The Grammy Museum at L.A. Live hosted a Reel To Reel event showcasing the documentary CREEM: America’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll Magazine last night. The documentary was followed by a conversation with original CREEM editor and first female rock critic Jaan Uhelszki, Chairman JJ Kramer and Editor Director Dave Carnie. The conversation included all sorts of topics, looking back to the original CREEM from the ‘70s, modifying the magazine to today’s social climate, even the announcement of a possible new CREEM show, and more productions from the entertainment company.
Following the release of their first issue on Sept. 13, three of the major heads at CREEM had an open conversation with fans at the Grammy Museum in LA on Sept. 21. The magazine is set to release quarterly on print and digitally via a subscription only basis. JJ Kramer, Chairman of CREEM and son of CREEM magazine’s founder Barry Kramer, shared with the audience that the company has been reinstated as an entertainment company to ensure their ability to build a long-term relationship with their audience. Kramer also shared the company’s aspirations to expanding to possible podcasts, television and much more in the near future and also revealed that they have been approached for a possible television show regarding the rise of CREEM.
“The time was always right to come back,” said Kramer, “that void has always been there, we’ve certainly sensed that need.” Kramer perfectly described the necessity to reawaken the most unapologetic rock ‘n’ roll magazine to ever exist. The three major heads of CREEM described how the magazine is set to revive the true rock ‘n’ roll spirit and connecting fans with not just the music but the artists and stories they love by covering from anything to punk, to commercial bands, to rap, and more. “There are really good bands out there that nobody is paying any fucking attention to,” said Kramer, “and that is why we’re here.”
Kramer and Dave explained to the audience that CREEM expects to release high quality content from two to three long read pieces released digitally every week, releasing a full print magazine quarterly. “Our goal is not to have the biggest audience in the world, we want the most engaged audience in the world,” Kramer responded to an audience member’s question regarding if the publication’s objective has altered in any way and if it being reinvented within the internet era has changed anything. Kramer elaborated on why they chose to continue as a print magazine, depicting that there is a much bigger connection to physically holding the printed images and words than simply reading it online.
Nonetheless, CREEM has returned as a subscription only magazine with both the option to receive it in print and to view it online, though Carnie did explain that the versions may vary based on the content. However, all three special guests did reinsure the audience that their ultimate goal, other than engaging with fans, they aim to reinstate the spirit of the original CREEM.
“I think you’ll be surprised to see how much it is like the original CREEM,” answered Uhelszki when an audience member asked if the magazine is changing anything to play it safe within today’s social and political climate. Carnie answered the same question in the most Carnie way possible with “can we still offend people? The answer is yes, and it seems to be a lot easier now.”
Needless to say, it was a great night looking back through the history of CREEM and hearing how this new team is set to reinforce a much-needed original rock attitude. For more information on CREEM or to subscribe and see past production archives visit Creem.com.
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