Crash DeVille
Crash Deville is an original rock n’ roll band from Tulsa, Oklahoma. We play a soulful blend of rock, funk, blues, and American roots music. Founded in 2018 and led by singer/songwriter Joel T. Jones, the group was the original house band for the Gypsy Coffee House Open Mic Night. They received an ecstatically warm reception by local music lovers and musicians. The popularity of their hosting and weekly performances at Tulsa’s longest running original music event earned them a nomination for the 2019 Music Award for Best Open Mic/Jam Night. To their honor and amazement, Crash DeVille won the coveted award for this category.
After being shut down for the Covid-19 pandemic, the group decided to branch out into other live music venues in town. Over a year later and with a few new members, the group has gained a strong, enthusiastic, and dedicated local following at venues that include The Colony, The Hunt Club, The Fur Shop, The Rabbit hole, Thelma’s Peach, and The Vanguard Tulsa. The band puts on a fun high energy show that always seeks to engage the crowd. In the words of one local bartender, “That’s more people than I’ve ever seen dancing here!”
Band Members
Joel T. Jones – Lead vocals and guitar
Raised in a musical family, Joel was heavily influenced by his mother’s record collection of folk, soul, blues, and rock n’ roll music. He started singing in his elementary school vocal chorus, and was playing guitar, writing songs, and playing in various rock bands by high school. He went on to sing in the late 90’s funk and soul group The Petting Zoo that played in many of New England’s live music venues. He quit live music briefly in the early 2000’s to raise a family. During those years he wrote the songs that would become Crash DeVille’s original music catalogue. Seeking a band to help bring these songs to life, Joel became a regular at The Gypsy Coffee House Open Mic, where Crash DeVille was born.
Scott “Catfish” Craig – Bass guitar and vocals
Multi-instrumentalist Scott Craig plays bass in Crash DeVille. He began his lifelong love affair with music while playing upright bass in his school’s orchestra at the age of eight years old. During his 30 plus years as a gigging musician, he’s played everything from Americana to heavy progressive rock. Including a stint in The Chris Simmons Band, whom you may know as the former guitarist for Leon Russel. Scott currently splits his time between gigs with Crash DeVille, Chelsey Hill, And Then There were Two, and Heavy Jones. He’s also currently working on opening a music school in Tulsa.
Gary Sizemore – Violin and vocals
Originally from Tahlequah, Gary Sizemore, is known and loved by many in the Tulsa music community. Gary began playing violin in the 5th grade. Strongly encouraged by his mother, also a fine musician, Gary went on to play in the Tulsa Youth Symphony. In high school he played at the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute, and received a full ride scholarship to Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. As a young adult, Gary played fiddle in country western bands and was a fixture on the casino music circuit. Wanting to expand his horizons, he moved to Tulsa and began playing a variety of different musical styles. He currently plays: bluegrass with local bands Grass Crack and Township and Range; Spanish fusion with Brujo Roots; Americana-folk with Justin Bloss; and bluesy, funky, rock n’ roll with Crash DeVille.
Michael “The Onion Man” Hanson – Drums, percussion, and vocals
One of Tulsa’s “first call drummers” for many years, The Onion Man is a stone-cold rhythm machine. In the words of local musician Timbo Kelly, “A lifelong constituent of the Tulsa music scene, The Onion Man is truly a hat for all occasions. Be it with Sweating Bullets, Sextion 8, The Timbo Kelly Band, or many others, Onion can always be counted on to supply a groove that would bend the Golden Drillers knee. Dig it!”
Featured Players
Leah Rose – Vocals
Leah Rose was first featured in Crash DeVille live shows in 2021. In 2022 she sang with the band full time and appeared in the audio and video shoot “The Venue Shrine Sessions” for five live versions of Crash DeVille songs recorded at the Venue Shrine in Tulsa on May 24th 2022. Leah studied vocal music at ECU in Ada, and got her start locally at The Community Sound Jam Night at The Rabbit Hole. She has spent the last few years performing with local bands: A Mixtape Catastrophe, Hector and The Hexed, The Solution, and Crash DeVille. Along with local audiences, The American Theatre Company took note of her talents and cast her in “The Great American Trailor Park Musical” which ran at The Tulsa Performing Arts Center in October 2022. Currently on hiatus from Crash DeVille to pursue other projects and focus on her family, she remains a beloved member of the Crash DeVille musical family. Look for her to appear in the future at any show advertised as “Featuring Leah Rose”.
“SuperDarren” Edwards – Bass guitar and vocals
SuperDarren was the original bass player for Crash DeVille, and played bass, sang, and appeared in May 2022 “The Venue Shrine Sessions” audio and video shoot. He is currently playing in several regionally touring acts, but remains a close friend and collaborator with Joel Jones and the Crash DeVille family. Without his live music prowess, musicianship, and arranging talents Crash DeVille would never have been possible.
Chris “The Aulternator” Ault – Percussion
Chris Ault is the percussionist in one of Oklahoma’s best jam bands Doctor Junior. He started sitting in during some of Crash DeVille’s shows in 2021, and can be seen performing with the band from time to time. Along with being a great percussionist, Chris is also a great website designer. He designed the web page you’re currently looking at!
Nathan Wilson – Drums
Nathan Wilson played drums during live shows in 2021 and 2022. He was also the drummer for, and appeared in “The Venue Shrine sessions” recorded in May of 2022.
Band Artist
Ivy Jones
Ivy Jones is the oldest daughter of Joel Jones. She has been drawing and creating visual art since she could pick up a pencil. She earned the affectionate family nickname “Doodle Bug”. After creating the original design for the fictional space hero “Crash DeVille”, Ivy became the exclusive artist and merchandise designer for the band. She also offers her design services, on a freelance basis, for anyone who is interested in her creative talents. Interested parties may contact her by email.
