CRASH PAD
ABOUT THE BAND
Crash Pad was first formed in 1996, and has been described by local newspaper the Gainesville Sun as "Gainesville's long-running, hard-working, old-school punks." ("Sound Check" column, Patrick Hughes, 9/17/99.) The editor of local alternative newspaper Moon Magazine, writing for the website GNV.yourvillage.com in June 2000, described Crash Pad as "Melodic and raw, through various line up changes Crash Pad has been a mainstay of local music," ("Crash Pad Performs Tonight," Colin Whitworth, 6/12/00), and Detours magazine (part of the Alligator student newspaper) agrees on the "mainstay" description. (Fall Music Showcase to Get Eclectic this Weekend," Sekhmet, 10/5/00). Rock 104's Brian Walker says "Crash Pad... are Gainesville's long-time, famous punksters." (Rock 104 Concert Series Locals Only E-mail, 3/3/01).
Maximum RockNRoll zine called Crash Pad "solidly rocking" with a "heavy on the guitars punk sound, and... vocals [that] are mostly snotty with a healthy dose of angry thrown in." (July 2002, Erin Yanke) In 2000 Crash Pad won Moon Magazine's Hogtown Music Award for Best Punk Band, and in 2001 was named to the Alligator's "Hot 20" list of Gainesvilles' Best Bands. In 2003 Crash Pad appeared on the Home Van charity compilation CD on Signalpath Records featuring Gainesville's best bands, and later appeared on Volume II of the HOME Van CD in 2009.
After coming back from their lead singer's surgery, chemotherapy and radiation for throat cancer in 2011, Crash Pad's 2012 album "Cops and Punks (and other short stories)" has garnered airplay not only on all of their hometown broadcast and internet radio outlets (100.5 FM the Buzz, 94.7 FM WGOT, Rock104.com, GROWradio.org), but also on radio stations as far away as California (95.1 FM KFOK). Online reviewers Two Guys Metal Reviews say "Crash Pad is an excellent punk band with an oldschool feel," and that the album is filled with "sheer rock and roll energy."
The pandemic and other circumstances put Crash Pad on temporary hiatus, but we began rebuilding in 2022, and are hitting the boards again in 2023 with new material! Our 2023 set consists, with only one exception ("Patron Saint," from our 1996 cassette tape), of songs never released on any recording. So it'll be a lot like a whole new band! YAY!
BAND MEMBERS
BRIAN KRASHPAD
Lead Singer, Guitar
Brian formed Crash Pad in 1996, after leaving local band Allen Wrench. Brian was present at the outset of the Gainesville punk scene in the early '80's with his band the Atomics, and has since played in numerous local bands, including Smart Bomb, Camp 7, Hoyt and the Hotheads, Sick Dick and the Volkswagens, Pedagogy, the Bill Perry Orchestra, and even traditional Celtic band O'Reilly & Co. He has also written about music in numerous local and regional publications, including Ink 19, Moon, Satellite, and Our Town: Gainesville, among others.
MITCH ESTIC
Guitarist, Backing Vocals
Mitch started in Crash Pad in 2006, when he was still in high school! This talented guitarist and vocalist is essential in arranging Crash Pad songs, and always provides an exuberant and energetic performance onstage at gigs.
J.T. CRASHPAD
Drummer
J.T. came to Crash Pad from central Florida punk band Dead End Kids in 2000, and initially played through 2005. He played numerous more times with us thereafter, though, sitting in for shows in 2006, 2007, and 2010. J.T. came back aboard in 2018, and his propulsive backbeat has re-energized the Crashers to go onward and upward!
GIMME MICK RICHMOND
Bassist, Backing Vocals
Mick is Crash Pad's newest member, joining in 2023. Gimme plays numerous instruments and has previously played in many Gainesville bands, including Skatterbrainz, Spike the Cat, Arcane Angel, and his current main band, The Rennys. Talk about overqualified!
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CRASH PAD MUSIC
CRASH PAD
1996
Our first album, originally released only as a DIY cassette, and re-released 20 years later in 2016 as a CD on Gainesville label Nook & Cranny Records! This album featured the original trio lineup, with members switching instruments. Recorded at drummer Mike Irwin's Jam-In-A-Box home studio, and featuring songs with each of the members taking lead vocals on different songs.
NINE MINUTES OF PLEASURE
1998
This 3-song CD demo featured Brian and original drummer Mike, along with new guitarist Adam Unhinged. It was produced in the interim period between when Crash Pad was a trio and when the quartet lineup had solidified. Recorded at Jam-In-A-Box.
HIGH-GAIN VILLAINS
2002
This 14-song (on 13 tracks) CD was released by the band after its lineup had solidified as a quartet, fronted by Brian and Adam. Recorded with Rob MacGregor at the original Goldentone Studio. Track listing and times listed here:
https://musicbrainz.org/release/8ba4c13a-43a7-4d9f-a416-63fccd748ebd
COPS & PUNKS (AND OTHER SHORT STORIES)
2012
This album was released on vinyl, CD, and as digital downloads by TB2 Records. Again recorded with Rob MacGregor, at the new Goldentone Studio.
Available at Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Cops-Punks-Other-Short-Stories/dp/B008ILLYHQ
Available at CD Baby:
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/crashpad
Available on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/2K545ejKYfw62IVwTmSq5X
Available on Apple Music:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/cops-and-punks-and-other-short-stories/id542295116
CONTACT
Want to learn more about Crash Pad, their music, and their tour dates? Don’t hesitate to get in touch.
NEXT SHOW BELOW!
Nov. 3: 6 p.m.
BOO FEST 2023
