Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

Mick Michaels: The band formed in 2011 following a reunion project I was involved in with a band from the 80s called Seeker. I wanted to do more of the classic style of Heavy Metal…the version I grew up on and wanted to hear more of…Corners of Sanctuary was born.

The band’s name refers to a place real or imaginary, that we can go to be ourselves…a place free of judgment and ridicule…like our happy place….some corner of sanctuary.  Music for us is a corner of sanctuary and a place we want to share with others.

The band consists of Frankie Cross on lead vocals, Mad T on drums, myself (Mick Michaels) on guitar and our newest member, David St. John on bass.

Really, there is not much to say.  We are just regular guys who all enjoy writing music and performing.

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

Mick Michaels: Most of the band is within an hour or so from one another in the Philadelphia area. Frankie is bit a further north…about three hours. But we are close enough to get things done. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

Mick Michaels: For me Judas Priest and Kiss have always been favourites.  But I also gravitated towards bands like Accept, Savatage, Queensryche and the like.

They have most definitely influenced my sound and style collectively. Everyone is a product or a by-product of their influences in some way or another. It’s like being part of a lineage or legacy without any attachment.

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

Mick Michaels: As far back as I can remember I always wanted to write music and be in a band. I was playing in a band only after six month of playing guitar…not the best by any means, but I was doing what I wanted to do.

I did have several back up plans as I got older…you have to and those skill sets have come in handy 100 times over while being a musician.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

Mick Michaels: I don’t do playlists, or ipods or anything like that.  I am not a digital downloader.  I prefer the physical…CDs, vinyl and cassettes. Music like it was meant to be.

I always have Judas Priest in some form or another ready to go.

Do you sing in the shower?

Mick Michaels: Not very well…. sure, who doesn’t. I often find myself working out riffs or melodies for songs I’m writing while in the shower. Plus the reverb is amazing!

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

Mick Michaels: Absolutely!  We always have something going on and in the works. The band just recently completed its second UK tour in April. We have a string of dates at SonarFest this summer plus dates throughout the fall. The band is working on a new EP titled, “Metal Up,” as well as continuing work on our next full-length album, “Vengeance of the Fallen.”

Next year, we may be heading to Canada for our first run of shows. But we will see…things are always changing in this business.  You have to be ready to roll with the punches.

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

Mick Michaels: Our latest EP, “This is Metal,” released in February. The first single was “Rockin’ the Night Away” and was followed up with a second single in March of our cover of Judas Priest’s “Breaking the Law” before corners of sanctuary went to the UK.

Again, we are working on a new EP that we are looking to release later this fall.

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

Mick Michaels: Definitely Madison Square Garden…everyone who is anyone has played and sold it out….a boy’s got to dream!

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

Mick Michaels: I have two actually…Judas Priests’ “Stained Class” and Paul Stanley’s first solo album in ’78.

“Stained Class” is the ultimate display of a classic Heavy Metal album in my opinion…it’s the era I think of when I think of Priest. And Paul’s ’78 solo album, to me, a just an excellent piece of songwriting collectively…there’s a range of personal emotions in that album and it demonstrated a variety of his talent at that time.

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

Mick Michaels: Not really…nothing that I am ashamed of.  I have always been a fan of pop music…I dig the Bee Gees and Neil Diamond among others. “Hold Me Now” from the Thompson Twins is one of my all time favourite tracks. Music is music…if it touches it the soul then go with what you like.

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Mick Michaels: Judas Priest, Kiss, Accept and Corners of Sanctuary.

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

Mick Michaels: It was a Guess Who album…and yes I still own it.

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

Mick Michaels: Just want to let everyone know how much we appreciate them and their support.  Without the fans, this band would not exist beyond my basement studio. We are very grateful!

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

Check out Corners of Sanctuary at:
Official: www.cornersofsanctuary.com 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CornersofSanctuary 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/COSnROLL 
Instagram: www.instagram.com 

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

Mick Michaels: Thanks so much for talking with me – it was truly a pleasure…appreciate your support.  All my best! COSnROLL\m/\m/

This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum