Introducing

Premier power poppunkcountrybluesrock band:

CRUSH UK

Martin Weller - vocals and guitars
Rick Bell - drums and vocals
Dave Dudley - bass and vocals

Formed in London, April 1999 - CRUSH UK have developed a powerful, eclectic and lively mix of original and classic power rock-pop.

Their recordings, including new album ‘Quiddity’ and number one single ‘Crush’ feature Martin’s passionate vocals, power electric and soulful acoustic guitars that blend perfectly with Dave's dynamic and distinctive bass guitar style - complemented by Rick's harmonies and percussion.

Their versatility, excellent songs, charisma and sheer energy have earned them a worldwide reputation as an unmissable live act.

"You guys made a difference to my life" - Andy Newfan

Having performed with some of the best in the business: Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Hawkwind, Peter Frampton, Dean Friedman, Frampton-Weller, Captain Sensible, UK Subs, Counterfeit Stones, T-Rextasy and Mike 'Wonderwall' Flowers, CRUSH UK confidently offer the best in professional live music.

CRUSH UK - HIT LIST - In addition to their outstanding original material…

Ever fallen in love - Buzzcocks
Fings ain't wot they used to be - Max Bygraves
Eight days a week- Beatles
Ziggy Stardust - David Bowie
Ruby - Kaiser Chiefs

I predict a riot - Kaiser Chiefs
I love you love - Gary Glitter

Foxy lady - Jimi Hendrix
That’s Entertainment - Jam
Down In the Tube Station - Jam

Town called malice - Jam
Delilah - Tom Jones
Waterloo sunset - Kinks
Lazing on a sunny afternoon - Kinks

Dedicated follower of fashion – Kinks

Lola - Kinks

Lady Eleanor - Lindisfarne
I’m a Believer - Monkees
Anarchy in the UK - Sex Pistols
Pretty Vacant - Sex Pistols

Black Night - Deep Purple

Creep - Radiohead
Glad to be gay - Tom Robinson Band
These boots are made for walkin’ - Nancy Sinatra

Born to be wild - Steppenwolf
Paint it Black - Stones
Happy together - Turtles
Substitute - Who
Let Me Entertain You - Robbie Williams
Teenage Kicks - Undertones
For your love - Yardbirds

CRUSH UK Q&A

Q. How did CRUSH UK come together? 

A. Martin ‘recruited’ Rick in 1995 and they worked together in the Frampton Weller band (1995 - 1997) and then Crush (1998).

Dave replaced Pete Groves (now deceased sadly) on bass guitar who left the band to care for his gravely ill girlfriend (not the usual musical differences).

Dave was an old friend of Pete and Rick's with a reputation from a previous employer (Frank) as "totally unreliable". "I give him 2 weeks", he said. Nearly ten years later…

Q. You've been together 10 years next year, has the band changed or evolved in anyway since that time musically etc?

A. Weller’s song writing has shaped the band’s musical direction, but working closely for so long it often feels like we share a vein when it comes to pulling the songs together. Rick’s eccentric drum and percussion style mashed in with Dave’s penchant for Roots Reggae and Garage-y bass style is a solid if somewhat unconventional foundation for Weller's Power pop rock anthems.

Q. For those who haven't heard your music how would you describe it?

A. Essentially Power pop rock, but with a variety of styles, beats, subtlety, beauty, anger and raw passion all in the mix.

Q. Where are you all based?

A. Weller – Dawlish, Devon. Rick – Flitwick, Bedfordshire. Dave – Wimbledon, London. Somewhat geographically challenged, but it works.

Q. As a band who would you say are your main inspirations musically and why?  

A. CRUSH UK’s main musical inspirations are:

 (i) The English song writing & studio experimenting beat groups of the sixties (Beatles/ Kinks/ Yardbirds) because they thought outside the 12 bar rock'n'roll box.

