Get ready to rock like it’s 1983 when Melbourne’s legendary and much-loved Huxton Creepers celebrate their 40th Anniversary with a big show at The Corner Hotel on Saturday October 7!
Joining the Creepers as they traverse the Time Tunnel will be friends from back in the day Ups & Downs and Charles Jenkins, making for what will be a fine evening of glorious guitars and remarkable melodies.
The Huxton Creepers were the first of a new generation of punchy power pop and ’60s-inspired rock’n’roll guitar bands in Melbourne in the early ‘80s; our own version of the Sunnyboys and the Hoodoo Gurus. United by a love of The Saints, The Flamin’ Groovies, Iggy Pop, Radio Birdman, Blondie, Creedence Clearwater Revival and the like – all of whom they memorably covered at different points in their career – the Creepers won a generation of fans on the back of their always rocking live performances and some great records.
The group, which still comprises all original members – lead singer & guitarist Rob Craw, lead guitarist Paul Thomas (later of Weddings Parties Anything) and the rhythm section of Matthew Eddy and Archie Law – plays out only rarely and is relishing the thought of a massive night at The Corner. Fans can expect maximum fun along with faithful versions of Creepers hits like “My Cherie Amour”, “The Murderess”, “I Will Persuade You” and “Autumn Leaves” and fan faves like “Shake Some Action”, as well no doubt as some of the group’s unforgettable stage banter.
The Huxton Creepers left an indelible mark on the music scene with their unique blend of power pop and garage rock back in the ‘80s. The band was coming together of four school friends in Melbourne’s leafy Eastern suburbs; although at first there were only three.
“I recall that Rob and Paul and Arch had started rehearsing together in maybe 1982,” explains Matthew Eddy. “Possibly my first experience of serious FOMO even though it wasn’t a thing yet. Anyway at some point they thought they needed to get a bass player. I was definitely not yet a bass player’s toenail but I had bought a bass from the trading post for $80 so I was it. I learnt on the job with lots of patient tutoring from Rob and Paul. This was at a time when Rob was still using those bread bag seals as plectrums mind you, but we muddled through and were soon playing with something approaching panache”
The name of the band was inspired by a character from a 1944 Sherlock Holmes film, “The Pearl of Death,” called ‘the Hoxton Creeper’. The group’s musical journey began organically, with their first gig taking place at the Venetian Room in Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.
Arch Law looks back: “I remember our first show at The Venetian Room in the Hotel Francis in Lonsdale St. We got the Thursday night on the back of some rough demos we cut at the School of Audio Engineering and the expectations our friends would turn up. They did turn up … about 40 of them and don’t think many others did. We played mainly our own stuff like ‘The Murderess’, ‘King of the Road’, ‘Slow Attack’, and ‘Part the Seas’. We also played a good run of covers … ‘Shake Some Action’, ‘Simple Love’, ‘Kill City’ and ‘Search and Destroy’. We got paid…well we got paid enough to buy a Souvlaki each at the Hollywood Palace and that was it.”
From there, the Huxton Creepers played free nights at venues like the Seaview Ballroom and the Prince of Wales, steadily building a dedicated following and landing supports with the likes of the Hoodoo Gurus, who they soon became label mates with. Their first single was produced by Radio Birdman’s Rob Younger and took the band to the top of the Alternative charts; before long their videos were on TV and they were appearing live on shows ranging from Rock Arena to Hey Hey It’s Saturday.
The band’s early years were marked by relentless touring and a commitment to their craft, which eventually led to the release of their debut album “12 Days to Paris” (produced by Los Lobos’s Steve Berlin) in June 1986, followed by the album “So This Is Paris” in April 1988. Classic singles like “My Cherie Amour” and “I Will Persuade You” were minor hits and captured the attention of both mainstream and underground audiences.
The Huxton Creepers’ undiminished camaraderie, passion for music and connection with their fanbase will see them return to The Corner Hotel on Saturday 7th October to perform a special show to celebrate the 40 years since they originally formed – with special guests Ups and Downs and Charles Jenkins.
“A 40-year birthday provides some wonderful memories and the early days of the Creepers were special,” say Arch. “We went from seeing bands like The Gurus, The Saints and Sunnyboys whenever they toured Melbourne to opening for them all in a blink of an eye. We were having so much fun and it seemed we got better with every gig as the crowds grew with every gig. One big turning point was when Big Time Records became interested (legend has it on the recommendation of Dave Faulkner) and then we were signed when we were 19 years old.”
THE HUXTON CREEPERS 40TH BIRTHDAY SHOW
THE CORNER HOTEL, SATURDAY OCTOBER 7
with special guests
UPS AND DOWNS
CHARLES JENKINS
Tickets available here now
the special guests:
Ups and Downs: In a rare Melbourne show … and celebrating 40 years of their own…. Originally hailing from Brisbane with a jangly guitar sound reminiscent of iconic bands like the Church and R.E.M., Ups and Downs were positioned as kindred spirits to the Paisley Underground scene, akin to Los Angeles-based bands such as the Bangles and the Dream Syndicate.
The string of great singles Ups and Downs released back in the day include standout tracks like ‘The Perfect Crime’, ‘The Living Kind’, ‘In The Shadows’, ‘Moments Away’ and ‘Lit By The Fuse’ and their unique take on Neil Diamond’s ‘Solitary Man’.
Charles Jenkins: A luminary of the Australian music scene in projects such as the Icecream Hands and Charles Jenkins and the Zhivagos, Charles Jenkins is an exceptional songwriter whose craft resonates with authenticity, melody and storytelling prowess. His songs possess a remarkable ability to painting vivid landscapes of heartache, hope, and introspection. Jenkins’ versatility shines as he effortlessly transitions between genres, showcasing his mastery of folk, rock, and everything in between. His music consistently