Ghoultown
Encyclopedia
Ghoultown is a popular horrorpunk/gothabilly
band from Texas
, specializing in a mixture of classic garage punk
and psychobilly
music and dark, horrifying lyrics
. They are somewhat different than other gothabilly
bands, due to a heavy spaghetti western
influence.
"The true tequila-guzzlin' sounds of Texxxas!" exclaims Razorcake Magazine, which sums up the music and attitude behind Texas-based Ghoultown. Their unique heavy western sound has brought attention from both fans and press alike. Since their debut in 1999, Ghoultown's dark western dirges and unmistakable presence have found their way into four CD releases, numerous compilations, movies, short films, a comic book and even a video game.
, The Killcreeps), Ghoultown recorded its first 3-song EP in October of that same year. Titled Boots of Hell
, the EP illustrated the power of the band's Tex-Mex blend while garnering rabid reviews, a fanbase and independent radio airplay. With Boots of Hell
in circulation, the band's early buzz landed them several compilation appearances. The most notable being Skully Records' (NY) Gothabilly 2: Rockin' Necropolis where they share the bill with some of the best psychobilly
acts around the world. As a kick off, the band was invited to participate in the world-release show held at NY's infamous CBGB
's on Halloween 2000.
In early 2001, Ghoultown released their full-length debut Tales from the Dead West
. The album, produced by Kol Marshall (Mercyful Fate
, etc.), captured the versatility and unique sound of the Texan quintet from the powerful "Killer in Texas" to the Doors-esque "Running From the Sun." "This album already has a place on my best of 2001 list," quoted a Harder Beat reviewer who reflected the positive response. Not only were ears turned, but eyes as well as the release pushed the band into new live show territory. With highlight performances such as an Atlanta benefit, which featured Jerry Only of the legendary Misfits as an onstage guest, Ghoultown has played with an amazing variety of bands such as Hank III, Rocket from the Crypt
, The Independents
, DRI
, Bile, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Flametrick Subs, Dick Dale
, Road Kings, Men of Porn, Captured By Robots, Fear, Cruxshadows, and The Misfits.
By 2002, Ghoultown invaded the film world when four of their tunes were chosen for the soundtrack of the horror-slasher, American Nightmare, starring B-movie queen Debbie Rochon
(Tromeo and Juliet
). As a testament to their memorable live show, the movie script was subsequently altered to include a Ghoultown performance cameo after the director witnessed the band live, and the video for their track "Killer In Texas" was included as a bonus on the DVD.
In the spring of 2002, not only did the band release their follow-up Give 'Em More Rope
, but Angry Planet Records signed an exclusive licensing deal with Netherlands-based Corazong Records to release the Ghoultown U.S. catalog in Europe and Canada. The first Euro-Canadian release was a special version of Tales from the Dead West
, which included tracks from their Boots of Hell
EP as well.
By late summer, Ghoultown hit the road for a 35 date U.S. tour which included performances at NY's CBGBs to The Garage in L.A. The tour was concluded by a performance at one of the world's largest annual entertainment media conventions, Dragon*Con in Atlanta, where the band has performed for the last two years by popular demand.
Hitting 2003, Ghoultown's signature tune "Killer In Texas" made yet another appearance in a short film called Headcheese which was released on DVD with a movie called Freak. Appropriately, Headcheese was filmed in the same location as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre... house and all! Spending the first half of 2003 performing, the band toured the midwest and east coast, in addition to numerous Texas area shows. By the end of spring, Ghoultown completed work on songs for two upcoming Jon Keeyes
films, Slice of Life and Hallow's End, the later in which they will also be making a cameo appearance. These are due on the market around Halloween.
In 2004, Ghoultown released a double disc set, Live From Texas!, which showcased their powerful live show on both CD and DVD. "Ghoultown puts the grit back into rock 'n' roll with a blazing hellfire vengeance!" said Horror Garage in praise of the release, which has garnered extremely positive feedback and become the best selling release to date. Also in 2004, the band managed to creep into the video game market where several of their actual gig posters can be seen in the award-winning Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines PC game.
