The Criminals (band)
| Company type | Punk rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1994 in Berkeley, California, United States |
| Defunct | 2000 (initially) |
| Fate | Disbanded; reunion in 2012 |
| Headquarters | Berkeley, California , United States |
Key people | Jesse Luscious (lead vocals), Mike Sexxx (bass) |
| Products | Music albums and EPs |
The Criminals are a punk rock group originating from Berkeley, California, active initially between 1994 and 2000, with a brief reunion in 2012. The band’s core members consistently included lead singer Jesse Luscious and bassist Mike Sexxx. They produced two full-length albums: Never Been Caught (1997) released through Lookout! Records and Burning Flesh and Broken Fingers (1999) on Adeline Records. Following their breakup in 2000, several members went on to form the Frisk.
Origins, early output, and touring (1994–1997)
The Criminals came together in late 1994, featuring Jesse Luscious on vocals, Mike Sexxx handling bass, Claudia Bitter also on vocals, Freud RIP on guitar, and Ross the Boss on drums. Their sound evolved from the intense male/female vocal dynamic found in Luscious’ earlier bands Blatz and The Gr'ups. Their debut release was the 7" titled Seven Months Drunk and Bitter, issued by Seattle’s Hairhurt Records and adorned with cover artwork by Janelle Hessig. Prior to this release, Claudia Bitter departed to return to El Paso, Texas.
Operating as a quartet afterward, they embarked on a West Coast tour in 1995 alongside Area 51 (who later became The Murder City Devils), frequently performing in Los Angeles with acts such as Quincy Punx and I Spy, thanks to support from Jed Schipper of F.Y.P. The band then signed to Todd Congelliere’s Recess Records and unveiled a self-titled 10" record in August 1995, recorded at Oakland’s Polymorph Studios by Noah Landis. This record included a rendition of "Private Affair," originally by The Saints. Shortly after, Ross left to pursue grindcore endeavors; he was briefly succeeded by Snapper before Dan Ger assumed drumming duties.
Following their summer tour in 1996, guitarist Freud was replaced by Brady Caesar. That year saw them touring across the United States and Canada, culminating in the recording of their first album, Never Been Caught, at Catbox Studios in Oakland during January 1997. The album was engineered by Billie Joe Armstrong and featured cover art created by Jesse Michaels. It also contained a new version of "Parlez-Vous Fuk You?" which had originally appeared on their self-titled release.
Burning Flesh era and disbandment (1998–2000)
In April 1998, The Criminals recorded the EP Tomorrow's Too Late, which was issued later that year via New Disorder Records. They added drummer Julie Thorn, formerly part of The Hi-Fives, to their lineup. During spring 1999, the band returned to Catbox Studios to produce their sophomore album, Burning Flesh and Broken Fingers, with production handled by Armstrong. This release came out on his newly established label, Adeline Records. The song "Whiskey Business" featured co-writing contributions from Matt Freeman. After the album’s launch, Brady Caesar departed to concentrate on his work with Black Cat Music and was replaced by guitarist Zach Attack. Supporting the album included a US tour alongside Blanks 77 and L.E.S. Stitches. Several tracks recorded during these sessions but not initially released surfaced later on Exchange, a split album shared with Against All Authority.
Their final performance took place on January 29, 2000 at Berkeley’s iconic venue 924 Gilman Street, where they played alongside The Hi-Fives. In 2001, the posthumous EP Extinct was released through F.O.A.D. Records; this material had been recorded in December 1999 prior to their breakup. It included re-recorded versions of "The Angry Ouija Board Has Sent Us to Destroy the City of Berkeley California So Run for Your Fucking Life" and "You Stupid Fuk," as well as a cover of "You Shook Me All Night Long" originally by AC/DC.
Post-breakup and Reunion
Following the dissolution of The Criminals in 2000, several members went on to establish The Frisk, which featured drummer Hunter Burgan, who had been the bassist for AFI since 1997. The Frisk produced two albums under Adeline Records before disbanding in 2005.
In early 2012, The Criminals reunited as a quartet, debuting at the 1-2-3-4 Go! Records Celebration Night No. 1 on May 24 alongside bands such as American Steel, Dead to Me, and Vanna Inget. Their reunion tour also included performances at The Fest in Gainesville, Awesomefest in San Diego, and the iconic venue 924 Gilman Street. This reformed lineup featured original members Jesse Luscious and Brady Ceasar, with the addition of bassist Nice Guy Brandon from Scattered Fall and drummer Markley Hart, formerly of Econochrist.
By 2013, The Criminals scheduled a show at Eli's Mile High Club in October, introducing new drummer Frank Piegaro, known for his work with The Degenerics and Ensign. Additional concert dates were anticipated. Their subsequent performance took place on January 17, 2014, at The Hemlock Tavern in San Francisco, sharing the stage with the pioneering punk group VKTMS.
On January 12, 2015, the band announced what they declared their "final performance," held on January 22 at DNA Lounge in San Francisco. The Great Apes served as the opening act, while Jello Biafra provided DJ sets throughout the evening. It is noteworthy that Jesse Luscious maintains ties with Alternative Tentacles Records, the label founded by Biafra.
Former Members
- Jesse Luscious – lead vocals (1994–2000, 2012)
- Mike Sexxx – bass (1994–2000, 2012)
- Freud RIP – guitar (1994–1996, 2012)
- Ross the Boss – drums (1994–1996)
- Claudia Bitter – lead vocals (1994–1995)
- Snapper – drums (1996)
- Dan Ger – drums (1996–1998)
- Brady Caesar – guitar (1996–1999, 2012)
- Julie Thorn – drums (1998–2000)
- Zach Attack – guitar (1999–2000)
- Markley Hart – drums (2012)
Studio Albums
| Year | Album Information |
|---|---|
| 1997 | Never Been Caught
|
| 1999 | Burning Flesh and Broken Fingers
|
Compilation Albums
| Year | Album Information |
|---|---|
| 1999 | The Criminals
|
- I Reissue compiling the band’s initial two EPs.
Extended Plays
- Seven Months Drunk and Bitter (1995) Hairhurt Records
- The Criminals (1996) Recess Records
- Morning After (1997) Rhetoric Records
- Tomorrow's Too Late (1998) New Disorder Records
- Exchange (1999) Sub City (split with Against All Authority)
- Extinct (2001) F.O.A.D. Records
Compilation Contributions
- (You're Only As Good As) The Last Great Thing You Did (1997) Lookout! Records
- Turn On, Tune In, Lookout! (1998) Lookout! Records
- A Little Something for Everyone (1998) New Disorder Records
- Forward Til Death (1999) Lookout! Records
- Short Music for Short People (1999) Fat Wreck Chords
- No Time To Kill (1999) Checkmate Records
- Might As Well... Can't Dance (1999) Adeline Records