airplay.
The Radio Years
During this time, Brad was approached by a local aspiring radio host that had secured a time slot on the local college radio station, and suggested that they collaborate and produce an audio magazine where they would interview various pop culture icons and see where it went. The show, Queer Radio, gained momentum quickly, and was soon being excerpted for national radio broadcast. Guests interviewed included film and music legend Eartha Kitt, Russ Meyer's legendary actress Tura Satana, horror author Clive Barker, German music superstar Nina Hagen, legendary Dead Or Alive front man Pete Burns, Boy George, Praga Khan from Lords of Acid and many, many more.
In-Between Days
In 2005, Brad and ReGina both took time off to look after their families, and Brad continued to collaborate with various record labels and performing artists by writing incidental music for television and commercial placement as well as remixing songs for various labels.
ReGeneration
Shortly before the early 2020 pandemic, Brad and ReGina found themselves again in Lawrence, Kansas and reconnected with complete passion and commitment to immersing themselves in writing and recording. More than 125 songs later (and counting), they are offering a new selection of material entitled CRUSE:THAT.
Currently Brad may be found in the middle of rooms of synthesizers and recording equipment, looked after by two magickal Greyhound muses amidst shelves of antique books. Let the alchemy of sound play on!