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Porn Crumpets Take Columbus by Storm 

When I first heard Psychedelic Porn Crumpets’ Found God in a Tomato at the age of fifteen, I thought it was the most enlightened, intellectual, mysterious song to grace mankind, and decided I had found the sound of true adulthood. Last Saturday, I was fortunate enough to finally watch the band lay down a killer performance of this song, as well as fourteen other modern psych-rock classics. 

But before this scorcher set, I had the opportunity to sit down for a chat with Porn Crumpets’ Jack McEwan (vocals, guitar, production) and Chris Young (guitar, keys) about their lucky seventh album: Carpe Diem, Moonman, doppelgangers, and the love of the game, as well as a bit of psychedelics, porn, and even crumpets! The entire conversation is transcribed below.

I met up with the band at The Newport Music Hall as they were setting up for the last show of their North American tour with supporting act, Grocery Bag. My conversation with the Crumpets came just three days after the release of Carpe Diem, Moonman—my favorite release from 2025 thus far. 

Hailing from Perth, Western Australia, the Porn Crumpets have been on a steady rise since their formation in 2014, gaining international renown for their expansive psych rock records and 

live shows, which additionally feature Danny Caddy on drum kit, Luke Parish on guitar, and Jamie Reynolds on bass. 

During my conversation, Jack McEwan and Chris Young were warm and friendly, and the whole team were very down-to-earth. If you’ve never had a first-hand encounter with a Porn Crumpet, I highly recommend making the effort when they come to a city near you. 

Their live setlist draws more from the energetic-to-heavy side of the Crumpets’ discography. This experience differs from the stylistic range of songs offered within the albums, which also feature an array of soft, melodic, dreamy songs. However, after experiencing the ecstatic kind of action featured on songs such as March on for Pax Romana, (I’m a Kadaver) Alakazam, Cornflake, and Bill’s Mandolin, it’s easy for the concert-goer to understand the logic behind the song selection. 

The fan experience at the set was wonderful, and there was a definite sense of community present. My mom’s desired Mother’s Day present was a ticket to the show, and we attended together. We both tend to stay outside of wilder male dominated moshes, but there was no need to worry—three male strangers spontaneously formed a barrier around us. I had found chivalry at a Porn Crumpets show. 

I anticipated a great show, but no string of words could have prepared me for the reality. The band was tight and visibly into the music, and the crowd responded: heads were banging, the pit was moshing, the place was rocking. Following the end of the show, an awestruck fan fist-bumped his fellow porn stars farewell as we left, individually celebrating what had been a shared spiritual experience. All those with eyes and ears may accurately claim that he was on something, but he was also onto something, and he was one of the realest among us. 

Granted, the Crumpets are already my cup of tea, but this show is for more than just the high, the horny, and the hungry among us: as an estimated 100% of people who like to have fun would have a good time at a Psychedelic Porn Crumpets show.

SETLIST ORDER:

  1. SURF’S UP
  2. Nootmare (K-I-L-L-I-N-G) Meow!
  3. (I’m a Kadaver) Alakazam
  4. BILL’S MANDOLIN
  5. ACID DENT
  6. LAVA LAMP PISCO
  7. CUBENSIS LENSIS
  8. MUNDUNGUS
  9. WEIRD WORLD AWOKE
  10. FOUND GOD IN A TOMATO
  11. MARCH ON FOR PAX ROMANA
  12. ANOTHER REINCARNATION
  13. HOT! HEAT! WOW! HOT!

ENCORE:

  1. CORNFLAKE
  2. HYMN FOR A DROID

INTERVIEW

SINÉAD BRADY

For those who yearn to see: This conversation takes place in The Newport green room. Jack McEwan and Chris Young sit on a couch, with Jack on the left and Chris on the right. I am on a chair angled toward the couch near Chris’ side and a table, where I put my recording device (trusty iPhone 12).

It has now been 3 days since the release of your 7th album, Carpe, Diem Moonman. What has been new since Fronzoli, both sonically, maybe process-wise, and personally if you’re comfortable sharing that affected the writing? 

Oh, cool. 

Yeah. 

I think it’s very balanced. The hummingbird one [referring to As the Hummingbird Hovers] –that one is very lovely. 

Yeah, I really do. 

Mm hmm, 

Oh cool! 

That’s interesting though! 

Wow. 

Yeah, you’re doing a great job, I will say. I loved it, my family and friends loved it, so– 

I didn’t play it, I come from a music family. So my mom actually asked for a ticket to this show for Mother’s Day– 

Really? 

Oh my gosh, she’s going to be thrilled for that! 

I got her a ticket! 


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