The Crash was formed in 2005 with a mission to perform a mix of original music and cover tunes, presented in a stripped-down and authentic three-piece format. The focus was on playing local venues, as well as serving as a lab band for the players. The Portland, Oregon music scene at the time was quirky and vibrant, and the band members had access to a practice space in a downtown building, which fortuitously also housed the well-known Kelly’s Olympian Bar.

Kelly’s was transitioning to new owners and possessed an enthusiastic and artistic sensibility. Bringing music into the venue was a key part of the turnaround of the storied space, and a deal was soon struck. The Crash took over one night a week, and this residency continued for several months. They were frequently joined by other interesting local bands to alternate sets with. The band’s original drummer, Sean Brown, owned an impressive recording studio and was responsible for many of the band’s early recordings. In 2012 Sean left the band to focus on other projects, and after a short interlude was replaced by David “Batman” Simpson, a well-known fixture of the Pacific Northwest bar-band scene.

Through the band’s commitment to playing at local venues and events, they built a small but loyal following and created a number of memorable album projects, many of which are gathered here and presented for your enjoyment.

The Crash: performance review by Steve Murray
The Crash manifesto
Crash Video
Crash Photo Archives