The Criminals (band)

The Criminals were a punk rock band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1994. The lineup consisted of lead vocalist Jesse Luscious and bassist Mike Sexxx throughout the bands' existence. The Criminals released two studio albums, Never Been Caught (1997) on Lookout! Records and Burning Flesh and Broken Fingers (1999) on Adeline Records, before their 2000 breakup.

History

The Criminals formed in late 1994 with Jesse Luscious (vocals) and Mike Sexxx (bass), as well as vocalist Claudia Bitter, guitarist Freud and drummer Ross the Boss. Initially, The Criminals sound was in a similar vain of Luscious' previous bands Blatz and The Gr'ups, which were also aggressively fronted, male/female dual-vocal punk rock bands. They issued the 7" vinyl release Seven Months Drunk and Bitter on Seattle's Hairhurt Records, with cover art by Janelle Hessig, known for producing the Tales of Blarg zine. Bitter left the band to move back to El Paso, Texas prior to seeing a release.

The Criminals continued as a four piece and in early 1995 embarked on their first West Coast tour with Area 51, who would eventually become The Murder City Devils. They played the Los Angeles area frequently with the likes of the Quincy Punx and I Spy, courtesy of friend and former F.Y.P bassist Jed Schipper. Shortly after, the band was offered a release on Recess Records, a label run by Todd Congelliere (also of F.Y.P), which would result in The Criminals 10", recorded in August 1995 at Polymorph Studios in Oakland, California by Noah Landis. The release would include a cover of "Private Affair," originally performed by The Saints. The Criminals toured behind the release in the summer of 1996. Ross left the band to concentrate on his grindcore bands (Skaven, followed by Medication Time) and was temporarily replaced by Snapper, until he too became homesick and moved back to his native Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The Criminials found their next drummer Dan Ger, and made another lineup change following the bands 1996 summer tour, when Freud was kicked out and replaced by guitarist Brady Caesar. They continued to tour the US and Canada that year. This lineup would record and release The Criminals' debut album, Never Been Caught issued on Lookout! Records. The album was recorded at Catbox Studios in Oakland, California in January 1997 and was engineered by Billie Joe Armstrong, with cover art by Jesse Michaels. The song "Parlez-Vous Fuk You?" was re-recorded for the album, despite originally appearing on the bands' self-titled release.

In April 1998 The Criminals recorded the EP Tomorrow's Too Late, released on New Disorder Records later that year. The band had yet another drummer change when they recruited Julie Thorn, formerly of The Hi-Fives. The Criminals returned to Catbox Studios in the spring of 1999 to record what would become their final studio album, Burning Flesh and Broken Fingers. The band again worked with Armstrong, who recorded the session and released it on his recently launched Adeline Records. The song "Whiskey Business" was co-written with Matt Freeman. Following the albums release, Caesar left the band to focus on Black Cat Music and was replaced with guitarist Zach Attack. The band backed the release with a US tour featuring Blanks 77 and L.E.S. Stitches. Several unreleased songs from the Burning Flesh sessions would see later release on Exchange, a split release with Against All Authority.

The Criminals played their final show on January 29, 2000 at 924 Gilman Street in Berkeley, California with The Hi-Fives. They issued the posthumous EP Extinct on F.O.A.D. Records in 2001. The recording took place in December 1999, just before the bands dissolution and included re-recorded versions of "The Angry Ouija Board Has Sent Us to Destroy the City of Berkeley California So Run for Your Fucking Life" and "You Stupid Fuk," as well as a cover of "You Shook Me All Night Long," originally performed by AC/DC.

Post breakup

In early 2000, following The Criminals demise, Jesse Luscious, Mike Sexxx and Zach Attack would form The Frisk with drummer Hunter Burgan and issue two more releases for Adeline Records.

Members

Jesse Luscious – lead vocals (1994–2000)
Mike Sexxx – bass (1994–2000)
Zach Attack – guitar (1999–2000)
Julie Thorn – drums (1998–2000)

Former members

Claudia Bitter – lead vocals (1994–1995)
Ross the Boss – drums (1994–1996)
Snapper – drums (1996)
Dan Ger – drums (1996–1998)
Freud – guitar (1994–1996)
Brady Caesar – guitar (1996–1999)

Discography

Albums

Never Been Caught (1997) Lookout! Records
Burning Flesh and Broken Fingers (1999) Adeline Records
The Criminals (1999 reissue - w/ Seven Months Drunk and Bitter) Recess Records

Extended plays

Tomorrow's Too Late (1998) New Disorder Records
Exchange (1999 - split w/ Against All Authority) Sub City
Extinct (2001) F.O.A.D. Records

Vinyl releases

Seven Months Drunk and Bitter 7" (1995) Hairhurt Records
The Criminals 10" (1996) Recess Records
Morning After 7" (1997) Rhetoric Records

Compilation appearances

(You're Only As Good As) The Last Great Thing You Did (1997) Lookout! Records
Turn On, Tune In, Lookout! (1998) Lookout! Records
A Little Something for Everyone (1998) New Disorder Records
Forward Til Death (1999) Lookout! Records
Short Music for Short People (1999) Fat Wreck Chords
No Time To Kill (1999) Checkmate Records
Might As Well... Can't Dance (1999) Adeline Records