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Ottawa Buzz: Punk It Up
Friday December 12, 2003 @ 03:00 PM
By: ChartAttack.com Staff
A number of Ottawa's punk bands are releasing new material in the next few weeks, proving once again that 'tis the season to be a bunch of scuzzy, anarchist rebels.
The Creeps are gearing up to release their third album, Gamma Gamma Ray, with a December 19 show supporting The Queers, new label-mates The Riptides and The Vapids. The show goes down at Babylon, with tickets selling in advance for $10 at CD Exchange (142 Rideau) or $12 at the door.
Gamma Gamma Ray is The Creeps' first album on their new label, The Riptides' Goblin Records. This new label affiliation has given the band more time to work on their music than they had with their previous releases. The album was recorded over the past year and is finally approved for public consumption.
"In the past we have had to rush as our studio time is generally limited," explains Creeps drummer Jordy. "For this album we worked on each song until we felt it was what we wanted. The extra freedom has allowed us to create a final product we are really happy with."
The album contains 16 blistering punk tracks, some of which have been retooled from the band's previous albums. The Creeps are playing another show tomorrow (December 13) out in Manotick, with The Botched Suicides, No Time, The Bella Bombs, The Sewer Rats and others. The show's an all-ages matinee, starting at 3 p.m. at the Manotick Arena Hall (5572 Dr. Leach Dr.). Tickets are $5 at the door.
The December 19 show also serves as a release show for a split 7" between The Riptides and The Vapids, who are opening for The Queers on a small mini-tour called the Nightmare Before Christmas. For more details on the other shows, check out The Riptides' website here.
The Creeps are currently planning a tour of Ontario and Eastern Canada for next spring, in order to blast more of the nation with their Gamma Gamma Ray. If all goes well, world domination should soon be at hand.
In non-punk CD release news, Ottawa blues-rockers The Smacks are celebrating the release of their first record, Don't Move, tonight (Dec. 12) at Babylon. Also playing are Readible Ink and Hyulp. Admission is $8 at the door and the joint starts a-rockin' at 9 p.m.
Aside from these shows, the Ottawa scene seems to be taking a little bit of a break over the next few weeks, with scant few cool shows coming up. Simple Plan, along with Gob, Jersey and Don't Look Down are playing the XFM Holiday Havoc Event at the Capital Music Hall on December 19. London girl band HER are playing Zaphod's tonight with The Bella Bombs, and The Hidden Cameras are also playing tonight at Ottawa's First Baptist Church with Two Minute Miracles.
Birdman Sound's Annual Festive Party goes down at Bumpers on December 20, with performances by Steve Fai, Harshey, The Million Dollar Marxists and Andrew Vincent And The Pirates.
Finally, The Candidates play the Dominion Tavern with The Bitchin Cameros on December 27.
—Jason Hailman
- Chartattack.com
Excerpt from 'The Scene'
Wednesday Dec 17th, 2003.
by Allan Wigney
"The Creeps' second full-length release acknowledges a debt to The Ramones in its title, Gamma Gamma Ray!, and in the un-characteristically sensitive 'My Girlfriend Hates The Ramones'. But like Goblin Records labelmates The Riptides, this trio owes more to the adolescent punk fury of California's Lookout! label than to Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee, and Marky/Tommy.
Hence, it's not surprising that The Queers have offered their blessing to the Goblin stable."
- The Ottawa Sun
My Tiny Sofa wins
by Laura Moses
EXCERPT:
"...The Creeps played to the crowd, and got everyone involved with their high energy, punk rawk antics during “My Girlfriend Hates The Ramones.” "
"...The Creeps came in second place..." - The Charlatan (Carleton University)
Reviewed By: Sam Sutherland
February 06, 2004
With a song called "I Broke Your Hyman (You Broke My
Heart)," Gamma Gamma Ray! offers up 16 kind of offensive, catchy as hell punk rock songs in the vein of the Ramones and Screeching Weasel. Sounding an awful lot like Leonard Graves Phillips of the Dickies, lead singer Skottie Sporadic's nasal vocal stylings sound perfect when paired with the three-chord simplicity of the band's catchy songs.
Delightfully lo-fi production and humorous cartoon-style artwork round out this solid release; the perfect selection for the old school punk rock mix tape you've been waiting to finish.
- Exclaim! Magazine
"This isn't a complete waste of plastic. This actually has its moments. Snotty pop punk that is actually well executed and the vocals are actually kinda good. If you're looking for cliche yet well done pop punk. Check this out." (BM) - Maximum RockANDRoll
"This Ottawa record would probably be better titled Tales from The Creeps, since it's a collection of 16 punk tracks that venture into the dark, bizarre and often comical, with lyrics that delve into depression, paranoia, and even teen heartache. How could you resist a song titled I Broke Your Hymen, You Broke My Heart?
It might sound grim, but the songs are energy-filled and easy to digest - think the Dead Milkmen. On your first listen, be sure to hit repeat so you'll avoid the hassle of getting up and walking to your stereo, because the more you listen to this album, the more you'll like it.
This is the Ottawa band's first album with their new label, a collaboration that Creeps Skottie Sporadic (vocals), Bevans (bass), and Jordy (drums) say gave them more time to work on their music. Not only did they spend a year working on new tracks, but they re-worded songs - shuch as My Girlfriend Hates The Ramones, Shock Trooper and Spies in the Pentagon from the band's 2001 album Westmount High.
For punk-rock fans, this is an album that won't gather dust." - The Ottawa Citizen
Discography
"Lakeside Cabin" (to be released Spring 2008)
*11 new songs sure to turn some heads.
"Back to the 'Bin"
*a 13 track follow up to Gamma Gamma Ray!
Goblin Records, released May 13th, 2005.
"Gamma Gamma Ray!"
*16 song full-length release put out on
Goblin Records, Ottawa, Canada. 2003.
"Kick 'em While They're down...Vol 2"
*A compilation of local and international punk rock bands, such as The Dwarves, The Vapids, The Queers, The Riptides and more.
"Westmount High"
*15 song full-length self-released in early 2001.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
After escaping from a heavily fortified loony bin just outside this nation’s capital in September 1999, these three creeps began to wreak their own brand of havoc on the city of Ottawa, leaving a trail of death and destruction in their wake. Shortly after their daring escape, however, these three social outcasts were caught up to by agents of the Central Intelligence Agency and given a choice: either return to the asylum and spend the remainder of their lives in solitary confinement, or take the oath and become special agents for the C.I.A. ... their choice was clear.
Their mission, as outlined by the Agency, was to become the eyes, the ears, and the muscle for an international cartel of high rollers, hell-bent on world domination – all under the guise of a three-piece punk rock outfit. Dubbed, ‘The Creeps’, for their psychopathic tendencies, the boys were put through rigorous training exercises to hone their skills in the art of three-chord punk rock. Consisting of endless hours of learning their instruments to the Ramones Leave Home set on repeat and partial lobotomies all around, The Creeps’ training has propelled them to a moderate level of success in the local scene – an unintentional byproduct on the path to their true mission: One World Government.
With training passed and the necessary stamps of approval given from high above, these three mercenaries were given codenames and sent on their way. Skottie Lobotomy, Jordy, and Bevans, otherwise known simply as The Creeps, will be invading your town, sabotaging your embassy, and climbing in through your bedroom window any day now…
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