Greek Horror

Big Budget Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror flicks with tons of special effects tend to aggravate my nostalgic sensibilities. I remember fondly the art of stop motion animation and how it was all I needed to let my imagination run wild. The world of cinema before CGI was dominated by one man, Ray Harryhausen, the most prolific and influential model animator of the 20th century. His films have been my saving grace and escape from the bombardment of unnecessary, over-the-top computer generated extravaganzas. I especially love his focus on Greek mythology in films like Clash of the Titans and Jason and The Argonauts. No one has treated the classics of Western literature with the same level of craft and admiration as Harryhausen.

Speaking of Mediterranean influences, there's nothing tragic about this 1982 track from the Greek New Wave/Post Punk group Magic De Spell

Magic De Spell - Nightmare

Skin Deep

I love this classic 1984 New Wave hit from The Strangler's.
It reminds me of 80's teen movies with prom scenes. You know, the kind of movie where all the kids sort of forget their differences and bond on the dance floor. Until this fleeting moment of high school bliss is shattered when some jerk pours a bucket of blood all over the sweet, shy girl and all hell breaks loose. Gotta hate it when that happens.

On a totally different subject, I wish I had a shirt with a skeleton chest print, like Nigel's in Spinal Tap. (FYI - I wear a large ;)

The Stranglers - Skin Deep (12"mix)

Another Knife

Bobby O's fingers seem to be all over ARAWA's Halloween celebration this year. One-Two-Three's 1983 track featuring Tony Caso (of Waterfront Home) is one of my Bobby O favorites, simultaneously off and creepy while being over the top and tongue in cheek at the same time. Kinda like most of my favorite horror movies I guess. The video up there really captures the vibe perfectly, a blurry corpse lain under a white sheet, piano key ties, pink mini-blinds and cold, cold stares.

"Say I was the only one,
say it say it,
let me hear it from the whores mouth."

Youch.

One-Two-Three- Another Knife in My Back

When Darkness Comes

Austria's ZYX released this minimal wave masterpiece in 1981. Perfect listening music for those nights spent prepping for the "Midnight Mass" at your favorite goth/industrial club. 'Cause you can never wear too much black

ZYX -When Darkness Comes

Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark

If you can't get down with old 70's "made for TV" horror, this chiller's not for you. Part of the misery of this movie is just getting through it. The film score is enough to make my skin crawl. If little people in bad costumes still freak you out like you were 5, I suggest grabbing some popcorn, and leave the light on. It's gonna be a long night

D.C. LaRue - Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark
(Beware: this track has a way of infecting your brain)

Repossessed

I made this video clip for the Show Cave gallery's "Moon Illusions" showcase which we mentioned earlier in the year. The theme song from the forgettable Leslie Nielsen horror-comedy flop, "Repossessed" became the inspiration for my own wild trip through absurd comedy and B-Movie madness. Viddy well kiddies.

I'll leave you with a killer cut from '08 that has very little to do with Halloween, except for an unlikely edit credit which seemed to suit this post. If anyone has any more info on this group, please share. We need more like this

It's A Fine Line - Woman
(A Makhnovshchina Repossession)

A Question

Are you doing your part to support the horror movie industry?










Those are the last five movies I watched and a lovely way to start off my October. Thanks Vans. Yay.

Strange Desires

George Romero's Martin (1977)

We all have strange desires. Some you let out, some you hold secret, close to your heart. Don't be ashamed ARAWAns, this is the month to be the twisted reader you know you are. Celebrate, unleash and indulge.

Follow Peter and Martin's lead here (without all the killing and stuff).

Peter Richard- Strange Desires
Peter Richard- Strange Desires (Instrumental)

Teen Wolf

Somehow Bobby O's production lends a certain cool factor to this otherwise cheap homage to pubescent werewolves. A terror inducing mix of Miami Bass and Italo Rap, why this wasn't the theme song to the Mr. J. Fox's 1985 blockbuster I'll never know.

The Flirts - Teenage Werewolf (I Was A)

Strange Forms

The brilliant minds who released one of the best compilations of space oddities in 2008 are back with more hand picked library gems. Alexis Le-Tan And Jess Present-Space Oddities Vol 2 on Permanent Vacation. The album starts with this shape shifting, space rock masterpeice by Open Air. Quintessential cosmic rock of the highest order. Highly recommend purchasing a copy for your crypt.

Open Air - Strange Forms