In 1969, CREEM was launched in Detroit as a raw, unfiltered, unapologetic rock ‘n’ roll magazine, and ushered in a new era of raucous, participatory journalism. For two decades, the magazine broke barriers, rattled cages, and connected people to music in a way that has never been replicated. It launched writers like Lester Bangs, Patti Smith, Cameron Crowe, Jaan Uhelzski, Greil Marcus, David Marsh, and more.

After a cool 33-year hiatus, CREEM has once again risen from the ashes to move the focus of music journalism back where it belongs — on the fans. As much as we love musicians, we don’t care for the corporate music machine. We don’t work for the industry, we work for you. And when was the last time you had any fun reading about music? Subscribe to CREEM today

PROOF: https://i.redd.it/s44n8jjt2e1a1.png

Comments: 145 • Responses: 40  • Date: 

mixer9930 karma

Are you concerned that you may have to fight Axl Rose?

creemmag15 karma

No, but we did joke about doing a listicle of Axl Rose's boxing record. Personal note...GNR was the first concert I went to...August Maine March 16, 1993 - J

winston_everlast21 karma

Rick Beato (well known YouTuber who covers music) has opined that much of the disappointment with current popular music comes from the overreliance on auto tune and the shortened attention span of the modern day listener. Would you agree? And if not, why not?

creemmag12 karma

Thats a very specific take. IMO, If I dont like something then I dont pay attention to it. Things always come around and the best stuff eventually bubbles to the top.

And plus Rock n Roll makes for a pretty good looking corpse!

- F

areyouthehunter21 karma

Hey guys! Huge fan of the magazine and glad it’s back, just curious what’s the cocaine budget for the team looking like?

creemmag60 karma

We'd rather not disclose but we haven't eaten in 12 days and are currently working on a sequel to Tusk

-F

nobodysawme13 karma

Who you got that can write like Lester bangs?

Cars don’t have carburetors, anymore, much less carburetor dung, and Lou reed isn’t around to help us out, either.

creemmag11 karma

Apparently everyone thinks they are Lester Bangs. You should see my inbox!

-F

chowat101312 karma

What sets you guys apart from Rolling Stones magazine?

creemmag59 karma

We write about rock n roll!

-F

justabill7110 karma

First story I see on your website involves Joe Rogan? No, thanks. I'm out.

creemmag18 karma

Yes it is. Also, really insightful question!

-F

coffffeeee8 karma

A rock publication right now is very risky - it's basically a dead genre to the younger generations. How do you think you'll be able to get young people specifically interested in something that has cooled off big time over the last 15-20 years?

creemmag21 karma

The premise is incorrect. Rock n roll is still massive. Young people have drifted away from it because there have been very few brands/media/publications etc who have championed it. That's where CREEM comes in. - J

coffffeeee2 karma

Where is it still massive? Rock is outside of the top 20 genres on spotify for instance. And of the rock artists that are getting plays in 2022, many of them established their fan bases ages ago. I also disagree that there have been very few brands who have championed it. There were many long ago, and very few still standing.

creemmag4 karma

Fair point on artists establishing their fanbases years ago, there needs to be more bands coming up that get massive, not just bands from the 80s, 90s, etc. We intend to spotlight the acts that deserve to be the next wave of massive acts.

- J

BK12876 karma

What are your thoughts on Turnstile? Progressive hardcore band breaking barriers or band that pulls too many other influences into hardcore? I feel like they are breaking out in a big way these past couple years, interested to know your thoughts on the intersection of finally making that gets big vs being true to music and genre. Love their music, but I've heard mixed reviews from hardcore purists and music fans.

creemmag9 karma

One of the most exciting new rock bands in a while. Their live show is unreal, and i've seen them grow from baby baby band to juggernaut.

I love hardcore as much as the next guy but "purist" anything is boring.

-F

Musicguy19826 karma

What's the best way to discover new, unique artists when the market is so heavily saturated?

creemmag15 karma

The same way I've always found new artists, follow musicians, artists, labels, and others that you love and trace the branches out!

-F

creemmag9 karma

The REAL answer is subscribe to CREEM both the mag and on socials! ;)

-F

gogogorilla4 karma

Radio bands do suck, but who do you think is carrying the torch of real rock n roll right now?

creemmag10 karma

Soooo many bands... loaded question! Anyone from Kinks to Suede to Hi Vis to Dilly Dally and on and on and on. We're just pushing to make sure that they get the podium that they deserve.

