Biography
Since forming in 1994, The Crustaceans have remained intact through an era when most groups dissolve quickly. Introduced by mutual contacts and sharing a home for several months, the trio delivered their debut performance on March 1 1995 at the Orange & Brew on the University of Florida campus. Subsequent appearances have taken place at the Hardback Cafe, Covered Dish, and High Note, along with outdoor gatherings such as the Alachua Music Harvest. Additional shows have occurred in Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, and Pensacola, where audiences encountered the band in punk rock clubs despite a style that bears no resemblance to punk. The Monkees, Metallica, Superchunk, and Guided By Voices are cited as primary influences, all of which surface at different moments in the material while an unmistakable originality remains intact. This versatility allows nearly any genre to be woven into individual compositions. Frequent instrument rotation among the members turns live sets into a musical three-ring circus for listeners. Although Samantha Jones normally handles bass, Karl Bullock guitar, and Brian Sparks drums, the roles frequently shift so that Jones may take the drum kit, Sparks may switch to guitar, and Bullock may move to bass. Vocals are likewise traded, adding distinctive character to the songs. No advance notice reveals what each performance will contain, yet the outcome is certain: spectators are drawn from their seats and moving to the rhythm.
Albums