Crackerbash

They formed in 1988, with Sean Croghan (formally of Hellcows) on Vocal and guitar duties, Scott Fox on bass, and Doug Nash banging on the skins, however Doug would later be replaced with Teddy Miller formally of The Red Vines. The band’s first and only full length album was released by Empty Records back in 1992. It wasn’t a bad start if you ask me, some great songs, some ok songs and some songs that have to grow on you before you’ll respect it. But to me the greatest release by them has to be their “Tin Toy E.P.” coming right at the heels of their debut album only by a couple of years.

My first encounter with Crackerbash happened a while back when I saw the movie Hype!, the opening scene was a band that I never heard of before, but in that very brief segment of them playing live I knew this band could be special. Just from when I saw Sean go crazy, jumping about, and just shredding away at his guitar I could only imagine what this band was like for a full show. Just that brief segment got me hooked and dreaming magical dreams of fairies taking me to a far distant land called Seattle, plopping me in that crowd and seeing, hearing and taking in everything they had to offer. Then, I got my hands on their “Tin Toy” album, it encompassed what my dreams envisioned; the raw, loud and energy packed shows but it was on a recorded album. From the very first track, “A Song For Lon Mabon”, who, if I’m not mistaken was a former Oregon mayor, or some type of politican, was and still is my favorite song. The starting bass line and the build up, and the scream was just brilliance. The album didn’t let up from there at all, the entire album was jam packed with energy and what you would expect their shows to be like, and was recorded by the infamous Kurt Bloch of The Fastbacks. Despite having a very solid debut album, and an immensely brilliant record in “Tn Toy”, they had some less than crowning achievements when it came to their singles, and wished they never saw the light of day for the most part. In August 1992, the band partook in the famous Sub Pop Singles Club and dished out the “Nov. 1/Halloween Candy” record. “Nov.1” to me, should have been left on the drawing room floor, it did nothing for me, the true magic was on the flip side. Granted it was a Spinanes cover, but hey, they did a damn great job with it. Another single “Holiday” was released off of local label Imp Records was probably my favorite of their single releases. “Holiday” had a strikingly great sound and tight melodies that I feel in love with after a couple of listens. The two other songs on the record “All Work” and “Walk Back” were ok at best, not bad or anything, just nothing spectacular or pushing the boundaries for the band, if you will. And finally, their famous “Jasper 7”, I met people who love the song “Jasper” and think it’s probably one of their best work, I think differently. It is a great song, don’t get me wrong, with Sean’s wailing and those mesmerizing power chords you can’t help but to not like the song. But I think saying it’s their best work is a stretch. They also did a split with Jawbox “Back To School/Falk” but never heard it, would be an interesting listen though.

They were also featured on a bunch of compilations, two of which are my all-time favorites. They contributed the song “Head Lika Weedeater” to the Teriyaki Asthma Compilation and did a Wipers cover “I Don’t Know What I Am/Mystery” which was featured on the “8 Songs For Greg Sage”, and later be released as “14 Songs For Greg Sage”. My favorite Crackerbash song ever “A Song For Lon Mabon” was featured on the “Drinking From Puddles: A Radio History” CD which happened to be a pretty damn good compilation, if I do says o myself. They also had a hand in the “Our Band Could Be Your Life” Compilation, but I didn’t like that album at all, so I say just stick with the three I mentioned first and you’ll be good, unless you’re a fan of the Minutemen than I would take a look at the comp.In a scene that was pioneered by the iconic Wipers, Crackerbash came off as heroes of the punk scene of the 80’s and had a very strong backing. Their energetic and often raucous live shows got them recognized by Sub Pop, Empty and C/Z, but more importantly gave themselves a name. They shared the stage locally with bands like fIREHOSE and toured Europe with Girl Trouble, however shortly after their return they called it quits in 1993. Sean went off to play in Moustache and Junior High, he even has a solo record out titled “From Burnt Orange, To Midnight Blue”. Scott went and joined Star Power, Telephone, and joined Teddy in Satan’s Pilgrims. However in September 2005, they reunited in Portland and played for the first time in nearly 13 years in front of 2,000 people, and with a supporting cast of Oregon heavyweights Hazel, Pond, and Sprinkler