The Crumbs

In the beginning I had known Emil since the days of downtown skateboarding and from the crazy hardcore shows at the Cameo Theatre during the late 80s. When those venues shut down, so did many of the bands that played there: Circle Jerks, Gang Green, Bad Brains, Government Issue, GBH, Black Flag, and straightedge, skinheads, and the whole crossover thing. That entire scene was gone when we entered the 90s. For us, however, it was the beginning of a new era. There were no more twenty dollar punk shows. In a way it was a blessing, because if we wanted to do anything, it was up to us. When we did our first cassette demo back in 92-93, the rocknroll scene in South Florida was beginning to take on a real cool vibe. I knew a few chords on guitar when I met Johnny B. That same year, I ran into Chuck Loose, with his raggedy old drum set. I handed Emil a one-string bass that I had, and The Crumbs were born. We rehearsed anywhere we could find an electrical outlet. Even at a stripmall at midnight, before the dumbfounded security guard chased us out! Once Chuck set up Garageland, the Crumbs started practicing there and later became like, the house band there, playing every weekend to a packed house of kids who didnt have anywhere else to drink and hellraise. Those were our first shows, and along with other locals (Against all Authority, Beltones, Cavity), we had now the coolest and raunchiest of rocknroll scenes away from the sleazy promoters and trendy venues. Then it was time to leave home. Setting up national tours was a head splitting adventure. We must have played every little shithole in the U.S. Some hard luck on the road set us back but we met some worthy people along the way. And in no time we had our first record Alien Girl released in 1993 with Recess of L.A. And Shortly after a few more with Far Out, Lookout, Recess, TKO, Insubordination, It's Alive, and Livid Records. It is more than eighteen years later now (2010) and the upcoming release of the amazing 'Gator Kicks' with Livid Records this JULY made me realize how fast time goes by. Not to forget memorable tours with FYP, the Queers, Swingin Utters, Donnas, and our very patient roadies Dan Destructo and Armando. The line up hasnt been this strong in years. With Jose El Rey Flores on bass now, Tito on lead guitar, and Grim with the relentless beat, weve been able to keep active and remain doing what we like to do most: drinking...no! seriously, getting on stage and letting loose. -Raf Classic- .. ..