 (ii) The Marshall bothering guitar players of the seventies (Jimmy Page/ Peter Frampton/ Mick Ronson) because they introduced guitar parts as opposed to solos (not that they didn’t do the occasional full blown ten minute Fender-fest!).

 (iii) English punk (Damned/ Adverts/ Clash/ Sex Pistols) because it gave our generation a kick up the arse.

 (iv) Jazz, reggae, hip hop, funk, baroque, pop, folk, metal…anything except the dreaded blues!

 (v) The new generations of bands and songwriters like the Kaiser Chiefs and Artic Monkeys that keep the whole rock and roll genre moving forward.

Q. You've worked with some of music's well-respected acts such as Led Zeppelin, Peter Frampton, Dean Friedman, Frampton-Weller, Captain Sensible, UK Subs, Counterfeit Stones and T-Rextasy, etc.... Who have you enjoyed working with the most and why?

A. The experience of playing with one’s music ‘heroes’ is unbelievable and all Weller’s dreams came true in 1990 when he sang lead vocals with Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones along with AC/DC’s Chris Slade on drums a ‘Supergroup’ if ever there was one ;).

Dave’s spell with Charlie Harper’s UK Subs and Urban Dogs gave him an insight of the underbelly of rock and roll which was interesting and very enjoyable.

Rick was in his element during the Frampton Weller years. He adored playing with Clive Frampton, but touring the States with CRUSH UK rocked his world.   

Q. You've recently released your new album Quiddity which you have written and recorded yourself. Is it more satisfying as an act to be part of the whole process of the album making?

A. Totally satisfying. Weller has always produced CRUSH UK albums with no little help from Dave, but actually recording, engineering and managing the whole process is the real deal.

Q. Why the name Quiddity?

A. Previous working titles: ‘Kings of the hill’ and ‘Kimotherapy’ just didn’t fit in the end.

This recording captures the ‘essence’ of inspirations that caused Weller to write the songs so ‘Quiddity’ fitted perfectly. This is the way it is.

Q. It says on your website that there has been a lot of 'barriers to overcome' to write the latest album... Could you tell me more please?

A. Since our last album ‘The New Big thing’ 2003 life has been rather full and challenging.

A double whammy for Weller. Cancer diagnosis, operation to remove a dodgy bollock, chemotherapy to kill off an abdominal tumour and redundancy from the NHS came in a spell from September 2004 to March 2005.

Post cancer Martin “gave up the day job” and attempts to make a living playing music, pursuing a solo career, driving CRUSH UK, recording other artists and in 2006 he hooked up with the remnants of the OtherZ to form the BobKatZ.

All the emotions; anxiety, depression and joy of surviving a life saving episode had a profound effect.

Rick and Dave not only had to endure a period of uncertainty regarding whether the band would continue, but also experienced their own physical and emotional traumas.

It’s called life, but when it happens to you it is somewhat different than reading, or hearing about other people’s misfortunes. We are delighted that it all worked out and we feel inspired to make the most of the chances we get. 

Q. Martin, you are also involved in the BobKatZ, is it difficult dividing your time etc between the two etc?

A. Not at all. I am a good manager :)

Performing solo, promoting CRUSH UK, writing, teaching guitar, getting my songs published, recording myself and other artists are my main priorities.

The BobKatZ are an excellent local pub band that fit around my other projects currently.

A perfect blend. 

Q. What do you think of the music scene in the south west?

A. Opportunities for bands/artists in the SW are excellent.

The live music scene is healthy currently and venue managers on the whole are really supportive and switched on.

I love the music fans, most of who seem to be able to embrace the variety of musical styles.

I feel proud that all my acts are helping to improve the quality of live music in the Region and raise the game continually.  

Q. Where do you see the band going in the next couple of years?

A. Health permitting CRUSH UK will be ‘out there’ doing what we do best and promoting ‘Quiddity’ in the UK, Europe and America as well as writing, recording and enjoying the whole process.

Want to ask a question? Contact damian@crushuk.com and we’ll see what we can do J