You can most definitely say the history of Kreamy 'Lectric Santa is a long sorted and interesting journey. They have been able to overcome adversity,5 cities, at least 53 members. If it is true that what does not kill you makes you stronger, KLS is standing proof.

Kreamy 'Lectric Santa formed in Miami before the turn of the century, although nobody in the band remembers exactly when. They spawned from the punk rock scene that included legendary bands like The Eat, Morbid Opera and Trash Monkeys. KLS created a sound which integrated myriad influences, including Gong, Crass, Camper Van Beethoven, Faust, 13th Floor Elevators and The Sun City Girls. Through the years, the sound of KLS has evolved, receiving both praise and punctuated question marks from the press.

In the early years, KLS played Churchill's Hideaway (a British pub in Miami's Little Haiti district) almost every weekend. The anarchic atmosphere of Churchill's allowed for shows that were discombobulated, atonal, crazy and sometimes beyond the realm of comprehension. Kreamy 'Lectric Santa shows were crazy and some say drug fueled . During this time, KLS would book opening acts that had a range of musical styles. This led to the creation of an exciting, vibrant, eclectic scene of artists, musicians and misfits that revolved around the free Churchill's shows.

The universe of KLS started expanding with the release of their first 7" (Supergroup 2000) on Paddywagon Jive Records. The band's fan base continued to grow, resulting in the release of their first full length album (Da Bronx Sity Chicken Machine, Vol. 2) by Starcrunch Records the following year. KLS' popularity reached new heights in the late 90s, with the release of two more 7"s (Music for Mediation and Relaxation on Starcrunch and 4 on Tibetan Beefgarden Records) and several national tours in a leaky Econoline van. Touring from Miami was difficult, so KLS relocated to a more central location, known as The Cursed City.

It was in The Cursed City that KLS confronted their hardest times. Priya sustained a spinal injury that left her in a wheelchair. The band was force to go on hiatus. Jan 9 had already moved to LA. Priya and Sirbo moved to Pennsylvania to stay with family while Priya recovered. Long time bassist Andrew moved to Tennessee and drummer Ricky Pollo returned to Miami.

Keeping to true Kreamy 'Lectric Santa tradition, Sirbo and Priya were not willing to give up on the band. They saved money and planned to meet Andrew in San Francisco to reform the band. Sirbo and Priya were able to get as far as LA, where they met up with Jan 9 and started playing shows again. The remainder of the plan did not turn out exactly as they had envisioned. Andrew's drug habits expanded and became worse. On a return visit to see his father in The Cursed City, Andrew passed away.

LA was not a good fit for Kreamy 'Lectric Santa, so they relocated to the Bay Area and started recruiting new members. Thankfully, the move to the Bay Area has worked out well. KLS has a solid lineup of Sirbo ( guitar, vox ), Priya ( violin,vox ), Jon Paul Burns( drums ), Ian billet (bass) and Jan 9, who moved to Oakland a year later and has gone from headstands and backup vocals to playing electronics for the band.

2006 saw KLS' first release since Priya's accident, the Great Plans Laid to Rest 7" on Shut Up Records. The band has also tried to bring the Miami attitude by arranging shows with bands as diverse as Onion Flavored Rings, No Doctors, Laundry Room Squelchers, To Live and Shave in LA and Bobby Conn. Digestive Systems Records will release a new 7" in late 2007, and a full-length release is in the works for 2008 on Starcleaners.

Waylon Nietzsche 97