Let me start by saying how cool this is. I listen to music that is given to me then I get to tell others what I think. Well really, I've been doing that for years. The only difference is now, you care. At least I tell myself you do.

The first band that I'll review is the Creeping Cruds. "The Incredibly Strange People Who Stopped Living and Became the Creeping Cruds". It's fitting that my first review is a band that sounds like it came out of some old, creepy abandoned basement in the hills of Tennessee.  The first song, "All Hail the Horror Host" has a rockabilly sound that misled me for the rest of the album. I kept waiting for that to come back, but it didn't. The rest of the album is awesome, but I just wanted more rockabilly. They are definitely more punk, but what is punk but a label, right?

One of the things I like so much is that they don't take themselves too seriously. I guess doing the music they do they really couldn't. They further prove that point by the names they use: Manthon (Bass), Phil Crudd (Drums), Ziggy A. McNasty (Guitar & Backing Vox), and Jeano Roid (Lead Guitar and Vox).  Phil plays Ludwig drums, so I'll give a little extra love since I myself play Ludwigs.  It's just nice to see a band have fun. Of course, a little fake blood and mascara mixed in will get my vote every time. If you're looking for a serious sounding, in your face, angry, angst-ridden punk band...keep looking. If you want a good time and don't get creeped out or grossed out too easily, these are your guys.

With songs like "Blood on the Banisters" and "I Eat the Living" and my personal favorite, "Driving Miss Zombie", these guys are just looking to have a good time and maybe creep out your little sister along the way. I would like to see their site updated a little more frequently.  The only listings on their site for shows were last year. They are taking a break from playing over the summer to get some new material ready...but I'm guessing it will be worth the wait.

I can only imagine what the Halloween show is like.  I'm sure it's "to DIE for"... I know... stop me, please - anybody!

Call me naive, but apparently there's a whole sub-culture out there that is very much into the horror music scene.  Horrorbands.com is another review site that reviews only these type acts.  By going to creepingcruds.com, you can find a message board not only for the Creeping Cruds, but also a 'Chiller Cinema' and a 'Creature Feature' section.  Yep, I had no idea. 

You can get the CD thru CD Baby by clicking here: CREEPING CRUDS

In short, get it.  I haven't decided what kind of scale I'll use to rate music yet.  For this one, I'll say it's 4 out of 5 bloody skulls.

http://www.myspace.com/nashvillebasement