Crash Test Dummies- God Shuffled His Feet 30th Anniversary World Tour - Sydney

It’s been way too long with too many decades in between since we had a visit from the talented Canadian band Crash Test Dummies. Yet, it now definitely seems the absence has been worth the wait.

After a 33 year absence from Australia, the Crash Test Dummies didn’t disappoint the packed house at Sydney’s Manning Bar on 4th April. Outstandingly, the magnificent bass baritone voice of Brad Roberts sounded as pitch perfect as on any original 1993 vinyl recording of God Shuffled his Feet. For the whole set and three song encore, the extremely popular intimate pub venue at Sydney University, exploded all night with the crowd’senthusiastic cheers, whistles, and screams as the classic rock-pop band commanded the stage.

Launching the Sydney performance with the 1991 single from the named album, ‘Ghosts that Haunt Me’, infectious energy was instantaneous in the crowd.  Anticipation surged to a peak during the opener for the much-awaited upcoming journey through the 30th Anniversary Tour of the God Shuffled His Feet album.

Carving their way through their much-loved repertoire, Crash Test Dummies entertained the packed house whose enjoyment was clear as they sang and swayed, reliving timeless and memorable songs like ‘God Shuffled His Feet’ and ‘The Psychic’. An added bonus of the set was the inclusion of more current material, including ‘Sacred Alphabet’. For many, a memorable highlight of the night was Roberts demanding the house ‘not make a sound’ and to ‘shut the f*** up’ during a breathtaking emotional performance of ‘ Heart of Stone’ from the 2010 album ‘Oooh lah la’.

Despite their commercial success, the Crash Test Dummies never fully gained mainstream acceptance. After their 1999 album, ‘Give Yourself a Hand’, their visibility began to decline. However, their earlier work remains cherished by a dedicated fanbase.

Ending their set with ‘Afternoons and Coffee Spoons’, it was clear the band was keen and eager to deliver an encore. Crash Test Dummies ended the night with a masterful delivery of ‘Heart of Stone,’ to be followed by ‘Feel It’ before the much-awaited 1993 hit, ‘MMM MMM MMM MMM’, leaving the venue in absolute awe.

The Crash Test Dummies work most certainly stands as a testament to the beauty of individuality in music, especially of the 1990’s decade. Crash Test Dummies’ place in the alternative rock pantheon will be forever secure as a band that dared to be different and left a lasting impression on all rock fans. Let’s just hope that it’s not another 30 years before we see them again.

Thanks to Metropolis Touring, John Howarth and the Manning Bar for having us along

Review by Jasmine Blanch

Photos by @yourmusicpix for MKA