It's almost here-- The Spook Lights are coming back to the stage! Have we really been away since Halloween?
Up first-- THE DEBUTANTE'S BALL, which marks the LIVE DEBUT of our newest member, MRS. ZEPPELINA MYSTERY!
New songs! New merch! New lineup! Same sleazy fun you've come to expect, plus a few bonus surprises! If you miss this one magic night, your life will cease to have any meaning.
Immediately after that, we get to share the bill with these famous faces:
Color me starstruck! One of our dreams as a band has always been to open for these guys, and now that we have the chance, it almost doesn't seem real to me! I'd ask someone to pinch me, but I'm afraid I might explode!
More ACTION! in the distance:
Monday, April 20th: @ THE REPLAY LOUNGE with our bestest pal THE VOODOO ORGANIST!
Saturday, May 2nd: @ MEMORIAL HALL in KC-- we're playing halftime at the RED CARPET KNOCKDOWN roller derby!
Monday, June 22nd: @ THE JACKPOT MUSIC HALL with THE BLACK HOLLIES!!!!
There's a record coming, a music video being plotted, and a lifestyle of fantastic madness to be shared. Want to help spread our disease? Make sure to grab some of our new buttons and pass them around to all of your friends!
Back soon with another report... Until then, I remain
--SCARY MANILOW!!!
I touched this man's naked ass once. I really did.
I just read the VERY FIRST entry I ever made in this journal, and now I thought I should share it:
"I bought a pair of X-RAY GOGS today because I've always thought they looked stylin. I tore into the package as soon as I left the toy store and put them on, confident in my cool new look... Three steps later, I walked face first into a tree.
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
secret_malady and I are getting desperate in our quest for a rock-n-roll drummer. Two weeks ago, I plastered every flyering hot spot with handbills, complete with pull-off tags featuring our contact info... Ms. Malady and I figured an email address was best, since neither of us bother to answer the phone, and when we do, our lack of communication skills are usually enough to sink any conversation like the Lusitania.
Anyway, if YOU were an aspiring rock drummer, and YOU saw this flier hanging outside the record store, wouldn't YOU immediately drop everything and rush home to respond?
Yeah, me too. But apparently, all the young skin-bangers in this town have better things to do. It looks like quite a few people are interested, because several tags have been torn away, but our email inbox remains dreadfully bare.
So, in an attempt to boost our response rate, I concocted THIS flier, opting for a more "cut-n-paste" design... I figured, what the fuck, maybe all the young rockers will be drawn in by the whole "black death" aesthetic:
This time, in addition to hitting the usual spots, I made sure to hit laundromats, liquor stores, and most importantly, the KU campus. I tried to double up with the old fliers as much as possible, just my way of trying to say "See? We're still looking! There's still a chance to get in on the most famous fucking rock band in town!"
I did a quick check downtown today, and sure enough, there were a few bites. But the inbox remains empty. What else can I do but wait? It seems like no one in this town wants to be in a band that doesn't stare at it's feet anymore. Are we really going to have to move away before we can fulfill our dreams of superstardom? Four letters, my friends: L-A-M-E.
BUt, as you know by know, we never give up hope. Right now, I'm burning a candle next to my Cramps shrine and praying to the Holy Twosome for some divine intervention... If anyone can offer us spiritual guidance in our times of need, it's Lux and Ivy, that's for sure."
Times change, of course... What a difference four years makes. The Spook Lights are bopping more fiercely than ever, and a lot of that comes from the original inspiration Curvacia and I drew from Ivy and Lux... not just as musicians, but as persistent outsiders, as archivists of seedy, throwaway culture. Knowing that two such people could share an interpersonal mythology and somehow focus it into an external force was a flashing green light to us. The Cramps were more than mere idols to us-- they were full blown DEITIES.
This excerpt from their RE/SEARCH interview sums it up best for me:
"IVY: We fight hard against being like robots. We think, "How did other people live? What are other ways of being?" We don't just look back to the 50's, we look to any period of history, back to the dawn of man. And we're interested in physics or ANYTHING that could answer our questions. We have vivid imaginations for the future... You have to be aware of LANGUAGE making you into a robot; language confines your thinking. There's different thoughts in different languages, and some of them are untranslatable-- so you can think more thoughts if you know more languages!
LUX: The great thing about songs like SURFIN' BIRD is that they're beyond art-- beyond good or bad. And rock'n'roll is much bigger than just records; it's a way of life-- you don't even need MUSIC to have rock'n'roll! So criticizing it like you would criticize music seems to completely miss the point. Like judging folk music for being played really well, when it's actually someone singing about their lover being HANGED... the fingerpicking or technique have nothing to do with what's happening... Criticism of all art forms has gotten out of control: critics usually say "This stinks!" without saying WHY. It's the point where the critic is the star and the artists are the furniture. In any magazine you can see reviews of the latest albums with "A-minus" or "C-plus"... but music isn't about mathematics, it's about emotions. A lot of these records we've been playing: how could you give them a grade? There's something special going on-- that's all there is. And the criticism should be honest and heartfelt, too... A lot of "unsophisticated" people have something going for them (just like blind people can hear better than people who have sight). They've got an extra sense that comes from not thinking they know everything because they went to college. It's a sense of what's actually real. I don't have anything against critics who actually do research, but some of them know nothing about the history of music-- you can mention something so common that they MUST have heard of it-- but they haven't."
