Eddie Flowers Oral History

Eddie Flowers is a musician, writer, and artist whose work has been central to Indiana’s underground music story. Best known as an original member of The Gizmos in the mid-1970s, Eddie puts it plainly: “We were the first Indiana punk band, there’s just no denying it, but we kind of weren’t a band.” With that mix of defiance and self-awareness, he helped spark Bloomington’s early punk scene with a raw, do-it-yourself spirit. Nearly a decade later, he founded the long-running experimental group Crawlspace, releasing more than 75 albums that stretch across punk, garage, noise, and avant-garde sounds. Alongside his music, Eddie has contributed to fanzines and music publications, and designed distinctive album covers that mirror the outsider energy of his art.

In this oral history interview, Eddie reflects on a career rooted in experimentation, independence, and self-expression. He shares the origins of The Gizmos, the evolution of Crawlspace, and his continued work with Heavy Mother. He also discusses his role as a chronicler of underground music through writing and his visual contributions to album art as an extension of his sonic world. From Bloomington basements to international underground circles, Eddie’s story captures the spirit of a scene built outside the mainstream—fueled by creativity, community, and an unwavering DIY ethic.

This oral history interview with Eddie Flowers was recorded as part of the Indiana Music History Project’s Amazing Indiana Music Stories series, with generous support from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation.

The project presents in-depth interviews with musicians, producers, and cultural figures who have shaped Indiana’s musical landscape. Eddie shares personal stories, creative milestones, and cultural insights that offer a deeper understanding of Indiana’s alternative music communities. This page features the Complete Interview, a short highlight reel, and a curated selection of images that bring Eddie’s story to life.

In this highlight video, Eddie Flowers recalls the origins of The Gizmos in Bloomington during the mid-1970s, reflecting on the band’s place in punk history and the unconventional spirit that defined it. His story captures the raw energy and DIY ethos that helped shape Indiana’s earliest punk scene.

In this full oral history, Eddie Flowers traces his journey through Indiana’s underground music, from his beginnings with The Gizmos—which he calls “the first Indiana punk band”—to decades of experimentation with projects like Crawlspace and Heavy Mother. He also reflects on his work as a writer and visual artist, chronicling and shaping the culture of DIY music well beyond Bloomington.