Archive Liverpool, tucked into the beating heart of the Baltic Triangle, is exactly the kind of room where a debut EP lands with maximum impact. The 175 capacity space feels intimate without being cramped, modern without losing its DIY soul, and run by people who live and breathe music. You can feel it the moment you walk in. The place has been shaped by individuals who made music their career early on and have carried that passion straight into this project and its that dedication that shows in every detail, but just as striking is how genuinely friendly everyone is. There’s a real sense of community in the way the team interacts with artists and audiences alike, creating an atmosphere that feels welcoming, supportive, and built around a shared love of live music.
The setting matters. The Baltic Triangle has always been a place where reinvention thrives, where old industrial bones get turned into creative spaces, and where new music finds its footing. Head Creep launching their first EP here looks and feels like a band being borne into a district that’s been doing exactly the same for nearly two decades.
With the room filling, the lights warming, and the EP freshly released into the world, there’s a feeling in the air that tonight isn’t just a gig. It’s a marker. A moment. A line between what Ian built before and what he’s about to build now.
Liverpool’s Heavy Duty kick the night off, but with almost zero online footprint to speak of, there was nothing to forewarn me of just what to expect. What I got was a blast of straight‑up, riff‑driven classic heavy rock that feels built for sweaty rooms and loud crowds. Their vocalist had a real Peter Frampton in his Humble Pie era vibe. Charismatic, and clearly enjoying himself, the band as a whole gelled impressively for a group still early in their journey and suggested plenty of potential. Vocally, everything landed well, with enough clarity and character to carry both the covers and their own material, and the set had a warm, classic‑rock feel that suited them.
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Fellow Liverpudlian alt-metal outfit R0peburn brought their tight and slightly chaotic energy with them as main support and delivered a brilliant set with a sound that leans heavily into the darker end of doom and thrash. Their approach puts atmosphere, weight and intensity front and centre, with vocals that blend into the overall texture rather than sitting clearly on top. It’s a style that absolutely works for fans of that heavier, more immersive sound, even if it’s not the most accessible for listeners who prefer more defined lyrical clarity.
There’s a particular buzz that comes with watching a band on the day their first EP drops. I think it’s that mix of nerves, pride, and “this could be the start of something beautifully magnificent”. For me, today’s gig at Archive Liverpool carries an extra layer. Head Creep isn’t just another new name on the circuit, but the next evolution of Ian Johnson, whose old band King Voodoo bowed out in considerable style at their final Voodoo Fest show some two years ago now. Some called that a full‑stop moment, and if that was true then tonight should feel like the inevitable capital letter that follows it.
Head Creep is built with a hand‑picked lineup and a clear sense of purpose. It takes the blood, sweat, tears and grit of Ian’s past work and morphs it into a heavier, more atmospheric direction with brooding edges that is darker, sharper and feels far more instinct‑driven with a pulse that feels both modern and menacing.
Head Creep’s day started in pure “you couldn’t make this up” territory. Before they’d even loaded in properly at Archive Liverpool, an amp slid straight out of the van and landed squarely onto a pedalboard, leaving the whole band staring in disbelief. Ian managed to put his foot through the steps to the stage, not once, but twice! It was as if the venue itself was testing their resolve lol. And just when they thought the worst was behind them, a string snapped right before Ian’s solo mid‑set, forcing him to rethink and rework it live on the spot. Lesser bands would have let that run of bad luck derail the whole evening, but Head Creep handled every setback with a mix of calm, alot of humour, and sheer determination. Their debut EP landed today with fully formed intent and direction. If you love the sound and feel of Alice in Chains, Helmet, Stone Sour, early Deftones, and modern alt‑metal with a dark edge, then this really is for you. ( https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=head%20creep%20music&locale=en_GB)
Post gig, and with the merch stand slowly emptying, I managed to speak with Ian and the others, so put them on the spot with a few questions about past, present and future.
(Me) When King Voodoo played their final show at Voodoo Fest, did you already feel the seeds of Head Creep forming, or did the idea hit you later on?
(Ian) To be honest, nope, I wanted a break from music focus on health and get my love back for writing.
(Me) What part of the King Voodoo chapter did you consciously leave behind when starting Head Creep, and what part followed you whether you liked it or not?
(Ian) I don’t think I left anything, I don’t think I will ever change, I love to work and push music. If you don’t put your heart and soul into this, there is no point.
(Me) What was the moment or the conversation where Head Creep officially became “right, this is the new band”?
