Creatures of Love were formed in Kentish Town in 2009. They went onto win an award for innovation, a slot at Camden Crawl and toured with The Joy Formidable which saw them play at The Forum. They’ve had radio support from XFM, 6 Music and Radio 1, which featured two tracks from Cardiff’s swn festival. Described as an eerie, distorted crescendo of electronic drones, they’re inspired by Nine Inch Nails; “like Massive Attack but darker”, gushed Radio 1. Next gig is The Garage on Sat March 2.
When were you happiest?
Playing a show with my band at The Forum. Having worked there as a barman for four years, it was a breathtaking experience to play on that stage.
Where would you like to live?
I actually quite like where I live now, having spent nearly 5 years directly opposite your columnist Rick Edwards. I find it awfully amusing watching him on my TV then looking out my window and seeing him come home.
What is your favourite sound or smell?
A full English that bellows out of Mem’s Cafe.
What is your greatest life achievement?
It’s a cliche but actually moving to London, getting a music degree and living and performing in Kentish Town were all on the dream list as a child, so to accomplish any of those was brilliant.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
You can’t rely on anyone, all you’ve got is you, when everyone else deserts you, you have to rely on you.
I actually came to London to stay in Tufnell Park in about 2001 and remember standing outside the station, a teenager, and thought wow, what a scary part of town. I soon learnt after moving here that it isn’t scary at all.
What makes you unhappy?
Lack of musical success, lack of money and ageing: London seems very good at dishing out the first two.
What simple thing would improve your quality of life?
After 15 years of musical effort all I want is one person in the industry to believe in my music and grant me a wish. That wish is just to release an album on a label. It may not sound simple but so many bands seem to manage it and there are a lot of awful bands out there.
What is your most unappealing habit?
Picking and chewing my toenails; it’s gotta be, right?
What is your guilty pleasure?
I do enjoy laughing at the local eccentrics, red-face Mary and the guy with the cardboard boxes on his arms (who lives in the flat next door to me): seriously entertaining but I know I shouldn’t laugh.
Where do you hang out?
I’ve always really liked The Pineapple. We’re spoilt for choice around here now with pubs and restaurants everywhere. I used to go to The Flowerpot a lot but those pesky cockroaches closed that place down.
I hate ‘cool’, I hate that bands in London only seem to get somewhere based on their cool points, or that they have to play in East London to justify their eligibility to be sought after in the music scene. It’s rubbish: why can’t we all just hang out at The Bull and Gate?
What’s been your best experience?
One of my favourite experiences living in NW5 was hosting a house party at mine and having the comedian Noel Fielding show up. He was a friend of a friend but we were all very uncool about it and completely starstruck, and he only stayed for about an hour. But at least we have a photo of him enjoying himself.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I’m having to come to terms with the fact that my hair is starting to resemble Jack Nicholson’s now; good job I have a selection of hats.
What’s the worst thing anyone’s said to you?
I used to be in a band with quite a well known bunch of musicians from groups like Bat for Lashes/British Sea Power/Future of the Left/Million Dead and the singer, who shall remain nameless, once told me to leave the band dressing room because I coughed, and then told me my piano playing was off. This was in front of all the other members. That really sucked.
That the music industry is flawed on every level and full of sharks…and that’s just the good part. If you want realistic insight into it then watch ‘This is Spinal Tap’.
What is your favourite dish and why?
I really enjoy Highgate Spice’s Chicken Tikka Massala, its gotta be that, with peshwari naan, and poppadoms…anyone got their number? Quick.
What was your worst gig and why?
The Prince Albert in Brighton. I organised an entire tour in the first 12 months of the band existing, proper DIY, all the dates fixed. Brighton was switched to a Saturday afternoon slot at 3pm and the promoter hired a moody arse of a sound engineer who tutted his way around the floor all night. We then had to sit through about eight support acts doing poetry and solo cello-playing, and when we finally got onstage we had one audience member, a loyal mate of ours. The sound kept distorting all through the set and the sound engineer blamed us. It doesn’t get much worse than that.
Describe yourself as an animal.
I’m that dog that says ‘I love you’ in a high pitched voice…or that monkey that pees in its own mouth.
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1 thought on “Ich Bin Kentishtowner: Chris Creature, Musician”
Great interview, he’ll have his day and then some hopefully.Chin up Chris you’ll get there.