CRAWL declassifies The Crockford Files
Toronto/Windsor-based melodic heavy rock heavyweights CRAWL are back with a vengeance in 2016.
The quartet is following up the raw and thundering 2014 EP Anticipate the Fall with The Crockford Files, a dark and textured release that captures the spirit, energy and confidence of a band exploring new horizons.
If Anticipate the Fall conveyed the urgency of a band rediscovering itself with a new vocalist, The Crockford Files reflects a band that has spent two years refining and redefining its sound while reframing it in a contemporary context. The speed and freneticism of ATF tracks like ‘Rise’ and ‘Loaded’ has given way to creations that present as moodier and more layered both musically and lyrically.
Playing dozens of live shows between 2014 and 2016 with such international touring artists as Nothing More, Prong, Texas Hippie Coalition and Hellyeah and making its first venture into the United States certainly helped the band re-establish itself.
Recorded in the Spring of 2016 at TRH Music Group with “Dr.” Sean Gregory, ‘The Crockford Files features three newly composed songs and reimaginings of two songs from CRAWL’s back catalogue.
‘Mine’ is the EP’s leadoff track and first single. It’s a head-boppin’, foot-stompin’ riff-tastic throwback to some of CRAWL’s earlier songs like ‘Clifford, Joel and Me’ or ‘Moment’.
‘Dead’ and ‘Heavy Rain’ finds the band experimenting with new instrumentation and rhythmic patterns.
Rounding out the EP are ‘Smother Mary’ and ‘Bangladesh’ which originally appeared on the band’s 1996 release, Feed. The new arrangements bring new dimensions to the longtime crowd favourites originally written with former members Steve McFarlane and Anthony Poto.
Of note, the EP draws its name from the east-end Toronto street that is home to the studio where it was recorded.
CRAWL was formed in 1992 by Scott Clark and Tom Grondin. Guitarist Stuart Green joined the band soon after. In 2013, Scott, Tom and Stuart reunited and were joined by Michael David Wolf, formerly of Mind Mechanics, taking over vocal duties. Crawl has recorded numerous demos, two full length CDs and two Eps and earned two nominations for BEST HARD ROCK video at the Much Music Video Awards (Canada’s version of the MTV awards) in the mid-1990s.
CRAWL has also played nearly 500 live shows which included two tours across Canada and many mini tours throughout Ontario and Quebec and has shared the stage with Quicksand, Helmet, Wool and many more.
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