October 2006 saw the release of the full-length Ghoultown album, Bury Them Deep, with a cover painted by illustrator Dan Brereton
, creator of Nocturnals
.
In 2008, Ghoultown had two releases: Skeleton Cowboys, a limited edition hand-numbered 7" vinyl single; and Life After Sundown, a full length studio album (also featuring cover art by Dan Brereton).
Former Band Members
Gothabilly
Gothabilly , is one of several music and cultural subgenres of rockabilly. The name is a portmanteau word that combines gothic and rockabilly. The earliest known use of the word gothabilly was by The Cramps in the late 1970s, to describe their blend of somber, rockabilly-influenced punk rock...
band from Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, specializing in a mixture of classic garage punk
Garage punk
Garage punk is a fusion of garage rock and punk rock. It is fast-paced lo-fi music characterized by a dirty, choppy guitar sound—usually played by bands who are on independent record labels or who are unsigned...
and psychobilly
Psychobilly
Psychobilly is a fusion genre of rock music that mixes elements of punk rock, rockabilly, and other genres. It is one of several subgenres of rockabilly which also include thrashabilly, trashabilly, punkabilly, surfabilly and gothabilly...
music and dark, horrifying lyrics
Lyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
. They are somewhat different than other gothabilly
Gothabilly
Gothabilly , is one of several music and cultural subgenres of rockabilly. The name is a portmanteau word that combines gothic and rockabilly. The earliest known use of the word gothabilly was by The Cramps in the late 1970s, to describe their blend of somber, rockabilly-influenced punk rock...
bands, due to a heavy spaghetti western
Spaghetti Western
Spaghetti Western, also known as Italo-Western, is a nickname for a broad sub-genre of Western films that emerged in the mid-1960s in the wake of Sergio Leone's unique and much copied film-making style and international box-office success, so named by American critics because most were produced and...
influence.
"The true tequila-guzzlin' sounds of Texxxas!" exclaims Razorcake Magazine, which sums up the music and attitude behind Texas-based Ghoultown. Their unique heavy western sound has brought attention from both fans and press alike. Since their debut in 1999, Ghoultown's dark western dirges and unmistakable presence have found their way into four CD releases, numerous compilations, movies, short films, a comic book and even a video game.
Biography
Formed in 1999, by vocalist/guitarist Count Lyle (Solitude AeturnusSolitude Aeturnus
Solitude Aeturnus is an American doom metal band that was started in spring 1987 as Solitude, in Arlington, Texas. Their vocalist, Robert Lowe, is also the current singer for the influential doom metal band Candlemass...
, The Killcreeps), Ghoultown recorded its first 3-song EP in October of that same year. Titled Boots of Hell
Boots of Hell
Boots of Hell is an EP from Ghoultown, released in 1999 on Angry Planet Records. In 2001, the EP was remastered and re-released with two rare tracks added.-Track listing:#"Boots of Hell" - 5:06 #"After 2" - 3:42 #"Killer in Texas" - 4:22...
, the EP illustrated the power of the band's Tex-Mex blend while garnering rabid reviews, a fanbase and independent radio airplay. With Boots of Hell
Boots of Hell
Boots of Hell is an EP from Ghoultown, released in 1999 on Angry Planet Records. In 2001, the EP was remastered and re-released with two rare tracks added.-Track listing:#"Boots of Hell" - 5:06 #"After 2" - 3:42 #"Killer in Texas" - 4:22...
in circulation, the band's early buzz landed them several compilation appearances. The most notable being Skully Records' (NY) Gothabilly 2: Rockin' Necropolis where they share the bill with some of the best psychobilly
Psychobilly
Psychobilly is a fusion genre of rock music that mixes elements of punk rock, rockabilly, and other genres. It is one of several subgenres of rockabilly which also include thrashabilly, trashabilly, punkabilly, surfabilly and gothabilly...
acts around the world. As a kick off, the band was invited to participate in the world-release show held at NY's infamous CBGB
CBGB
CBGB was a music club at 315 Bowery at Bleecker Street in the borough of Manhattan in New York City.Founded by Hilly Kristal in 1973, it was originally intended to feature its namesake musical styles, but became a forum for American punk and New Wave bands like Ramones, Misfits, Television, the...