I can't think of any two people who have had more of a direct influence on my way of life. I must have gotten an infection that night when his bare ass met my open palm. Thankfully I let the disease spread to my brain and never sprung for treatment.
Lux Interior, you were my fucking hero, and I'll miss you forever.
One amazing interview sandwiched between two of ther greatest songs:
My favorite live clip that's floating around right now-- "Goo Goo Muck" in 1981:
And, of course, the always classic "Bikini Girls" video:
the cramps - bikini girls with machine guns
--Scary Manilow
I just read the VERY FIRST entry I ever made in this journal, and now I thought I should share it:
"I bought a pair of X-RAY GOGS today because I've always thought they looked stylin. I tore into the package as soon as I left the toy store and put them on, confident in my cool new look... Three steps later, I walked face first into a tree.
secret_malady and I are getting desperate in our quest for a rock-n-roll drummer. Two weeks ago, I plastered every flyering hot spot with handbills, complete with pull-off tags featuring our contact info... Ms. Malady and I figured an email address was best, since neither of us bother to answer the phone, and when we do, our lack of communication skills are usually enough to sink any conversation like the Lusitania. Anyway, if YOU were an aspiring rock drummer, and YOU saw this flier hanging outside the record store, wouldn't YOU immediately drop everything and rush home to respond?
Yeah, me too. But apparently, all the young skin-bangers in this town have better things to do. It looks like quite a few people are interested, because several tags have been torn away, but our email inbox remains dreadfully bare.
So, in an attempt to boost our response rate, I concocted THIS flier, opting for a more "cut-n-paste" design... I figured, what the fuck, maybe all the young rockers will be drawn in by the whole "black death" aesthetic:
This time, in addition to hitting the usual spots, I made sure to hit laundromats, liquor stores, and most importantly, the KU campus. I tried to double up with the old fliers as much as possible, just my way of trying to say "See? We're still looking! There's still a chance to get in on the most famous fucking rock band in town!"
I did a quick check downtown today, and sure enough, there were a few bites. But the inbox remains empty. What else can I do but wait? It seems like no one in this town wants to be in a band that doesn't stare at it's feet anymore. Are we really going to have to move away before we can fulfill our dreams of superstardom? Four letters, my friends: L-A-M-E.
BUt, as you know by know, we never give up hope. Right now, I'm burning a candle next to my Cramps shrine and praying to the Holy Twosome for some divine intervention... If anyone can offer us spiritual guidance in our times of need, it's Lux and Ivy, that's for sure."
Times change, of course... What a difference four years makes. The Spook Lights are bopping more fiercely than ever, and a lot of that comes from the original inspiration Curvacia and I drew from Ivy and Lux... not just as musicians, but as persistent outsiders, as archivists of seedy, throwaway culture. Knowing that two such people could share an interpersonal mythology and somehow focus it into an external force was a flashing green light to us. The Cramps were more than mere idols to us-- they were full blown DEITIES.
This excerpt from their RE/SEARCH interview sums it up best for me:
"IVY: We fight hard against being like robots. We think, "How did other people live? What are other ways of being?" We don't just look back to the 50's, we look to any period of history, back to the dawn of man. And we're interested in physics or ANYTHING that could answer our questions. We have vivid imaginations for the future... You have to be aware of LANGUAGE making you into a robot; language confines your thinking. There's different thoughts in different languages, and some of them are untranslatable-- so you can think more thoughts if you know more languages!
LUX: The great thing about songs like SURFIN' BIRD is that they're beyond art-- beyond good or bad. And rock'n'roll is much bigger than just records; it's a way of life-- you don't even need MUSIC to have rock'n'roll! So criticizing it like you would criticize music seems to completely miss the point. Like judging folk music for being played really well, when it's actually someone singing about their lover being HANGED... the fingerpicking or technique have nothing to do with what's happening... Criticism of all art forms has gotten out of control: critics usually say "This stinks!" without saying WHY. It's the point where the critic is the star and the artists are the furniture. In any magazine you can see reviews of the latest albums with "A-minus" or "C-plus"... but music isn't about mathematics, it's about emotions. A lot of these records we've been playing: how could you give them a grade? There's something special going on-- that's all there is. And the criticism should be honest and heartfelt, too... A lot of "unsophisticated" people have something going for them (just like blind people can hear better than people who have sight). They've got an extra sense that comes from not thinking they know everything because they went to college. It's a sense of what's actually real. I don't have anything against critics who actually do research, but some of them know nothing about the history of music-- you can mention something so common that they MUST have heard of it-- but they haven't."
I can't think of any two people who have had more of a direct influence on my way of life. I must have gotten an infection that night when his bare ass met my open palm. Thankfully I let the disease spread to my brain and never sprung for treatment.
Lux Interior, you were my fucking hero, and I'll miss you forever.
One amazing interview sandwiched between two of ther greatest songs:
My favorite live clip that's floating around right now-- "Goo Goo Muck" in 1981:
And, of course, the always classic "Bikini Girls" video:
the cramps - bikini girls with machine guns
--Scary Manilow
Happy Holidays from our planet to yours!!!!
...please be our friends!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?i
Still trying to figure out how that damn site works, though... any suggestions?
