Crash Test Dummies Prove Timeless at The Capitol Music Club

Article and Photos by Melanie Macpherson

On July 30, The Capitol Music Club played host to a night steeped in nostalgia as Canada’s folksy alt-rock legends, Crash Test Dummies, took the stage. Known for a sound as distinctive as it is iconic, the band delivered a performance that felt like flipping through a beloved photo album; warm, slightly worn around the edges, and filled with moments you know by heart.

From the first notes, the audience was instantly transported back to simpler days of bike rides, sprinkler runs, and mix tapes. Brad Roberts’ unmistakable bass-baritone rumbled through the room like distant thunder, grounding the set in the rich, resonant sound that made the band a household name. Alongside him was Ellen Reid, whose vocals, tambourine, and accordion remain essential threads in the Crash Test Dummies tapestry. Completing the current lineup were original members Dan Roberts on bass and Mitch Dorge on drums, joined by touring musicians Stuart Cameron on guitar and Leith Fleming-Smith on keyboards. Cameron shared memories of travelling to Saskatchewan as a child with his father, John Allan Cameron, for Telemiracle, adding a personal touch that drew the crowd in even further. Together, the ensemble played with the comfortable ease of artists who have spent decades honing their craft.

The setlist struck a perfect balance between old favourites and newer material. Diehard fans sang along to every lyric, while the entire room became part of a heartfelt chorus during “Superman’s Song.” Nostalgic hits like “Afternoons and Coffee Spoons,” “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm,” “The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead,” and “God Shuffled His Feet” landed with the same charm they had decades ago, yet the newer tracks were welcomed with quiet appreciation, proving the band’s artistry remains relevant.

While the night carried a relaxed, almost VIP feel, there were moments where the band let loose. During bassist Dan Roberts’ playful introduction of the musicians, the group briefly veered off the rails, showing off their skill with a joyful energy that lit up the room.

The job of warming up the crowd fell to a stripped-down incarnation of The Great Fuss, with frontman Pete Oldridge on guitar and Fabian Minemma on drums. Trading instruments mid-set, the duo still managed to fill the space with the full-bodied energy of a stage full of musicians. Their Brit pop-infused indie rock set was a crowd-pleaser, converting more than a few into new fans before the opening set was through.

In the end, it was the kind of show that reminded everyone why Crash Test Dummies have remained a Canadian treasure — not just for the memories they evoke, but for the way their music still resonates, years after the first time you heard that deep, rumbling voice.