The Candy Snatchers guitarist and co-creator, the late Matthew Odietus.

It’s been five years since The Candy Snatchers released a new album.

This is due in some part to the same problems they have always had with a new release—no money to put the record out, no reliable label to do it, late artwork, etc. But it was also because of the passing of guitarist and co-creator, Matthew Odietus, on June 28, 2008. His death marked the end of the 16-year band as we know it, and left the rock ‘n’ roll community reeling.

“It wasn’t just losing some guitar player from some random band that I had known,” said long-time supporter and friend of the band, Dean Rispler. “It was losing someone who was a very good friend and a huge inspiration not only to me, but to dozens of other bands that I knew and recorded.”

Luckily, before Odietus died, he left behind his best work. The Candy Snatchers’ final release, Down at Delilah’s on Drug Front Records out of New York, was recorded, produced and released by Rispler. This was only fitting, as he has been working with the band since he met them back in 1993.

“I was on tour with The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black when we played with The Candy Snatchers in Richmond,” remembered Rispler. “Besides the insanity that ensued as soon as they hit the stage—breaking bottles, cutting themselves with the glass, blood everywhere and setting the bass on fire while being played—the band played amazingly well, with great songs in the vein of the Dead Boys, early Misfits, Radio Birdman and The Saints. The second the band was finished, I told them they were coming up to New York to record with me.”

Since that time, Rispler has had a hand in most of their releases—whether he recorded them, helped them shop for a label, or just gave them advice. After a series of singles, The Candy Snatchers debut came out in 1996, with singer and co-creator Larry May’s slashed forehead gracing the cover. A year later, Pissed Off, Ripped Off, Screwed: The First Two Years, included many of their singles, while Human Zoo closed out the ’90s. More singles, EPs, splits, and two full-lengths–Color Me Blood Red and Ugly on the Outside–followed.

The Candy Snatchers were one of those bands that never made it big, but somehow made a big impression on the scene at large, as well as on up-and-coming punk bands. This was in large part because of the partnership of Odietus and May, two incredibly gifted songwriters with a death wish.

Eric Davidson, singer and songwriter for the New Bomb Turks, just released We Never Learn: The Gunk Punk Undergut, 1988-2001 (www.weneverlearnbook.com) on June 1, 2010, a book that serves as a punk rock time capsule of bands that were underappreciated and always somehow under the radar. The book is steeped deep in punk rock folklore, and includes The Candy Snatchers story. As a singer himself, Davidson has always taken to May’s stage prowess and vocal fits.

“Anyone who’s spent even five minutes in conversation with Larry May knows that staying on topic is near impossible,” said Davidson. “He is constantly yakking about the thing he’s planning on doing two things later. Another side project, another shady European jaunt, another insane Candy Snatchers story from 10 years ago you hadn’t heard yet, a similar scrum from the night before. But it’s not just the crazed Candy Snatchers stories—Larry is one of the most active rock songwriters and underrated lyricists of the last 20 years. We’re talking Orson Welles energy here, only Larry never got fat. If F for Fake is Welles’ best movie, expect Larry to be starring in R for Real. I think he’s planning that right now…”

Their new album Down at Delilah’s–named after their favorite punk rock bar in Chicago–includes 15 songs that show a maturity of work. While The Candy Snatchers were always known for an extreme rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, Odietus and May did a little growing up in the songwriting department. Even though songs like “She’s a Real Asshole” include an inexplicable rant about favorite TV shows, and “Me & Uncle Willy” have blatant drug connotations, overall, the music is heavy on the blues and sounds more appropriate for a juke joint or roadhouse than the typical stinky punk rock club. Odietus contributed to the lyrics throughout the album, and is especially noted for “All the Way to Denver,” an anticipatory piece about life on the road that includes sweeping instrumentals à la Exile on Main Street.

“Their influence amongst contemporary punk rock ‘n’ roll bands is still strong. And Matthew’s guitar playing was really something special. He wasn’t some sort of Steely Dan or heavy metal virtuoso by any means—he played his own way that really couldn’t be reproduced. No matter what guitar or amp he used, it always sounded like him. He played for tone—whether he knew it or not. I would say the same of him that I say about Chuck Berry, Keith Richards, Neil Young or Frank Zappa—learn to play everything those guys did note-for-note and you will still never sound like them.”

The Born Loose with Larry May and Suke

The newest release is getting a warm welcome this Saturday night at 37th & Zen. A total of seven bands are performing, including remaining members of The Candy Snatchers. Many of these bands have known The Candy Snatchers for years, including our own Big Bobby & The Nightcaps and local reunion of Black Jesus, as well as New York’s Bamboo Kids. A few other Drug Front Records label mates are playing—The Naked Heroes and The Mess Around—as well as one of May’s other bands that is NY-based, Born Loose.

The Candy Snatchers line-up includes long-time drummer Sergio Ponce, on-and-off bassist Brian Idle, and Suke from Born Loose. Suke will fill in for lead guitar, which is a natural choice since he played as second guitarist for a few tours while Odietus was alive, and was a good friend of the band as well. May will, of course, be loosely steering the ship.

“I just wish Matthew was here to enjoy some more good times with me,” said May. “I’m just gettin’ warmed up! P.S., ‘The World is Wrong!’”

You will understand that P.S. if you buy Down at Delilah’s, available in both CD and picture disc format the day of the show, or through Drug Front Records at http://thecandysnatchers.bandcamp.com/.