The Crash Engine
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The Crash Engine

Portland, Oregon, United States | SELF

Portland, Oregon, United States | SELF
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This band has not uploaded any videos

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"Album: The Crash Engine's Beautiful Blood"

When a band’s debut album is as well-received as Extravagaria, The Crash Engine’s first record, sometimes there is fear that the second album will be a bit of a letdown. Bands basically have their whole lives to produce material for their first album, and likely only a year or two for the followup. This unfortunate phenomenon is known as the sophomore slump, a phenomenon that this Portland-based rock group simply smashes to pieces.
The followup to Extravagaria is entitled Beautiful Blood, whose 11 tracks match and exceed the passionate, groove-oriented benchmark of the band’s debut. The Crash Engine’s catalog of work draws influence from the Northwest Rock archive: a dash of Grunge here, a smattering of Punk there, the rawness of Indie Rock tying the whole thing together.
Many of the ingredients of Northwest Rock and Grunge present themselves on Beautiful Blood. The verses of “I Don’t Mind” feature the fuzzy, overdriven bass of Mudhoney; “Waiting On The 9” highlights the riff-driven structure of Nirvana; “Slowlife” accents the punchy guitar work and vocals of Weezer. These elements amalgamate into an intense live feeling that is both eager and polished, held together by a welcoming rhythmic veneer.
The Crash Engine steps outside the box on “Canada,” a reverb-soaked number splattered with acoustic guitars, tambourine, and vocal harmonies strangely indicative of Radiohead’s Thom Yorke. The decrease in tempo continues with the swooning “I Knew A Guy,” which has a thick melody that slowly oozes along until it expires in a harmony of static and feedback in true Soundgarden-esque grunge fashion. “Summer Ghosts,” Beautiful Blood’s conclusion, is a lingering, heady track that leads the listener through a wide range of emotional tones throughout its six minutes of airtime. Slide guitar, organ, ethereal vocals, and all-around epic tones alluringly permeate it, one of the most impressive and memorable tracks in the band’s inventory.
Despite these meditative digressions, The Crash Engine shines the most with up-tempo Rock ‘n Roll. “Apple Tree” and “Last Rites” radiate Rock vibes and positive energy. But perhaps the best example is “Gravedigger,” an outstanding combination of walking bass lines, piercing guitar solos, dynamic drumming, and diverse structure. If “Gravedigger” isn’t the best song on the album, it’s an example of how consistent and talented the three members of The Crash Engine are. Remember the name.
Beautiful Blood has a tentative release date for late-summer, stay tuned to The Crash Engine’s Myspace and Facebook pages for updates. - Oregon Music News


"The Crash Engine"

"The Crash Engine's latest is Extravagaria, a wonderful glimpse of the post-punk done right, a rigid mass of thick guitars and pounding percussion..." - The Portland Mercury


"The Crash Engine"

"Power pop sometimes gets short shrift in Portland, a city better known for disheveled, literate, oh-so-sensitive indie rock, than for big, slick anthems. This band might just change that.." - The Oregonian


"Extravagaria"

"The tracks from the Portland, Ore. based band's debut disc, "Extravagaria," are sturdy, infectious numbers, which are reminiscent of Nada Surf." - The Asbury Park Press (Asbury Park, NJ)


"The Crash Engine"

"I have had The Crash Engine's CD playing in my car for a week now. I'm not sure when I'll take it out." - Indiecollege.com


Discography

"With No Words" EP 2003
"Tell the Truth" EP 2005
"Extravagaria" LP 2007
"Beautiful Blood" LP 2011

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Bio

Alex Heller, Tom Dawson, Kris Crummett, and Robbie Dressler comprise the jangly melodic rock stylings of The Crash Engine. The band's hauntingly catchy melodies hint at the soft/loud rock sounds of "Doolittle"-era PIxies and the hypnotic indie pop of Silversun Pickups with a euphoric punk energy reminiscent of Hot Water Music. Their uniquely new--yet familiar--sound has intoxicated their native Portland since the release of their 4 song Self-Titled EP in 2005, only intensified by their self-produced debut full-length "Extravagaria" in April of 2007. 

After an inspired set at the CMJ music festival in October of 2007, the band embarked on a self-booked/promoted year-long tour across the United States and Canada. The band played 150+ shows and performed with bands ranging from Gogol Bordello to Gym Class Heroes. Sleeping on couches and camping in parking lots, the band's DIY spirit and exciting live show has captured the attention and support of fans across North America. 

The band recently finished recording their 2nd full length album "Beautiful Blood" Produced in part by Lou Giordano (Mission of Burma, Sunny Day Real Estate, Goo Goo Dolls) to be released in January 2011.