Creeps, Perverts and Weirdos: Creepoid!

Although I had not heard of them until hours before I went to interview them, Creepoid was worth the time and gas. I went to their Manayunk home/rehearsal space to catch up with the creeps and hear them play some tunes. I was impressed by their professional sound and the amount of weed consumed in one hour. Creepoid will be playing a show this Sat 4/17 with Kurt Vile at Beautiful World Syndicate. Should be an awesome show!

HEFF: So tell me a little bit about the band. To be honest I had’nt really heard of

you guys until very recently.

P: Well, Anna and I are married and we are in another band called The G. Pete used to play in it too and he ended up leaving the band. There was a really bad snowstorm this year where we were stuck inside for a couple days and Sean slept over and got real drunk and we had this 1956 reel to reel tape machine and we recorded some songs as like a two-piece and then Anna joined in and Pete after that. We recorded this 7” EP that we just released at our first show last week.

HEFF: Brand spankin’ new! The name, Creepoid?

P: Um… well I mean he’s a pervert (points to Petejoe) and he’s a weirdo (points to Sean) so, like we just figured Creepoid.

HEFF: It works. Very literal.

P: Everybody used to call Petejoe, like all the girls in Austin, called him Creepjoe

HEFF: So, what do you do that is particularly creepy or pervy?

S: You’ll find out (laughs).

P: In high school he used to ask girls out and then drive to an industrial park and be like, “so what’s up?” and just park. And even if they just hung out and talked he is still that creepy guy who took them to the industrial park.

HEFF: Do you have anything to say in your defense?

PJ: I am not denying… I’m just saying the details may have been altered.

A: Slightly.

PJ: I am really not that creepy!

P: It was a long time ago. That’s why we can joke about it.

HEFF: Directed to Sean: So they said you’re creepy too?

P: No No No just a weirdo!

HEFF: My bad. A weirdo.

S: See you don’t have to be worried about me. I am just weird.

A: Well you have to be a little worried.

S: Nah. I don’t know how I am weird. Of course I don’t. If I did I wouldn’t do it.

P: He has a weird collection of photos… animal books. You know he is like in his mid-twenties.

HEFF: Like children’s books?

**They all begin disputing whether or not they are children’s books.

P: He is just a weird dude. Like he was always in those advanced classes in high school.

HEFF: So he is smart?

P: Uh yeah.

A: Sean is weird because everyday at dinner time we go “Sean do you want some dinner?” And he goes, “Nah….well ALRIGHT!” Then we’ll all be eating and he’ll come up and take a little plate and be like, “Is this cool, is this cool?”

HEFF: So, so far you are smart and polite and like animals (laughs)?

PJ: (Laughs) It’s the worst!

S: Oh and I wear glasses!

P: And he plays bass with his fingers… weird!

All: (Laugh)

HEFF: Creepy! What do you label your sound as?

P: We think of a really cool part of a song and then try to play it as slooooow as we can. Slower than as slow as we can and it still comes out…

A: It’s pretty fast.

PJ: Plus it’s easy to grasp the idea of something if it’s slowed down anyway… No matter what we did with computers we always started with these reel to reels that he said.

P: So, I don’t know what those kids in California… like the garage, bedroom pop or whatever the fuck they are calling it now but like we do it with old ass tape machines in dirty basements in the east coast.

PJ: The tapes themselves are old tapes that had been previously recorded on.

P: Like old Christmas music.

PJ: The more you record on a tape… it lessens the quality of it.

A: Everything is supposed to be dirtier.

PJ: We were really careful about how we used the tape that was available first.

P: I wouldn’t say we go out of our way to sound dirty it’s just been shown to us in a way that works well.

HEFF: Cheap and efficient. But it worked out and sounds cool.

P/PJ: Right… yeah.

HEFF: So, say you got signed by a label and they wanted you to make a real recording that didn’t sound so lo-fi, would you do it?

P: We would be so happy because we wouldn’t be paying for it!

PJ: I would like just not have to pay for such an expensive hobby.

