There are Walthamites who gush when describing the eclectic mix of restaurants on Moody Street. Others can’t catch their breath when attempting to explain how the Watch City was among the important spots during the Industrial Revolution. Some more recent residents can boast the many services provided at no cost trash disposal and leaf pickup, school busing and high school extra-curricular activities, and low residential taxes. Then there is Chris "Crash" Clark, new to town and bashing a lot of what he sees. And, to make it worse, to thousands and thousands of listeners. But don’t fret, it’s part of an act. His persona on WBCN’s "Toucher and Rich" drive-time show (2 to 6 p.m.) is one who makes fun of anything, including where he sleeps, shops and eats. But, does that make it any better? He is still poking fun at the people and places of the city. I think it is safe to say it won’t happen much more. He, and his wife, Melissa, had moved here following a short time in Brighton, after growing up in Miami, and then moving to Atlanta for a radio gig. "We’re toying with the idea of buying, and little by little we really like it out here (in Waltham)," Crash said. "Waltham is really putting up a fight for us." Currently living in the Archstone development on Main Street, one of his most common targets is Hannafords, known as "Creepafords" on air. But at the same time, he supports the many fine bars and restaurants in the Watch City while on 104.1 FM. "Waltham is the typical New England town, and more and more we like it," said Crash, 40, during the interview in one of his favorite haunts, Mad Raven. He and Melissa love the Common and the holiday lights (they also woke up early to watch their first snowfall as New England residents), breakfast at Joseph’s II and his recent visit to Gemelli. Maybe the most telling sign they are trying to become part of Waltham is despite living here less than six months they have already tried The Chateau. If you listen to Crash, and his longtime buddies Fred Toucher and Rich Shertenlieb, it might be hard to believe a man who treats 19-year-old sidekick Adolpho like a frat house pledge, or treats his weekend drinking games and bar crawls like an Olympic event. But there is a soft side to the intimidating looking man who probably is a teddy bear inside. Just ask Melissa. Coming back from Toucher’s bachelor party in Las Vegas (tell me that doesn’t make sense, Toucher, Rich and Crash in Sin City) he and the soon-to-be groom were separated on the plane. He ended up sitting next to a pretty young woman who was paying for a night out with friends during a bachelorette party. She asked him if "he was going to make this a long flight," probably because he was talking nonstop, and looked the part. But, much to her surprise, he fetched some water for the dehydrated passenger sitting next to him. "She discovered chivalry was not dead, and we have been together ever since," Crash said. Don’t get me wrong, he’s not an angel. A drinking night with his radio friends this past weekend included some sort of whipping of each other, eventually ending with a cab dropping him off outside the gate of his complex. (Not sure if he was too obnoxious for the cabbie to continue or he ran out of money.) During the hour sit-down within the dark hardwood walls and floors of the Raven it sounded like Crash could actually be slowing down. So, maybe we won’t hear "Creepafords" much more. "I don’t do what I used to. I have 17 years (of partying) under my belt," he said. I guess you will have to listen to WBCN to make the decision for yourself.
Brad Spiegel is editor of the Daily News Tribune. He can be reached at 781-398-8002 or bspiegel@cnc.com.