--Scary M!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?i
Still trying to figure out how that damn site works, though... any suggestions?
--Scary M!
A few months back, I promised to announce a surprise lineup change... But, as Halloween approached and our schedule grew naturally more hectic, I was unable to do more than hint and tease without providing any concrete facts to warm your expectant little pants with.
UNTIL NOW!
We, the aforementioned SPOOKLIGHTS, would like to take this moment to officially welcome our newest member, MRS. ZEPPELINA MYSTERY!
This plan has been in the works for a while, and we are all very excited to finally start working with her. Zep is going to handle keyboard and bass guitar duties, along with some additional percussion, carnival noisemaking, and all-around glamorous asskickery. As you can see in this photo, she's clearly a natural fit for The Spook Lights:
We're taking an extended hiatus until mid-spring, at which point we plan on unleashing this powerhouse new lineup on an unsuspecting universe. I wish I could hop into a time machine RIGHT NOW and experience the thrill... Who knows what new and exciting adventures we'll have together?
Look for us soooon....
--SCARY MANILOW!
(Special thanks to the one and only Matt Needham for lending his demented lens to all of our promotional needs!)
UNTIL NOW!
We, the aforementioned SPOOKLIGHTS, would like to take this moment to officially welcome our newest member, MRS. ZEPPELINA MYSTERY!
This plan has been in the works for a while, and we are all very excited to finally start working with her. Zep is going to handle keyboard and bass guitar duties, along with some additional percussion, carnival noisemaking, and all-around glamorous asskickery. As you can see in this photo, she's clearly a natural fit for The Spook Lights:
We're taking an extended hiatus until mid-spring, at which point we plan on unleashing this powerhouse new lineup on an unsuspecting universe. I wish I could hop into a time machine RIGHT NOW and experience the thrill... Who knows what new and exciting adventures we'll have together?
Look for us soooon....
--SCARY MANILOW!
(Special thanks to the one and only Matt Needham for lending his demented lens to all of our promotional needs!)
Your lives will be devoid of meaning if you miss this tomorrow night:
We've loaded our gift bags with the finest in dime-store Halloween goodness:
And who knows? We may even debut a new song or two... but only if you're especially naughty.
This is gonna be our last show until Spring, at which point our 7-inch will (finally) be released, along with a whole slew of horrific goodies to satisfy the most demented of tastes. Come on down and share the Halloween spirit... or suffer in the black pit of regret forever!
Cheers,
--Scary M!
We've loaded our gift bags with the finest in dime-store Halloween goodness:
And who knows? We may even debut a new song or two... but only if you're especially naughty.
This is gonna be our last show until Spring, at which point our 7-inch will (finally) be released, along with a whole slew of horrific goodies to satisfy the most demented of tastes. Come on down and share the Halloween spirit... or suffer in the black pit of regret forever!
Cheers,
--Scary M!
Good news from the planet of sleaze!
The recording is FINISHED-- mixed, paid for, and in our grubby little hands-- and, as soon as we can stockpile enough coinage, we'll ship it off to the secret underground lair for processing. Recite the secret words, wiggle your fingers, and sprinkle some magic dust-- PRESTO! A brand new seven-inch record for your listening displeasure.
Things have been happening pretty fast at Project Spook Light-- new songs, new bandmates, and more new fans than we can shake a stick at! Seriously, are audience has started growing to the point that I don't know if this town can contain us anymore. Perhaps the time has come for us to plan a full-scale global conquest-- followed closely by the inevitable intergalactic takeover, no doubt. The Rapture drops at 45 rotations per minute, friends. Prepare thyselves.
Upcoming shows! Attendance is MANDATORY!
Tonight:
August 19th: A Back-To-School blowout!!! Free on-campus show in front of Wescoe Hall with AD ASTRA PER ASPERA, THE SPOOK LIGHTS, and BOO AND BOO TOO!!! I think the show starts around 5-ish, but I'm not 100 % sure.
August 30th: At the JACKPOT MUSIC HALL with CREATURE FEATURE and TUB RING!
September 5th: At BARLEYCORN'S in Wichita- an opening for the magazine NAKED CITY!
September 25th: At the JACKPOT again with SHEARING PINKS and Lawrence's own WEIRD WOUNDS!
October 11th: At DAVEY'S UPTOWN in KC with the damned YOUNG LIVERS!
October 14th: At THE REPLAY LOUNGE with our best pal THE VOODOO ORGANIST!
October 31: Our contractually obligated Halloween gig at THE JACKPOT with STULL, DRAKKAR SAUNA, and BLACK CHRISTMAS!
Stay tuned to THIS PAGE for future developments (including a special surprise announcement about the newest addition to our band: http://www.thespooklights.com!!!
--Scary M!
The recording is FINISHED-- mixed, paid for, and in our grubby little hands-- and, as soon as we can stockpile enough coinage, we'll ship it off to the secret underground lair for processing. Recite the secret words, wiggle your fingers, and sprinkle some magic dust-- PRESTO! A brand new seven-inch record for your listening displeasure.
Things have been happening pretty fast at Project Spook Light-- new songs, new bandmates, and more new fans than we can shake a stick at! Seriously, are audience has started growing to the point that I don't know if this town can contain us anymore. Perhaps the time has come for us to plan a full-scale global conquest-- followed closely by the inevitable intergalactic takeover, no doubt. The Rapture drops at 45 rotations per minute, friends. Prepare thyselves.
