It’s A Psychobilly Freak Out (But Not Really)!

There was a time in my life when I liked to pretend I was a dead boy while watching awful B movies that (I thought) no one saw because they were awful. I loved Halloween a little too much and then someone was all O LOL U MUST LIKE TIGER ARMY and I was all WUTS THAT LOL

LoL no

This was probably in 2000 or something. I have no problem saying that’s when I first heard a lot of psychobilly. Sure, I had heard of bands like The Cramps, The Misfits (horror punk), The Reverend Horton Heat & The Mummies (more garage than anything but still w/e) but it kind of just stopped with those because I was lazy and I lived in Texas. Everything sucked in Texas and even fewer people toured at the anus end where I lived.

It wasn’t until I came back from Texas that I was all HOLY SHIT PSYCHOBILLY/HORROR IS AWESOME. My first Punks vs Psychos Tour (holy crap I can’t believe I went to that) was fun and I was hooked but also sad because the security made me and the dude I was seeing at the time take off all our dumb chains and studded belts. We left them in the bushes and then when we went back to get them, they were gone and our lives felt ruined.

Anyway, I don’t listen to that much psycho but what I do listen to is kinda perfect for Halloween. I hope you enjoy these gems that I dug up from the graveyard of my youth because I still do.

The Cramps. I can’t ever really get enough of this band, ever, and that’s probably because they are best. SO SAD ABOUT LUX 🙁 Their sound is absolutely classic and minimal and full of more B movie madness than Reel Wild Cinema (LoL Angelfire link):

The Meteors are often credited as being one of the first bands that actually called themselves psychobilly and we aren’t going to talk about that here because reasons. Instead, let’s just listen to songs about chainsaw mutants:

The Nekromantix are no strangers to all things horror (or line up changes). With songs like “Movie Monster Fan,” and this video right here, their influences are clearly noticeable and awesome to feast your gaze upon:

Demented Are Go were one of the first bands that actually made me invent the now popular phrase WTF? JK! They have some pretty gnarly songs that I dare not repeat the names of, lest I end up a body in the basement. Defs not for the squeamish!

The Quakes have to be seen to be believed, so here’s a video for you to check out. They are absolutely amazing:

Now it’s time for Zombie Ghost Train, you know, just cuz:

Since this post was kind of all O MY FIRST PSYCHO SHOW WAS TIGER ARMY, let’s take a look at those cats right about meow:

Tiger Army has some gems in their catalogue. If their psycho doesn’t tickle your fancy, they have songs like “In the Orchard.” Nick 13 also some solo stuff that’s pretty rad, like “All Alone.” Remember when that video came out and the internet was counting crotch shots? Anyway, it’s really good and you should check it out.

Tiger Army has a few dates left on their current tour so if you’re anywhere near where they are playing, check them out!

Hope you had fun with these tunes and don’t forget to check em out!