Photo by ADAM WALLACAVAGE
Creem Circus is bringing its brand of 21stcentury glam rock to the world on March 27 2015. The Creem Circus debut album “Rock and/or Roll” embodies the band’s 1970’s inspired, glitter-glam aesthetic and will be available on CD, and on iTunes. Proudly hailing from the Fishtown section of Philadelphia, which has become a hot-bed for new bands (War on Drugs and Kurt Vile to name a few) Creem Circus describes themselves as “your favorite band’s favorite band.” The 10-track CD was three years in the making. The band’s “hard, glitter, tandem lead, platform-powerchord rock and roll with lots of boogie down soul” style is inspired by legends of glam and arena rock such as David Bowie, Slade, T-Rex, Boston, Thin Lizzy and Queen. The disc is loaded with smokin’ leads, slamming guitar tones, catchy choruses, and hot riffs, the likes of which not heard since the hey-day of killer rock bands.
The lead off track hits hard with a great power chord riff ala New York Dolls, is quickly over taken by a Tom Scholz style lead followed by a Marc Bolan vocal line. The solo chimes in with some Brian May style harmonized guitar tracks, then blazes through some super melodic riffs. The tune is appropriately entitled “Rock and Roll Decree” and it sets the stage for a record that continues in this fashion…riff, chorus, tandem lead, blazing solo and repeat. Even with this formula the album never gets dull. “Teenage Rules” is a cross between Mott the Hoople and Randy Rhoads, “Rock and Roll Band Revisisted” sounds like Tom Scholz got together with the original Alice Cooper band and “Riff Mountain” sounds like Nugent getting his ass handed to him by a young ZZ Top with note-perfect chops.
But there’s more to the story. Lead singer and lead guitarist Chris DiPinto, also known as “Chris Th’ Pinto,” owns and operates DiPinto Electric Guitars and Basses located at 407-409 E. Girard Ave. in the Fishtown section of Philadelphia. Founded in 1995 as a repair shop, the store has since evolved to specialize in oddball vintage guitars and DiPinto’s own guitar creations. DiPinto guitars have been played by many guitar legends including Dick Dale, Jack White, Rick Nielsen, Elliot Easton, Earl Slick and legendary glam rocker himself, David Bowie to name a few. But enough of me talking about it, it’s time for your to find out about it! Turn it up and “Rock and/or Roll” with The Creem Circus!