Huxton Creepers
The Johnnys
Marrickville Bowling Club. NSW
Saturday 15 August 2026
Does anyone other than a few snobby reviewers (hand raised here) and Aussie music publicist-cum-label-owner Dave Laing use the term “power pop” anymore? As unfashionable as the music it describes might be to algorithm-powered playlist curators, it doesn’t matter much what you call it, the visceral appeal of a guitar-fuelled hook married to a melody line to move anyone who bothers to listen is still intact.
Huxton Creepers are a case study. From a period overflowing with bands remembered as “the ones that got away” (the glorious mid ‘80s), Huxton Creepers have more claim than most to the descriptor “shoulda beens”.
Many people picked them to follow Big Time (aka Polydor) labelmates Hoodoo Gurus onto bigger things and to reach a mass audience. But they somehow remained buried in the pack. No shame in that.. They had a few chances. Two albums and eight singles attest to that. They toured hard, they looked the part. That big hit that Triple M just had to play never happened.
Viewed from here, the Creepers might have suffered from that Sydney versus Melbourne rivalry. Sydney used to dictate airplay back then. Maybe the label didn’t know how to promote them. Perhaps releasing a Manfred Mann cover (“Pretty Flamingo”) looked a touch desperate?
Validation of any and all of these theories remains clouded by the mists of time. All I know is that I bought the records back then and I ain't spending any time on it now because every three months, a person is torn to pieces by a crocodile in North Queensland. Plus there’s a 40th anniversary of the debut album show to review.
This was the second of a two-night Sydney stand at salubrious Marrickville Bowlo which is still the best place to experience live music in Sydney. Both nights paired Huxton Creepers with The Johnnys, longtime road buddies and a re-unification that had been a long time in the offing.
Hoody with his beer holster obecured. 
Look mum, no pick: Slim Doherty.
Mr Billy Pommer Jr.
Since I’m no longer providing management services to The Johnnys I missed the first chapter on Friday, but the unbiased observation of the second evening is that they were in fine form. Graham “Naughty Corner” Hood’s raucous calls-to-arms and well-oiled basslines paired with Billy Pommer Jr's shuffling beats have the swelling crowd up and moving early. Slim Doherty’s psychedelic-tinged country licks are the icing on top.
The audience gets all the hits (the obscurities are saved for a forthcoming vinyl release) so there are no surprises. This was a match played over two days and Hoody has played hard at halftime, so he sits for part of the second half. Chasing his VB with water quickly brings him back to life. Just another highlight of a dangerous life, I guess. A winning greatest hits set that should have the punters lining up earlyfor the run of Creepers shows in Queensland later this month.
Gotta say two things here: the between sets playlist is well curated and the Huxton Creepers know how to put on a show. The set kicks off with their debut major label 45, the superb “The Murderess”, followed by “12 Days To Paris” in its entirety, and then most of whatever else they recorded. “Pretty Flamingo” is notably MIA so that might partially bear out the earlier theory.
It’s a long bracket with the odd flat spot (always a risk when you play an album from go to whoa ). I’d heard that the previous evening was a little slow but tonight is just what glued-on fans wanted. They've filled most of the available spaces in the Bowlo and the band responds appropriately.
If Don Adams had taken this image it would be captioned "Not The Craw, The Craw".
Matthew Eddy on the frontline.
Rob Craw on vocals and rhythm guitar is still the hard-pumping heart and soul of the Creepers – the engaging little guy in the middle who exudes boundless energy and drives all the changes. His vocal is a touch gravelly which might be a legacy of successive nights of playing, but that’s not such a bad thing anyway.
Bassist Matthew Eddy’s soaring backing vocals and fluid runs are the critical elements to these songs working. . Drummer Arch Law’s rhythmic swing puts the issue beyond argument. Eddy takes lead vocal on a cover of “Stop Your Sobbing” that does as much to break up the set as to show where the Creepers are coming from. The harmonies on the Groovies’ ”Shake Some Action” were sublime.
Jules Matthews is The Man With That Twang Thang.
Look closely snd you see The Hand of (Arch) Law.
Julian Matthews (bassist for The Stems,, guitarist for The Vibrajets) is the lead guitar replacement for Paul Thomas and fits like a glove, delivering killer tones. He and Craw swap licks and his lead playing imparts a real edge.
Speaking edge, any band with songs like “I Will Persuade You” and “My Cherie Amour” (the album bookends) will always have one. Throw in “Autumn Leaves” for extra impact. The new single “Opposites Attract” gets the obligatory look-in and a warm reception.
The verdict? If you haven't guessed already, it was a resounding success. Sporadic shows in their hometown were always a no brainer for a much-loved Melbourne band, but taking it out on the road was something else. Don’t miss ‘em, Queensland.
Huxton Creepers
12 Days To Paris Tour
AUG
21 - Norton Music Factory,
Caloundra, QLD
+ The Johnnys
22 - Crowbar Brisbane, QLD
+ The Johnnys
+ Mick Medew and Ursula
23 - Wallaby Hotel, Mudgeeraba, QLD
(afternoon show)
+ The Johnnys
