Crane

Crane were a post-hardcore band from the North-East of England formed in 1987. Their sound was a combination of Punk-thrash with Byrds-jangle, and they manipulated quiet-loud dynamics in a way that was contemporarily unusual. As a guide for the uninitiated, they were frequently compared to Pixies and Fugazi, although in truth they didn’t sound much like either band. They consistently attracted lavish praise and critical acclaim locally, but their national impact was limited.

What appeared to be a split at the end of 1992 proved to be a three year hiatus. When they returned in late 1994 /early 1995 it was initially under a different name, perhaps as an attempt to break from the past. They continued to perform live and even released a single during this time but the momentum of the early 90s had gone and they split in 1996.

Links to Peel
With the exception of support by John Peel (for whom they were recorded two radio sessions), the media outside of the North East largely ignored them. Coverage by the influential weekly music press (NME / Sounds / Melody Maker) was infrequent, and consisted mostly of brief live reviews.

Sessions
1. Recorded: 1990-07-08. Broadcast: 21 August 1990. Repeated: 04 November 1990 2. Recorded: 1992-11-17. Broadcast: 23 January 1993. Repeated: 10 April 1993
 * Consumption / The Than Sets In / Fear Of Noise / Asleep
 * Buffalo / Fire Engine / Deconstruct / Indian Red

Other Shows Played

 * 1990
 * 11 April 1990: 'Gail's Shed (LP-Weathervein - A Useful Handful Of Knots)' (Meantime)
 * 23 April 1990: Fire Engine (album - Weathervein - A Useful Handful Of Knots) Meantime
 * 25 April 1990: Calpol (LP - Weathervein - A Useful Handful Of Knots) Meantime
 * 08 May 1990: Fire Engine (album - Weathervein - A Useful Handful Of Knots) Meantime
 * 02 June 1990 (BFBS): 'Fire Engine (LP-Weathervein - A Useful Handful Of Knots)' (Meantime)
 * 18 June 1990: Teethfeet (album - Weathervein - A Useful Handful Of Knots) Meantime
 * 05 July 1990: 'Hanging (LP-Weathervein - A Useful Handful Of Knots)' (Meantime)
 * CRANE - Asleep (Riverside TV, 1991)
 * 03 March 1991: A Matter Of Time (12" EP - Clay) Mule
 * 09 June 1991: Dislocation (12" EP) Stubborn
 * 1992
 * 09 February 1992: Colourblind (EP - Big Sea) Elemental
 * 14 March 1992: Colourblind (EP – Big Sea) Elemental
 * 22 March 1992 (BFBS): Colourblind (12" - Big Sea) Elemental
 * 31 October 1992: Burning Hole (12") Elemental