lineup: Larry May- vocals, Matthew Odietus- guitar, Sergio Ponce- drums, Brian idle- bass, Brian McBride of The Electric Shadows - harmonica, Dean Rispler-guru/producer. lineup for 2009 E.U. Tour: larry, idle, and 69 Charger members; g., Carlos, and Roxa. past members of note: Greg Miller- Drums, Willy Johns- bass, William Weber- guitar, Goose- bass, Serenyvas Kumar-bass, Collin Coates- tallest man in rock & roll/drums, Darbe Apostle -bass, Barry Johnson (R.I.P.) - drums, Suke - bass/guitar
Live it's a nihilistic free for all with Larry screaming insults, breaking and cutting himself with bottles, jumping into the crowd, Willie lighting his bass on fire and asking larry to cut him with a bottle. Matt cutting himself up and spitting on the crowd. All this with the total fun music and lyrics fuels the crowd, who go crazy as well until all that is left is broken bottles everywhere. Taking their name from an obscure, bizarre, and trashy 70's horror flick late one night after drinking heavily in 1992, the Candy Snatchers formed. (Larry May on vocals, Matthew Odietus on guitar, Willy Johns on bass and drummer Greg Miller) The band played around locally in 1993 and released two singles on their own label Sounds Like Shit. The first one, released in early '93, is the "Gold Digger" 7" and it was well received. At the end of '93 the "Pinto Pony" 7" was released.This was also well reviewed but the band was still only playing locally. The following year brought about changes in the line-up, new singles and their first tour. Around the first of January the band set off on a tour that took them to the West Coast. Around that time they also released two new singles. One was released on Jeff Dahl's Ultra Under label. The other, a split with Gimcrack, on Stiff Pole. That release was limited to 500 singles only. The band experienced it's first line-up change with Greg Miller leaving the band. Greg was replaced by Barry Johnson. For the remainder of the year the band would do some short one week tours around the East coast. A tour of California would come about in 1995 as well as a track on the R.A.F.R. compilation on Flipside and new single on Bowling Donuts. However, 1996 has been a big year for the Candy Snatchers. In January of 1996 there was a three week tour with the Trick Babies that took the Candy Snatchers and their mayhem through the North, South and Midwest. In April of '96 a full US tour was undertaken with the Meteors from England. The Meteors had some problems with the Candy Snatchers (not the other way around) and kicked them off the tour. After some time drummer Barry Johnson left the band and he got temporarily replaced by Jeff Brown. He played with the band for a few weeks including the CBGB's show which resulted in the band being banned from CBGB's due to being too violent and messy for them to handle. Jeff Brown was replaced by Colin Coates who played with the band 'till 1996. Also in 1996, the Candy Snatchers' phenomenal full length was finally released. Originally recorded in '95 their were some problems with the DAT's. They were sent back to the studio and stolen! This lead to many delays, and they ended up mastering the album off a cassette of the session. There were further delays in getting the album out due to their label, Safehouse Records. The album was reviewd in many magazines as best album of 1996 such as maximum Rock n Roll. In 1997 a new drummer came up: Sgt.Stash. Sergio, drummer of the Nightcaps, stept in on this rollercoaster of madness. His tight 60's drumbeat gave the band a new sound. The first recordings with the band are on two singles:"Blast from the basement" and "the Dead", both on Centsless records. This same year tons of 7" singles came out on several labels. Go-Kart Records released a compilation cd containing early tracks from earlier compilations and some of their first 7" singles. This album has the appropiate title: "Pissed Off, Ripped Off, Screwed: The First Two Years." In 1998 it's was time for a new album. Dean Rispler signed for the recordings again, just as he did the first album. This ripper of pure drunk punk rock n roll was released again on Go-Kart Records and was entitled "Human Zoo". To support the album the band toured the whole county again and again. For extra live guitar action the band asked Willam Weber, also know for his trashy guitarwork in the Chrome Chranks and GG Allin's Murder Junkies. In 1998 the fist non-American release was a fact. The fine Safety Pins Records