P: I would love to mass-produce our music. You know, this has only been our first 7” and we sold out of the test presses, all thirty of them. We just got 300 in the mail and those are already starting to go. It’s all moving so fast. I’d really like to have a label pick it up so they could be like “yo, lets do a whole record of all the singles you have.” They are all home recorded and then from there I would look into going into the studio. I’ll take what I can get.

PJ: Even if we just continued ourselves, and then they paid for the tour.

P: Well touring is kind of a problem because Anna is a college professor at two different schools in the city and Sean has a good job… a real job (graphic designer) and I am a private contractor.

HEFF: How do you guys write the songs?

P: It is collaborative. We do everything together since the band has been a band but the original couple songs on the EP… when Sean was in his louder, more aggressive, guitar rock, noise rock band he would eat mushrooms and lock himself in his bedroom and record songs by himself…

HEFF: Maybe this is why you’re weird?

P: (Laughs) Yeah! But those actually became the really good like hooks and changes on the EP. I am excited to see how the new stuff will turn out. So it’s cool when you have even more people doing mushrooms!

HEFF: What do you guys think if the Philly music scene?

P: It’s so all over the place right now and everyone is in their own little world and especially still being in our other band The G. We play so many different shows. We’ll play at The Ox or something like that and then Kung Fu Necktie. Two weeks ago we played a show at the Barbary with Best Coast and it was sold out but a couple days before that The G played a sold out show with Love Is All and Japandroids. So, it’s like we are still playing the same shows but a little different.

HEFF: Is The G similar sounding?

P: It’s like a complete Sonic Youth worship band.

PJ: It is not to be confused with like a side project though.

P: But the Philly scene is awesome. I know I like that band Far-Out Fangtooth.

HEFF: What are you guys listening to now?

S: Reigning Sound.

PJ: I’ve been listening to Heavy Hands LP.

P: The Strange Boys. They’re friends of ours from Austin but I just picked up their LP. They are a really great band. I’m psyched they are touring with Spoon and shit… Dinosaur Jr. is always on the turntable. I just got a Nintendo…two Nintendo top loaders at a thrift store. It was twenty-five bucks, came with the power glove and 38 games. It’s the shit. Lately, before I go to work and climb on scary roofs and shit I’ll take a bong rip and play Nintendo and listen to Dinosaur Jr. Mario three… I still can’t beat that fucking thing.

HEFF: You could upgrade to a Wii.

S: Oh no, too many buttons.

P: No, we play horseshoes outside.

HEFF: Outdoor kids. What do you guys think of the term Hipster?

PJ: My grandmother told me I was (0ne) a couple years ago. But this was the same lady that wouldn’t let me inside of her house on my sixteenth birthday because I had a Dead Kennedys shirt on and she was like, “that’s a disgrace to our Irish heritage.” She freaked the fuck out and kicked me out.

A: That is such a hipster thing to say. You are such a hipster (laughs).

HEFF: Generally negative feelings toward the term then?

A: (Totally joking) Well I lived in Brooklyn so like yeah. I think everyone doesn’t want to say they’re a hipster but then at the same time doesn’t want other people to NOT think of them as a hipster.

PJ: My drug dealer from Austin, used to call me a hipster. He was like well you’re always downtown and you’re always doing shit. What the fuck does that mean, man? I work downtown!

Friend of Band: Do you like how they never actually answer your questions?

HEFF: It’s true but it’s okay.

Another Friend: I always think about how on Seinfeld, Elaine called Kramer a hipster doofus and I don’t want to be that guy!

P: It is a problem if you are perpetually a hipster.

S: You can only be a hipster for a certain amount of time.

A: We are leaving that time. On our way out.

P: You know how I know I am getting old? I no longer own any His Hero Is Gone records…

A: And you don’t drink 40s anymore.

P: Yeah I don’t drink those anymore. I drink New Castle. It’s my jam! And since I’ve gotten older I don’t collect noise tapes any more.

A: Yes you do! What are you talking about?

P: (Laughs) Eh whatever.

HEFF: So then you’re not that old yet.

A: He just turned 27.

P: Yeah my birthday was yesterday.

HEFF: Happy Birthday!

All: No! It was Monday.

P: I don’t remember!

A: Getting old.

HEFF: Then I retract my Happy Birthday.

