New Orleans spawned its own punk rock scene that has persisted for at least four decades. It doesn’t appear to be letting up as Creepy Fest 2019 returns from July 17 to 21 with dozens of bands performing at several venues across the city.
Now in its 11th year, the festival includes two French Quarter venues: Santos Bar and Checkpoint Charlies.
Creepy Fest has its roots in cinema. According to Antigravity, Creepy Fest began as a film showing for Creepy Dean, a film produced by local Terror Optics studios that had a soundtrack featuring songs from more than a dozen bands. The showings were just a CD release to promote the bands and it morphed into the punk festival it is today, organizer Bill Heintz told Antigravity in 2013. Heintz, a graphic designer by trade, has performed as a drummer with several Creepy Fest bands, including The Pallbearers.
The five-day festival begins at 6:00 p.m. at Portside Lounge with a special appearance by horror movie scream queen Geretta Rosemary Geretta. Check here for a full list of Creepy Fest shows and venues.
The festival creeps into the Quarter starting in the downstairs venue at 8 p.m. on Friday, July 19 venue at Santos Bar at 1135 Decatur St. with Trampoline Team, followed by Marty Feldman’s Eyes, Die Rotzz, Fat Stupid Ugly People, The Pallbearers, Vomit Spots, and Submachine.
Upstairs bands at Santos start playing at 9:15 p.m. and feature Pawn of the Jungle, Lauren Jean’s No Man Band, Trash Night, and Red Poison Berry. Doors open at 7 p.m. and entry is $15.
Checkpoint Charlies at 501 Esplanade Ave. and Santos will host bands on Saturday, July 20.
All live shows at Checkpoint Charlies are free on Saturday. Bands begin performing at 8:30 p.m. and feature Dead Centered, Pussy Rot, Reagan Era Rejects, The KBK, The Cops, Killer Hearts, and Before I Hang.
Santos hosts an earlier show with $7 admission and featuring Witchcake, The NoShows, Future Hate, Joystick, and Franks and Deans.