By: Bob Longmore
The last time that I saw The Crush was the opening weekend for live music at the Triple Rock opening for a reunited Lifter Puller. Now, almost five years later, The Crush are the ones reuniting at the now worn-in Triple Rock. The reasons they originally broke up may exist only in the realm of speculation, and when asked why they were getting back together, singer and guitarist Jason Miller remained just as coy. “No real reason, other than just being stupid.” He did admit the decision may have been made under the influence, and that is was a “one-time deal.”
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Here is Where I Cross My Fingers album cover
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It was a nonchalant beginning for the reunion show, no excited introductions, no momentous declarations—just Miller saying, “Hello. We’re The Crush from six years ago… We ain’t promising much…” Then they tore into “Eyes to Break The Ice” with zeal and it was as if the hiatus never happened. The dual guitars of Miller and Andy Richardson created a blanket of fuzz that enveloped the bass playing of Jon Ness and the frenzied drumming of Jason Cook, the glue (I always felt) that kept the weight of the lyrics and guitars moving ever forward.
The crowd that packed the Triple Rock were rapt, but, surprisingly, subdued. I expected a full pit of moshing and craziness, but save for a few guys right in front, most of the audience stood, eyes unblinking, mesmerized by the energy and angst of the four guys on the stage. That is not to say that the audience was dead, there was energy in the crowd, too. Before the song, “The Funeral Party,” a bearded guy in a baseball hat leaned back slightly in deference to Miller, then in a half Jesus Christ pose, guzzled his beer. I thought a fitting tribute to the band, especially on this night when Miller quipped, “I get drunk a lot, but I am really ripped right now.” A steady stream of drinks made their way from the bar to the stage and Richardson, at one point, turned a round away saying, “I’ve got too many beers up here.” To which Miller replied in a deadpan tone, “What are you talking about?”
I think I’ve noted in reviews of Miller’s new band, The Evening Rig that he possesses one of the best rock and roll screams I have ever heard. That scream sounded so cathartic on these songs of crushing heartbreak and heartbreaking crushes. It is a wail that exemplifies the extremities of emotion that a lovesick heart can wring.
The Crush are not all angsty and mad at the world, OK they are mostly angsty and mad at the world. “It Fell on Nines,” for example is a song of hope and devoid of hurt for the most part. After a faux encore where everyone except Miller left the stage, he sang, “…We watched Say Anything/ ‘Cause it gave us a reason to sit close/ and Modern English came on/ And we both agreed that we love that song/ And I’m still melting with you.”
Although the songs sounded great and the energy was undeniable, this was no dour fest. Between each song were laughs and knowing glances between the band members. A few lyric flubs by Miller were the only real signs of any rust and even those were more endearing than they were frustrating. It felt like a reunion for everybody in the place, so a few missed notes or lyrics were not going to deter anyone from having a good time. There was no pressure on the band really. We were all there to just have a good time and to remember some times past. In the context of your whole life, five or six years isn’t that much time. But looking around at the crowd I would guess most of them were in their late twenties or early thirties. And I can only say, for me, those few years that precede your thirties can be life changing. The music of The Crush reminds me of those times, good and bad.
Location Info:
Triple Rock Social Club
Artist Info: The Crush
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