80s Band HUXTON CREEPERS To Tour On Back Of 40th Anniversary Reissue Of Debut Album
“I first heard of the Huxton Creepers when I was a young, aspiring musician. A friend who had moved to Brisbane from Melbourne introduced me to them through a live show recording on Triple R, and from the first moment I heard “King of the Road,” “I Will Persuade You,” and their version of “Ramble Tamble,” I was in. This was the band I’d been waiting for. “ John Collins (JC), Powderfinger
“Ultimately this is one of the best debut rock & roll albums made in this country. It’s up there with Sunnyboys and Stoneage Romeos…” Toby Creswell, Rolling Stone 1986
Forty years on from the release of their classic debut album 12 Days to Paris – and with an anniversary vinyl edition out Friday June 5 on Cheersquad Records and Tapes – beloved Melbourne ’80s band the Huxton Creepers are all set for their first tour since 2011. The shows will see them playing for the first time ever 12 Days to Paris in its entirety, as well all their other fan favourites. They’ll be joined by old mates Icecream Hands in Melbourne and The Johnnys in NSW and QLD, with former Screaming Tribesmen front man and his wife, Mick Medew and Ursula, also joining the party in Brisbane.
The Huxton Creepers were one of Australia’s most popular and hardest working guitar bands of that prolific decade. Loved around the land, they first emerged as a sort of teenaged version of both Sunnyboys and Hoodoo Gurus with a bit of ‘80s Saints thrown in for good measure—big guitars and big hooks were the order of the day— and in turn they had a big influence on the next generation of bands, including noted fans in Powderfinger and You Am I.
The band released two albums back in the day, and their debut 12 Days To Paris is an acknowledged classic, chock full as it is with classic singles like My Cherie Amour, I Will Persuade You and Autumn Leaves; and longtime crowd pleasers like King of the Road and Don’t Even Think About It. Which is not to discount later gems like Skin of My Teeth and Small Mercies, and great covers like Shake Some Action, all of which fans can expect to hear again in 2026.
The band has played several reunions over the years, including shows with friends Sunnyboys, The Stems and Ups and Downs. Every time they play the feeling comes flooding back and the muscle memories kick in and it’s like they never left. With a big anniversary to celebrate this year, original members Rob Craw, Matthew Eddy and Arch Law are joined by new lead guitarist Julian Matthews of longtime pals The Stems. The band is raring to go, and these shows are not to be missed.
Cheersquad Records & Tapes have released the long-awaited first ever vinyl reissue—indeed the 40th Anniversary vinyl reissue—of a much-loved Australian album from the ‘80s. 12 Days to Paris was the debut album from The Huxton Creepers, one of Australia’s most popular and hardest working guitar bands of that prolific decade. Loved around the land, they first emerged as a sort of teenaged version of both Sunnyboys and Hoodoo Gurus with a bit of ‘80s Saints thrown in for good measure—big guitars and big hooks were the order of the day— and the Sunnys and the Gurus took the fledgling Creepers under their wings from the get-go. The band released two albums back in the day, and their debut 12 Days To Paris is the firm fan favourite, chock full as it is with classic singles like My Cheree Amour and I Will Persuade You and Autumn Leaves and longtime crowd pleasers like King of the Road and Don’t Even Think About It.
“We went into Melbourne’s Platinum Studios at the band’s peak to record our debut album. Steve Berlin from Los Lobos and Chris Copping from Procol Harum were with us. We knew we had the songs and the band was firing on all cylinders. We were creating something special. 40 years on we are really proud of 12 Days and excited to be bringing it back to life” Arch Law, Huxton Creepers
The vinyl reissue of 12 Days to Paris – which will be in limited edition gold vinyl (100 copies only!) or regular black – will coincide with the album’s first ever release through digital platforms. With the label they were signed to having folded decades back and things having been in legal limbo, it’s taken a major effort to bring this classic album back to life, but we now have a pulse. And it’s a strong one!
The release will be followed in the band’s first national tour since 2011, making sure that 2026 will be the Year of the Creeper!
AVAILABLE TO ORDER NOW FROM
https://cheersquadrecordstapes.bandcamp.com/album/12-days-to-paris
Limited edition gold 12″ vinyl (100 only) and black vinyl available. Includes digital pre-order of the album, with 3 tracks downloadable immediately (streaming via the free Bandcamp app and also available as a high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more).
