Don’t call it a comeback. After a two-decade silence, Crash Rickshaw are back, dropping a surprise bombshell on the post-punk world with their new EP, “Big Sir.” For those who remember the underground emo, hardcore, and post-punk scene of late 90s Orange County, this isn’t just a new record – it’s a resurrection. And if you’re new to Crash Rickshaw, get ready for a crash course in raw, unfiltered, emotionally charged music that doesn’t care about trends.
Crash Rickshaw’s origin story reads like a secret chapter of alternative music. Formed in the late 1990s as a side project by members of Project 86—Steve Dail, Alex Albert, Randy Torres—with Joby Harris of Rainy Days, this was never just a “side hustle.” It was a creative outlet, a way to dig deeper into the sounds and feelings that defined an era. The band’s early years were fueled by late-night jams, shared meals, and a sense of camaraderie that outlasted touring schedules and life’s inevitable detours.
Time, careers, and geography scattered the members, but the music never truly stopped. The friendships endured. The spark lived on, flickering to life in sporadic studio sessions and jam nights. Now, after twenty years, that spark has become a wildfire.
“Big Sir” is the EP you didn’t know you needed, but won’t be able to live without. Released by Velvet Blue Music on August 1, 2025, it’s a four-song collection that captures everything Crash Rickshaw ever stood for: rawness, urgency, honesty. The band is adamant: this isn’t a nostalgia trip. “Big Sir” is a living, breathing statement of intent.
The EP is thick with the 90s post-punk grunge that defined the band’s early days, but it’s not stuck in the past. The themes—conflict with egocentric patriarchs, love letters to the old scene, interventions in relationships, barn-burning revelations—are timeless. This is music for anyone who’s ever felt out of step, anyone who’s ever needed a song to scream along to in the dark.
The current lineup:
- Joby Harris – vocals, guitar
- Randy Torres – guitar, backing vocals
- Steven Dail – bass, backing vocals
- Alex Albert – drums
These aren’t just musicians — they’re friends whose bonds were forged in the gritty garages of Orange County.
While the full, official tracklist is under wraps until release, the four songs are said to tackle:
- Battles with egocentric patriarchs
- Love letters to the old scene
- Relationship interventions
- Epiphanies among burning barns
Every member contributes to the songwriting, and the production is fiercely DIY—just the way it should be.
“Big Sir” doesn’t just revisit the past—it reclaims it. The record is drenched in the grime and glory of 90s grunge, filtered through the lens of post-punk and emo that made Crash Rickshaw stand out. If you hear shades of Sonic Youth, Fugazi, or early Nirvana, you’re not wrong. But there’s something distinctly Orange County in the grooves—a worn-in melancholy, a restless energy.
Crash Rickshaw was always more than a creative offshoot for members of Project 86. It was the crucible where ideas were forged, risks were taken, and boundaries were broken. Steve Dail, Alex Albert, and Randy Torres brought their best, while Joby Harris injected the punk spirit that kept things unpredictable.
That “Big Sir” is being released through Velvet Blue Music is no accident. The label has long championed artists willing to push boundaries. For their 250th release, they’re betting on Crash Rickshaw—and it’s a perfect fit. The label’s legacy intertwines with Crash Rickshaw’s, and together they’re marking a new era for the underground.
2025 is shaping up as a banner year for post-punk. With fresh bands mining the past for inspiration and legends like Crash Rickshaw returning, the genre is thriving. In a time of polished pop and digital production, Crash Rickshaw’s analog grit and raw emotion feel like a revelation.
“Big Sir” is not a victory lap—it’s a challenge. Crash Rickshaw prove that twenty years away is no barrier to making vital, urgent music. Their songs bridge generations, inspire action, and remind us that real post-punk never dies.
For deeper dives, official updates, and streaming, check out Velvet Blue Music and follow Crash Rickshaw’s journey on Indie Vision Music.