Introducing: Crash Doubt

By Ben Tipple

Founding in 2005, it all started as a college assignment – but since then Lincoln based punk rock promoters Crash Doubt have now brought some of the UK’s top hardcore bands to the city. But how have Matt Hendry and Chris Coleshaw managed to develop this repertoire over the course of nine years?

“It started in around 2005 when I was at college,” Matt begins. “For an assignment we had to put on some gigs for bands we were in and the rest is history really.”

Clocking in gig number 128 tonight at The Scene, Lincoln, Matt and Chris have managed to build a big reputation in a small city. “We always get people coming up to us at gigs asking how we book a tour,” Chris says.

Made up of three permanent members (Matt, Chris and Leah Barr), Matt admits that Crash Doubt can be a lot to manage. Evidently roles have to be delegated with Chris taking the position as online editor, Matt booking the acts and Leah balancing the books.

As for further help, the guys have an ace up their sleeve. With Crash Doubt being such a friend-oriented promoter, there are always photographers, clothing designers and familiar faces present that are willing to give a helping hand. “We try and keep it with friends and people that we know,” says Chris.

Though it may be a lot to manage, the guys still make time to offer something back to the local music scene. With their own online platform, the guys at Crash Doubt offer record reviews, gig reviews, features and promotional tips to local bands and fellow writers can also contribute.

The promotional tips idea came after Matt and Chris became aware of a lot of small bands asking for gigs and touring advice. “We figured there is no point us knowing this and not giving it out to other people,” explains Chris.

As the first band’s sound check roars from the rear windows of the club, and smokers’ finish their final cigarettes before showtime, Matt concedes that it’s not easy being a promoter in Lincoln. “The thing with us here in Lincoln is we’re not Sheffield, Nottingham or Manchester, so we’re always fighting that battle,” he explains.

The struggle is constant, even if they may be working with friends. As Chris goes onto explain, with the pain of a booking agent acting as a middle man, bands struggle to get a gig in Lincoln. “Even if they are your friends and really want to play Lincoln, the booking agent just does not see Lincoln as a good spot to come and play,” he says.

The night grows crisper and the temperature drops rapidly in the back yard of The Scene as the two punk promoters begin to ponder their biggest achievement.

“Matt had about 200 bands that he owed gigs to,” jokes Chris. In 2011, the first Crash Doubt Festival debuted in Lincoln. Beginning with just 20 bands planned, Matt ended up showcasing 80 bands at The Showroom, in Tritton Road.

“I was touring a lot with my band and I was going to do one last thing like a day thing,” explains Matt. But Crash Doubt Festival returned in 2012 with another stellar line up and a great response afterwards.

However, the festival did not take place in 2013. When pushed on whether it will be held again, Matt admitted: “Maybe, but it is a hell of a lot of stress.”

Showtime grows closer and band members begin carrying what remains of their equipment swiftly into the venue as Chris begins to talk about Crash Doubt’s new partnership. There’s a real lack of alternative music performing at Lincoln’s prime music venue The Engine Shed, so Chris and Matt have teamed up with the venue to fix that problem.

“It gives us the freedom to contact bigger bands,” says Chris. Indeed it does, as the guys have already managed to bring ska-punk rockers The Skints and hardcore unit Heights to Lincoln

However, even though bringing the likes of Deaf Havana, The Skints and Heights, to name a few, to Lincoln is a massive achievement, Chris and Matt admit that they would like to go back to the roots of Crash Doubt.

Helping out friends has always been at the heart of what they do, whether it is giving local bands a support slot at big gigs or putting on small shows to hang out with friends, Chris and Matt don’t want to lose the friendship and intimacy that Crash Doubt gigs began with.

“It’s great putting on bigger bands but we still want to help out our friends and put on bands that we love,” says Chris.

People begin to flock towards the venue doors as the clock strikes eight and Crash Doubt Promotions is about to add another gig to its list. Gigs have come and gone in the past nine years. Crash Doubt has put on two festivals and has the potential to add a third to their collection. It seems that the future is both bright and unknown for this Lincolnshire unit but what does the future hold for these promoters in one of the UK’s smallest cities?

Matt simply answers: “There are a few little surprises.”

Crash Doubt will be putting on Bangers, Fizzy Blood, Real Talk and Guts on Tuesday 22nd April. For more details check out the Facebook event page.

Follow Crash Doubt on Facebook, Twitter or via their official website.

CALV ROBINSON
@CalvParty