The Crowns toured Australia with the Mighty Mighty Bosstones July 16-26, 1998. Johnny, the bands guitarist, had played his last show with Jack, Jason, and Judd on July 3 at Coney Island High in NYC. So, the band had scant time to find another guitarist to either join the band or get them through the coming Australian tour and Warped dates to follow.
Enter longtime friend Dennis Kelly. Dennis learned the Crowns set in record time, and they spent every day of the 11 or so days they had available to them hammering the set before they got on that plane.
The result was an incredibly tight band that was more than ready for the task at hand. Australia was a dream, the crowds were huge and rabid, the people kind and fun and the shows went off every time. They met the Porkers and hit it off immediately.
"One of the things I remember is how quickly hangovers disappeared on this tour due to the adrenaline and energy of these shows, and trying to keep up with the Australians on this tour was no easy feat. The Porkers were the best host band, they wanted us to have fun and show us everything, there wasn't a night I didn't go out with them." - Dennis Kelly
Images 1-2: Australian fans at the shows.
Image 3: Judd and Rodney "Rocket' Palmer from The Porkers hanging out.
Image 4: Judd and members of the Porkers.
Image 5: Pete Porker and friend giving their feedback on the Crowns soundcheck.
Image 6: Dennis backstage.
Image 7: The Porkers horns warming up backstage.
Image 8: Jack and Jason doing press.
Image 9: Side stage view as the Crowns play their set at the Palace in Melbourne.
Image 10: Crowns at the Arena in Brisbane.
Images 11-13: Crowns and Porkers at the Metro in Sydney.
Images 14-15: Jason's laminate.
Image 16: Review of the Canberra show July 22, 1998.
Photos 1-13 from the collection of Dennis Kelly
Laminate and review from the collection of Jason Kendall
