Crash Test Dummies: Returning to York more than 30 years since their first appearance at York Barbican Centre. Picture: Paul Rhodes
WHEN music gets under your skin, it can be permanent. Most of the Crescent-sized room listening to this greatest hits selection from Crash Test Dummies will have been enjoying their music for 30 years.
Their love of the band has endured through some lengthy hiatuses. While the Canadians had one monster and some minor hits, they didn’t stay at the top for very long.
Returning to York more than 30 years since their first appearance (York Barbican Centre, November 1994), they received a rapturous welcome. “You’ve treated us like royalty,” said a smiling Brad Roberts (he of the deep mmms).
Brad Roberts: “His material weighs upon some heavy subject matter”. Picture: Paul Rhodes
The band are hot off the Antipodean leg of their world tour, but looked like they were still really enjoying the performance. Ellen Reid in particular was a joy to watch, vibrant, energetic and in good voice, while Leith Fleming-Smith on keyboards was in his element, like Jack Black’s rock star younger brother.
They were joined by the core band of Dan Roberts on bass and Mitch Dorge, behind a spit-proof barrier on drums.
Another upbeat performer was the charming opening John Adams. This Welshman can sing like an angel but this is no demure choirboy; he knows how to whip a crowd into action.
Opening act Jon Adams: “This is no demure choirboy”
The headliners’ 17 songs drew on all corners of the CTD’s comparatively modest album haul. Most of us were there for their prime period, but the later material fared OK in comparison.
Roberts is a serious songwriter: his material weighs upon some heavy subject matter, and the music, like the lyrics, always has a clever hook or twist. It doesn’t all land. As is his way, Roberts demanded quiet before the first encore of the night, Heart Of Stone, but for all that he invested in this slow number, it felt like someone trying to say something important that remained just out of reach.
For all their seriousness, there is a rich seam of dark humour that runs through their work and it felt good to bounce along to Afternoons & Coffeespoons.
Crash Test Dummies’ Ellen Reid: “A joy to watch, vibrant, energetic and in good voice.” Picture: Paul Rhodes
There seems to be plenty of life left in the band, although they don’t seem to want to rush back into the studio. For now, a new Best Of contains two new songs, one of them, Sacred Alphabet, having a run out.
The existential duck also put in an appearance (his relatives were also dotted about the stage), as did Superman and Peter Pumpkinhead (originally by XTC and one of two covers, the other by The Replacements).
Naturally, they made us wait until the end for Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm. This out-of-nowhere hit single, where they managed to capture lightning in a bottle, takes a sober look at kids who don’t fit in, propelled by the best wordless chorus you can imagine. A wonderful four minutes to cap a very welcome return.
Review by Paul Rhodes
Top: Quack squad: Crash Test Dummies’ existential duck and colleagues at The Crescent. Picture: Paul Rhodes
Bottom: Crash Test Dummies’ set list, The Crescent, York, 20/5/2025. Picture: Paul Rhodes