(Photo by Brittany Ficken)
The self-proclaimed no coast grunge-punk trio making up Sneaky Creeps released their sophomore album Negative Space in the spring, recorded/produced at Element Recording with Joel Nanos. Andrew Erdrich (guitar/vocals) and Max Crutcher (drums/vocals) combine forces in delivering gritty, riff-heavy melodies that pair perfectly with the band’s more or less signature yell/talk vocal dynamic, while Isaac Ahloe (bass) holds it down heavy with aggressive yet crisp bass lines.
The first track "Living Beneath," a little under two minutes long, sets off like a firework leading you emphatically into a slower paced, rhythmic anthem "Antisocial," with a catchy, self-titled hook. "D.M.T.N.Y." and "Skeleton Key" really stand out later on, personally piquing my curiosity on the band’s live delivery of these particular tracks.
Guitar and vocalist Andrew Erdrich happily obliged to answer some questions earlier this week about the band’s latest album and tonight’s show.
The Deli: You released Negative Space on 4/20. Is the album just available digitally right now or will there be records for sale?
Erdrich: The album is available as an obsolete cassette or CD [and also for sale at sneakycreeps.bandcamp.com].
The Deli: How long did the recording process take you?
Erdrich: The recording took about 6 days spread over 2 months.
The Deli: Is this your sophomore album?
Erdrich: We consider this our first full-length, but that’s debatable.
The Deli: Who’s writing the music? Everyone or someone specifically?
Erdrich: Max and I write the music and Isaac writes the vast majority of his bass lines. Max and I collaborate on lyrics.
The Deli: Where do your inspirations for song writing/sound/content come from?
Erdrich: I tend to write more directly and Max tends to be a bit more poetic. The content usually reflects our lives: frustrations, sleeping (or lack thereof), questions of technology, social economy, and values. We stay away from melodrama and emphasize ennui.
The Deli: Tell us about the show tonight at The Middle East.
Erdrich: We’re playing with a band called Bad History Month. Max found them online and sought them out to play a show. They’re from Massachusetts, touring with another band from Indiana named Dust From 1000 Years.
The Deli: What are your upcoming tour plans?
Erdrich: Tour plans for October and we have tapes and CDs for sale at Mills Record Company, Zebedee’s and Vinyl Renaissance.
Erdrich also adds that the band plans to hit the road in October.
—Leslie Kinsman
Leslie Kinsman is a freelance writer and blogger, most recently contributing for The Pitch. A founding member of the music venue FOKL Center, Kinsman also runs her own blog wunderhub, where she features local fashion, music and art pieces. Keep your eye out for wunderhub Radio, a weekly collaborated playlist released for free by Rory Cameron of The Conquerors.
Be sure to catch Sneaky Creeps live at The Middle East tonight (59th and Spruce), show starts at 8 pm. Facebook event page. Also, you can pick up a copy of Negative Space at Mills Record Company, Zebedee’s, and Vinyl Renaissance.