's on Halloween 2000.
In early 2001, Ghoultown released their full-length debut Tales from the Dead West
Tales from the Dead West
Tales from the Dead West is the first full-length album from Ghoultown, released in 2000 on Angry Planet Records.-Track listing:#La Noche Diablo - 2:35#RotoRiculous - 2:46#Killer in Texas - 4:04#Ghost Riders in the Sky - 2:59#The Burning - 5:05...
. The album, produced by Kol Marshall (Mercyful Fate
Mercyful Fate
Mercyful Fate was a Danish heavy metal band from Copenhagen. Initially active from 1981 to 1985, they reunited in 1992. The band went on hiatus again in 2000, when frontman King Diamond decided to continue his solo career...
, etc.), captured the versatility and unique sound of the Texan quintet from the powerful "Killer in Texas" to the Doors-esque "Running From the Sun." "This album already has a place on my best of 2001 list," quoted a Harder Beat reviewer who reflected the positive response. Not only were ears turned, but eyes as well as the release pushed the band into new live show territory. With highlight performances such as an Atlanta benefit, which featured Jerry Only of the legendary Misfits as an onstage guest, Ghoultown has played with an amazing variety of bands such as Hank III, Rocket from the Crypt
Rocket from the Crypt
Rocket from the Crypt was an American rock band led by John Reis, formed in 1989 in San Diego, California and disbanded in 2005.The band gained critical praise and the attention of major record labels after the release of their 1992 album Circa: Now!, leading to a recording contract with Interscope...
, The Independents
The Independents
The Independents may refer to:*The Independents *The Independents *The Independents *The Independents , 1910...
, DRI
DRI
-Business:* Darden Restaurants, Inc., NYSE stock symbol* Digital Research Inc, first large software company in the business for microcomputers* Data Resources Inc., a former distributor of economic data, now part of IHS Global Insight-Government:...
, Bile, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Flametrick Subs, Dick Dale
Dick Dale
Dick Dale is an American surf rock guitarist, known as The King of the Surf Guitar. He experimented with reverberation and made use of custom made Fender amplifiers, including the first-ever 100-watt guitar amplifier.-Early life:Dale was born in South Boston, Massachusetts and lived in nearby...
, Road Kings, Men of Porn, Captured By Robots, Fear, Cruxshadows, and The Misfits.
By 2002, Ghoultown invaded the film world when four of their tunes were chosen for the soundtrack of the horror-slasher, American Nightmare, starring B-movie queen Debbie Rochon
Debbie Rochon
Debbie Rochon is a Canadian B-movie actress and former stage performer, best known for her work in Troma films.-Biography:...
(Tromeo and Juliet
Tromeo and Juliet
Tromeo and Juliet is a 1996 independent transgressive comedy film adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet from Troma Entertainment...
). As a testament to their memorable live show, the movie script was subsequently altered to include a Ghoultown performance cameo after the director witnessed the band live, and the video for their track "Killer In Texas" was included as a bonus on the DVD.
In the spring of 2002, not only did the band release their follow-up Give 'Em More Rope
Give 'Em More Rope
Give 'Em More Rope is the second album from Ghoultown, released in 2002 on Angry Planet Records.-Track listing:#Intro - 0:31#Fistful of Demons - 2:48#Dia de los Muertos - 4:14#Return of the Living Dead - 3:16#Wicked Man - 3:48#Dirty Sanchez - 3:54...
, but Angry Planet Records signed an exclusive licensing deal with Netherlands-based Corazong Records to release the Ghoultown U.S. catalog in Europe and Canada. The first Euro-Canadian release was a special version of Tales from the Dead West
Tales from the Dead West
Tales from the Dead West is the first full-length album from Ghoultown, released in 2000 on Angry Planet Records.-Track listing:#La Noche Diablo - 2:35#RotoRiculous - 2:46#Killer in Texas - 4:04#Ghost Riders in the Sky - 2:59#The Burning - 5:05...