Upcoming shows! Attendance is MANDATORY!
Tonight:
August 19th: A Back-To-School blowout!!! Free on-campus show in front of Wescoe Hall with AD ASTRA PER ASPERA, THE SPOOK LIGHTS, and BOO AND BOO TOO!!! I think the show starts around 5-ish, but I'm not 100 % sure.
August 30th: At the JACKPOT MUSIC HALL with CREATURE FEATURE and TUB RING!
September 5th: At BARLEYCORN'S in Wichita- an opening for the magazine NAKED CITY!
September 25th: At the JACKPOT again with SHEARING PINKS and Lawrence's own WEIRD WOUNDS!
October 11th: At DAVEY'S UPTOWN in KC with the damned YOUNG LIVERS!
October 14th: At THE REPLAY LOUNGE with our best pal THE VOODOO ORGANIST!
October 31: Our contractually obligated Halloween gig at THE JACKPOT with STULL, DRAKKAR SAUNA, and BLACK CHRISTMAS!
Stay tuned to THIS PAGE for future developments (including a special surprise announcement about the newest addition to our band: http://www.thespooklights.com!!!
--Scary M!
Long time, no post, you say? The transmitter here at Program Central seems to be jammed. Hopefully this signal gets through.
New News: Due to our mutually hectic schedules, the 7-inch is still trapped in mixing board hell. We hope to release it from captivity early next month, to be sent of to a receptive vinyl press later in the summer. Look for it in stores sometime between now and the apocalypse.
Newer News: Say goodbye to Mighty Joe Noh. Due to his recent acceptance into Star Fleet Academy (we wish him well on his adventures!), we've had to recruit some fresh blood to fill his position as drum kit operator. Everyone put you claws together as I proudly introduce KIRK-- aka, "The Meld":
Let me be the first to say that he is a most welcome addition to Team Spook Light.
This Saturday (April 26th) at THE OOH LA LODGE (2136 Tennessee):
After that:
Upcoming:
May 31st at LOVE GARDEN SOUNDS (free art opening for our good friend, Alissa!)
June 6th at THE JACKPOT MUSIC HALL (as part of the Mid West Fest)
June 17th at THE RECORD BAR (with THE VIBROLAS)
Possible upcoming:
July 5th at THE JACKPOT MUSIC HALL (with BAD BLOOD!)
May 10th at THE PISTOL (with WITCH AND HARE as a benefit for the 816 Bike Collective)
I'm sure I'll see each and every one of you at all of these events, hmmm?
--Scary Manilow!
New News: Due to our mutually hectic schedules, the 7-inch is still trapped in mixing board hell. We hope to release it from captivity early next month, to be sent of to a receptive vinyl press later in the summer. Look for it in stores sometime between now and the apocalypse.
Newer News: Say goodbye to Mighty Joe Noh. Due to his recent acceptance into Star Fleet Academy (we wish him well on his adventures!), we've had to recruit some fresh blood to fill his position as drum kit operator. Everyone put you claws together as I proudly introduce KIRK-- aka, "The Meld":
Let me be the first to say that he is a most welcome addition to Team Spook Light.
This Saturday (April 26th) at THE OOH LA LODGE (2136 Tennessee):
After that:
Upcoming:
May 31st at LOVE GARDEN SOUNDS (free art opening for our good friend, Alissa!)
June 6th at THE JACKPOT MUSIC HALL (as part of the Mid West Fest)
June 17th at THE RECORD BAR (with THE VIBROLAS)
Possible upcoming:
July 5th at THE JACKPOT MUSIC HALL (with BAD BLOOD!)
May 10th at THE PISTOL (with WITCH AND HARE as a benefit for the 816 Bike Collective)
I'm sure I'll see each and every one of you at all of these events, hmmm?
--Scary Manilow!
Beneath this full moon...
...inside this haunted machine shed...
...The Spook Lights began their first bona-fide recording session!
Words can't describe just how intensely MAD SCIENCE Chubby Smith's recording setup is... but I hope some of these photos do it justice:
We're going back for more tonight. Until then, I'd like to give some hearty thanks to the key participants:
Curvacia VaVoom
Mighty Joe Noh
Jet Boy
And the incomparable Chubby Smith!
I promise to send those T-Shirts out real soon... They just gone back from the printers, and I haven't had a chance to deal with them yet. But I haven't forgotten about you guys, I promise!
More soon....
--Scary Manilow!
...inside this haunted machine shed...
...The Spook Lights began their first bona-fide recording session!
Words can't describe just how intensely MAD SCIENCE Chubby Smith's recording setup is... but I hope some of these photos do it justice:
We're going back for more tonight. Until then, I'd like to give some hearty thanks to the key participants:
Curvacia VaVoom
Mighty Joe Noh
Jet Boy
And the incomparable Chubby Smith!
I promise to send those T-Shirts out real soon... They just gone back from the printers, and I haven't had a chance to deal with them yet. But I haven't forgotten about you guys, I promise!
More soon....
--Scary Manilow!
All you guys that asked for t-shirts... Send us your mailing info: scarumharum[at]gmail.com and we'll work something out!
