Music to Make Horror Movies By: Japanese CARCRASH

Published September 1, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

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In the late ‘80s there wasn’t a more significant way to spend a weekend night in Chicago than dancing at Medusa’s nightclub. Spiraling into the witching hour as techno and new wave tunes throbbed seemed as close to an alternative heaven as any wayward, creative youth could get. Interestingly enough, Japanese CARCRASH, a band based in Southeast Texas, makes music that radiates with the black lashed urban mythology of those times.

Rise of the MACRO-VIXEN, inspired by the beautiful and strong heroines of the Russ Meyer films, seems particularly fit for gothic thrashing in some long lost, three storied warehouse building.

More information on JCC’s retro fused style is available at https://www.facebook.com/Japanese-Carcrash-179246925425149/ and https://japanesecarcrash.bandcamp.com (where you can purchase 1978, the excellent release that contains MACRO-VIXEN.)

Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Dagger Cast with Bev Rage!

Published August 30, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

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Hold onto yer wigs!!! Dagger Cast has turned into DRAG-GER CAST!!! Our latest episode features Bev Rage (AKA Josh J. Coles) who, along with her amazing band The Drinks, is truly showing the world what it means to be a potent glitter punk waitress! Bev truly brings the sunny mayhem here while also talking, seriously, about how she sees the drag community fitting into the world of horror in light of the country’s current hate filled climate! You can dive into the mascara strewn mosh pit at https://soundcloud.com/daggercast.

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We’ve also added an exciting new addition to the show. As there’s nothing I love more than a classic cinema diva in an old school gothic horror piece, producer Jared Olson and co-host Lindsey Charles are allowing me to indulge my devotion to these grand femmes in a new Dagger Cast segment called Dr. Diva! In the first attempt, I get to sing the praises of the glorious writer-director-actress Ida Lupino and her stunning work in 1941’s atmospheric chiller Ladies in Retirement!

Enjoy!!! …and until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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You can also show Dagger Cast some loving at https://www.facebook.com/daggercast/ and Bev Rage and The Drinks are also always serving up something thirst quenching at https://www.facebook.com/BevRageandtheDrinks/.

Cowardly Scarecrow Announces Cabaret

Published August 27, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

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The Chicago theater community has, as a friend likes to say, “Huge News!!!” Cowardly Scarecrow Productions has recently announced its fall production of Cabaret, beginning on October 5^th, 2019. Renowned for their long running production of Musical of the Living Dead, this version of the Kander & Ebb classic is sure to be filled with this production house’s finely tuned sense of the gothic. No macabre essence of this piece is sure to go unexplored here.

This version is also armed with the undeniable talents of Caitlin Jackson (above), this site’s choice as the Midwest’s premium diva of the silver tongued boards! Jackson, who was recently nominated for a Jeff Award for her skillful performance of Cheryl in (last year’s hysterically fun, progressive version of) Evil Dead: The Musical, is sure to create a Sally Bowles for the memory books!

Cowardly Scarecrow Benefit Picture

Local enthusiasts can help CSP achieve their ultimate creative intentions by attending a benefit for them on August 31^st: https://www.facebook.com/events/2426383007409353/.

Others, meanwhile, can hum charmingly off key versions of Tomorrow Belongs to Me while checking out the show’s growth at https://www.cowardlyscarecrow.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/CSTCINC/.

Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Review: Terror in the Scream

Published August 27, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

Terror in the Scream

Begun as a project to promote his excellent New Wave-Synth Pop project Japanese Carcrash, Casey LeBeau’s debut film Terror in the Scream, clocks in at around 42 minutes. Despite some production difficulties (which curtailed the original plotline), this project ultimately provides a moody, musically embossed narrative about a masked killer haunting a small town.

Indeed, LeBeau captures that mysterious quality of unease that occurs in a secluded area when violence unexpectedly erupts. Quiet conversations between lovers, here a lesbian couple trying to navigate disapproving family members, and film loving friends are tinged with hopelessness as peace seems forever shattered without any sensible explanation. British scream queen Eileen Daly (Razor Blade Smile, Witchcraft X: Mistress of the Craft, Kannibal) adds a magnificently haunting narration that adds to the mystery here and the appearance of Lilith (Jessica Koons) is another beautifully random occurrence that adds to this effort’s unknowing milieu.

Naturally, the loving preponderance of music here gives everything a back room of the punk bar video-esque quality…and the beautiful vocals of Julie Worland from Rockbitch give the project some premium glow, as well. Nicely, the soundtrack is available for purchase at: https://japanesecarcrash.bandcamp.com/album/terror-in-the-scream-soundtrack. Meanwhile, more information on TITS is available at https://www.facebook.com/terrorinthescream/.

Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Music to Make Horror Movies By: Jane Wiedlin

Published August 25, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

Known as one of the most dynamic musicians to emerge from the punk scene, long term Go-Go’s rhythm guitarist Jane Wiedlin has also had a much appreciated cult film career. Her appearances as actress include fun bits in Clue, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.

