Crashing Onto The Scene

Arriving inside the dark venue, there is a mixture of young adults mingling and waiting for the show to begin. The first band Undersin Clair gets the crowd moving with their high energy and stage presence. After this group finishes I met up with two members, Chris Kalla, the lead singer and Chris Wahl, the guitarist, of Crash Coordinates for a quick interview in the back of the venue. Although both names of the musicians are Chris it is clear both have different styles. Kalla wore a black pea coat whilst Wahl wore a worn-looking leatherjacket, both very stylish and exuded a presence of calm.

How long have you been a band?

Wahl: "Let’s see we released our first CD[starts thinking murmuring unintelligible words]. That was over two years ago, I’d say about three years."
Kalla: "Yeah three years."

Who writes the music?

Kalla: "Both of us."
Wahl: "Like Chris or I can write a song and bring it in then we sort of become each other’s producers. Tweaking it until it sounds right."

Do you have any fans out of the country?

Kalla: "We actually sell a lot of CDs to Japan."

What musicians helped inspire you in this new EP?

Kalla: "Taylor Swift…Fall Out Boy oh and Jimmy Eat World [another Arizona band]."

And lastly, your favorite song on the new EP?

Kalla: "Use you."
Wahl: "The Scandal."

After the interview with two performers, it was time for the waiting game until Crash Coordinates got to go on stage to perform their new album. The second band Season Premiere kept the energy levels up with their feel good beats and crowd participation. A last minute add to the band line up, a band called The Attraction, which featured a female lead singer whose vocals were reminiscent of Paramore’s Hailey Williams mixed with that of Flyleaf’s lead singer Lacey Mosley. With each band that performed, the music became increasingly better. The crowd drawer Anarbor seemed to be well known and more fan-based as they performed a high energy show. Unfortunately it seemed that most came to just see the more established band Anarbor; half of the crowd leaving after their performance was over.

At around 10:30 PM the mist machines came on, giving the venue a darker swampy effect and the members of Crash Coordinates emerged. Vincent, Crash Coordinates’ keyboardist, started the rhythmic mix of beats signaling the beginning of the song and Jon, the drummer, began hitting the drum set with ease while Kevin starts the entrancing bass line. With the guitar solos that hook and vocals that impress, it is no wonder why this band is great live. Playing their new hit The Scandal, it immediately makes you want to start moving and sing along with the catchy lyrics and upbeat tempo. Crash Coordinates encourages the audience to engage in the chorus lines and even plays a lovely rendition of Taylor Swift’s Belong with Me; making the crowd sing along with the well known hit song. All in all, Crash Coordinates is a band to look out for with their stylish yet smart songs and undeniable stage presence.