Crash Vegas
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Crash Vegas was a Canadian folk rock ensemble established in 1988 by Michelle McAdorey and Greg Keelor of Blue Rodeo, who were also involved romantically. Bassist Jocelyne Lanois became part of the group, with Ambrose Pottie joining later on drums. Originating from Toronto’s Queen Street West music community, the band quickly attracted notice.
Their initial live appearance took place at The Cameron House in Toronto, followed by opening slots for Blue Rodeo at venues such as the Horseshoe Tavern and The Rivoli. Guitarist Colin Cripps was added to the lineup subsequently, contributing acoustic and atmospheric guitar layers that enhanced McAdorey’s vocal delivery. Pursuing greater creative control, the band parted ways with Keelor, who suggested they sign with Risque Disque, an imprint under Warner Music Canada. Their debut album was produced by Malcolm Burn at Daniel Lanois’s "Kingsway" studio located in both Hamilton and New Orleans.
Red Earth
Launched in July 1990, Red Earth marked the band's emergence with a fusion of country music, pop music, and elements of British folk rock. Critics drew favorable parallels to the Cowboy Junkies, highlighting a more straightforward approach.
Crash Vegas embarked on extensive tours throughout Canada and the United States, supporting artists like Daniel Lanois and Blues Traveler. Their appearances included major festivals such as Edgefest (Canada Day 1990) and California’s A Gathering of the Tribes festival, where they received acclaim as standout performers deserving wider acclaim. The band secured Canadian radio airplay hits with tracks like "Inside Out," "Sky," and "Smoke," positioning themselves for increased commercial recognition.
Despite this progress, Lanois exited the group amid internal conflicts later that year, while Risque Disque's collapse hindered their upward trajectory. Continuing as a trio, they recorded a session for CBC’s Brave New Waves in December 1990.
Stone
In 1992, Crash Vegas inked a new contract with London/Polygram. Darren Watson replaced Lanois for their sophomore album, Stone, which included contributions from John Porter and Butch Vig. The recording took place in Los Angeles, featuring a more vigorous sound than Red Earth, though it conveyed a sense of "bleakness" connected to McAdorey’s breakup with Keelor.
The track "September Morning" served as an homage to Gram Parsons, a pioneer of country rock who passed away in 1973 due to complications related to recreational drug use. Reviews praised the album’s evocative lyrics and distinctive style, noting similarities to Cowboy Junkies but with heightened energy.
Following challenges in their relationship with Polygram, Crash Vegas transitioned to Sony Music Canada after contributing a cover of "Pocahontas" for the 1994 tribute compilation Borrowed Tunes, which honored Neil Young. Sony aimed to refresh its lineup with innovative, more urban-oriented artists including Crash Vegas, Junkhouse, Our Lady Peace, among others.
The band appeared at Edgefest on Canada Day 1993 and participated in the Another Roadside Attraction tour organized by The Tragically Hip, sharing the stage with groups such as Midnight Oil and Hothouse Flowers.
Aurora
During the recording sessions for their third album, Aurora, in 1995, Watson and Pottie departed from the band. The remaining members, Cripps and McAdorey, completed the project with the assistance of session musicians John Borra and Mike Sloski. For the tour supporting the album, Gavin Brown and Eric Chenaux were brought in to perform on bass and drums respectively.
While Aurora sold several tens of thousands of copies within Canada, it did not see an international release. The single "On and On (Lodestar)" received substantial airplay on Canadian radio stations and became the group’s second most successful charting single. By April 1995, its music video was frequently broadcast on MuchMusic. Artist Damhnait Doyle later acknowledged this track as a significant influence during her formative years in Toronto.
Crash Vegas officially disbanded in 1997. Following the split, McAdorey embarked on a solo career, whereas Cripps joined Junkhouse and subsequently worked as a supporting musician for artists such as Kathleen Edwards and Jim Cuddy.
Studio albums
| Release date | Title | Chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| Canada RPM Album charts | ||
| February 1990 | Red Earth | #51 |
| March 1993 | Stone | #50 |
| May 1995 | Aurora | #31 |
Singles
| Chart peak date | Title | Chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada RPM TOP 100 |
Album | ||
| March 1990 | "Inside Out" | #18 | Red Earth |
| June 1990 | "Sky" | #69 | |
| September 1990 | "Smoke" | #82 | |
| May 1993 | "You and Me" | #67 | Stone |
| September 1993 | "Keep It to Myself" | — | |
| August 1994 | "Pocahontas" | #62 | Aurora |
| June 1995 | "On and On (Lodestar)" | #24 |
Music videos
| Year | Video | Director | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | "Inside Out" | ||
| 1990 | "Sky" | Marsha Herle | |
| 1993 | "You and Me" | Bruce McDonald | |
| "Keep It to Myself" | Norry Niven | Stone Core Films | |
| 1994 | "Pocahontas" | ||
| 1995 | "On and On (Lodestar)" | Jeth Weinrich |
Further reading
External links
- Crash Vegas, by Dave Schulps and David Antrobus, at Trouser Press
- Crash Vegas sails into the Town Pump, concert critique by A.C Carrall, dated 2 June 1995
- Wha’ Happen?: Crash Vegas, article by Chris Rolfe published on 29 April 2013 through The Grid