Black Night Crash this week will be celebrating it’s 7th birthday of drunken tomfoolery, where the only rule is ‘Less Pouting; More Shouting’. The weekly indie rock night has been built around a solid diet of past (The Clash, The Cure, Pixies, Nirvana, The Ramones), present (The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, TV on the Radio, Ty Segall, Foals, Japandroids) and future (Splashh, Temples, The Orwells, Radkey) hits, to make it Melbourne’s longest running weekly indie rock night. Since January of this year, Black Night Crash took the bold step into the live music market and haven’t looked back.
Black Night Crash turns 7 in September. Did you ever think you would make it this far?
We were surprised when we hit the fifth year anniversary, and it was at that point that we realised that we were on to something special. Since then we’ve looked for ways to support the local scene while providing the best unpretentious indie rock fun.
Tell us about your backstory. What inspired the event all those years ago?
Black Night Crash was born at a Cribs gig at Rollover at the old Palace in St Kilda. DJ CelfB’s (Jordan Barczak) band at the time was supporting the UK three-piece and original DJ, DJ Leroy was asking for songs from the in-house DJ (Mr. Dave Powell). He was impressed by his taste in music and asked if he’d like to DJ at the Rochester Castle. Black Night Crash took off in a blurry haze of US artists being played across the sound system, which was in contrast to Panic which ran on the night before. At the two year mark, it was time for Leroy to head to the UK to chase his industrial design career, and so stepped the UK minded likely lad, DJ Knackered Converse (Jonny O’Hara). It was at that point that artists like Arctic Monkeys, The Libertines and Pulp were given some much needed love on the decks. From that point on the sound track worked perfectly, end of night arguments would go until dawn as to which nation produced the best music and people would come get trashed at the Rochester on a Saturday, week in, week out.
And to celebrate your birthday you’re throwing an epic party with APES, Love Junkies and Elegant Shiva. Why did you choose these acts to celebrate the occasion with you?
APES were the first band to open our latest chapter of stepping into the live music scene. Up until January we didn’t have a live music space and APES blew the roof off the Book Club Bandroom on our first night in early January. Since then we haven’t been able to keep the guys away from the place and bar; always peeling their way on to the dance-floor with a girl and pint in hand. Love Junkies and Elegant Shiva also really impressed us this year and so it was an easy decision as to who we wanted to play at BNC for our birthday.
Any birthday surprises (like maybe a giant novelty cake?) that punters can expect from the b’day bash?
We’ve got a few surprises up our sleeves, a couple we want to keep to ourselves until the night. But besides a special secret guest DJ, plus the excellent bands and the best indie rock, Brit pop and shoegaze classics, we’ll be using our two levels of entertainment to make all those who have been down to BNC over the years, feel right back at home.
In seven years there are bound to be many highlights and learning experiences. Can you let us in on a few?
Successfully being able to carry the night on for seven years is obviously a huge achievement that we’re very proud of. Having SPLASHH & Fascinator play in our band room, and being able to DJ/party along side The Cribs, Japandroids, Deap Vally, Dandy Warhols and The Wombats would also be highlight reel material.
Looking back how do you think the local music scene has changed since it all began?
When we started we played a lot of local bands who have gone on to major international success, a-la Children Collide, The Presets, Wolfmother, Wolf & Cub and Midnight Juggernauts, all of whom we’re very happy for.
We’d consider you to be pretty knowledgeable on the best sounds of the local music scene. What bands have got you excited in 2013?
Our favourites Australian acts who we believe have a bright future would have to be APES, Love Junkies, The Summervilles, The Smokes, My Piranha and Sincerely Grizzly.
What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
For ClefB, Creedence Clearwater Revival is a big one and has seen them three times with his old man. For Knackered Converse, The Pretty Things were the unsung heroes of the 1960’s.
Looking towards the future what can we expect from Black Night Crash?
The future for Black Night Crash, well. Apparently Sydney is a little bare for quality indie rock nights, so we’ve been looking into monthly parties up there, and our new website is just about to launch, which will kick us into the 5th dimension.
Where we can see you play next?
You can see us each and every Saturday at The Rochester Castle. Be sure to follow us on all the socials to keep up to date with our future ambitions.
Our 7th Birthday Party happening this Saturday, featuring APES, The Love Junkies, Elegant Shiva + Special Guest DJs, yet to be announced.
Black Night Crash
