CREEM vs. The ‘90s Issue Out Now

Also In The Issue: A History Of Kill Rock Stars, The CREEM Vs. Mark McGrath Trivia Challenge, Geezer Butler, The Hives & More

CREEM Magazine served as an essential source of music journalism from 1969-1989, ceasing publication just as the ‘90s ushered in a new canon of rock ‘n’ roll. Following a 33-year hiatus, the iconic publication is back and ready to take on what it missed - a special CREEM vs. The ‘90s issue is out today (get it here and subscribe for more). The current CREEM staff and editor-at-large Zachary Lipez traverse ten years of teen spirit, 120 months of Flea-tastic funk.  

Features in the CREEM Fall 2023 issue include: Geezer Butler on Black Sabbath, perseverance, and body fluids; CREEM challenges Mark McGrath to a rock trivia contest; Sam McPheeters on the legacy of Kill Rock Stars; and CREEM asks a few amorous couples to test-drive Smokey Robinson’s album Gasms. From The Hives and Be Your Own Pet to Protomartyr and Bully - full table of contents below. A special Mötley Crüe Shout at the Devil 40th anniversary pullout, in partnership with BMG, will also be shipped exclusively to CREEM Fan Club members with the issue.

A CREEM x Power Trip sweepstakes was also just announced with Goldenvoice to send one lucky fan and their guest to cover the heavy metal festival in Indio, CA for the magazine from October 6-8. Starting October 1, The CREEM Year 1 Box Set will also be available for the upcoming holiday season (unboxed collection available here now).

This follows CREEM’s first annual sold-out Summer Sunburn in July celebrating the 1 year anniversary of the magazine’s audacious relaunch. It was an all-day rock party at Roberta’s in Brooklyn, NY with performances by shoegaze greats Nothing, Radioactivity, Godcaster (ET Celeb Sighting), Loosey & Jobber and more. 

One of the most surprising recent media relaunches, in the past year CREEM has proven that a truly rock ‘n’ roll print magazine can still be successful in a digital age. From classic coverage (The Who, Peter Frampton, Metallica) to new faces (Weyes Blood, Sleaford Mods, Bully) and everything that CREEM missed in between (Smashing Pumpkins, Hole, Nickelback, Paramore), readership has become bigger and even more engaged than anyone imagined.

Visionary artists like Raymond Pettibon (Vanity Fair - Sonic Youth, Black Flag) and Jeremy Dean (Grateful Dead/Black Flag tees, Rolling Stones) have designed CREEM’s new covers and merch lines. The magazine has also partnered Oxford Pennant to carry their products and with Slane Irish Whiskey for a three day rock ‘n’ roll rager during SXSW.

Founded in 1969 Detroit, CREEM grew from underground paper to national powerhouse - an essential source of music journalism for twenty years. It reflected and shaped the culture, cultivating some of the most legendary writing talent of the era: Lester Bangs, Cameron Crowe, Patti Smith, Robert Christgau and Jaan Uhelszki, who now returns as Editorial Director. The magazine’s original rise and fall is chronicled in the critically-acclaimed 2020 documentary CREEM: America's Only Rock 'n' Roll Magazine, which earned praise everywhere from The New York Times to CBS This Morning. 

Today, CREEM Entertainment is led by former VICE publisher John Martin as CEO, alongside Chairman JJ Kramer (son of original CREEM co-founder & publisher Barry Kramer). In addition to Uhelszki, the new CREEM editorial staff includes VP of Content Fred Pessaro formerly of VICE’s Noisey and Executive Editor Dan Morrissey from Entertainment Weekly. Zachary Lipez is Editor at Large, following his work with Pitchfork, The Washington Post and others. Last fall, CREEM welcomed Stephanie Augello as Photo Editor. Augello is an entertainment photographer and editor who has worked with Live Nation, Shutterstock Editorial, and ABC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

CREEM vs. the ’90s

BY ZACHARY LIPEZ

The Butler Did It

The fluid life of legendary Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler.

BY DEREK SCANCARELLI

Killer Drummer

In the chaotic world of rock ’n’ roll, Jim Gordon could hide his madness in plain sight. Then he murdered his mother.

BY JOEL SELVIN

Bully for You

Alicia Bognanno has some doggone questions.

BY MARIA SHERMAN

Resist Psychic Death

Three decades of Kill Rock Stars.

BY SAM MCPHEETERS 

A Piece of Ash

Love and Rockets frontman Daniel Ash meets his stalker...and she works for CREEM.

BY HETHER FORTUNE

Tiger Balm

Detroit’s Protomartyr release a cathartic sixth album—and force baseball fans to listen to it.

BY JERILYN JORDAN

Brand-New Soul

Justice Tripp frees his mind and “does his thing” on the latest by Angel Du$t.

BY MANDY BROWNHOLTZ

COLUMNS

Stars Cars: Be Your Own Pet

Litter Box by Ezra Furman

Greetings From Detroit by Lee DeVito

CREEM Dreem: Bootsy Collins

CREEM Profiles: Model/Actriz

Backstage: Courtney Love 

Mark McGrath Trivia Challenge

Nerd Shit: Why Are Ugly Rockers So Hot?

Born to Booze: The Hives

CREEM Comix

Plus: Ringo Starr, Smokey Robinson, Prison, TVOD, Mary Jane Dunphe,SPEED, and more

About CREEM Entertainment:

CREEM Entertainment is the modern-day reincarnation of Detroit's legendaryCREEM Magazine. During its initial twenty-year run, CREEM launched the careers of countless iconic music journalists and bands, while never hesitating to lampoon those who took themselves too seriously. Today's CREEM, powered by the next generation of cage-rattling truth tellers and provocateurs, delivers the best content, merchandise, and experiences to rock 'n' roll fans of all ages. Boy Howdy!

For more information on CREEM, please contact:

Matt Hanks (mhanks@shorefire.com)

Shannon Cosgrove (scosgrove@shorefire.com)