-F

TobiasRyder0 karma

since when do people dislike radio bands? Lmao. I get they can be annoying hearing the same song over and over constantly, but there are some great classic bands out there like pat benetar.

creemmag13 karma

Pat Benatar is a great radio band! Was this post from 30 years ago?

I think there are great radio bands out there, just like there are bad ones.

-F

DingusHanglebort3 karma

Yall taking submissions?

creemmag2 karma

Send us pitches at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). Make sure they are good and fun and unique!

-F

ItsMeSatan3 karma

Do you take your coffee Black, or do you put a little of you in there?

creemmag3 karma

Well originally I wanted to call the magazine OAT CREEM, but was outvoted.

-F

TheDuqEnt3 karma

First, wanted to say thank you for creating a site & bringing back the print medium that gives newer or unknown artists exposure. Looking forward to reading issue 2 in December!

Second, are there plans to bring the "Fresh Creem" section of your site back? Reading those articles, specifically for the punk/metal reviews was a highlight of my day.

creemmag1 karma

Fresh Creem type daily content is now on our socials u/creemmag whereas creem.com is for the magazine content

-J

creemmag1 karma

Here's the instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creemmag/

We're on twitter too: https://twitter.com/creemmag

And you can sign up for our newsletter: https://www.creem.com/

Phallic_Moron2 karma

Are you going to cover smaller fests like Oblivion Access? I'm sure I don't have to tell you guys rock isn't dead.

creemmag2 karma

Brilliantly curated fest that was totally scattershot with genre. We'd love to !

-F

Bainbridge902 karma

Favorite + least favorite artist or band today?

creemmag5 karma

I'm gonna keep this easy and say I saw SUEDE recently and they were one of the greatest live bands I've seen in years.

-F

whatfingwhat4 karma

1992's Best New Band in Britian? Please tell me its a different suede...

creemmag6 karma

Nah that band was great live.

I've also recently seen SNOOPER, Hank Wood & the Hammerheads, Soul Glo, Soul Blind, BLEED, Chronophage, IDLES. Going to Archers of Loaf and Boy Harsher this weekend

-F

purossom2 karma

Do you think there will ever be a time like the 90s again where there was such a wide breadth of music on the radio? There are more subgenres now than ever and yet everything on the radio seems formulaic and corporate. The 90s felt like a fever dream in comparison, even with the formulaic/corporate stuff of the time thrown in the mix.

creemmag3 karma

I'm gonna say no, but do you want that anyway? Radio dictating what you listen to? Music has just shifted where it appears in more places and in more ways. I think its more exciting to find someone you love (DJ etc) and follow them.

-F

scardien1 karma

How do you define rock and roll? That's quite broad, what is the scope of the universe you plan to cover?

creemmag6 karma

Little Richard, a cheeseburger, the warm glow of vacuum tubes, a mother's love and the baby's first full diaper.

Also Kate Bush and Black Flag.

-F

iztheguy1 karma

Cool to see this publication return! I'm currently looking at my March '75 issue with Lou Reed on the cover.

Q: Will Creem magazine take a formal position on streaming platforms?

creemmag0 karma

PeanutSalsa1 karma

What have been the advantages and disadvantages for the magazine industry of the rapid shift of content to digital?

creemmag2 karma

The magazine industry lost a ton of ad revenue when everything wen digital, but that allowed a new crop of niche magazines to pop up serving better than flavor of the month stories. i.e. Racquet for tennis fans, Mountain Gazette for the outdoors types, Surfers Journal for surfers etc

-J

Ok_Anteater_87701 karma

Congrats on the recent re-launch! That first issue is pretty incredible. It's actually really awesome to see bands like Warthog and Special Interest not only being covered, but printed in an actual (large print) magazine. Along side artists like KeiYa none the less.
1) One thing that has stood out me is that Creem is really trying to standout amongst other outlets with a very strong and opinionated voice (something I rather appreciate.) On twitter writers sure let their opinions fly but it feels rare for them to actually share those opinions in written pieces. Why do you think that is? How do you all plan to maintain that spirit the more Creem (hopefully) expands?

2) To that end, I also think it's easy to be critical of seemingly easy targets (Greta Van Fleet, Weezer, etc) but I would also be interested in reading differing / dissenting opinions on artists that feel untouchable (something Creem was incredible at back in the day.) Are there any of those out there now you would write critically about?

3) Are there artists you feel have gotten a bad shake but deserve a re-evaluation?

Thank you!

creemmag2 karma

First of all, thanks for the thoughtful question!

1) I think that things have gotten more and more homogenized to the point where true criticism largely doesnt exist anymore! We just want to tell the truth and are too stupid to know better.

