NOT A PROTOTYPE! - Please Don't Crash

 Description: Please Don’t Crash is not a prototype! With their ingenious sound, the only way to hear this commodity of a band is a live show. Read about an ensemble that is so good they don’t even need music released to connect with listeners.

Please Don’t Crash is a commodity in the scene—they’re valuable in a hidden way, since they have no music out, but I promise by the time you’re finished learning about them through a glimpse of a fan’s eye that fact won’t even matter, because everything about this band is good enough that it stands on its own. Though I could also see it ending in an upset because they are so good you’ll want to listen to them on your own time—at least I do.

While they’re hidden and deserve the exposure, people who know about Please Don’t Crash subsequently are integral parts of the local scene. Bands like this create hubs of safe spaces, because that sense of a commodity naturally creates very punk safe spaces, since most of the crowd is community. If you ever go to a show of a pretty high regarded band the crowd is very unified—in looks and in mind. We are all admiring the art in front of us and the only other band I can compare that feeling to is Burner. If you have ever been to a Burner show you know what I’m talking about—everyone’s pretty much huddled and enjoying, but giving that space of respect because you just have to let them perform their craft for you. Arms crossed, stank face, become one with the music. Basically, if you know, you know.

Hopefully I can try to make this easy to follow as I attempt to explain the fusion of noise, genres and rhythms that shape the sound of Please Don’t Crash. Simply put I think it is ingenious. Most of their songs are instrumental, at least majority instrumental. You might think that’s boring or a prototype but it is genuinely so intentional and put-together you immediately succumb and become enamored.

Their music is melodic but punk, sort of post-hardcore with slowcore elements, but it’s not necessarily slow-paced enough to be constituted as such. They also unexpectedly use metal elements that I think are so impressive. Some parts of their music can seriously be snipped into an edit and all the comments will be “what is that melody??” Because seriously, what is that melody?

Their new addition of a second guitar creates very beautiful harmonies that make the band sound very full. A lot of the melodic parts of their songs lead into a thrasher sound, but it still keeps main riffs tied into it. The beginning riff of ‘Deathblow’ by Deftones is very reminiscent of the type of melodies they come up with, but with a mix of the heaviness—almost grunge-ness and weight that comes with something by Electric Wizard, for example. They also play a lot with rhythms and will go into accelerandos, ritardandos, and back to a tempo, which can take you aback and out of a head-bopping rhythm, but you understand and fall for it right away. Now, everything I just said, note that they are able to simultaneously fuse these sounds together, but their songs vary so much they do them individually as well. I know when put under such analysis descriptions can be seen as meticulous or overwhelming; when you are able to hear it it just makes sense—Please Don’t Crash is utterly captivating and innovative.

When the lead does sing, it adds a kind of emo element to the song, but the vocals are also not clear enough to be something you would consider the average song with lyrics in it—it is sort of just another instrument added to the layers in a way, and I think that is really cool.

A Please Don’t Crash set usually goes as follows: the drummer is not at the drums, but at a pedalboard with a tape recorder: a head-turning intro of reverb, noise, distortion, midwest-emo unintelligible talking, 8-bit horror video game ambiance, a spirit box trying to talk—a preface into wondering where this set will take you. Taking a look at the instruments in their individual aspects, I would love to take the time to elaborate on their sound, as there can never be enough to say. Please Don’t Crash’s bass is super post-hardcore and melodic—a feedback-generator and thrasher—kind of an anchor to the rest of the band but it stands out enough on its own too, because I think it emulates a very unique layer to their sound and I do not think it would be anywhere the same without it. When people say bass is a very hidden integral instrument to bands I think Please Don’t Crash is a great example of that. The guitars’ tones are fuzzy but clear, there are harmonics within chords and between both guitars, and it adds a romantic touch to the types of melodies I’m trying to describe. There’s a lot of switching from strumming, finger-picking and varying tempos between the two so there’s always a lot going on. And I don’t mean to say that in a sense where there is too much going on and it is messy, but rather that they are able to perfectly balance all these complex elements that quite literally melt together. I think I would also describe such a sound as satisfying—the notes blend and melt, and the tempo changes become charming and expected.

The drumming I have a lot to say—it is not the drumming you would expect with the sounds I mentioned, but it is perfection to me and I will just start off by saying Please Don’t Crash’s drummer has some of the coolest style and sheer technique to their playing; I am floored every time. The drumming, as the other instruments do, vary a lot in its dynamics—they are able to switch from very complimentary elements that cater to the rest of the band and is expected in its context, to straight up death metal-esque drumming. The band’s thrashing element definitely comes from its drumming and at least for me, it is one of the most standout parts of their sound. I kind of hate saying unique because it can be such a non-word, but in its most genuine way possible I’d like to describe it that way. They do these crazy thrash and metal sequences, fast double bass kick drumming (forgive me for I know nothing about drums) but also can go kind of mellow and groovy. They have one song where the drummer literally alternates between standing and sitting as a build-up to a breakdown, it is just some of the coolest playing I have ever seen. The drums are so intrinsic and essential, and I think their particular style of drumming is indispensable to Please Don’t Crash. They will start going buck out of nowhere and as a metalhead it just does something to me. If you are someone who never really notices or pays attention to drums, I promise Please Don’t Crash will change your perspective almost immediately.

Call my music taste narrow but I have honestly never heard anything like Please Don’t Crash. They were one of the first bands I saw in the local scene that really made me start analyzing, dissecting and overall think differently towards music. It made me further appreciate community around me; be thankful I can be exposed to talent so close to me, and privileged that I am part of it! I cannot emphasize enough when I truly believe something is innovative and exciting, but also meaningful and passionate and spontaneous.

Please Don’t Crash has not only given and brought out emotions in me as a listener, but community along with it. Nobody in the scene is doing it like this ensemble and from their own integrity are probably too humble to admit it. They are truly innovative in their sound and with the formal talk aside, can someone get them into a studio? This instrumental-and-sometimes-singing quartet is not a prototype, and not a band you want to miss out on. While my interpretation without a reference can be hard to grasp, I think it is all the more reason to go out and see them. The FOMO is valid with these guys. Plus you can brag to the individualism in our society that you are a fan of a band without a Spotify monthly listener count. Give their socials a follow and go support their gigs! Don’t sleep on Please Don’t Crash, support your local music scene!

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https://www.instagram.com/pleasedontcrash/
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Not A Prototype is a section where I talk about local bands in the Greater Toronto Area and how their refined sounds aren't just a prototype.