, which included tracks from their Boots of Hell
Boots of Hell
Boots of Hell is an EP from Ghoultown, released in 1999 on Angry Planet Records. In 2001, the EP was remastered and re-released with two rare tracks added.-Track listing:#"Boots of Hell" - 5:06 #"After 2" - 3:42 #"Killer in Texas" - 4:22...
EP as well.
By late summer, Ghoultown hit the road for a 35 date U.S. tour which included performances at NY's CBGBs to The Garage in L.A. The tour was concluded by a performance at one of the world's largest annual entertainment media conventions, Dragon*Con in Atlanta, where the band has performed for the last two years by popular demand.
Hitting 2003, Ghoultown's signature tune "Killer In Texas" made yet another appearance in a short film called Headcheese which was released on DVD with a movie called Freak. Appropriately, Headcheese was filmed in the same location as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre... house and all! Spending the first half of 2003 performing, the band toured the midwest and east coast, in addition to numerous Texas area shows. By the end of spring, Ghoultown completed work on songs for two upcoming Jon Keeyes
Jon Keeyes
Jon Keeyes is an American film director, producer and screenwriter best known for his low-budget, direct-to-video slasher films. He is a co-founder and principal of Texas-based independent film company Highland Myst Entertainment. He recently directed Living and Dying with Edward Furlong and...
films, Slice of Life and Hallow's End, the later in which they will also be making a cameo appearance. These are due on the market around Halloween.
In 2004, Ghoultown released a double disc set, Live From Texas!, which showcased their powerful live show on both CD and DVD. "Ghoultown puts the grit back into rock 'n' roll with a blazing hellfire vengeance!" said Horror Garage in praise of the release, which has garnered extremely positive feedback and become the best selling release to date. Also in 2004, the band managed to creep into the video game market where several of their actual gig posters can be seen in the award-winning Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines PC game.
October 2006 saw the release of the full-length Ghoultown album, Bury Them Deep, with a cover painted by illustrator Dan Brereton
Dan Brereton
Dan Brereton is an American professional writer and illustrator who has produced notable work in the comic book field.-Biography:...
, creator of Nocturnals
Nocturnals
Nocturnals is a comic book title created by artist Dan Brereton which debuted as a six-part limited series in 1994-1995 under Malibu Comics collectively subtitled as Black Planet....
.
In 2008, Ghoultown had two releases: Skeleton Cowboys, a limited edition hand-numbered 7" vinyl single; and Life After Sundown, a full length studio album (also featuring cover art by Dan Brereton).
Band members
- Count Lyle - Vocals, Guitar
- Jake Middlefinger - Guitar
- Lizard Lazario - Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals
- Santi - Bass, Backing Vocals
- Dalton Black - Drums
- Randy Grimm - Trumpet
Former Band Members
- Queeno DeVamps - Bass
- X-Ray Charles - Drums
- Dez Black - Trumpet
- J. Luis - Trumpet
Discography
- Boots of HellBoots of HellBoots of Hell is an EP from Ghoultown, released in 1999 on Angry Planet Records. In 2001, the EP was remastered and re-released with two rare tracks added.-Track listing:#"Boots of Hell" - 5:06 #"After 2" - 3:42 #"Killer in Texas" - 4:22...
(1999) (EP) - Tales From the Dead WestTales from the Dead WestTales from the Dead West is the first full-length album from Ghoultown, released in 2000 on Angry Planet Records.-Track listing:#La Noche Diablo - 2:35#RotoRiculous - 2:46#Killer in Texas - 4:04#Ghost Riders in the Sky - 2:59#The Burning - 5:05...
(2001) - Give 'Em More RopeGive 'Em More RopeGive 'Em More Rope is the second album from Ghoultown, released in 2002 on Angry Planet Records.-Track listing:#Intro - 0:31#Fistful of Demons - 2:48#Dia de los Muertos - 4:14#Return of the Living Dead - 3:16#Wicked Man - 3:48#Dirty Sanchez - 3:54...
(2002) - Live From Texas! (2004)
- Bury Them Deep (2006)
- Skeleton Cowboys (2008) (7" vinyl single; Hand-numbered limited edition of 400)
- Life After Sundown (2008)