The Criminals
| The Criminals | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Berkeley, California, United States |
| Genres | Punk rock |
| Years active | 1994–2000, 2012 (reunion) |
| Labels | Recess, Lookout, New Disorder Records, Adeline Records, Sub City |
| Associated acts | The Frisk, Blatz, The Gr'ups, Black Cat Music, Red No. 9, The Hi-Fives, evening, Econochrist |
| Website | www.facebook.com/thepunkcriminals |
| Past members | Jesse Luscious Mike Sexxx Freud RIP Ross the Boss Claudia Bitter Snapper Dan Ger Brady Caesar Julie Thorn Zach Attack Markley Hart Nice Guy Brandon Polk |
The Criminals are an American punk rock band from Berkeley, California, originally existing from 1994–2000 and again reforming in 2012. The lineup has consisted of lead vocalist Jesse Luscious and bass guitarist Mike Sexxx throughout the bands' existence. The Criminals have released two studio albums, Never Been Caught (1997) on Lookout! Records and Burning Flesh and Broken Fingers (1999) on Adeline Records. Following their initial breakup in 2000, members went on to form The Frisk.
The Criminals formed in late 1994 with Jesse Luscious (vocals) and Mike Sexxx (bass), as well as vocalist Claudia Bitter, guitarist Freud RIP and drummer Ross the Boss. Initially, The Criminals sound was in a similar vein 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 focus 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.
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