Music
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Idaho transplants The Crafty Bastards have come to town to hit us with a deliciously refreshing self-titled debut. Seamlessly fusing punk, reggae, country and ska together, the Bastards deliver a record with equal parts clever politically-charged and charming beer-fueled anthems.
The first track, called “Republicrap”—two minutes worth of audio clips showcasing how big of a moron George W. Bush can be atop an ominous windy backdrop—sets a tone that is largely incongruent to the rest of the record. Once I heard this, I expected a record drudging along with a politically dismal outlook. This really couldn’t have been further from the truth.
While some of the song’s concepts may indeed be politically dismal, they’re delivered in such a way one can’t help but smile while the track is playing. The introduction is followed by a track, “Beaver Dam,” bearing the first taste of the group’s major influence: Sublime. Rolling wah-guitar licks and steady reggae drumbeats emphasizing the upbeat abound, and the accompanying lyric deliveries are clearly in the vein of the late Bradley Nowell’s rollercoaster vocal rides.
Part of the Bastards’ charm is their ingenious way of fusing the darker, more negative aspect of things with humor, which is even shown by their cover—at first glance, it’s a gloomy black cover with red cursive font. Take a close look and you’ll see a pig humping a garbage can. That must be how they’re able to make lyrics like “Our lives won’t last forever/Eat, shit, sleep and grow cold/This is not a game/It’s a fucking warzone” sound uplifting. Crafty bastards, indeed. - What's Up (Bellingham, WA)
The Crafty Bastards, Can't Understand Normal Thinking, Self Released, myspace.com/thecraftybastards
After my first listen to The Crafty Bastards new record I couldnt help but think how crafty these bastards are on this 15-song LP. The band shows extreme versatility throughout the record, playing country western, reggae, surf, punk, etc.
The reggae infused Sonic Waves blew me away with its killer rhythms, awesome guitar playing and cool, unpredictable changes. Then the Bastards come through again with the cool protest song, Do Nothing, loaded with anthemic lyrics and power drumming. The treats just kept coming on this CD as TCB then busted out a monster version of In the Tubes by The Ventures. As if thats not enough, thats followed by a country-punk cover of On the Road Again, by everybodys favorite hemp proponent, Willie Nelson. On TV was another song that excited me.
The lyrics throughout the whole record really hold everything together, at times witty, at others angry and introspective. An example is the Alex Chilton like Ed Fontaine. An acoustic song/story of a tragic figure that we all can/will be from time to time. These guys then wrapped the record into a neat little package with the infectious reggae tune In Control. I highly recommend picking this record up.
-Boris Budd - What's Up Magazine
(From review at The Tractor Tavern in Seattle, WA. Opening up for The Young Dubliners)
Just a word about the support band, the Crafty Bastards if I may. They were surprisingly gifted and non self-promotional. No glamour, no fancy dress accompanied their act, they just played several styles of music all with equal ability. Hailing from Idaho, they would be a useful addition to a larger festival like Bumbershoot or Sasquatch. And they stayed about to support the main act from the floor which was a nice touch. If you get a chance to see them again, take it.
-Steve Clare - Seattle Fine Arts Examiner
Discography
We have released two full length albums. We have been distributing ourselves, but are currently in search of a small independent label.
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Bio
Inspired by the likes of Sublime, NOFX, Bob Marley, Hank Williams, The Mad Caddies, The Toadies, Nirvana, The Squirrel Nut Zippers, The Old 97's and many other great bands, The Bastards have forged a truly unique sound. Combining humor, politics, and beer, The Crafty Bastards have something for everyone.
The Story:
Amongst the sagebrush, dairy cows, and ignorance of a small Idaho town, the seed was planted. High school friends became band mates and the first incarnation of The Crafty Bastards was born. Between beers, bowls, and an endless stream of band names (Sea-Men, Dink, Ol' Man Zeke, Gramps, Cancer, The Shitty Assholes. . .etc) a bond was built.
Years passed and the band went through many changes. Members came and went and came again.
At first, playing only to our friends known as the BYOA (Bring Your Own Audience), we earned our wings and the music improved. Gigs began to pour in, and thanks to a bit of management from our friend Lonnie and a bit of hard work people began to notice.
Traveling all over southern Idaho brought us a good response everywhere we played. We took our music from skate parks, to bars, to house parties and beyond, playing songs about anything from chickens to political unrest. On our first Halloween gig we played as Spinal Tap, and on Christmas Eve a last minute show turned into a drunken night to remember, setting a standard of insanity.
After deciding to leave Idaho we played a farewell show, bringing out a long list of our friends in the local music community, as well as an energetic St Patrick’s Day crowd. Leaving such support was hard, but now the band looks forward to new opportunities and new stories to tell.
After all that The Crafty Bastards have been through so far the bond between us is very strong, and it shows in our stage presence. Being friends before band mates has made all the difference. Come rain or shine, the music will continue.
Thanks,
The Crafty Bastards
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