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Click here to listen to Shake By: Adam Grant "People should know that we're about to take over the world whether they like it or not! And if they don't, I'll take their ice cream right out of their hands," half jokes guitar slinger and vocalist for The Creepshow, Hellcat, a.k.a. Jen Blackwood.
Born out of Burlington, Ontario, The Creepshow has been a band within Blackwood's mind for years now. However, due to prior commitments, this particular project didn't officially come to be until March 2005 when everyone's schedules had finally opened up. As soon as previous commitments were over with, The Creepshow rounded out its line up with keyboardist Ginty, as well as drummer Matt Pomade. Once solidified, the band decided to take ghoulishly themed tracks like "Creatures of the Night," and "Psycho Ball & Chain," as well as 9 others into the studio to create what would become their May 2006 debut release, Sell Your Soul - an album that was build out of friendship.  "It's really refreshing to be with people where you can write the stuff that comes naturally and have everyone be on the same page and have it be something you're completely happy with," believes Blackwood. "A band you're super stoked about playing in definitely makes a big difference. "Secondly, I'm in a band with really good friends of mine, so it's really comfortable. We have a way of communicating that just kind of works and that is why this band is so good for me." Having never participated in a recording session like the one needed for SYS, Blackwood really had to learn how to deal with the ups and downs that come along with making an album from the ground up. Throughout the three weeks in the studio, The Creepshow would experience numerous equipment issues at the outset, which is hard to figure considering the quality of the final product. Described by the band and its label, Stereo Dynamite Recordings, as "Horrorbilly," The Creepshow have managed to successfully represent their passions for rockabilly, punk rock and country music, within an LP that's dance-ibility and silkily scary, yet beautiful vocals make for an enthrallingly enjoyable listen - in spite of the fact that most of the tracks are heavily motivated by Blackwood's longtime love affair with gory, cheesy, horror flicks that has been growing since childhood.
"My bedroom is a whole horror movie theme - I can't bring boys home, they'd be terrified," she jokes. I used to sneak out of my parents' house to go watch horror movies at my friend's house when I was a kid, so basically it's just been something I've always been into. "I think it's hilarious to write a song (that) could sound really serious, but it's actually really funny," adds Blackwood. "Like, "Creatures of the Night" is about Dracula and Creature from the Black Lagoon - it sounds very dark and evil, but to me it's funny. "Zombies that Eat your Brain" is about this girl I used to know who is just really stupid and I thought I'd write a song about her." |