PJ: Ohhh retracted.

HEFF: Any last words?

S: Well I am curious. Is it safe to say you haven’t really heard us?

HEFF: Oh no I have… But like a few hours before I came here. I liked what I heard though!

P: Tell everyone to come to our show! Tell them to check out Phonographic Arts, shop at Beautiful World Syndicate and try to get the new Creepoid record, Yellow Life Giver and we’ll have a new tape and or 7” out soon! We will be heading out on tour at the end of May, East Coast tour with Sore Eros from Boston.

HEFF: Anything else?

P: Smoke weed everyday.

New to the Scene?: Ten bands to expand your mind.

By: Patrick Niederriter

In honor of this new Web site(HipstersEatforFree.com,) I am writing this article for all you who are new to the whole “indie” scene. Maybe you’re just starting college and feel like discovering new music or maybe you are just bored with what you hear on the radio and feel like expanding your horizons. So, I have listed ten bands from a variety of genres for you to peruse to better find your niche. Those of you who eat and breathe underground music may find this list elementary, but it is not meant for you. Still, give it a read. There may be a few gems you overlooked. This list is in no particular order.

1. Fugazi: Since 1987, these D.C. artists have been a major influence on the progression of punk rock and hardcore. Their music is heavy, sometimes droney, and sometimes almost jammy. Be prepared for some quality yelling. They are equally well known for their DIY (Do it Yourself) methods and musical ethics. For instance, they view pricey admissions to shows as unacceptable and prefer that the cost of admission not exceed $5.

What to Listen to: Repeater, Fugazi’s 1990 release is a great album. Also, 13 Songs is a great compilation of their hits and would give you a good variety of their music.

If You Like This: Then you may be a punk rocker at heart. Go back in time a little and look into The Clash and The Ramones. Also, check out Fugazi frontman Ian MacKaye’s former band Minor Threat. Also cruise around the Fat Wreck Chords, Epitaph, and Dischord Web sites. There is a wide variety of punk out there. If you dig this sound, pay some respect to the godfather of punk, Iggy Pop.

2. Dinosaur Jr.: A little more on the alternative side of the music spectrum, Dinosaur Jr., was formed in 1984 by J. Masic, Lou Barlow, and Murph. Over the years, members have come and gone. Recently the prolific band has reunited its orginal lineup. Their music exemplifies the rebirth of the extended guitar solo, without making it sound masturbatory. The lyrics are simple; the sound is often upbeat and it features heavy feedback and the loud-quiet dynamic.

What to Listen to: If you can only get one album, it should be 1987’s, You’re Living All Over Me. It is great from start to finish and has a great cover of the song “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure. Green Mind was released in 1991 and is also very good and 2009’s Farm proved that the band has not lost its talent.

If You Like This: Check out the bands, Pavement and Husker Du. Both are so good they should have made this list along with Guided By Voices.

3. Gang of Four: This post-punk band has seen some musical changes in their lifespan. They are perhaps best known for their mixing of punk with reggae, and funk with a minimalist quality, making music you can dance to. They were pioneers of the dance-punk/dance-pop movements of today. Still, their music often political, offers several levels of listening.

What to Listen to: Entertainment! was their first full-length release and is often regarded as one of their best. However, Solid Gold and Hard have both been ranked in the charts at one time in both the U.S. and the U.K.

If You Like This: The Rapture, Liars, and Bloc Party have all taken musical cues from this band. If you like to dance, give MGMT a try too. Don’t rule out Beirut, their music blends dance-pop rhythms with eastern European folk.

4. The Pixies: David Bowie, Kurt Cobain, and Thom Yorke can’t all be wrong. Pound for pound, The Pixies are arguably one of the most influential bands of the past 20 years. Bands like Radiohead and Nirvana have named The Pixies as an influence. Their sound blended punk and surf rock. They were able to be highly melodic and abrasive almost simultaneously. They also were proponents of the loud-quiet dynamic. Lyrically, the subject matter often focused on contreversial topics such as, biblical figures, violence, molestation, and incest.

What to Listen to: 1988’s Surfer Rosa is their most widely acclaimed album, which features the song “Where is My Mind” which had some commercial success via covers and movies.

