Foolish Creeper (band)

Foolish Creeper
Performing on stage during their 2014 Tour
Background information
Origin	New Prairie, WI
Genres	Rock Hard Rock Progressive Pop Alternative Rock
Years active	1982 (1982)–2003 (2003), 2009 (2009)–2022 (2022)
Labels	Parma Records Split Phones Records
Members	Denis Porter Lauren Jensen Craig Hansen Karen Weber Roman Erickson
Past members	Victor Morgan Carmella Mcgrew Joe Simmons Craig Brook

Foolish Creeper is an American band who have changed musical genres a handful of times since their creation in the early 1980's. Their music has primarily been of the Rock / Hard Rock genre, however, over the years, they've incorporated Pop, Synthesized Pop, Folk, and some Acoustic elements into their songs in an attempt to be relevant. The band formed in 1979 in New Prairie after lead vocalist Denis Porter met lead guitarist Lauren Jensen at Jumper's. The two met rhythm guitarist Craig Hansen and drummer Roman Erickson who were members of the band Horizontal Drop. Bassist Karen Weber joined the group weeks before the band started recording their debut album Battler.

They were signed to Parma Records 1981 by producer Dave Shevil. After their debut album failed to chart, the band lost their contract with the record label. A few years later, they were signed with Split Phones Records where they stayed until the early 90's. The band broke into the mainstream with their next album Tasteful Tasteless and their 1987 follow-up Inside Out. During the tour for their album Backwards from the Front, disagreements between the band members started occurring, resulting in Lauren Jensen leaving the band mid-tour. Replacement lead guitarist Carmella Mcgrew joined the band for the remaining of the tour and stayed on through the next album Look Again.

History

New Deal, Tasteful Tasteless, Inside Out, and Backwards From the Front (1984-1989)

After the initial failure of the band's first album and subsequent falling out with Parma Records, Shevil started looking for a new company that would sign the band. It was during a visit to Chicago that he met the owners of Split Phones Records, a newer company that was looking to expand its roster of artists. The owners had not heard any of the issues the band had previously Parma Records and admitted they didn't care, as long as it wouldn't be occurring again. Shevil promised the owners there'd be no issues and signed the band to a two-album contract.

While Shevil was signing the band to a new deal, Porter and Jensen were visiting a music shop a few miles away from where Porter found a [Korg Poly-800] synthesizer for sale. After talking with the salesman and trying it out himself, he soon realized it was the missing sound the band needed for their projects. Porter started playing the keyboard, and soon he and Jensen were riffing lyrics and melodies to the amusement of the salesman. 45 minutes later, Porter and Jensen walked out of the store with the keyboard in hand as well as the lyrics and music to their first hit Another Time Perhaps.

The writing period for the album that would become Tasteful Tasteless only took four months as the band immediately found their groove with their new sound. Early listens by the studio loved the sounds they were producing and fully supported the band's requests for a small ten-piece orchestra to be used on the song Finally You. The album was released in July of 1984 to positive reviews and three Grammy nominations.

The Tasteful Tasteless Tour was also a success, seeing the band adding up to 20 additional cities to their already extravagant 55-show tour. Long bus rides, late nights performing, and early mornings promoting the record and their shows didn't seem to have any effect on the members, who started writing new songs every week. It was during this time that the members started trying new styles with their songs. Their music, which had started out heavy metal, was gradually shifting to a more mainstream pop-rock. Porter loved the new change in tone and encouraged the other members to experiment with different styles they liked. The result of this change and experimentation ultimately became their next album Inside Out, the name being a nod to the band's shift in musical genre.

Shevil was terrified the shift in music style would hinder the band and alienate any of their fans who liked them for their previous style. Porter refused to back down and supported the band's decision to go this new route. The record company ultimately backed the band as well, but later admitted they were equally as terrified about the change as Shevil.