2) Surem but it's also so boring to attack something easy. In fact I bet that all of us can find something about any one thing that we think is interesting.

3) Weird Al. His movie was way too humble.

-F

Thewalrus5151 karma

How do I resolve the Ratt problem in my basement?

creemmag5 karma

Call Municipal Waste!

-F

werealldeadramones1 karma

How bummed are you that you missed out on Annihilation Time’s existence but equally excited for Midnight’s current run?

creemmag2 karma

As CREEM, yes I agree. But we definitely didn't miss out Annihilation Time's existence? Both times.

Midnight has been going for more than 20 years now and they haven't shown any signs of falling off. RIP THIS HELL

-F

werealldeadramones0 karma

👏👏👏 “This guy fucks”.

Now make sure you catch Science Man from Buffalo on Feral Kids Records.

creemmag1 karma

Can we high five rq?

F

benp2421 karma

What year did Black Sabbath (The Greatest Metal Band) first appear in your magazine?

I also think it's awesome how you came back Lester Bangs must be proud lol.

plasma_dan1 karma

What are your thoughts on playlists? Do you think they reduce artists down to a "vibe" or do you think they encourage music listeners to seek out albums from artists they like?

creemmag2 karma

Depends on the playlist. If it's thoughtful and focused and has a theme it can be a great way to find something new. If it's just a vibe...that's background music. Also: follow our playlists. - J

https://open.spotify.com/user/r3ik72v0x6obt1ydq62uxzjir?si=02cdca3df13b4293

creemmag2 karma

I mean... who doesn't love a good playlist?!?

That said, at some point with the algorithm you are getting your own personality sent back at you and not growing into new music and new places, which is dangerous and boring.

-F

Damantinomies1 karma

Who will be the new Lester bangs?

creemmag2 karma

Our money is on Lester Bangs!

-F

ChallengeBasic24931 karma

Fred, do you foresee a seismic shift on the horizon insofar as rock based music once more bubbling up into the mainstream?

creemmag1 karma

Seismic is strong but I definitely see a shift. Time is a flat circle. Hopefully it's not Five Finger Death Punch leading the charge or I'm defecting.

-F

Zoomulator1 karma

I used to shoplift CREEM magazine.

Who are you going to get who writes like Rick Johnson? ("Boy George takes a big risk when he sings, 'Do you really want to hurt me?' because a lot of people of all ages, races, creeds, and cake preferences really do want to hurt him.")

creemmag1 karma

Why don't you pay for it this time and find out!

https://www.creem.com/subscribe

Madsterrr1 karma

I have to imagine that there are many people in the publishing world that would kill to be apart of such a culturally significant mag, Who's all on your current masthead, and how did you decide who was going to carry the torch?

creemmag3 karma

JJ Kramer (son of CREEM founder Barry Kramer) had been working for years to get the rights to CREEM back, once he did, he made the documentary CREEM: America's Only Rock N Roll Magazine (go watch it on Amazon!), and started thinking about relaunching the company. Fred and I had worked together at Vice and were itching to do a rock n roll project, I got in touch with JJ and we were off to the races. -J

Current masthead: https://archive.creem.com/issue/20220915#!&pid=4

visibleband1 karma

Who would win in a WWE SmackDown - Magma or Mercyful Fate?

creemmag2 karma

Are we talking Survivor Series War Games Style? Or Exploding barb wire ring style? FMW rules? CZW rules? Or WWE rules? Outside objects accepted?

The winner is definitely Sabu, followed by Terry Funk, Onita, Cactus Jack and maybe Mercyful Fate is in there somewhere around 10th.

-F

thedancingpanda1 karma

How does getting featured in the NYT crossword work?

creemmag1 karma

We followed that guy for 9 months or more, and we they finally caved they said CREEM was bygone. I guess that's what we get for being a stalker

-F

sterfri991 karma

How do you think rock music can make a comeback? Right now the only artist in the genre with any visibility is MGK, and calling that “rock” doesn’t really sit right with me. AC/DC won a Grammy a few years back, and while they’re legends, that can’t be good for music. There needs to be fresh blood that gets promoted and people excited to see live. How do you think that problem can be solved?

creemmag3 karma

Critical mass. Support what you like, talk about you like and it will grow.

-F

pldiguanaman1 karma

Are there any good internet radio stations that do have good new bands?

creemmag2 karma

We love NTS Radio and will always love WFMU. Plus Zack has a show on Soho Radio.

-F

creemmag0 karma

Thanks everyone we had fun! If you liked this, please subscribe to the magazine at https://www.creem.com/subscribe and support rock and roll!

You can follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/creemmag/