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Still on the Road: Q&A with Crash Test Dummies

We chatted with Brad Roberts of the Crash Test Dummies this past week in preparation for their upcoming show at the Hult Center.


Image of Brad from Crash Test Dummies

Daniel Olbrych: In 1991 when Crash Test Dummies signed on the dotted line, at any point did you think that you’d be doing this 30 years later?

Brad Roberts: Absolutely not, but I’m certainly glad that we still are on the road.

DO: What do you think contributes to the bands longevity?

Brad Roberts: The songs are timeless! What else could it be? (Laughs)

DO: From a Weird Al parody to a stellar track on the Dumb and Dumber soundtrack, your career has presented some amazing and rare opportunities. Can you tell us a little bit about those experiences?

Brad Roberts: Weird Al was truly a milestone; I couldn’t have been happier. Ditto the soundtrack, which we were asked to do out of the blue. 

DO: I really love your cover of the XTC song The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead. How’d that come to be?

Brad Roberts: By pure fluke. We were covering the song and we were asked to record it. I don’t know why they didn’t use the original version.

DO: Are there any other stories you have that Crash Test Dummies has gifted you?

Brad Roberts: We went to China once, and the secret police followed me around after shutting down our show.

DO: God Shuffled His Feet was a big record and even today it sounds really, really good. It’s warm, and has remarkable clarity. The bass tone specifically is just on point. How do you feel about this album 30 years later?

Brad Roberts: I’m happy to say that I still like it. It would be very difficult to tour for if I didn’t. 

DO: Despite a tour celebrating your three decade spanning career, are you writing new material?

Brad Roberts: Yes I am! I have two new lyrics and one song.


The Crash Test Dummies come to the Hult Center on August 18, with special guest Carleton Stone.