Having just kicked off their 2024 UK tour, we caught up with guitarist Zeus from Brighton’s alt-rock/punk band Creature Creature to talk all about his experiences on the road. Be sure to check out Creature Creature’s latest EP The Noise at the end of the interview.
What’s the best show you’ve ever played?
“On a personal level it was at a venue called ‘The Waterfront’ in Norwich. On-stage sound is different at every show but this place has THE best monitor setup I’ve ever heard. Being able to perfectly hear every nuance and clearly hear what the rest of the band is playing means you can truly relax and lose yourself in the music. Add to that the absolutely packed out crowd, it’s a concert I’ll never forget.”
What’s the worst show you’ve ever played?
“We played a gig in London that was being live streamed. All the cables for the cameras, the musical equipment and possibly half the city were scattered across the floor by my side of the stage. With the brightness of the stage lights I hadn’t noticed the matte-black spaghetti of wires and proceeded to spill over like a tumble weed rolling down a hill. Still not being able to see in the darkness around stage right I then resembled a calf trying to take its first steps as I would try to stand only to step on yet another cable and once again end up floundering on the floor. We still played a great show though, I sometimes play in bed so being on my back didn’t stop me. (That’s what she said).”
Is there a city or venue that holds special significance to you, and can you share a memorable experience from there?
“In Blackpool there’s a venue called ‘The Waterloo’ that houses the only ‘Motorhead’ themed bar in the UK, known as ‘Lemmy’s Bar’. Alongside the huge collection of memorabilia they have on display is Lemmy’s ‘Murder One’ bass amp. The owner was nice enough to let Dave our bassist (and my Brother) whack the volume up and give it a spin. I’m pretty sure lesser sounds have caused Earthquakes and other natural disasters but nothing can compare to the look on Dave’s face whilst he pushed the full 100 Watts of power and opened a doorway to the upside down… Bless him.”
What was the highlight of the last tour you went on?
“The Hastings ‘Fat Tuesday’ Festival is always a great time. Each of the bands do five sets at five different locations on the same day, it’s a lot of running around with a lot of equipment but you get to meet five times as many people and we even managed to get matching tattoo’s between sets!”
Can you recount an onstage experience that was unexpectedly risky or exhilarating?
“The last time we played ‘Chiddfest’ it rained so hard that half the stage was waterlogged. By the end Dave (our bassist) had to fish his pedal board and wires out of a dirty pool filled with extension leads and power outlets. Luckily he was fine but some of his pedals had to be replaced…”
What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened at one of your shows or on tour?
“If you know us, you’ll know that it’s non stop with the pranks and jokes. We love what we do and don’t take a moment for granted so there’s never a dull moment. One memory that sticks out is locking Seb (our keyboard player) out of the hotel room in just his underwear. He must have been in that hallway for over an hour. In just his underwear.”
Who would you be most amazed to see in the front row at one of your shows?
“Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols. His guitar playing and tone are legendary, it’s the sound I’m always chasing! I’ve also listened to his radio show for years, the plan is to jam with the guy some day.”
How do you handle the pressures of performance, and have your strategies evolved over time?
“I’m pretty laid back so any gig pressures just wash over me for the most part. If there’s ever a nervous moment then one hit on my guitar and the rush of air from the amp onto my back instantly cures me. The world would be a calmer but noisier place if everyone had access to a half-stack amplifier and a Gibson!”
Do you have any rituals before you hit the stage? If so, what are they?
“I like to have a moment alone just to get myself focused, and warm up my hands to let the fingers do their thing. Other than that I like to listen to the people chatting and the general bustle of the venue before we hit the stage and blow the roof off!”
