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Creature Creature are a five piece indie punk-rock band based in Brighton. Combining lightning-fast guitar hooks with complex keys and intelligent songwriting, the band are making waves with their unique style and energetic live performance. Guitarist Zeus drew the short straw and had to answer some questions fired at him via the old interweb. And yeah man, we fancy a pint Zeus!
Hey there!
I’m Zeus, guitarist for Creature Creature.
DGM: What are the origins of the band, and how long have you been playing together?
Zeus: Once upon a time, myself and Scully (vocals) were in a covers band doing a mixture of rock classics and popular Britpop numbers. We always went down well and our notoriety was growing, but it felt a little hollow as they weren’t our songs. We decided to ditch the covers and write our own stuff, then added Seb on keys and started down a folk/punk route. After gigging with a few different bassists, drummers and a violin player, we found our rock sound when we finally nailed Matt to the kit and seduced my brother Dave into the fold.
DGM: How did you feel performing your first gig? And how was it?
Zeus: Our very first gig was a surreal experience. We were a late addition to a ‘Battle of the Bands’ style busking competition inside our local shopping centre, so we were debuting our songs to ‘mallrats’ and kids in pushchairs. Tracks were filmed and put online for people to vote on a favourite and we actually won! We received a day’s free recording and fully produced music video at the award winning Brighton Electric Studios. We ended up returning there to record our forthcoming album.
DGM: What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe yourselves?
Zeus: Our punk and rock influences definitely shine through. I like to think of us as a mix of Ash, The Clash, and Stone Temple Pilots, but with a modern sound. Each of our tracks has its own identity but, as a rule, if you like guitar driven rock tracks then we’re here for you!
DGM: New single ‘The Early Days’ has just been released, what are the lyrical themes behind it?
Zeus: Scully writes all the lyrics so it could be about stalking Postmen for all I know! However, I get the feeling it’s asking why a relationship seems destined to decay into arguments and self loathing, when things always start with so much hope and happiness.
It could also be about Milkmen, they’re up early. Do we even have Milkmen anymore?
DGM: Your forthcoming debut album ‘Two Finger Tantrum’ (great title by the way!) was recorded last year. Given how quickly the world has gone to shit over the last few months, would the album sound different if you were writing it now?
Zeus: That’s a killer question, I’ll have to take a moment to think about it…
I’d like to think not. Our songs cover a scope of ideas, from getting bladdered on a night out to the poverty that divides our society. If the Covid-19 lock down had inspired a song or two then they’d most likely have been about paranoia, insomnia and an absence of public transport. We wouldn’t want to step on Radiohead’s toes, that’s their bread and butter.
DGM: The album sleeve for ‘Two Finger Tantrum’ is a belter; can’t beat a good old-fashioned two finger salute! Is that a school-kid doing it?
Zeus: That’s my son Jackson! He’s ten and has no problem with questioning authority. I’m very proud of him.
DGM: How quickly did the album come together?
Zeus: Being our debut offering, half of the album was written over two years with punters pointing out their standout tracks and the others being left by the wayside. We may return to them for album five when we’ve run out of inspiration, as our ever inflating egos have caused us to lose all attachment to the real world! The other half was from band members coming in with loads of ideas, in the lead up to going into the studio and refining things whilst we were laying down tracks.
DGM: What band out there at the moment do you feel that you would be best suited to open for?
Zeus: Dinosaur Pile Up is the first band that comes to mind. Their last album ‘Celebrity Mansions’ was a belter and I have fond memories of listening to it cranked up on the car stereo when going to gigs back in a time when they still existed… Big guitars, clever lyrics, love ’em. Would be honoured to open for them. (Could you put in a word for us?)
DGM: The new music scene is bursting at the seams with fresh talent. In what ways do you feel a band has to stand out from the others trying to build a name?
Zeus: I think there’s room for all, and I’d love to see another musical revolution with proper bands taking back the mantle from all the shite manufactured pop acts that have been ruling the charts for too long now. Reality shows don’t help either; let’s give the power back to the real musicians!
DGM: Who do you feel will be the next band to break out?
Zeus: There are so many on the cusp right now! Massive Wagons are making big waves, The Rocket Dolls last album ‘The Art Of Disconnect’ took them to the next level and Nice Guy Dave from Bracknell has been working on a 42 track album for what seems like years, and we’re still waiting for that with anticipation.
DGM: What are your first musical memories? And what was the light bulb moment that made you go “I want to do that!”
Zeus: Even in my earliest memories I wanted to play electric guitar; it’s almost like it’s woven into my DNA and there’s nothing else I’ve wanted to do. There was always music on when I was growing up, and my Dad has always been a Mod (you can’t pick your family) so I’m sure that had an influence. As for a defining moment, hearing the opening riff on the Manic Street Preachers debut album ‘Generation Terrorists’ for the first time was a biblical moment, and caused my life long addiction to white Gibson guitars and thick distortion.
DGM: What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
Zeus: That almost seems like a lifetime ago! I think it was to see The Damned. Captain Sensible was on great form and is officially THE most underrated guitarist of all time; ‘wot’ a legend.
DGM: What current issue are you particularly passionate about?
Zeus: The huge fucking class divide that’s separating this country. I can’t believe that in the year 2020 people are forced to use food banks just to survive, and the people in power can just shrug it off without seemingly being held accountable. The magic money tree can suddenly shower banks and airlines when their profits are dented, yet people with health conditions find their income squeezed ever tighter through the farcical Universal Credit scheme, and the disabled are given no choice but to endure increasing cuts to facilities.
DGM: What is the album that you have in your collection or Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
Zeus: Willenium by Will Smith. It’s a banger, I don’t need to explain or defend it (*coughs*).
DGM: What are your plans for the remainder of 2020?
Zeus: Our debut album ‘Two Finger Tantrum’ comes out on July 10th so we’ll be promoting that in any way possible, and looking forward to a time when five grown men can stand in a room together whilst turning everything to eleven. Or better yet, a time when we can get on a stage at a venue (remember them?), and wish the world away by joining the crowd in losing ourselves in a sonic assault for 45 minutes. To be honest, just being able to walk up to a bar would be a good start.
Fancy a pint?
DGM: How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
Zeus: We are all over that shit! If you want any info on the band, our music, or even if you just want to chat, then hit us up or slide into our DMs; we’re a friendly bunch! Just search Creature Creature on Facebook and Instagram or hook up with me on Twitter: @creature_tweets
For music or merch go to:
http://www.creaturecreature.co.uk/
Cheers for having me.
Was it good for you too?
Love Zeus xx
Live shots – Cris Watkins Photography
