18 October 2023 - 0 Comments

Failsafe Records are proud to bring you the definitive 'lost' album by Auckland indie rock band Crash. An album that would have made a splash if it was released at the time of recording (1996) but still shines brightly in today's reinvigorated indie scene.

The band existed in the vibrant NZ ‘Indie Guitar Scene’ of the mid 90's and shone strongly with the help of Failsafe and 3 NZOA funded videos for singles, and later (as Failsafe took an overseas break) a major label deal with Warner Music NZ for their full-length debut.

Think Pixies, Breeders, Sonic Youth, Veruca Salt, Belly, L7, Manic Street Preachers & The Primitives coupled with Singer Natasha Reid's pure toned vocals somewhere between Kate Bush & Debbie Harry, giving the band their own distinct edge.

By mid 96 the album was recorded utilising NZ top producers Neil Baldock and Nick Roughan, and recorded at top studios Revolver and The Lab.

Unfortunately for Crash Warner Music left them standing at the altar holding their perfectly formed baby when the label became infatuated with Christchurch Alt Rock band The Feelers, leaving Crash without a label to release their album. (NZ majors were notorious for only anointing one NZ band at a time per year).

Tripped at the finish line after the mammoth effort to complete the album took the wind out of their sails enough to stall the band. It proved to be a blow that moved the band members on to different successful career paths and left the album to sit unheard on a shelf, never released. New Zealand and the wider world lost the opportunity to hear these well-crafted and expertly recorded songs. Until now.

Fast forward to October 2020 and Failsafe is working on some genre encompassing compilations including one for the NZ indie rock explosion of the 90's. Contacting Guitarist and songwriter Michael Carden asking if Crash had any unreleased material they'd like to contribute to the compilations. They did! A full album and more!

The self-titled album contains the full unreleased 12 song debut album available for the first time, the early singles Day at the Fair, Red Velvet Sofa, and b-sides, 17 songs in total, all remastered on a deluxe limited edition CD in double gatefold sleeve with 16 page booklet containing lyrics, photos and liner-notes, or 24 bit digital download and PDF booklet.

The album sounds vibrant & timely, big guitars, great songs, floating vocals, a strong rhythm section with excellent production. The album is available on pre release now via bandcamp with 5 songs included in the download and the remaining songs when the album is fully released on November 3rd.

A pre release listening party is scheduled for Thursday 19th October on the bands Bandcamp page where the full album will stream live from 8:30pm for the first time. The band will be present in the online chat.

The 3 videos are also scheduled for remastered release and will appear on the Failsafe YouTube channel.

Pre-Save Here

Crash Listening Party

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