of Spain decided to release a 7" of these beasts from Virginia. Next few years the band toured a lot, mostly in the same line up. Occasionaly there were extra guitar players or different bassplayers (Willy was in jail or something or someone just wouldn't show up). Unfortunatly tours in Europe or other places in the world were not possible because some of the bandmembers have police records and weren't in the position to leave the country. More 7"singles were released by Black Lung records, Solamente Records, Fandango Records,Get Hip Records,Reptilian Records and Cold Front Records. In 1999/2000 Bump and Silas of Black Lung Records decided that it was time for the whole world to hear the destructive live sound of this out of control band. A live impression was recorded in the fireside Bowl in Chicago and hit the stores in 2000. The B-side of this record contains mostly recordings which were done in 1997 by Andy slob. Some of the songs were already released on different kind of labels earlier. in 2001 the band recorded 6 knocked out cold songs for Coldfront Records. Steve baise (Devil Dogs, Vikings, etc.) who is a friend of the band, did some earlier recordings in his Steveland Studio. He helped the band out with his rock 'n rolling bassbeat on several recordings for this album. Steve also did some occasional backing vocals and piano. That same year a split cd came out on Man's Ruin Records. It contains recordings of 1997. 2002 the crazy flamin' bassplayer Willy, who played in the band from the beginning, sadly left the band. Unfortunatly for good this time?!?!? A SAD LOSS FOR R&R!! Willy was replaced by Goose. An out of control rock & roller from another Virginia band called: "The Dirty Fingers". Unfortunatly(?) he didn't stay long and left In 2004. good old Willy came back back for awhile and then there were some others. Brian Diederich (idle) vocalist of The Strap-Ons/Pimps and longtime local fan of the band started playing bass in 2006. He is a foaming at the mouth rock & roller that also grew up in Virginia Beach and has alot in common with the other band members making a nice fit. He said, "if willie ever comes to a show he can use my bass and play whatever songs he wants cause I love willie from way back and he is my mentor. Same goes for goose." Will played some songs at recent shows on idles bass. (Taken from g Chargers Drunken Blur website). A new album will be released on our own Roulette's Records from The Netherlands called "Ugly on the outside" containing earlier recordings and some early 7" singles. The band just recorded an all-new full length to be titled "Down at Dahlilahs". There will also be a tour. The Candy Snatchers did some shows in NY and other places and went up to NY and recorded the long delayed third Album produced by Dean Rispler. Matt planned to move to NY where Larry relocated but his life in the flesh ended on June 28, 2008 in his bedroom at his mothers house. (2008 update) Larry has a band in NYC called Born Loose, a band in CA with Billy Humpers called The Ringleaders, and The Crums in Va Beach still do shows. He will do some Candy Snatchers shows with Snatchers family members, and/or idle and Sirge. One notable set of Candy Snatchers shows is in Holland and Belgium September 17-September20 see details above. The Europe tour will feature Larry, idle, and some members from 69 Charger; g, roxa, and carlos (2009 update).
Matt was a great guitar player and a really good guy, I have a lot of good memories of playing with you and hanging out in NYC and VA. You will be missed my brother. -Luke/Heartdrops
It broke my heart when i pulled up the Candysnatchers page for the first time ever and saw the news. My prayers go out to Matts family and to you guys. Matt your going to be missed greatly my friend but your music and sound will live on forever for you have made your mark in rock n' roll. It was a pleasure to get to share the stage with you on several occasions. From everybody in the Swingin' Dicks and KriminalZ we love you and you will be missed brother. R.I. P - Mikey
I went to High School with Matt, dated his best friend back then, and worked with him at the Glass Baron and The Glass House, back when we were just kids. Crazy vivid memories of him that will last forever. You guys were really great friends to him and he loved you.
I can't believe this....this sucks. RIP Matt....we're all gonna miss him. I hope you guys are holing up ok. If there's anything I can do, please let me know.
