The Crumbs
Shakespeare 7"
(Lookout! Records)
myspace.com/thecrumbs
Now that I've had time to think about it, it seems like last year's Gator Kicks album was one big put-on concerning this band's demise. Nah, I'm looking at it as a hiatus from South Florida and with six full-lengths, two 7"ers, one split 7" a compilation CD and a great 10" EP under their belts, I'm guessing you can't keep a good punk rock animal down for too long. No, even if the core of the personnel continues to be Raf Classic's guitar and trademark nasal snarl, the Crumbs will keep on keeping on.
Back in the mid 90's, the Crumbs were already punk rock heroes in South Florida's scene and having caught the eye of the sheriffs over at Lookout! Records, this 7" was the appetizer for the great debut LP that outfit would press. This is a simple, two-song slab of wax with the B-side of "Gonna Like It" which is trademark snot and teen angst and teen lust and maybe an early 20 something's cynicism via some "hey's" and lot of '57/'77 thrown in the mix.
The real star here, and by that I mean the reaction it gets live and the fact that it is perhaps one of their best known tracks is "Shakespeare." It is a little known fact that these guys enjoyed their English classes and brought it to the fray through this song about homelessness and literary justification. Genius. The lineup at the time included Classic on guitar and vocals, Johnny B. on guitar, Emil 4 ½ on bass and Chuck Loose on drums. "Shakespeare" of course, was included in the LP and I'm not sure, but I think "Gonna Like It" might be on a comp somewhere. Anyways, it's got the Lookout! LK166 numeration and it came out in 1997.
The clip below might not be the best in quality, but outside of my wax, this is how I remember the chaos. Also of note, the video was shot in West Palm's Respectable Street Café and features the extremely rare sighting of Raf Classic in shorts. The newest version of The Crumbs will be performing at Churchill's this upcoming Friday, April 1st in celebration of April Pool's Day alongside Iceland's de facto sons, Pool Party.
The Crumbs with Pool Party at 9 p.m. on Friday, April 1st at Churchill's Pub, 5501 NE 2nd Ave, Little Haiti. Call 305-757-1807 or visit www.churchillspub.com.
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