In 1993 while at a friend’s house getting high as the moon, he turned to me and said, “Dude, your hippie ass is going to love this.” He then put on the song “Superman Song” by Canadian rock band Crash Test Dummies. I was blown away by how insanely deep this incredible folky-sounding stuff accompanied his voice. Shortly after, he put on the album God Shuffled His Feet, and to say that I was in love right away is an understatement. I vividly remember planting myself in the corner of his couch, closing my eyes, and letting the song “God Shuffled His Feet” take me to another plane. It’s a feeling I still get today (even when not high as the moon.)
After the release of their 1994 album God Shuffled His Feet, Crash Test Dummies experienced their big breakthrough in the US with hit MTV/radio hits such as “Afternoons and Coffeespoons,” “Swimming In Your Ocean,” and the song they are most known for, “Mmm, Mmm, Mmm.” The casual music listeners of the ’90s probably remember them solely for their MTV/radio hit, “Mmm, Mmm, Mmm,” but for some, like me, Crash Test Dummies became a band that was so much more than just one song.
In 2023, Crash Test Dummies hit the road in support of, well, in support of just getting out and playing some great fucking music performing sold-out shows in intimate listening rooms and theaters to rave reviews from fans and journalists. Unfortunately, I missed their last Atlanta performance due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Still, on February 28th, I finally got to see one of my favorite bands I last saw 29 years ago at the Roxy Theater in Atlanta, GA.
City Winery was packed with Crash Test Dummies fans who either haven’t seen them in decades or have caught quite a few of their reunion shows over the past few years. Regardless, everyone in attendance was excited, and the energy in the room was electric. Kicking things off with the folk-tinged “The Ghosts That Haunt Me” was a perfect opener. It was like old friends coming over and just playing a song for you. The song was intimate and the perfect “welcome” to the show.
The rest of the night was a prime offering of songs spanning Crash Test Dummies’ 35+ year career, such as “Songbird” from Ooo La La!, a great cover of The Replacements’ “Androgynous” from the Ghosts that Haunt Me. Still, the material from God Shuffled His Feet dominated the set but in an excellent way. The first thing that struck me was how amazingly these songs have stood the test of time. Hearing them performed live after too many years brewed up many emotions.
Lead vocalist/guitarist Brad Roberts and singer/multi-instrumentalist Ellen Reid were front and center, delivering out-of-this-world harmonies, heartfelt singing, and cutting up that had the audience laughing out loud throughout the night. The connection between all of the members of Crash Test Dummies is so apparent, and their energy, joy, and fun infected the audience. There wasn’t a moment when I didn’t see someone smiling, singing, and feeling all the feels.
At one point, someone in the crowd yelled for “Superman’s Song,” the underground hit from their The Ghosts That Haunt Me album. Brad Roberts laughed and said, “Hey. It’s a good thing you asked for that song because it’s actually next in the setlist.” Brad strummed the song’s opening chords, which had the entire room singing the chorus along with the band. It was reminiscent of the old-school folk shows. With the more folky songs such as this one and “Heart of Stone,” Crash Test Dummies played with such intimacy and passion that I felt like the only one in the room during these songs, only to snap out of it with each applause.
The other highlight for me was hearing “When I Go Out With Artists,” “The Ballad of Peter Pumpkin Head” as the one-two punch of “God Shuffled His Feet” and “Afternoons and Coffeespoons.” For the latter, guitarist Stuart Cameron made his way to the front of the stage, commanding everyone to stand up and groove the fuck out, which everyone happily did. Finally, how could I possibly forget the stellar new song “Sacred Alphabet?” That song was such a treat, and if it’s any indication of what is to come, I can guarantee that Crash Test Dummies is nowhere near being out of quality material.
Closing the show with “Mmm, Mmm, Mmm” brought everyone to their feet once again, and it was like a fucking “Kumbaya” sing-along once again. Smiles filled the room, voices filled the room, and I was reminded of why I love this band so fucking much. The crowd continued standing, giving up a much-deserved standing ovation as the band took their bows and bid us good night.
Everything about this show was what I needed. It was a testament to the healing power of music and pure escapism. The playfulness, the artistic focus, and the passion for giving their fans the best show they could possibly give them made this show truly magical. But it was so much more than a performance. It was an interactive reunion of friends reciprocating love amongst each other with the soundtrack of our lives as entertainment. Crash Test Dummies is a band I have a newly rekindled love for, and I’ll be damned if I ever let go of them.
Thank you all for the music and the show. It’s what we all needed!
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