Crimpshrine was a seminal East Bay punk band from Berkeley, California, active from 1982 to 1989, known for their raw sound, introspective lyrics, and foundational role in shaping the Lookout Records scene. Formed by guitarist/vocalist Jeff Ott and bassist Aaron Cometbus—who also published the influential punk zine Cometbus—Crimpshrine blended melodic hardcore with themes of alienation, urban decay, and DIY ethics. Their 1988 album Sound of a New World Being Born and the Sleep, What's That? EP captured the gritty spirit of Gilman Street punk and inspired countless bands in the pop-punk and emo underground. Though short-lived, Crimpshrine’s impact rippled through the '90s punk revival, with members later joining groups like Fifteen and Pinhead Gunpowder.
