first West Coast tour

The Criminals continued as a four-piece and in early 1995 embarked on their first West Coast tour with Area 51, who would eventually become The Murder City Devils . They played the Los Angeles area frequently with the likes of the Quincy Punx and I Spy , courtesy of friend and former F.Y.P bassist Jed Schipper. Shortly after, the band was offered a release on Recess Records , a label run by Todd Congelliere (also of F.Y.P), which would result in The Criminals 10″, recorded in August 1995 at Polymorph Studios in Oakland , California by Noah Landis . The release would include a cover of “Private Affair,” originally performed by The Saints . The Criminals toured behind the release in the summer of 1996. Ross left the band to focus on his grindcore bands (Skaven, followed by Medication Time) and was temporarily replaced by Snapper, until he too became homesick and moved back to his native Grand Rapids , Michigan .