Celebrity Murders Final Show

Celebrity Murders are approaching the end of there existence. Since the first time I heard about the band I was stoked. Any project that Mike D. (S.S.S.P., K.Y.I., C.R., Serpico [Sleeper], Last Laugh, F.S.M., ETC.) is a part of usually raises an eyebrow for me. It all started at Finally Fred's in N.Y.C. I went to see Celebrity Murders not knowing a single song and was Amazed. Back then they were only four members of the band, Artie Phille (Milhouse, Indecision) vocals, Mike De Lorenzo guitar, Chris Russo bass, Dan Crowell drums. Their set was excellent the music exciting, it was also the night I received their Demo. Immediately after the show I put the demo on in my truck and was blown away, especially when I heard their version of Evil by The 4 Skins. After listening to the demo day in and day out for the following months, the announcement came it was time for a line up change for CM. Brian Meehan (Milhouse, K.Y.I.) joins the band as second guitarist an excellent addition. Brian's first show was at the Anarchist bookstore in Brooklyn, ironically it was Dan's last show. Dan announced he was quitting the band and joining Matt Pond PA. After Dan quit, the band almost broke up. In steps Greg "ELWAY" Ernst (Three Steps Up, C.R.) to save the day and play drums. After Elway's first show in New Jersey CM decided to part ways with Chris. In other words they kicked him out. Fortunately for Celebrity Murders they had already been jamming with Sean McCann (Most Precious Blood, Ghost Armada) on bass, so the transition was seamless. With the addition of these Hardcore veterans the band went from amazing to earth shattering. Now with five members and with a little re-writing of the music, OK maybe not re-writing but speeding up of the music they became one of the most devastating forces to reckoned with in Hardcore.

Now the fun begins with their debut release on Chainsaw Safety Records ( www.chainsawsafetyrecords.com ) . This release was in every way just as interesting as the band itself. The four song 7" titled "The Island Of Man Eating Rats" is actually the songs from the demo with Brian's guitars added. In my opinion the 7" itself is a piece of art. It is a one sided yellow vinyl 7", the recorded side has four songs: All Hail Glacier, Take A Bite, Grey On Beige, and Never Make A Change; the unrecorded side is screen printed with the bands name and trademark Rat printed by Brian Meehan himself ( www.myspace.com/brianmeehanscreenprinting ) . Another version of the 7" which is my favorite, it too is yellow vinyl but instead of the CM name and rat it has a Baphomet Pentagram screen printed on the unrecorded side. Now with their 7" in my archives it is time for me to venture into Brooklyn to see them at North Six. This would be my first time seeing them with the new line up and my first time seeing Elway in many years, very awesome. The basement of North Six is not my favorite place to see a show but CM proved to me it was worth the trip, besides it was the first time I had Vegan Buffalo Wings from Foodswings leave it to me to always remember the food.

Their next release also on Chainsaw Safety Records is a full-length record titled "Time To Kill Space". This record was completely recorded to tape no digital recording here, it definitely adds to the raw, hard-hitting sound that is Celebrity Murders. The 17 songs do not disappoint they are full of the same angry energy that you get when you see them live. The record was released on CD as well as 12" red vinyl. The "record release" version of the CD was a spoof on Judge's "Chung King Can Suck It". Instead of the Judge Hammer it was a crucifix dildo, very Celebrity Murders!!! There is also a very limited version of the 12" (30 to be exact) that has a cloth jacket embroidered with the same dead rat as the record has on the cover. Again another incredible work of art!!!

I could keep going on about each and every time I saw them, the first time I took my son Alex to see them, no reason to bore you any further. The truth is I haven't seen them in sometime probably since Mike D. left the band. I am actually looking forward to seeing them one last time, besides I never saw them with Ed Ortiz (Cattle Press, The Dying Light) he picked up where Mike D. left off; I am sure I will be just as impressed. The end has come for another Awesome band and this is one band that is not to be forgotten anytime soon. Final Show is September 25,2009 and don't forget another important show September 26,2009 C.R. final show!!!

I would also like to say thanks to Mike D. for helping with some of the interesting facts about Celebrity Murders. Thanks brother!