Review
The Creeps
These Walls

Black Pint (2009) Loren

The Creeps – These Walls cover artwork
The Creeps – These Walls — Black Pint, 2009

What much can I really say? This style has been done numerous times. The Creeps play infectious, upbeat punk, born of the Ramones and sculpted by Screeching Weasel. Somewhere in the genre's history, bands like the Groovie Ghoulies shifted the concept from straightforward silliness towards specific niches. The Creeps carry that torch onward.

On These Walls The Creeps play their music well, with the harmonies running together smoothly at appropriate times, and there's enough variation between the five songs here that it doesn't sound like the needle is stuck, despite the lone beat that permeates the record. When things start getting samey, singer Skottie Lobotomy throws in a Glenn Danzig style "whoa-oh" to break it up. I'm amazed it still works after all these years, but it gets me singing along every time I hear it. The band can set a good pogo tempo and transition into melody smoothly and that's their strength. However, it's strictly genre music and there is a wealth of current-running bands with a similar sound. There's probably one in your town, wherever that may be.

In short, The Creeps do the pop-punk thing pretty well. If you're a fan of the genre and its recent crop of bands, you should definitely check them out. But, if you only have a passing interest you may as well move on. You already know what this band sounds like.

6.5 / 10Loren • October 14, 2009

The Creeps – These Walls cover artwork
The Creeps – These Walls — Black Pint, 2009

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025

Recently-posted album reviews

Detention

Dead Rock ‘N’ Rollers
Left For Dead Records (2024)

Life ain’t so easy in the detention home- Dead Boys. Emerging from the underbelly of Jersey, made up primarily of three brethren. Raised on rock and roll and sipping from the chalice of early punk rock stalwarts like Da Bruddahs from Queens, Hey Ho! and the Pistoleros of Sexual Nature screaming banshees from across from the large pond. Thus forging … Read more

Nightfreak

Nightfreak
Big Neck Records (2024)

Semi-feral punk outfit NightFreak are back with a self-titled LP filled with breakneck riffs and 70s metal bombast. The Chicago group haven’t slowed down since 2022’s Speed Trials but they have filled out. NightFreak the album is lousy with warm back beats and melodic guitars; although, hardcore vocals and tight drums still reign supreme. Album opener “Blackout” is dead serious … Read more

Death By Unga Bunga

Raw Muscle Power
Jansen Records (2025)

I’m pretty sure I became aware of Mike Krol when The Whiffs posted about playing some shows with him. Krol is a bit of an anomaly. Not only is he on Merge and collaborates with Mac Superchunk- a dream scenario imo- but he’s also been elusive of my fan boy attempts at cold dm’ing him about stuff even tho we … Read more