Breaking Up, New Line-up, Look Again, and Fresh Faces (1989-1994)

Two days after the release of Backwards from the Front, Jensen called Shevil and told him she was leaving the band. Shevil called the band together and informed them of her departure, which left the others (minus Porter) shocked and upset. During the promotional tour of the new album, Porter and rhythm guitarist Craig Hansen started fighting after he blamed Porter for Jensen's departure. Porter, who was drinking heavily, told Hansen that if he had a problem with the situation, he too should leave the band. Hansen took him up on the offer and, immediately following an appearance at a record signing in Ohio, informed Shevil he too was quitting the band.

Having already booked numerous public appearances on late-night talk shows, record signings, and a 50-city tour, Shevil immediately turned his attention to looking for replacements. After a few weeks of searching, he found a new lead guitarist, Carmella McGrew, and rhythm guitarist Joe Simmons. Porter was not a fan of either one of them and had very little contact with the new members except when necessary. During a performance on Late Night with David Letterman, the band performed, and when invited over to the chairs to talk, Porter left the stage without a word, leaving the remaining members behind.

During the Backwards Frontwards Tour, Porter would only show up during the actual show while remaining hidden in his bus, writing music. After the tour wrapped, Porter disappeared for a few months. Split Phones Records met with Shevil and told him of their concern about the band's future and Porter's actions. Shevil promised he would straighten Porter out and reached out to him, telling him they needed to start work on the next album. Porter, angry with how the band was falling apart, started work on writing music by himself instead of collaborating with the other members. At the urging of Shevil, Porter relented and allowed them to write one song on the album, which became the final track Try Again on Look Again. The day the album was released, Porter quit the band, citing he was done with it and wanted to live his life away from the spotlight for a while.

News spread quickly through the media about Porter's departure from the band. Anger, fear, and disappointment among the surviving members were evident as their appearances on numerous news channels did not hide their true feelings. A few weeks later, their Look Again Tour was canceled and Split Phones Records dropped them from the label.

During the next eight months, the band went on hiatus while Shevil attempted to find a new lead singer to replace Porter and a new label. His initial attempts returned no one who could match Porter's tone and style. During a meeting with Lauren Jensen, Shevil managed to convince her to return to the band, hoping she could help save what was left of it. During her time away, she had met and started performing with Victor Morgan, her then boyfriend, whose style differed from Porter's but could still work if the band went a slightly different direction in their tone. After hearing Morgan perform, Shevil formerly signed him to the band along with Jensen.

Shevil started using the new lineup as an attempt to promote the band to potential record labels, hoping to drive up their interest and distract them from the previous album's troubles. He was able to secure a two-record contract with Tonal Records, a company out of Los Angeles that had recently produced albums for the former Foolish Creeper opening act Jettisoned.

In the fall of 1993, the band started work on a new album with its lineup of both new and original members. Progress was being made until Joe Simmons was accidentally killed during a drive-by shooting in downtown Chicago. The band mourned his death and brought in Craig Brooks as his replacement. While Denis Porter would often take the lead on writing previous albums, Jensen stepped into the role this time and collaborated with the entire band on every song. In the summer of 1994, Fresh Faces was released.

40 Years Too Short and the future (2020-2022)

After the release and subsequent press tours of Battler...Again (2016), the members discussed the future of Foolish Creeper and where they'd go from here. Realizing their 40th anniversary was approaching, they wanted to produce a record that symbolized who they were and are.

Producer Dave Shevil suggested another greatest hits album. After reviewing their catalog, the band found that most of their hits were already included on previous compilations and didn't want to release another just for the sake of it. This led Lauren Jensen to suggest re-releasing their previous compilation Foolish Hits (2012) in newly remastered sound, having recently acquired the master tapes from all the band's previous albums. The band agreed to the idea and remastering began.

A few months into remastering the band's previous compilation album, Roman Erickson discovered a handful of unreleased or incomplete tracks while listening through the stacks of masters. He started playing them for the rest of the band, and soon everyone was enjoying hearing old songs long forgotten. Karen Weber commented that with a little adjusting, the old songs might be fun to release to the fans. The band agreed, deciding to turn the previous single disc compilation remaster into a two-disc overview of unreleased classics and hits for their fans.

