Okay with that said I was focused on getting back on gig track. I got on my laptop to look for a local show for January and what comes up…CRASH KINGS!
If you don’t know you’re about to know!
I have a little bit of history with this band. I met the lead singer/ keyboardist while living in LA on an all female compound located in a neighborhood on the western border of Koreatown, situated between a nunnery and a Korean BBQ restaurant, no seriously! The singer moved in and shook up our little place. Word quickly spread that the cute tattooed boy was a musician and we were all intrigued. We all spent a lot of the summer hanging out in our backyard filled with fruit trees sitting at a table talking and laughing.
Cut to Friday night-I hop on the #22 bus take a quick ride down to Wrigleyville and enter the Cubby Bear. The bar seems to be a Chicago institution located just opposite of thee Wrigley Field.
It’s a pretty large bar with a connected café that’s open during the day. On this evening there are two opening acts before we get to the Crash Kings. I can’t say I paid much attention to either. The first was a three piece consisting of a lead singer with Billy Ray Cyrus hair (present day), drummer who was sort of like an anime character the way he bopped around and grinned and a bassist that was fat that made me think of another bassist who almost didn’t become one because he said they’re always fat guys. The second band was a four piece with some interesting characters nothing to write home about there either.Finally it was time for the main event and the crowd was very ready. The boys came on stage and started right in. Crash Kings is comprised of an unrelenting drummer Jason and the Beliveau brothers Tony on lead vocal and keys and Mike on bass. The band has a perfect mix of unique sound and interesting storytelling that I think really gives them their identity. I was happy to hear my personal favorite “14 Arms” early in the setlist and I wasn't the only person with prior knowledge of their catalog. There were lots of fans in the crowd who knew exactly who they were there to see. They were jumping up and down and singing all the words. The crowds enthusiasm even threw Tony for a loop who remarked that they weren’t expecting this since it was their first show of their first headlining tour! Tony, Mike and Jason BROUGHT IT! Mike was rocking it out on bass so much so in fact, he broke a string. String mishap and all the pressed on effortlessly, to me at least. They were tight, powerful and fun everything you want in a show. All three guys were giving all they had. Tony was funny and charming while talking to the crowd which I think is an important skill that doesn't come easy to all. Tony graciously informed the crowd that the love we gave made them feel like it was a hometown show or actually better because they don’t get nearly that kind of response in LA!
After the show I said a quick hi to Tony who was holding court by the merch table. A very nice fan took this not so nice photo but a memory nonetheless!
I was beyond proud to see them up their doing their thing and I implore you to see them live if they come to a city near you! Check them out on iTunes and Twitter.
