September 2023 saw Cherry Glazerr’s release of their 4th studio album, I Don’t Want You Anymore. An introduction of new electro-pop sounds combined with their classic lyricism marked a notable evolution in their sonic development, and I was lucky enough to have seen these songs showcased live during their impressive set at Little Secret in October. Having experienced their previous performance, I knew that their return to Los Angeles was a night I couldn’t miss.
Kentucky based trio Wombo provided an energizing start to the night, opening their set with “Snakey,” off of 2023’s Slab EP. Sydney Chadwick’s soft vocals layered over Cameron Lowe’s screaming guitar and Joel Taylor’s drums formed a seamless combination of post-punk, groovy, and indie sounds. Taylor’s crashing drums initiated the beginning to “Backflip,” a dynamic ballad carried by Chadwick’s bassline. The lyrics “On a winding road you come to meet yourself again / Only reading that it was not yours in the end,” showcased Wombo’s clever lyricism, which was paralleled by their unique combination of guitar, bass, and drum rhythms.
As the audience anxiously waited for Cherry Glazerr’s arrival, the lights dimmed and a projected welcome message read “THE YEAR IS 2024. YOU ARE ATTENDING A CHERRY GLAZERR SHOW. THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED FOR BODY AND MIND ENLIGHTENMENT, THROUGH YOUR STAIRCASE CHAKRA. IT CAN AND WILL CHANGE YOU. IF YOU ARE A WILLING PARTICIPANT… YOU WILL REMEMBER THIS NIGHT FOREVER.”
Suddenly, the band took the stage: Sami Perez on bass, Nick Pillot on drums, and Luke Macdonald on guitar and keys, with lead vocalist Clementine Creevy launching the band into “Touched You With My Chaos.” Dark screeching guitars echoed the angst in Creevy’s lyrics, “Daggers in my heart, close my eyes in the sun / Slashing the tires of my own car,” sending the crowd into a single jumping frenzy.
Creevy’s energy was absolutely contagious. Bouncing up and down and twirling while simultaneously playing her guitar, Creevy kept the energy high, even for more relaxed, synth-heavy songs such as “Bad Habit.” Supplementing her presence with captivating dance moves, Creevy personified the sentiments expressed in her lyrics.
Clementine Creevy has proven to be a driving force in the indie rock movement, making music since the age of 15. With a discography spanning over a decade, Cherry Glazerr’s sonic development has been undeniable, with a distinct shift in sound from the lo-fi garage rock on 2013’s Papa Cremp, towards a more refined style on 2023’s I Don’t Want You Anymore. These developments were showcased live, with Macdonald’s contributions on keys and guitar bringing their sound to another level.
“White’s Not My Color This Evening” off of 2014’s Haxel Princess still appeared to be a fan favorite. Although it was released almost 10 years ago, Creevy’s guitar riff, drenched in distortion, was enough to set the venue ablaze. Cruising across the stage to duet with Perez, Creevy resuscitated some of the punk influences present in her earlier discography.
Sliding her hand up the neck of her guitar and eliciting a distorted shriek, Creevy led the band into their final song, “Stupid Fish”- the track I was most excited to see played live again. Pillot’s crashing cymbals accompanied Creevy’s riffs, escalating the night’s energy into its peak. With a mischievous smile, Creevy screamed “I SEE MYSELF IN YOU AND THAT’S WHY I F*CKING HATE YOU!” before dropping into a frenzied guitar solo.
The band returned for an encore, featuring “Teenage Girl” and a cover of “Territorial Pissings” by Nirvana. With a swift bow to the crowd, the band waltzed off the stage, leaving everyone dancing in ecstasy after a phenomenal night of music. This performance was an outstanding showcase of Cherry Glazerr’s talent, solidifying the band as a must-see act.
Listen to Cherry Glazerr’s recent release, I Don’t Want You Anymore here:
