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.
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.
