Life In A Bungalo

Thee Merry Widows
“The Devil’s Outlaws”

The brides or rock & roll Frankenstein have returned with a record of mid-tempo psycho anthems that provide the perfect soundtrack to the latest zombie invasion.

While not as viciously heavy as some of their contemporaries, the gals that make up the Merry Widows approach their music with a laid back swagger that recalls goth lounge with a bit of swing. Singer Eva Von Slut eschews the sickly sweet vocals of most of today’s rockabilly female vocalist in exchange for a croon that would make Danzig proud.

In fact, “Devil’s Outlaws” could best be compared to The Misfits “Static Age”–a record of slower, punk classics, that are highlighted by trippy lyrics that you can actually understand and a solid groove that you can get behind. That said, this record also begs for a bit more rock. Songs like “My High Heels” and “The Bride” have that catchy feeling, but most of the tunes on here might be a little off-putting to fans of more traditional psycho fares.

Pick up “The Devil’s Outlaw” and you’re guaranteed to be enticed, go see these gals live to be blown away.

Mad Marge & the Stonecutters
Karma, Victorville, CA
May 31, 2008

Click for more photos of the show>>>

Round trip gas to Victorville = $55
Dinner for two at burrito joint = $35
Tickets to the show = $24
Seeing Mad Marge and the Stonecutters perform in their home town = priceless

Sorry, but I could not resist the lame AMEX joke and there’s no other way to compare the experience of driving a million miles through the desert in a shitty PT Cruiser to check out one of the wildest live punk acts in years. Read more »

Koffin Kats, Speed Crazy, Hand Me Downs
Asbury Lanes, NJ
April 25, 2008

Click for full photolog of the show

The Koffin Kats returned to the Garden State last Friday night for a never ending evening of all things psycho. The band played just about every song in their repertoire during the nearly two hour set, pausing only for a few seconds to chug a beer.

First up were The Hand Me Downs, an adrenaline-fueled punk rock band in the vein of Rancid and equally as punchy. I would have loved these guys when I was 16. Sure, the sound is a bit dated and done many times over, but it was worth it just for the two Operation Ivy covers.

I haven’t seen Speed Crazy since they tore through Connections a few years back. At the time, I was put off by the bands’ mile-a-minute guitar licks and thrashy stylings. I now realize that the off-putting live show might have been due to the now defunct club’s miserable sound system. At the Asbury Lanes, Speed Crazy came off like a powerhouse rockabilly band with mean riffs, cool vocals, and a groove that just doesn’t stop. Erica Kozak and Greg Baby traded vocals sweeter than Exene and John Doe, while Snake pummeled the skins behind a floodlight lit bass drum. This set was well worth the second chance. Read more »

Corpse Show Creeps
“Blackblood Call”
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Somehow this little gem got stuck behind my amp and I’m just now starting to really dig into it. This band of Minneapolis-based horrorpunks play swinging grooves against a frantic backbeat that makes you want to dance while bludgeoning your head with a broken Jack Daniels bottle.

The music is fun and fast with lyrics that are tongue and cheek, if not a bit cartoonish. “How do I get a girl like her?/ I guess I just roll the dice/ Maybe I can tip the scales/ With a virgin sacrifice,” singer Mutt O’Matic croons longingly on the rockabilly stomp-fest “PPRZQ.” What does that stand for, you ask. Why a psychobilly, punk rock, zombie queen. What else?

The Corpse Show Creeps play psychobilly in the vein of early Nekromantix, with tons of distortion, three-chord punk guitars, and blisteringly fast bass slapping. The CD quality is a bit muted production-wise, but the sound is no less exciting. One listen to “Werewolves” or “I Walk Alone” and you’ll be hooked. A quality pick up for any punk rock fan.

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The Horrorpops
“Kiss Kiss Kill Kill”

Hellcat

The Horrorpops always made it clear that they were not a psychobilly band. Don’t let the upright bass and thumping, swinging music fool you. With their third record, “Kiss Kiss Kill Kill,” The ‘Pops seal the deal with a dozen tracks that run the gamut of styles, from ska to new wave.

Frontwoman Patricia Day has grown into her voice over the last half decade. Through out the record, she bellows her voluminous vocals, punctuating her lines with the occasional scream. But mostly, she croons with a slight hint of snotty punk rock attitude amidst her rock & roll swagger.

The record kicks off with the traditional rockabilly twangfest on “Thelma & Louise,” an obvious homage to the classic movie. Guitarist/psychobilly legend Kim Nekroman cranks up a feast of surf riffs, soaked in reverb, while Day slaps her bass into oblivion. Read more »

Guess it helps to have a giant custom King Double Bass with green tiger stripes in your closet.

Epitaph just announced that stand-up bass player Geoff Kresge has rejoined the Tiger Army fold. Kresge performed all live shows with the band from 1999 to mid-2004 and appeared on Tiger Army’s second and third studio albums, as well as providing back-up vocals on the band’s new album, Music From Regions Beyond. Jeff Roffredo has left the band on good terms to pursue other interests. Here’s hoping he doesn’t turn around and sue the band like certain ex-members of KISS.

“I don’t think people understand what a difficult decision it was for me to make when I left the band in late-2004, or that it may or may not have been for the reason(s) that the fans have heard or read about. Being given the opportunity to rejoin the band is an exciting prospect,” says Kresge. Read more »

Nekromantix/ Koffin Kats/ The Choptops/ Toothless George
Asbury Lanes, NJ
November 24, 2007

Click for Full Photolog of The Nekromantix and The Koffin Kats on Flickr!

It’s rare these days to catch a show so loaded that there isn’t enough filler time for a bathroom break or a second beer. Nowadays, promoters fill up a concert with second rate acts, has beens, and crappy local bands. It’s hardly worth getting to a show at doors let alone 15 minutes before the headliner hits stage. Looks like psychobilly legends The Nekromantix actually wanted to give their fans their money’s worth, because they’ve put together a package tour so ferocious that you barely have time to breath, let alone take a piss. Read more »

Koffin Kats & American Speedway
The Asbury Lanes
July 21, 2007

Detroit’s favorite sons, The Koffin Kats, hit the Jersey Shore one more time for a hell of a romp this past Saturday night. The ghoulish trio pounded out nearly every song in their three-record catalog (including one new tune and a cover), and entertained the packed Asbury Lanes for well over an hour. Read more »