(Ian) This was completed when Suzanne joined, we had a very good friend filling in the bass position. When Suzanne came in for the audition, we just knew the band was complete.
(Me) How did the lineup come together? Was it a carefully chosen group or more of a ‘right people at the right time’ situation?
(Ian) I’ve known Bobby for years (since my first band, many, many….many moons ago). We just started writing to see what we can do before we started looking for people to join. We have been lucky to find the right people at the right time, we knew who we wanted, it was waiting for things to line up.
(Nick) right people right time.
(Me) What were the first few rehearsals like? Chaos, clarity, or a bit of both?
(Ian) Clarity, we ensure we practice outside of the rehearsal room. We pull it all together to make sure we plan the shows, so everything works.
(Me) If you had to describe the early vision of Head Creep in one sentence, what was it? And how close is the band to that vision now?
(Ian) Head Creep, have fun, write music that people can enjoy as much as us ! What we thought at the start is very close to our vision.
(Me) Head Creep has a very distinct energy. How would you describe the band’s sound to someone who’s never heard a note?
(Ian) The bands sound? Hmmm in your face, powerful and something for everyone. I like to think we have a sound that can be spread across multiple genres. We can play with rock / hard rock, metal a bit of grunge in there but can’t actually put my finger on the exact sound.
(Me) What influences shaped the EP the most? Musical or otherwise?
(Ian) Since we got together, we have been writing loads. We wrote over 60+songs, we banged our heads together to pick songs that work together. Our influences shine in what we do, I think you can hear some Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam grunge vibes… Then again you can hear other hard rock metal like Black Label Society and Alter bridge etc.
(Me) Is there a particular emotion or atmosphere you want people to feel when they hear Head Creep for the first time?
(Ian) Excitement and hopefully loving the songs
(Me) What’s something in your sound that people might not notice straight away, but you’re quietly proud of?
(Ian) I’m proud of my keyboards that you don’t really notice but when removed there’s a little void there.
(Me) If Head Creep were a film genre, what would it be and why?
(Ian) Horror/Comedy. We all have a great and dark sense of humour
(Me) How does songwriting work in Head Creep? Is it a democracy, a dictatorship, or a polite argument that somehow ends up producing a banger?
(Ian) At the moment the songs have been written by either Bobby or myself. We record them and bounce the ideas back and forth. We then pinged out them out to everyone. Then take them into the room and fine tune it between us till we get it right.
(Me) What’s the weirdest or most unexpected place a lyric or riff has come from so far?
(Ian) Haha weirdest place I’ve wrote a guitar riff was on the toilet hahaha. All thanks to wireless kit
(Me) Did the EP change much from the early demos to the final versions, or did it arrive pretty much fully formed?
(Ian) In my opinion pretty close with a few tweaks
(Me) Now that the EP is out in the world, what’s the next milestone you’ve got your eyes on?
(Nick & Suzanne) Album and European tour
(Me) Where do you see Head Creep fitting into the current Liverpool scene, or are you deliberately trying to sit slightly outside it?
(Ian) We see a strong rock and metal scene growing in Liverpool, and we have been lucky that we are playing across the whole of the UK this year from Great Yarmouth to Dundee. We have plans to go further, all work behind the scenes. We would love to play in the States, Europe and beyond.
(Me) If you could pick one band to support on tour tomorrow, who would be the dream fit for Head Creep?
(Ian & Tamas) Black Label Society
(Nick & Jay) Pearl Jam
(Suzanne & Bobby) Alice in Chains
(Me) What’s one thing you want people to say about Head Creep a year from now?
(Everyone) The plastic surgeon has done wonders / They’ve forgotten who their mates were now they’re living in Beverly Hills 
. One thing I want people to say is I’ve got their new album and can’t wait for the next one, and We’ve got tickets to see you on tour!
(Me) Is there a sound or direction you’re itching to explore next that didn’t quite make it onto this EP? (Ian) Oooo I would love to do an acoustic EP or a rock ballad
(Me) Finally, what’s the most ridiculous, over the top dream scenario for Head Creep that you secretly hope comes true?
(Ian) For me we win metal to the masses Liverpool final and get to play on the same bill as Black label Society at Bloodstock, and would love to sell out stadiums and our albums all go platinum.
We hope everyone enjoys the read and entering the mind of this band ha ha god help you ha ha ha
There is a low ticket for Metal 2 the Masses Mersyside, and more information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/M2TMMerseyside/