The only known surviving photographs from The Spook Lights' now-legendary performance at the 2007 Greaserama pre-party:
Upcoming shows:
09-08-07 at The Jackpot Music Hall w/Coat Party, Bandit Teeth, and a few other bands
09-14-07 at The Kansas Student Union-- a free Tunes at Noon gig sponsored by KJHK
10-09-07 at The Replay Lounge w/ GITO GITO HUSTLER (still tenative, but I hope to hell it happens!)
10-26-07 at The Brick w/Little Lost and Innocents
10-31-07 at The Jackpot Music Hall-- annual Halloween bash w/Black Christmas
11-27-07 at The Record Bar w/the fucking KING KHAN AND BBQ SHOW!!!!!!!
On a sadder note: The Spook Lights were NOT accepted to CMJ this year. I can only assume that such a misguided decision stems from some sort of trauma-induced lapse in intellect on the part of the judgement panel and in no way reflects the awe-inspiring performance talents of The Spook Lights as a whole.
As it stands, we are in the midst of some major activity: Fresh recordings, a wagonload of upcoming gigs, a brand new website, all of it culminating in a swell-looking press kit that will surely expedite out conquest of modern popular culture. The deadline for South By Southwest hits about mid-November, and we expect to be more than ready to wow the admissions panel with our raw alien sexuality!
Until next time,
scary_manilow
Upcoming shows:
09-08-07 at The Jackpot Music Hall w/Coat Party, Bandit Teeth, and a few other bands
09-14-07 at The Kansas Student Union-- a free Tunes at Noon gig sponsored by KJHK
10-09-07 at The Replay Lounge w/ GITO GITO HUSTLER (still tenative, but I hope to hell it happens!)
10-26-07 at The Brick w/Little Lost and Innocents
10-31-07 at The Jackpot Music Hall-- annual Halloween bash w/Black Christmas
11-27-07 at The Record Bar w/the fucking KING KHAN AND BBQ SHOW!!!!!!!
On a sadder note: The Spook Lights were NOT accepted to CMJ this year. I can only assume that such a misguided decision stems from some sort of trauma-induced lapse in intellect on the part of the judgement panel and in no way reflects the awe-inspiring performance talents of The Spook Lights as a whole.
As it stands, we are in the midst of some major activity: Fresh recordings, a wagonload of upcoming gigs, a brand new website, all of it culminating in a swell-looking press kit that will surely expedite out conquest of modern popular culture. The deadline for South By Southwest hits about mid-November, and we expect to be more than ready to wow the admissions panel with our raw alien sexuality!
Until next time,
scary_manilow
Sorry I haven't come on an updated about anything worthwhile lately, but I've been cooking up a SWELL entry for you guys, I promise!
Until then, fliers for shows-- Come out if you can!
While you're there, be sure to pic up one of these:
Or one of these:
Your social life may depend on it!!!!
Until then, fliers for shows-- Come out if you can!
While you're there, be sure to pic up one of these:
Or one of these:
Your social life may depend on it!!!!
Betcha thought we were gone forever, hmmmmmm?
Back this June, with a slew of shows on our plate:
This first week of gigs will introduce the world to our new drummer, Mighty Joe No!
In July, we'll be back at the Jackpot, opening for Canadian hardcore maniacs FUCKED UP. After that, who knows? There's still a few shows in the works, just waiting for us to sign on the dotted line... In blood, of course. Hope this town hasn't totally forgotten about us during the long hiatus!
You will watch this:
...and your life shall be complete.
-Scary Manilow!
Back this June, with a slew of shows on our plate:
This first week of gigs will introduce the world to our new drummer, Mighty Joe No!
In July, we'll be back at the Jackpot, opening for Canadian hardcore maniacs FUCKED UP. After that, who knows? There's still a few shows in the works, just waiting for us to sign on the dotted line... In blood, of course. Hope this town hasn't totally forgotten about us during the long hiatus!
You will watch this:
...and your life shall be complete.
-Scary Manilow!
Aye yi yi. Deathro Tull is gone, long live Deathro Tull.
But what of his replacement? We've already cancelled a couple of shows (most notably our opening gig with Howlin' Hex last night at The Record Bar) for lack of a proper drum section. And The Voodoo Organist looms on the horizon, June to be precise, which gives us exactly two months to get our collective shit together.
Options? Oh, there's a few-- while it may be hard to fill Deathro's shoes, personality-wise, our most immediate goal is to find a drummer who is confident enough to learn the songs at a rapid pace, yet malleable enough to bend to our every whim.
There's THIS GUY:
Who is coming over to jam with us on Sunday. Though we come from vastly different places influentially, he's seems to have the right attitude-- meaning, he's willing to dress up for us and let the rest of the band boss him around. Also, he's really sweet, which is a pleasant change from most of the chest-beating dude-rawkers who have previously expressed interest in the gig.
Plus, look at this picture-- he obviously fits in. A quick shave, a nice tux jacket, and he's be well on his way to Sleazetopian finishing school.
I'm also incredibly partial to THIS GUY:
Seen here demonstrating his flamboyant acting chops for our as-of-yet untitled docudrama about Fashion Addiction. Although he's never played drums before in his life (keep in mind, Deathro was a first-timer, as well), he has impeccable taste (read: TRASHY), and expresses an obvious willingness to take direction from overbearing assholes (like myself). I think, with a little patience, we may be able to mold him into an ideal candidate.
