Creature With the Atom Brain Giveaway
Creature With The Atom Brain was founded as a one-man home recording project sometime in early 2005 by Aldo Struyf, in-between recordings and touring with Millionaire and The Mark Lanegan Band.
After debuting with two 12" EPs 'The Snake' (2005) and 'Kill the Snake' (2006), both on Conspiracy Records, Struyf reunited with Millionaire and Evil Superstars drummer Dave Schroyen to transform the project into a full band. Around the time of recording the whimsically titled "I Am The Golden Gate Bridge", long-time friend and bass player Jan Wygers (also Mauro and The Grooms) had joined the line-up, soon to be followed by guitarist Michiel Van Cleuvenbergen after the (unfortunate) demise of his band Dead Stop.
Creature's first full-length "I Am The Golden Gate Bridge", debut record for the Munich label and also available in the more viable CD-format, hit Benelux retail in October 2007 and saw releases across the UK and Europe during the following months. While their willingness, or rather compulsion, to explore psychedelic (and druggy) territory might have stood in the way of landing them serious radio airplay, it did contribute to the cult acclaim and fan base they have gathered since and made them a critical favorite with key UK press.
Never shy of celebrating their inspirations - the band name was taken from the repertoire of garage-psych legend Roky Ericson - Creature's CD debut splendidly evoked the spirit of outfits as diverse as early-Qotsa, Melvins, 13th Floor Elevators and Barkmarket, while guest vocals by Mark Lanegan and Tim Vanhamel formed some of the highlights on this album.
The release of "I Am The Golden Gate Bridge" was immediately followed by a trip across the Atlantic to support shoe gaze icons The Jesus And Mary Chain on a US reunion tour (a tour for which Tim Vanhamel temporarily assumed bass playing duties) and, shortly after, at a sold-out London Roundhouse. Back in Europe, Creature went on to tour with befriended bands Qotsa and Twilight Singers, while given the opportunity to make new friends opening up for Butthole Surfers, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Comets on Fire and Motorpsycho.
Although "Transylvania" - Creature's sophomore album and latest addition to the catalogue - finds the band going in a more melodic and reflective direction by conventional standards, it still stands strong on the basic and non-conventional premises that define Creature. Psychedelia, 70s prog and influences such as early Hawkwind, 13th Floor Elevators, July and Erkin Koray, paired with African rhythms, make this 60's and 70's inspired album stand out from most contemporary independent music.
For the mix of "Transylvania" Creature turned to the legendary Chris Goss (man behind Masters Of Reality, also producer for Kyuss and Qotsa) and engineer Edmund Monsef. And while the album credits list a new collaboration with Mark Lanegan, as well as guest vocals by Koen Kohlbacher (Birds That Change Colour) and additional instrumentation by Pascal Deweze (Sukilove) and Mr. Chris Goss himself, it might very well be the excellent mastering job by John Golden that seals the deal.
We've got two sets each containing a copy of Creature With the Atom Brain's new album Transylvania and a poster to give away to two winners, so click the link below for your chance to win!
This contest will end on Thursday, March 25th, at which point two winners will be selected.
For more information on Creature With the Atom Brain, visit their website at http://www.creaturewiththeatombrain.com/.
