Crawlspace (band)

In the early 1990s guitarist and vocalist, Russell Smith, met drummer, Chris Webber, the two sharing a musical background in Grunge-rock. They were then joined by bassist and vocalist Daniel Bowles, who had experience in a techno style band in the UK. The trio forming, Crawlspace, which has been likened to Matchbox 20, Live, and Tonic.

In mid-1998 Crawlspace released their debut EP, Afraid, which was the first release to gain national attention for the fledgling WA Label Embryo Records (then called Rocket Records/Phantom Music WA).[1] The EP was co-produced by Ben Glatzer, who also produced their debut album.

It received rave reviews from music critics and the title track was added on high rotation to Triple J, 96.1FM, HotFM, 2UNE and RTRFM and 30 other stations nationwide.[1] The "Away" single followed closely behind in early 1999[2] and picked up a swag of national airplay culminating in the band being the Triple M 'Adopt a Band' for the month of May 1999.[1] "Away" became the 9th most played rock song in Australia and reached number 17 on the ARIA national alternative charts.

Crawlspace secured a publishing deal with Warner/Chappel and released their first album Motion in November, 1999.[2] TV appearances included Channel V (live and interviews), Hey Hey It's Saturday[3] (performing "Away" live) and Telethon. On the live front, Crawlspace promoted the album with ten trips to the east coast including tours with Grinspoon,[3] Pacifier, Taxiride and The Whitlams, Matchbox 20, Deadstar,[3] Primary, Cold Chisel[3] (in front of 18,000 at the Burswood Dome) and at The Big Day Out (Perth).

Crawlspace were nominated for an ARIA award for 'Best Independent Release' up against the likes of Josh Abrahams and Diana Ah Naid.[1][4] In 2000 the band re-structured with Bowles shifting to guitars and keyboards and a new bassist, Travis Franklin, joining. Shortly after Webber decided to leave (subsequently joining Sleeping Giant and Full Scale Revolution) and was replaced with Travis' brother, Matt Franklin, this was followed by the departure of Bowles (later to form electronic rock act Ura[5] and The Rube Goldberg Machine, as well as perform in David O'List's backing band) leaving Smith as the only original member remaining.[6] The band then went into a hiatus for a year[3][7] following which they started writing material for their follow-up album. Crawlspace then began pre-production on the new album From Now On in mid-2001 and the band began recording with long term collaborator Ben Glatzer (Ammonia, Cartman, The Sleepy Jackson) in early 2002. It was during this time the band contributed a song for an INXS tribute album, INXS Hometown Tribute, on the Goh International label.[8]

In late 2002 the band engaged a new guitarist, Joe Sivak.[9] Pre-released tracks from the album received airplay on South West regional stations, which was supported by a number of regional tours.

In September, 2004 Crawlspace issued their second EP, Gone to My Head,[2][10] with the songs "Gone to My Head" and "Alright" receiving airplay on Triple J.[6] 2005 saw the band second appearance on the Big Day Out tour and a publishing deal with RipTide Music[11] in the USA, with the inclusion of the song "Away" on the Warner Bros. Syndicated TV show 'Reunion'. "Burn My Eyes" appearing in an episode of the 2006 season of CSI: NY and a third song featured in the Adam Sandler movie 'Click'. In May 2005 the band entered the recording studio to begin work on their second album with the single, "Song on the Radio", due in early March 2006.

Current members:

• Matt Franklin – drums (2000 to )
• Travis Franklin – bass (2000 to )
• Joe Sivak – guitar (2002 to )
• Russell Smith – guitars, vocals (1997 to )

Former members:

• Chris Webber – drums (1997 to 2000)
• Daniel Bowles – bass, keys, guitar, vocals (1997 to 2000)

• Unofficial website
• WA Gig Guide – Artist Review
• MySpace website