Crawlpappy
Sure, Crawlpappy were from New York City, and yeah, the had a couple of releases on NYC hardcore label Blackout!, and OK, they had a split single with Sheer Terror, but they weren’t a bland, by-the-numbers NYHC outfit. Call it “post hardcore”, or “power-core” or whatever, the fact is that Crawlpappy rocked during their short existence. Here’s a spot-on description from Blackout:
The Pappys were a late 80′’s/ early 90′’s post-hardcore rock band, contemporaries of bands like Prong, Helmet, or White Zombie. They rocked a sound like pre-Nevermind era Sub- Pop band hopped up on Sabbath. Crawlpappy bridged the gap between punk, metal, and hardcore and played lots of CBGB matinee shows for the moshaholics as well as night shows to an older crowd. In the days of the straightedge heyday these boys were drinkin'’ beer, throwing punches, and slinging some of the best goddamn rock this side of the Bowery.
Anyhow, the group disbanded in the mid-90’s leaving an underappreciated body of work. Here’s a couple:
Crawlpappy - The Street is Mine.mp3
From their 1990 self-titled mini LP. 6 songs in total, all with a nice and satisfying guitar crunch courtesy of Rick Roy. Like all of their material, this one is out of print
Crawlpappy - Mind’s Eye.mp3
The “B” side to their 1991 single on Blackout. Chunky guitars, tough vocals, excellent drumming courtesy John Stanier of Helmet. “I’m dying inside but my outside is goddamn mean”
Crawlpappy - Jack Shit.mp3
This one is taken from a compilation that appeared with Squat or Rot zine. I’ve lost the zine and the info sheet, so I’m going on memory. The song title may be incorrect, but hey, if you have info then get in touch. A solid tune, just wait for that kick-in at the 2:00 mark, it’s a killer.
Stuff:
* Guitarist Rick Roy went on to front Gin Mill who had one fantastic release in 1994
* The entire Crawlpappy catalog is out of print, but savvy searchers should be able to turn up a cheapo copy of their 1992 CD Deluxe.
* The original drummer for Crawlpappy was also a member of Alice Donut. Listen to Donut’s tribute to the band
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Don’t know if I agree with Blackout - they seem more like a linear progression of classic hardcore than HELMET or WHITE ZOMBIE than their exits over to PROG and (proto) neo-METAL repsectiviully… coarse, I’m just basing my admonishment of the BLACKOUT crew on these three listens… first i evah herd of them… nice innovation imbedded here if you listen closely and some very fine playing. THANKS.
That’s funny, I was always wondering what became of that band since i saw them pla y live here in Cologne in 1992 (?). They were announced as ex-members of SHEER TERROR and AGNOSTIC FRONT and since those were the big days of New York Hardcore i had a look. Unfortunately i guess I was to young to know back then….
fwiw, brian childers lives down in Athens, Ohio, at least he did last i heard. he used to constantly advise me to ‘never tour.’ he’s a little bitter.
CRAWLPAPPY WAS THE SHIT!!!
Try to find anything from Mindwar. Rick Roy’s brothers Chris and Brian played in this kick-ass CT band… The drummer went on to play in High on Fire.
Search Mindwar on myspace to hear a couple of tracks.