Foolish Creeper (band)

Foolish Creeper
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Performing on stage during their 2014 Tour
Background information
Origin	New Prairie, WI
Genres	Rock Hard Rock Progressive Pop
Years active	1982 (1982)–2003 (2003), 2009 (2009)–present
Labels	Parma Records Split Phones Records
Associated acts	Jettisoned Horizontal Drop
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 Phone 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 sitting down to try 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.

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 if he had a problem with the situation that 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.

Band Members

Current members

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

Former members

• 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.

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 3 nominations.

Year	Nominee/work	Award	Result
1985	"Another Time Perhaps"	Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal	Nominated
		Best Rock Song	Nominated
1985	"Tasteful Tasteless"	Album of the Year	Nominated
1987	"Nightcall"	Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal	Nominated

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)