Everyone has Halloween favorites that give them that appropriately creepy feeling for this time of year. Nick 13 is no different then us and before he goes on stage to deliver psychobilly burst of October Flame, one of our favorite traditions, he has his favorite songs and movies that get him into the spirit. Looking at this list, one can see where a lot of his influences come from and it is no surprise. The sounds the Tiger Army and his own solo projects are clearly reflected in his top five picks. He tells us what they are in his own words.
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Nick 13's Top 5 Halloween songs:
5. 'I Was A Teenage Werewolf', The Cramps
“Plenty of camp, but with real pathos as well from the sorely missed Lux Interior. The Cramps became the torchbearers for the venerable tradition of horror rock'n'roll dating back to the 1950s, this song being one of its finest examples. The Cramps' yearly treks through the Bay Area in the 90s were a key inspiration for Tiger Army's October Flame. Honorable mention for this spot goes to “My Daddy Is A Vampire” by The Meteors.” Released in 1980, this album had taken in many different sounds. It was something different when it came out taking in sounds like punk, rock and surf.”
4. 'Pet Sematary', Ramones
“One of the best later tracks by one of the best bands of all time, featuring a relatively rare excursion into horror-themed lyrics. What's not to love? Made for the movie Pet Sematary (1989), the Ramones took Stephen King's classic novel and added the creepy edge that the movie needed. It was also released on their 1989 album Brain Drain.”
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3. 'Rockin' In the Graveyard', Jackie Morningstar
“Many rockabilly and rock'n'roll songs with horror themed lyrics were cut in the late 50s and the early 60s to cash in on the popularity of drive-in horror movies among teens. This one came from the indie label Orange/Sandy out of Mobile, Alabama and was one of the best. Released on various Halloween complettions, this 1956 song is a classic stable in the rockabilly world.”
2. 'Endless Sleep', Jody Reynolds
“For pure chills down your spine, this is one of the eeriest songs of all time. It's been covered many times, but the original has a magic that's never been duplicated, in the 50s or any other decade.” Released in 1958 this single had sold over a million copies. This classic track is off of the CD of the same name.”
1. 'Halloween', Misfits
“When I think of Halloween songs, this will forever be the first song that comes to mind. 'Brown leaved vertigo / where skeletal life is known' — there's the balance of poetry and aggression that made the (original) Misfits so compelling. This song brings to life the feeling of youthful danger on the streets during this once-sacred night like no other. Is the menace supernatural or human?” Released in 1981 on Glen Danzing's own label, this single has been featured on Collection II, and it is a popular Halloween classic. It is what most people associate with the Misfits.”
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Nick 13's Top Five Horror Films:
5. The Lost Boys:
“The real life town of Santa Cruz becomes the fictional town of Santa Carla in this groundbreaking 80s film that created the template for all post-Dracula modern vampire stories. If you want some fun with your horror, look no further. This cult classic 1987 is well known for the beginning of the Cory's era.”
4. Invisible Invaders
“This film wouldn't make my all-time greatest list, but with the current craze for all things zombie, why not check out this early (for non-voodoo zombies, that is) entry into the genre, almost a decade before Night Of The Living Dead? Uses a similar idea to Plan 9 From Outer Space (also recommended).” Directed by Edward L. Cahn, this 1959 movie was showed with The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake. It was uncommon for movies from different companies to play together. Talk about the beginning of Grindhouse films.”
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3. White Zombie
“An independent movie made by The Halperin brothers one year after Dracula, it contains one of Bela Lugosi's finest performances. Incredibly atmospheric. If you've seen his more famous film but not this one, correct that this month. Released in 1932, Lugosi wished that he had expected more then $800 for this role. This movie was a box office hit so perhaps they should have given him a few extra bucks!”
2. Carnival of Souls
This black and white indie film from 1962 contains some oddly dreamlike and experimental moments, as well as some genuinely eerie ones. Part of the visual inspiration for Tiger Army's “Incorporeal” video. Directed by Herk Harvey and writer John Clifford. Although the drive-in version cut out 15 minutes of the movie, in 1989 when the film had resurfaced, it was given a proper screening.”
1. Psycho
“Alfred Hitchcock was one of the greatest directors cinema has ever seen. What would happen if he turned his focus directly on the macabre? This masterpiece is about a serial killer. One of the greatest films of all time, horror or otherwise.” This 1960's classic film is by far one of the most popular Hitchcock films. It was one of the most groundbreaking films and it is no wonder that it is the number one pick.
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