If You Like This: Since they were so influential, you can find elements of their music all over the place. Look into Sonic Youth and Blur to start and add spice to taste.

5. Joy Division: The sad and mournful vocals of lead singer Ian Curtis coupled with the bands slow drone and sparse music has been an indie mainstay since the suicide of Curtis in 1980. Their sound is rather dark and gloomy but still maintains a high level of emotional energy. The songs often relate to their lead singers battles with depression and epilepsy. An interesting piece of trivia: Curtis allegedly hung himself while listening to the Iggy Pop album The Idiot.

What to Listen to: Joy Division only released two albums. 1979’s Unknown Pleasures and 1980’s Closer. A horse a piece.

If You Like This: Bands like Interpol and Nick Cave’s The Birthday Party have very similar musical qualities. If you like low, somber vocals of Joy Division you will appreciate these two.

6. Heavy Vegetable: Minimalism at its best. Heavy Vegetable is Rob Crowes first real foray into the music world and the music is characterized by simple melodies layered on top of one another. The lyrics are simple if not quaint and the vocal harmonizing is often pleasant. Probably one of the least known bands on this list, Heavy Vegetable features a lot of short, catchy songs.

What to Listen to: This band wasn’t around very long, but their album Frisbie has 28 nice tracks.

If You Like This: Then you will like Pinback and Thingy; Crowes other bands that take his minimalist layering to the next level.

7. Hum: The hometown heroes of Champaign, Illinois, Hum is a kind of space rock band that is best listened to loud. The sound seems to stretch for miles and employs a variety of effects pedals and distortion with almost monotone vocals. The lyrics often use metaphors and similes about cosmic phenomena as well.

What to Listen to: Whether you choose to listen to 1995’s You’d Prefer and Astronaut or 1998’s Downward is Heavenward, you will get a great scope of their music. By this point, Hum had refined their sound.

If You Like This: Dig up some Spacemen 3. If you like that, then try and find some Castor or Centaur, which feature members of Hum.

8. Neutral Milk Hotel: Perhaps you prefer things on the softer, folk side. Neutral Milk Hotel formed in the early 90’s uses skilled and intricate instrumentation mixed with passionate vocals. The subject matter is often spiritually motivated and employs poetic imagery.

What to Listen to: 1998’s In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, is their most acclaimed album to date.

If You Like This: Then you enjoy the softer side of music. Try Destroyer, Iron and Wine, and Rogue Wave. Each has their own style but keep to folk roots. Also, you will probably enjoy Bon Iver.

9. The Velvet Underground: You’ve probably walked down the street and seen people dressed in the “hipster” uniform. You know, the tight black jeans, a disheveled, sickly appearance, and thrift store apparel. These people, whether they know it or not, are taking their fashion from Lou Reed. It’s been said that only 1,000 people bought a Velvet Underground album, but everybody that did started a band. They have a pivotal influence on all sorts of subculture music like punk and alt rock. Andy Warhol was their manager for Christ sake. The music can seem to be all over the place, but normally employs twangy guitar, drones, and nihilistic outlooks on things as well as a non-apologetic approach to drugs.

What to Listen to: The Velvet Underground and Nico from 1967 is one of their best known with songs like “Heroine”, “Venus in Furs”, and “Waiting For The Man.” 1968’s White Light/White Heat is another great album.

If You Like This: You will like bands that have a retro sound. Give The Brian Jonestown Massacre a try. If you are attracted to some of the more innovative, wild, drug related material, then look into Modest Mouse; especially their earlier albums.

10. Big Black: Steve Albini fronted this experimental, noise rock band throughout the 1980’s. This is a band that is not suitable for everybody’s ears, but if you enjoy brutal, angry vocals and slashing guitar you will more than likely like this band. Its harsh, full of energy, and pushes the boundaries of what some people would call “music.”

What to Listen to: Songs About Fucking from 1987. The name says it all.

If you Like This: Listen to Albini’s Shellac. If you like things that are experimental but less abrasive, then look up The Desert Fathers and Don Caballero.

All said and done, you actually have more than ten bands to look into. Have fun and support local music.