New CD Review: The Creeping Cruds
Wolfie, Jeano, McNasty, Handsome Jimmy, Boomer...
Sounds like I'm listing off names for the next WWE wrestling event, doesn't it? These names belong to a group of guys nestled in the little town just north of us called Nashville, TN. They're called The Creeping Cruds and no other name could fit these fellas any better. This horror-themed rock 'n' roll band has just put out their second album titled Tennessee Bloodbath.
Don't begin listening to this album thinking you know what to expect, because you don't. It's not psychobilly by any means and it's not as hard as other horror themed bands, such as Calabrese or even The Misfits. It's straight up dirty rock 'n' roll with a pinch of The Wolfman, a twist of Dracula, and a heaping spoonful of Frankenstein's Monster.
I Kicked Dracula's Ass is a great fist-pumping anthem as Wolfie tells the tale of how Frankenstein's Monster did the "monster mash" all over Drac after the undead bastard stole Frankie's bride. Meat & Three is about finding out your girlfriend has been turned into the daily special at the local greasy spoon - a fun first date song. Come Out Neville - any fan of the Charlton Heston thriller I Am Omega should get this title. It's based on the Richard Matheson short horror novel I Am Legend - yes, Will Smith turned this into a big budget blockbuster last year, but Heston - and even Vincent Price - took it to the big screen before Bill Willy got his Scientology-laden hands all over.
The album consists of 12 listed tracks with a hidden 13th titled Down In TheGraveyards, which sounds like Buck Owens blended with Boris Karloff. This album is an excellent companion piece to their first release, The Incredibly Strange People Who Stopped Living And Became... All-in-all, it's good clean family entertainment...if your last name happens to be Munster.
One of the things I really enjoy about this album, and the band, is they don't take themselves too seriously. Many bands today think they have to be uber serious about their craft and not bring any humor to the table, but the Cruds serve it up and they're not shy about giving you a second helping. Take advantage of having a band of this caliber so close to your hometown and check out their tunes online.
The band can be found online on Myspace at http://www.myspace.com/creepingcruds. They frequent Atlanta and are a hop, skip, and a jump away in their hometown of Nashville, TN. Their album can be purchased via their Myspace page.