So far, those are our best choices. Any thoughts from the peanut gallery?
Meanwhile, we are exactly one hand-clap track and one guitar overdub away from finishing our debut EP. Ideally, we'll be ready to release it by the end of this summer on our very own SCARUM HARUM label. Our good pal Dalin Horner (of SANTO GOLD and BLACK CHRISTMAS mini-fame) was kin enough to dedicate countless hours of his life to this project, and for that we are eternally grateful. Look for it in an Alco bargain bin sometime in the year 2012!
Here are some great pics from Deathro's last gig (waaaay back in January, has it been that long already?), courtesy of our friendsalabama_grrrl and Matt Needham:
And a BAAAAAAD YouTube clip (nothing rocks me harder than watching the backs of heads in slow-mo video!) uploaded by Deathro's undercover British stalker:
To WATCH: "Blood and Black Lace" by Mario Bava
TO HEAR: "The Ghost of Catwoman (Nang Maew Pee)" by Surapon, alias The Fox
Consider yourselves cultured.
--Scary Manilow!
But what of his replacement? We've already cancelled a couple of shows (most notably our opening gig with Howlin' Hex last night at The Record Bar) for lack of a proper drum section. And The Voodoo Organist looms on the horizon, June to be precise, which gives us exactly two months to get our collective shit together.
Options? Oh, there's a few-- while it may be hard to fill Deathro's shoes, personality-wise, our most immediate goal is to find a drummer who is confident enough to learn the songs at a rapid pace, yet malleable enough to bend to our every whim.
There's THIS GUY:
Who is coming over to jam with us on Sunday. Though we come from vastly different places influentially, he's seems to have the right attitude-- meaning, he's willing to dress up for us and let the rest of the band boss him around. Also, he's really sweet, which is a pleasant change from most of the chest-beating dude-rawkers who have previously expressed interest in the gig.
Plus, look at this picture-- he obviously fits in. A quick shave, a nice tux jacket, and he's be well on his way to Sleazetopian finishing school.
I'm also incredibly partial to THIS GUY:
Seen here demonstrating his flamboyant acting chops for our as-of-yet untitled docudrama about Fashion Addiction. Although he's never played drums before in his life (keep in mind, Deathro was a first-timer, as well), he has impeccable taste (read: TRASHY), and expresses an obvious willingness to take direction from overbearing assholes (like myself). I think, with a little patience, we may be able to mold him into an ideal candidate.
So far, those are our best choices. Any thoughts from the peanut gallery?
Meanwhile, we are exactly one hand-clap track and one guitar overdub away from finishing our debut EP. Ideally, we'll be ready to release it by the end of this summer on our very own SCARUM HARUM label. Our good pal Dalin Horner (of SANTO GOLD and BLACK CHRISTMAS mini-fame) was kin enough to dedicate countless hours of his life to this project, and for that we are eternally grateful. Look for it in an Alco bargain bin sometime in the year 2012!
Here are some great pics from Deathro's last gig (waaaay back in January, has it been that long already?), courtesy of our friends
alabama_grrrl and Matt Needham:And a BAAAAAAD YouTube clip (nothing rocks me harder than watching the backs of heads in slow-mo video!) uploaded by Deathro's undercover British stalker:
To WATCH: "Blood and Black Lace" by Mario Bava
TO HEAR: "The Ghost of Catwoman (Nang Maew Pee)" by Surapon, alias The Fox
Consider yourselves cultured.
--Scary Manilow!
Deathro's last Spook Lights gig! Perhaps the final Spread Eagles show ever! Death-defying stunts and savage acts of nature! Who will live? Who will die? Only one way to find out... Come down to the Replay Lounge THIS FRIDAY and witness the madness with your own two eyes! Can you handle the suspense?
Last weekend, the beautiful and amazing alabama_grrrl threw a going-away party for our good friend Erica, who is running off to Brazil next week to be with her fabulous girlfriend. Will she ever return? If not, I can't say that I blame her... Kansas is a cold and dreary place.
Most people don't realize thatalabama_grrrl is actually the mysterious "Fifth Spook Light"... Despite being the hardest working person in town, she still finds it in her heart to book gigs for us (our first appearance at a public venue was the Pine Hill Haints show that she put together last summer), and she alaway manages to produce a boatload of pictures for us, and even though I praise her name silently before every meal I still don't think I could ever thank her enough. Since I can't physically introduce you guys to her over the internet, allow me to do the next best thing:
(Erica on the left,alabama_grrrl on the right)
Ladies and gents, meet Ailecia, our favorite person in the world.
And now.. PICTURE TIME:
Almost as good as being there, isn't it?
See you next time...
scary_manilow
alabama_grrrl threw a going-away party for our good friend Erica, who is running off to Brazil next week to be with her fabulous girlfriend. Will she ever return? If not, I can't say that I blame her... Kansas is a cold and dreary place.Most people don't realize that
alabama_grrrl is actually the mysterious "Fifth Spook Light"... Despite being the hardest working person in town, she still finds it in her heart to book gigs for us (our first appearance at a public venue was the Pine Hill Haints show that she put together last summer), and she alaway manages to produce a boatload of pictures for us, and even though I praise her name silently before every meal I still don't think I could ever thank her enough. Since I can't physically introduce you guys to her over the internet, allow me to do the next best thing:(Erica on the left,
alabama_grrrl on the right)Ladies and gents, meet Ailecia, our favorite person in the world.