During late November 2021, Denis Porter and Lauren Jensen found themselves toying with the idea of a new song. Liking what they were hearing, they recorded three takes with the intention of going back and doing a final take with the full band. Porter left the studio after giving Jensen a big hug and thanking her for all the years she put up with him.

On December 11th, 2022, Porter's family reported he had died due to a long battle with Cancer. The band, shocked to find the news that he was gone, decided to finish the last song he and Jensen recorded, and include it as the final track of the album. The band picked their favorite take of Porter's vocals and re-recorded the rest of the backing track and vocals, fully completing the song based on notes he left and Jensen's input. Reviewers have taken the lyrics to be referencing Porter's past with Jensen and the band, and that he was reflecting heavily on his life before his death. It became a number one hit after its release, staying on the charts for almost 24 weeks. It's the band's highest-selling song and won them their first of two Grammys.

Band Members

Current

• Denis Porter – lead vocals, keyboards (1982–1993, 2009-2022)
• Lauren Jensen – lead guitar, backing vocals (1982–1989, 1994–2022)
• Craig Hansen – rhythm guitar (1982-1989, 1998–2022)
• Karen Weber – bass (1982–2022)
• Roman Erickson – drums, percussion (1982–2022)

Former

• Victor Morgan – lead vocals (1993–2003)
• Carmella McGrew – lead guitar, backing vocals (1989–1994)
• Joe Simmons – rhythm guitar (1989–1994)
• Craig Brooks - rhythm guitar (1994-1998)

Awards and Nominations

Over the years, Foolish Creeper has been nominated for numerous awards from around the world.

American Music Awards

The American Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony created by Dick Clark in 1973. Foolish Creeper has received two awards from eight nominations.

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
1985	Foolish Creeper	Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group	Nominated
1994	Foolish Creeper	Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group	Nominated
		Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist	Nominated

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States. Foolish Creeper has received 7 nominations and 2 wins.

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
1985	"Another Time Perhaps"	Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal	Nominated
		Best Rock Song	Nominated
	"Tasteful Tasteless"	Album of the Year	Nominated
1987	"Nightcall"	Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal	Nominated
1995	"Fresh Faces"	Best Alternative Music Performance	Nominated
	"Simple Minded"	Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal	Nominated
2014	"The Rose"	Song of the Year	Nominated
2023	"Blast from the Past"	Best Rock Song	Won
	"40 Years Too Short"	Best Rock Album	Won

Discography

Studio albums

• Battler (1982)
• Tasteful Tasteless (1984)
• Inside Out (1987)
• Backwards from the Front (1989)
• Look Again (1992)
• Fresh Faces (1994)
• Break It Off (1998)
• Cover Me (2001)
• Revamp (2002)
• Inside Out II (2009)
• Foolish Creeper (2014)
• Battler...Again (2016)
• 40 Years Too Short (2022)

Compilation albums

• Foolish Hits (2012)
• Acoustic Foolishness (2018)

Singles

1980s

Title	Year	Certifications	Album
"Lost in War"	1982	—	Battler
"Fighting my Love"		—
"Don't Forget"	1983	—
"Another Time Perhaps"	1984	—	Tasteful Tasteless
"Caught"		—
"Night Terrors"		—
"Finally You"	1985	—
"Trial"	1987	—	Inside Out
"Bothersem"		—
"Thunder in the Sky"	1988	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

2020s

Title	Year	Certifications	Album
"Blast from the Past"	2022	Platinum	40 Years Too Short

Tours

• 1978-1980: Club Tours / No Official Tour
• 1984-1985: Tasteful Tasteless Tour
• 1987-1988: Inside Out Tour
• 1990-1991: Backwards Frontwards Tour
• 2009-2011: Inside Out II-er