Something I Learned Today

Punk Rock and Other Assorted Bullshit

Candy Snatchers

July 13th, 2005 | Posted by: Eric | Category: , Garage Punk, 90's Punk


“Bleeding punk”,”The most dangerous band in the world” and “Drunken, depraved, and fucked up punk rock” are just a couple of the phrases I’ve come across describing the inimitable Candy Snatchers. Based around the core of vocalist Larry May and guitarist Matthew Odietus, the Candy Snatchers have been on a wild drunken bender for the past 13 years or so. In that time they’ve managed to release a ton of singles, splits, and full length albums, including their latest singles comp Ugly On The Outside. The Candy Snatchers wear their influences on their sleeves, covering the likes of The Saints, Ramones, Kids, Stooges, and the Rubber City Rebels. Their sound is a mash of the best elements of the aforementioned bands along with a healthy dose of sleaze, a couple pints of blood, and some low grade trucker’s crank. And booze, lots of booze. The secret ingredient is the raucous voice of May, which shifts from “croon” to “scream” on a dime. I had a hard time whittling down the list, but here are some of my favorites:

from 1996’s self-titled LP
Candy Snatchers - Haunted Road.mp3
Candy Snatchers - Motion.mp3

from 1998’s Human Zoo! LP
Candy Snatchers - 30 Grams To Life.mp3
Candy Snatchers - Such a Fool.mp3

from 1997’s Pissed Off, Ripped Off, Screwed LP
Candy Snatchers - Fuck My Family.mp3

Stuff:

  • Candy Snatchers @myspace.com
  • Candy Snatchers Fanclub: Drunken Blur
  • discography from Grunnen Rocks
  • Buy Candy Snatchers releases

    • 3 Comments so far

    1. G July 14th, 2005 4:28 am

      Yep, great band - one of the few that appeals to those on both sides of the rawk/KBD-lo-fi divide. I finally picked up their live one (Color Me Blood Red) which I think is the only recording with William Weber. Their split with The Safety Pins is great also- awesome cover of “This is R’n'R”.

    2. Uncle Glen July 14th, 2005 7:19 am

      Thanks for the great posting. I’d only heard one other CS track “Now Who’s Crying” and they sound great. It might be worth mentioning to those who haven’t heard the Candy Snatchers before (especially those of us with a few years under our belts) that it seems from this song and the ones you’ve posted that the biggest influence on their sound appears to be The Didjits. I’ve never heard another band attempt to follow in the sonic shoes of Ric Sims & Co. but these folks come close. Thanks again!

    3. Eric July 14th, 2005 11:24 am

      G… Color Me Blood Red is great, if only for the Kids cover “Do You Wanna Know”. I’m going to rip it one of these days

      Glen… I can see the didjits angle, same influences, same fuck you attitude. Didjits are one my all time favs, I really got to post them one of these days

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