Horror geeks, meanwhile, definitely got a vibrant case of ear worm after hearing her song Blue Kiss, from her debut solo album, used in the party scene of Fred Dekker’s cult horror classic Night of the Creeps.

Wiedlin, a bisexual animal activist, atheist and self confirmed “Reverend Sister Go-Go” keeps those experiencing life on a similar, ultra-cool wavelength in tune with her activities at http://janewiedlin.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/janewiedlin/.

Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Music to Make Horror Movies By: Dietz and Schwartz

Published August 18, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

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Composed for the 1931 Broadway show The Bandwagon, Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz’s classic tune Dancing in the Dark has found its way into many films, including a self titled offering in 1949 starring William Powell. Of course, many of these movies feature the song with an emphasis on its classic, moody jazz tones – much like this live version by the irreplaceable Sarah Vaughan.

The gloomier implications of its title, though, have helped this distinguished number find a home in a number of horror projects including 1988’s Twice Dead and 1995’s Lord of Illusions. Nicely, the version in the latter film was dominated, ominously, by avant garde singing sensation Diamanda Galas.

Meanwhile, Dietz and Schwartz, whose other well known compositions include That’s Entertainment and I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plans, are given a nice career overview at https://masterworksbroadway.com/artist/howard-dietz-and-arthur-schwartz/.

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Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Duo

Music to Make Horror Movies By: Tina B

Published August 11, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

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One of the most talented ladies of dance and pop music in the’80s, the magnetic Tina B should have had a much bigger career than she was allowed. Her hit Honey to the Bee showed her off to great advantage…

She also gave horror fans a sonic tease by co-writing Wake Up Call, performed by Ian Hunter on the soundtrack for the cult classic The Wraith.

Thankfully, this talented mistress o’ tune is ripe for discovery and still hitting the online airwaves at www.tinab.tv/.

Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Tina B cover

Deb, Creepozoids and Hope!

Published August 10, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

It’s hard to find the gratitude sometimes, right?!? Money worries, career concerns, the state of the world, seasonal depressions… But you grab what you can when you can and sometimes the littlest things can turn you around.

My friend Deborah Dutch was visiting this past weekend. As we chatted and prepped for our evening adventures, I noticed my copy of the recently released Creepozoids soundtrack on vinyl. I asked her to pose with it…and, suddenly, life seemed kind of cool again.

As an overview, I was lucky enough to interview horror queen Linnea Quigley for the liner notes for this Terror Visions product. The fact that Deb is often associated with her, having appeared as an actress in such projects as Hard to Die, Sorority Girls and the Creature from Hell and others, made this photo pairing seem like electric kismet. (Deb and Linnea actually even appear together in a scene in the cult slasher film Graduation Day!) This simple photo op made me realize how cool my life is. I have some amazingly creative friends and have been able to work on interesting projects. I’m also sure I’m not the only one in this position. I have a hopeful feeling that any person reading this right now can say the same about their life.

So, here’s to the vibrant connections that make our existences special!

Meanwhile, if you have exploitation soundtrack fever, Terror Vision is always uncovering amazing, rare celluloid tunes. http://www.terror-vision.com/.

Deb is also creating her own projects on the spectacular, as well. https://www.facebook.com/hollywoodwarrioress/

Until the next time, cherish your life (and those amazing people in it) and SWEET love & pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Music to Make Horror Movies By: Debbie Harry

Published July 29, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

Before she began a healthy run of horror and science fiction roles with 1983’s Videodrome, the incomparable Debbie Harry flirted with spacey themes via her 1981 solo recording debut Koo Koo. Featuring cover art from Alien‘s HR Giger and futuristic production work from Chic’s Nile Rogers and Bernard Edwards, this LP continued the artist’s eclectic pursuit of musical exploration, but was considered a critical and financial failure upon its initial release.

The passage of time, of course, has led many fans to reconsider this incredibly varied and truly interesting work from a group of creative individuals in the prime of their careers.

Harry, whose other genre credits include the anthology features Tales from the Darkside: The Movie and Body Bags, continues to dive into new sonic adventures to this day. You can keep up with her always noteworthy journeys at www.blondie.net.

Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Music to Make Horror Movies By: Joan Blondell

Published July 21, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

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She was one of Warner Brother’s brightest, sassiest dames in the ‘30s. The distinctive Joan Blondell also found recognition in such ‘70s MFTV horror flicks as The Dead Don’t Die and Death at Love House.

But whatever era she found herself in, she was always her simply irreplaceable self…most particularly in this production number by the influential and equally singular Busby Berkeley.

Also of significance here are the haunting vocals of Etta Moten. Moten appeared in a number of fun Warner Brothers pictures, including the WIP epic Ladies They Talk About, but was never allowed to reach her full potential, cinematically, due to the racism inherent in that (and, unfortunately, every) decade.

Etta

Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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