The Freeze

The Freeze are an American punk rock band from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, United States, formed by a group of teenagers in 1978.[1][2] They released the first single, "I Hate Tourists" in 1980 and contributed eight songs, including the title track to the 1982 hardcore punk compilation This Is Boston, Not L.A.

This article is about the American band. For the Scottish band, see The Freeze (Scottish band). For other uses, see Freeze.
The Freeze
OriginCape Cod, Massachusetts, United States
GenresHardcore punk, punk rock
Years active1978–present
LabelsModern Method, Taang! Records, Lost And Found, Doctor Strange, Schizophrenic, Gummopunx Records
MembersClif "Hanger" Croce
Bill Close
Zack Carmichael
Johnny Justice
Aaron Hjalmarson
Past membersNumerous (see 'Former members' section below)

The band is known for their dark lyrics, original punk rock melodies, and their longevity. A lot of their early lyrics deal with alienation, drug-use/abuse and paranoia (especially of the church, government and those exercising authority over others in general). A constant theme or thread regarding apathetic observers or people willing to give up their freedoms for fear of losing their "security" is also apparent in their work.

History

Influenced by The Ramones, The Clash and other early punk bands, Clif "Hanger" Croce put together The Freeze in 1978. A friend scraped up enough cash the next year to make 2,000 copies of the band's debut single, "I Hate Tourists". According to a band history, “A Christian group tried to ban it. The Boston Phoenix voted it one of the top 10 local singles of the year. It was fun." "I Hate Tourists" was released in 1980. The Freeze's music was picked by Newbury Comics' in-house label, Modern Method Records, which released several of the Freeze's songs on the Boston hardcore compilation albums Unsafe at Any Speed and This Is Boston, Not L.A. in 1982.[3] The Freeze's title track for that album was used in a television commercial for Newbury Comics on local UHF music video station V66, with the song's penultimate word bleeped out. The band also re-recorded "No One's Ever Coming Home" for Flipside Vinyl Fanzine, Vol. 1, released by Gasatanka Records in 1984.[4]

The 1983 album Land of the Lost and 1985's Rabid Reaction followed before Modern Method folded. The group was picked up by Taang! Records for their 1991 album, Misery Loves Company. Their 1999 album, One False Move, featured cover fellow Cape Cod artist and author Edward Gorey.[5]

Crawling Blind, an album released in 1994, told tales about people who were slaves to addiction. In 1996, Freakshow, "continued a downhill lyrical theme,” stated frontman Croce. He explored mental illness on songs such as "Creeping Psychosis" and "Suspended Heaven".

One False Move was released in March 1999. Their latest album, Calling All Creatures was released on Slope Records in 2019.

This October, The Freeze will have another new song on a Halloween themed compilation album, on Cleopatra Records, which will also feature Iggy Pop, The Damned, T.S.O.L. and Dirty Rotten Imbeciles.

Discography

Studio albums
  • Land of the Lost (1983)
  • Rabid Reaction (1985)
  • Misery Loves Company (1991)
  • Crawling Blind (1994)
  • Freakshow (1996)
  • One False Move (1999)
  • Calling All Creatures (2019)[6]

Singles and EPs
  • "I Hate Tourists" (1980)
  • "Guilty Face EP" (1982)
  • "PTP" (1991)
  • "Bloodlights" (1991)
  • "Welcome to Planet Earth" (1999)
  • "Blood Flows Home" CD-EP (2011)
  • "Someone's Bleeding" CD-EP (2015)

Split releases
  • The Freeze and the Killrays CD (1995)
  • A Deadly Duo 10" (w/ the Bollweevils) (1996)

Compilation appearances
  • A Wicked Good Time: Vol. 2 (1981)
  • This Is Boston, Not L.A. (1982)
  • Unsafe at Any Speed (1983)
  • Life is a Joke vol. 3 (1987)
  • Revenge of the Kamikaze Stegosaurus From Outer Space (1988)
  • Boston Wolfpack (1999)

Live recordings
  • Five Way Fury LP (1992)
  • The Freeze 11/2/96 7" (1996)
  • Live at the Mill Hill Club in 1980 LP (2007)

Collections and reprints
  • Guilty Face + 3 10" EP (1991)
  • Double Dosed LP (1992)
  • Token Bones LP (1997)
  • Crawling Blind / Freakshow LP (2013)

Members

Band founder, songwriter, and vocalist Clif "Hanger" Croce is the only member that has been in every incarnation of the band, which has seen many line-up changes.

Current members
  • Clif "Hanger" Croce – Vocals
  • Bill Close – Guitar, Vocals, Bass
  • Zack Carmichael – Guitar, Vocals
  • Johnny Justice – Bass, Vocals
  • Aaron Hjalmarson – Drums, Vocals

Former members
  • Dave (DB) Barbee – Guitar, Vocals
  • Johnny Baxter – Drums
  • Rob (DeCradle) Rosenthal – Guitar
  • Pat Leonard – Bass
  • Eric Dewolf – Bass
  • Pat Brady – Drums
  • Paul Delano – Guitar
  • Scott Moulaison – Drums, Vocals
  • Steve Wood – Guitar
  • Shane Mackie – Guitar
  • Rick Andrews – Bass
  • Marc Thalasitas – Guitar, Vocals
  • Daniella Thalasitas – Bass
  • Craig Adams – Bass
  • Eric Short – Guitar
  • Joe Koonz – Guitar and Vocals
  • Ronald Cormier – Guitar
  • Kevin Vicha ("Kev") – Drums
  • Lou "Chip" Cataldo – Drums
  • Walter Gustafson – Drums
  • Chuck Stilphen – Guitar
  • Zack Carmichael – Bass
  • Mark Leonard – Bass
  • Chris Barone – Drums
  • Mikey Jak – Bass
  • Anthony Pizzo – Guitar
  • Patrick "Swedish" Souza – Drums
  • Slade Anderson – Guitar
  • John – Guitar
  • Molusk – Bass Guitar
  • Jason Stone – Drums
  • Joshy Wastrel – Guitar, Vocals
  • Gizz Lazlo – Drums, Vocals
  • David Diamond – Guitar
  • Arvin Mani – Bass
  • Frank Anderson – Drums
  • Anthony Barbaria – Drums
  • Nick Govoni – Bass

References
  1. Hanger, Clif (2005). "I Hate Tourists, Tourists SUCK, It's only their daughters I wanna fuck" in "I Hate Tourists" [Record Liner Notes]. Hamilton: Schizophrenic Records.
  2. Blush, Steven (2001). ""The Kids Will Have Their Say"". In George Petros (ed.). American Hardcore: A Tribal History. New York: Feral House. pp. 168–169. ISBN 0-922915-71-7.
  3. Henderson, Alex. "This Is Boston, Not L.A.: AllMusic Review by Alex Henderson". AllMusic. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
  4. "Various - Flipside Vinyl Fanzine Vol. 1". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  5. "One False Move - The Freeze | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  6. "The Freeze | Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
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