And now.. PICTURE TIME:
Almost as good as being there, isn't it?
See you next time...
scary_manilow
...with a SPOOK LIGHTS t-shirt!**
(The camera was out of batteries, so I had to artistically improvise)
When Ruby isn't kissing kittens and shaking paws on the campaign trail, she's at home, listening to THE SPOOK LIGHTS... And what better way for her to show her devotion to her favorite band than by wearing one of their ghoulishly glam t-shirts? Comes in your choice of RED or BLACK for the rock-bottom price of SEVEN BONES!
** WARNING: These babies run a bit on the smallish side (never get blank shirts from DELTA!), and sizes are limited (already out of XL, in fact), so ask ahead before placing your order!
EDIT: Mad props to our dear friend Leslie K. for printing these shirts at light speed even though we asked for them at the last minute.
(The camera was out of batteries, so I had to artistically improvise)
When Ruby isn't kissing kittens and shaking paws on the campaign trail, she's at home, listening to THE SPOOK LIGHTS... And what better way for her to show her devotion to her favorite band than by wearing one of their ghoulishly glam t-shirts? Comes in your choice of RED or BLACK for the rock-bottom price of SEVEN BONES!
** WARNING: These babies run a bit on the smallish side (never get blank shirts from DELTA!), and sizes are limited (already out of XL, in fact), so ask ahead before placing your order!
EDIT: Mad props to our dear friend Leslie K. for printing these shirts at light speed even though we asked for them at the last minute.
...for your semi-monthly update from Spook Light Central!
Mayhap we've mentioned this before, mayhap not...
The Spook Lights were selected to appear on a CD compilation of the best in Lawrence rock, 2006-style. The bands were selected by a clandestine group of college radio DJs, who were obviously hypnotized by our charm and style, because not only did they choose our song TEENAGE MANIAC as one of the best cuts of the year, but we were also asked to play a live set at the CD release show this coming Thursday... Which thrills and chills us to no end, obviously, because we'll finally have the chance to dpread the gospel of Sleazetopia to an unsuspecting audience of indie rockers and future art-school dropouts... Viva le Rock!
We took the month of November off to work on some new cuts, which will hopefully be ready in time for our big studio date in January... That's right-- The Spook Lights are finally ready to cut an album, and not a moment too soon, seeing as how our beloved drummer, Deathro Tull, will be laving us soon after the new year. Everybody wish him luck as he moves to Europe to pursue a career in white slavery and black-market organ smuggling.
In the meantime, the old drum throne will sit empty until someone worthwhile materializes to fill it. If you or anyone you know has the sheer willpower to withstand a weekly dressing down at the hands of yours truly, feel free to drop us a line: scarumharum{at}gmail.com... We look forward to mocking--er, I mean, hearing from you...
Love always,
Scary Manilow
Mayhap we've mentioned this before, mayhap not...
The Spook Lights were selected to appear on a CD compilation of the best in Lawrence rock, 2006-style. The bands were selected by a clandestine group of college radio DJs, who were obviously hypnotized by our charm and style, because not only did they choose our song TEENAGE MANIAC as one of the best cuts of the year, but we were also asked to play a live set at the CD release show this coming Thursday... Which thrills and chills us to no end, obviously, because we'll finally have the chance to dpread the gospel of Sleazetopia to an unsuspecting audience of indie rockers and future art-school dropouts... Viva le Rock!
We took the month of November off to work on some new cuts, which will hopefully be ready in time for our big studio date in January... That's right-- The Spook Lights are finally ready to cut an album, and not a moment too soon, seeing as how our beloved drummer, Deathro Tull, will be laving us soon after the new year. Everybody wish him luck as he moves to Europe to pursue a career in white slavery and black-market organ smuggling.
In the meantime, the old drum throne will sit empty until someone worthwhile materializes to fill it. If you or anyone you know has the sheer willpower to withstand a weekly dressing down at the hands of yours truly, feel free to drop us a line: scarumharum{at}gmail.com... We look forward to mocking--er, I mean, hearing from you...
Love always,
Scary Manilow
Bah! Forget our half-assed interview over at Lawrence.com (note to self: no more drinking when there's a recording device within earshot)-- Here are the pure, undiluted ramblings of Mr. Manilow and Ms. VaVoom, courtesy of Danny Philips at THE MULE:
http://www.mulenews.com/main.asp?Sectio
(For some reason, he spells GARBAGE CAN as GARAGE CAN... But I think you guys get the point.)
Due to some bizarre political maneuvering by an unnamed local band, The Spook Lights are no longer opening for The Demolition Doll Rods next month... Despite our best efforts, and despite the fact that we draw a reasonable (and reasonably hard-drinking) crowd, we were forced to bow under pressure from the all-powerful Scenesters Union and removed ourselves from the bill. And while I am certainly not the type to harbor a grudge against the parties involved, I remain hopeful that our star will eventually ascend to a intergalactic level, while theirs continues to fester in a self-imposed gutter. Let that be my final word on the subject.
As it stands, we plan on spending the bulk of November/ December fleshing out new songs, and hope to enter the studio early next year. As I mentioned before, our fabulous drummer will be departing for parts unknown soon afterward, at which point we expect our proverbial cup to runneth over with eager candidates to fill his shoes.
