Incase We Crash

n recent years, Toronto’s vibrant music scene has been put on the map in different ways. Of course, the city has birthed the likes of Drake, The Weeknd and artists from surrounding areas, such as Justin Bieber and PartyNextDoor, but the alternative scene has also become prominent. With bands like Seaway, Counterparts, Rarity and Like Pacific doing big things these days, there seems to be an expectation from groups that come from the six.

Pop-punk band and Toronto locals Incase We Crash have been grinding it out and are now set to release their second EP, No Education, on November 9th. With one EP to their name, the three-piece (consisting of vocalist/guitarist Simon Austin, bassist Antony Lena and drummer Tyler Twigger) cover the struggles of early adulthood throughout this album. Uncertainty, following passions, outside opinions, etc. You name it and you’ll find something relatable here. The group have noticeably refined their sound on this release, and it is a big step forward.

When you craft sublime pop-punk like this, you don’t need “No Education”.

These guys manage to blend both current and past eras of pop-punk rather well, keeping the edge that the early-mid 2000’s brought (see “No Education” and “What I See”). However, in the EP’s short time-frame, they branch out and get into weird territory, but a good weird. The re-recorded “Straight 2 The Head”, which was once a straight up pop-punk/easycore tune, now has a bit of flare to it with the clean guitar tone and that catchy-as-hell intro oddly reminiscent of The 1975.

Track five, “I Threw My Books Into The Ocean”, is where the real shift hits. For this ballad, the group opt out of normal instruments (which the exception of a touch of lead guitar), relying instead on synths and electronic drum beats. It’s a beautiful song and has grown over time to become a favourite.

Incase We Crash have taken what they did on their debut EP and made it a more interesting listen. Admittedly, pop-punk can become stale, but this isn’t the case here. Of course, you’re going to hear staples of the genre, but with some added kick to it, not to mention a couple curveballs in the process. The band have crafted an impressive sophomore release thatr’ definitely worth a listen.

No Education Track Listing:

01. No Education
02. Varadero
03. Waiting To Sink
04. Straight 2 The Head
05. I Threw My Books Into The Ocean
06. What I See

Run Time: 17:53
Release Date: November 9, 2018
Record Label: Self-Released - PureGrainAudio.com

Incase We Crash have released their latest EP, titled “No Education.”

The EP kicks off with the excellent opener and title track, “No Education.” The vocal performance instantly impressed me, delivering some great melodies as the catchy instrumentals (especially the guitars) accompany it. “Varadero” is even more catchy, with melodies that are very memorable (let the hook in the intro be an example) and energetic instrumentals driving the upbeat rhythm. “Waiting To Sink” is one where the instrumentals really show, from the bass and guitars in the intro and verses to the drums and synths in the chorus. “Straight 2 The Head” is another very upbeat track and overall a fun one to listen to. The guitar riff in the intro quickly grabs the listener’s attention and the captivating vocal performance keeps them engaged, leading up to the chorus where they bring some more incredible melodies and the instrumentals shine a bit more.

“I Threw My Books Into The Ocean” is a huge standout on here compared to the others, as it’s a bit slower and primarily driven by synths rather than harder guitars, bass and drums. The vocals seem to really show off more on this track compared to some of the others, really showing the talent that the singer of this band has, and this performance is probably the most passionate one on the EP. Closing track “What I See” brings back the more rock and pop punk leaning elements in the band’s sound with some harder instrumentals, an energetic chorus, and verses that provide melodies that are as catchy as those on the first couple of tracks on this release. The bridge absolutely blew me away when I heard it for the first time, and the vocals really stand out in that moment, perhaps even more than they did on the previous track.

In Conclusion…

I thought this EP was great. Each song is very enjoyable and memorable, and the performances and songwriting make them all stand out. - Dissonants Magazine

Carried Away, Davin Chiupka, Nighttime in Kansas, and Incase We Crash @ The Monarch Tavern in Toronto, ON

Review & Photography by: Blaire Norton

Nestled in the side streets of a Toronto neighborhood, the Monarch Tavern is a great bar to catch local bands. The evening started with a decent crowd and as any pop punk show should start, with a big slice (rated by band members as a 7/10) from the pizza place across the street. Talking to some audience members to get a feel for the shows atmosphere, I met one fan who had travelled from Montreal, QC to see Incase We Crash make their comeback and catch Carried Away in a new environment! Cool right?!

Local acoustic artist, Davin Chiupka, opened the show with his melodic songs. Singing about his hometown, the audience was immediately drawn in. It was exciting to see such a great crowd for an opening act. I love when bills are put together with artists of multiple genres because there’s always a diverse audience and it’s great for finding new music. 10/10 would see again!!

Carrying everyone along in the evening was Carried Away, a local pop punk four-piece with lots of energy and a set list chalk full of both new and old songs. Maddie Crombie (vocalist) dedicated one song to her father, bringing out raw emotions and definitely drawing in fans. Percussion (Justin Fabien) solidified my love for this music by always drawing me in a bit more with every down beat. The energy from the band was enough to get the crowd off their chairs and standing close to the stage. With a heavy dose of both slow and fast songs, good messages lyrically, and catchy tunes; Carried Away played one of my favorite songs “Start Over.”

Hailing from Ottawa, Ontario, Nighttime in Kansas (NTIK) kept the show going with their ambient punk vibes. With Michael Watson (guitar/vocals), Jonathan Reid (drums/vocals), Nicholas Boone (bass) adding in some keys/synth, the bands sound changes smoothly from punk to indie. And with mood lighting (blue/red tones), the audience was drawn in quickly. Playing mostly songs off of their new EP ‘No Shame in Letting Go’ which was released April 6th, 2018. It was cool that there was more than one member on vocals and that the band incorporated screams as well…I’d never witnessed an Indie breakdown but there’s a first for everything right?! Can’t wait for Nighttime in Kansas to return.

Incase We Crash – After months of anticipation, Toronto pop punk band Incase We Crash returned with a stellar comeback show. Now a three-piece, the band is made up of Simon Austin (vocals), Antony Lena (bass), and Tyler Twigger (drums); and is back to create a platform worth following. Having released their debut EP ‘Constantly Changing’ last summer 2017, the band played songs from that and their recently released single “Over and Over”. The crowd was full of new and old faces, dancing to the catchy riffs. The atmosphere at the Monarch Tavern was bursting with movement and good vibes. The band even included former band member, Prasanth Xavier (guitar), on stage for a song. I’m interested in seeing what Incase We Crash has to offer in the upcoming future!

Overall, April 27th was a night for the memory book and I’m glad I witnessed the new beginnings of Incase We Crash! I will await the return of Ottawa natives, Nighttime in Kansas and hope to catch acoustic act, Davin Chiupka at a local show again sometime. All I can say is that I absolutely love the environment of The Monarch Tavern, the vibes I get at fully local gigs, and the new music I find with every show I attend. At the end of any day, it wouldn’t be a local pop punk show (especially with Incase We Crash) without one of the bands covering Blink-182 and incorporating members from multiple bands on the bill. Can’t wait for the next one! - Veracious Magazine