CRASH VEGAS SAILS INTO THE TOWN PUMP
Town Pump, Vancouver
Friday, June 2, 1995
Concert review by A.R. Carrall
Photography by James Dittiger
I knew it was going to be an exceptional opportunity for music
fans on this balmy Friday night and Crash Vegas certainly didn't
prove me wrong. I had just walked through the door and grabbed
a cold one when the familiar strains of Pocahontas,
the Neil Young chestnut, rumbled from the stage to open the
show and fully enchant the sold out throng. Michelle McAdorey,
dressed in a simple but oh so sexy black slipdress had everyone
mesmerized from her first syllable as she shimmed and shook her
slender frame like an exotic gypsy while keeping her head perfectly
still. The band suffered no ill effects from having their gear
ripped off the night before as they stormed through a set that
drew heavily from Aurora, their excellent new release for
Sony Music.
"This show is being recorded by the CBC," McAdorey announced
as they launched into Old Enough, followed by Linoleum
and the gripping On & On (Lodestar), a triple combination
that was proof positive Crash Vegas was not only on but
were in that special place some call the zone. They were unconscious,
playing with a faith and finesse that very few possess. Remember
to check the radio listings as this was a show well worth having
on tape. Guitarist Colin Cripps has evolved into a stellar
musician as he assembled rock solid melodies with his intricate
rhythm work, then blew the roof off with jaw dropping leads. He
and vocalist McAdorey fit extremely well together as both seem
shy and withdrawn on stage until they slay you with their talent
and craftsmanship. There wasn't a lot of small talk or meaningless
patter between songs as the band concentrated on the task at hand
and never strayed the course. One Way Conversation from
Stone was one of many highlights as Cripps attacked his
guitar with amazing gusto while McAdorey threw heart and soul
into her emotional vocal.
You Shine Bright, the slow burner that is one of Aurora's standout
tracks, had the crowd under mass hypnosis, all eyes on McAdorey as her voice
swooped and soared around the song's chorus of you shine bright, why so
dim. Overall it was an extremely well paced, enthralling performance
with the only drawback being the guitar sound, which sometimes overwhelmed
the songs with sheer volume.
With three albums now under its collective belt it's apparent
that Crash Vegas has matured into one of Canada's most entertaining
bands. If you have a chance to catch this band make the best of
it or better still go grab a copy of Aurora, you won't be disappointed.