CRUSH UK MP3 Store

CRUSH UK formed when Peter Groves, bass player in Frampton Weller and Crush informed me of his decision to leave the band on May 29^th 1999.  It was the end a great era for Crush and an unexpected blow because the band had become very popular post the epic Frampton Weller days.  

Pete suggested I contact his old mate Dave Dudley to fill the role and having consulted Rick on whether it was time to pack it in, I decided to give Dave a shot.  I rang and left a message on his ansaphone with the idea.  I then spent the weekend in the country where the space and time to think made me determined to carry on.  After all we’d been here before and I had a raft of new songs that needed a life.  Dave’s previous ‘employer’ Frank Nazareth told me “it would last a week” with Dave in the band. A sentiment shared by many, however, apart from the odd difference of opinion ten years later we are still in the game.  Dave took to the task of learning the Crush set with enthusiasm and me; Rick and Dave had our first rehearsal on June 8^th 1999 at Rick’s place in Carshalton.

Pete’s final official appearance was on June 19^th 1999.  The new line up performed at the Grove jam night on June 21^st playing ‘Changing by degrees’ and ‘Little sister’. It was all too loud, but otherwise it worked. June 22^nd saw our first rehearsal at Mary Nazareth’s place in Tooting, home of the legendary Yhaal House.  Two days later we were playing our first full show at the Saucy Kettle, Surbiton.  Pete was sorely missed, but we managed pretty well and decided there was a possible future.

Dave’s first tour of duty in our beloved West Country coincided with the eclipse on August 11^th 1999.  Our jaunt was reasonably successful and CRUSH UK began recording the songs for ‘Changing by degrees’ on November 5^th 1999 at Mo’s place in Mitcham, Surrey.  The album was completed and released in 2000, but the hard work was done in 1999 hence the title of this CRUSH UK collection. 

We’ve been a lot of places, seen a lot of faces and there is no sign of us giving up.  During our tenure we have ‘worked’ with a few folks including: Pete Groves, ex Fear guitarist Brian Viner and Richard Jones who played keyboards at a couple of shows. However, we remain at our strongest as a trio. 

Having said that, singer Sara Corser has been a welcome guest many times and that works well. Now with the addition of Bing, the ‘Crushettes’ bring vocal harmonies and an opportunity for us to be even more camp and leftfield :)  “We’re lovin’ it, lovin’ it.”

Martin Weller aka Captain Damian Black, February 2009.