Halloween show next week! Expect a full report soon.
Until then, I remain...
SCARY MANILOW
"Due to some bizarre political maneuvering..."
Okay kiddies, here's what really happened. There was a typical yawnworthy local band who I will call INDIE-HAMMER scheduled to open for the Doll Rods. We really wanted to do the show too, because I love the Doll Rods and our drummer also leads up the other opening band, the Spread Eagles. He's been wanting for a long time to play a show with both of his bands on the bill, and he's only going to be in town for a few more months before he jaunts off for some Henry Miller type adventures in Europe. We asked the bar if we could play the show and they said, well we don't know but we'll get back with you. Then they heard the indie-hammer band. "Oh my god, they're terrible," they said, and asked us to open instead. Our style is more complementary to the Doll Rods, and they know from experience that we can fill the bar on a Tuesday night. More money for the touring band, happy day. He called the Doll Rods publicist, she was thrilled that we would be playing and encouraged him to book us. He offered the other band a different show.
The Spook Lights have lost a few shows in our time, including some high exposure shows. It's part of the business, and we understand and bow out professionally every time.
Not INDIE-HAMMER. OOOooh no. They go on a week long tirade, call up the Doll Rods and tell them that we hate them and snaked them off the bill (as if it's our decision who plays.) They tell everyone in town that we lied to worm our way on to the bill. Jesus, gapster. All we did was ask to play the show. The other band coming off the bill was the bar's idea, because....because... INDIE-HAMMER SUCKKKKSSSS!
So the bar puts them back on the bill when they throw a high-maintenance shit fit. Fine everyone can play. The Spook Lights will go early, play first, and take no cash. But the bar insisted we play the show.
The shit fit continues, bad things happen, and the other band announces to everyone that we aren't playing. The bar, who has the final say who they book in their venue, tells us that they'll keep us on. But we told them that we wouldn't play the show, because frankly nothing about that show was going to be rewarding enough to go side by side with INDIE-HAMMER. So basically a bunch of snot-nosed no-talent 20 year olds got their way today, while we triumph forever.
I'd like to add that every band we've ever played with has been great and we have formed supportive relationships with all of them. This is the first experience I've ever had with a band that is so insecure, jealous, and afraid of our magnificent onstage libido vibe. How sad that is.
All the love in my heart,
Curvacia VaVoom
http://www.mulenews.com/main.asp?Sectio
(For some reason, he spells GARBAGE CAN as GARAGE CAN... But I think you guys get the point.)
Due to some bizarre political maneuvering by an unnamed local band, The Spook Lights are no longer opening for The Demolition Doll Rods next month... Despite our best efforts, and despite the fact that we draw a reasonable (and reasonably hard-drinking) crowd, we were forced to bow under pressure from the all-powerful Scenesters Union and removed ourselves from the bill. And while I am certainly not the type to harbor a grudge against the parties involved, I remain hopeful that our star will eventually ascend to a intergalactic level, while theirs continues to fester in a self-imposed gutter. Let that be my final word on the subject.
As it stands, we plan on spending the bulk of November/ December fleshing out new songs, and hope to enter the studio early next year. As I mentioned before, our fabulous drummer will be departing for parts unknown soon afterward, at which point we expect our proverbial cup to runneth over with eager candidates to fill his shoes.
Halloween show next week! Expect a full report soon.
Until then, I remain...
SCARY MANILOW
"Due to some bizarre political maneuvering..."
Okay kiddies, here's what really happened. There was a typical yawnworthy local band who I will call INDIE-HAMMER scheduled to open for the Doll Rods. We really wanted to do the show too, because I love the Doll Rods and our drummer also leads up the other opening band, the Spread Eagles. He's been wanting for a long time to play a show with both of his bands on the bill, and he's only going to be in town for a few more months before he jaunts off for some Henry Miller type adventures in Europe. We asked the bar if we could play the show and they said, well we don't know but we'll get back with you. Then they heard the indie-hammer band. "Oh my god, they're terrible," they said, and asked us to open instead. Our style is more complementary to the Doll Rods, and they know from experience that we can fill the bar on a Tuesday night. More money for the touring band, happy day. He called the Doll Rods publicist, she was thrilled that we would be playing and encouraged him to book us. He offered the other band a different show.
The Spook Lights have lost a few shows in our time, including some high exposure shows. It's part of the business, and we understand and bow out professionally every time.
Not INDIE-HAMMER. OOOooh no. They go on a week long tirade, call up the Doll Rods and tell them that we hate them and snaked them off the bill (as if it's our decision who plays.) They tell everyone in town that we lied to worm our way on to the bill. Jesus, gapster. All we did was ask to play the show. The other band coming off the bill was the bar's idea, because....because... INDIE-HAMMER SUCKKKKSSSS!
So the bar puts them back on the bill when they throw a high-maintenance shit fit. Fine everyone can play. The Spook Lights will go early, play first, and take no cash. But the bar insisted we play the show.
The shit fit continues, bad things happen, and the other band announces to everyone that we aren't playing. The bar, who has the final say who they book in their venue, tells us that they'll keep us on. But we told them that we wouldn't play the show, because frankly nothing about that show was going to be rewarding enough to go side by side with INDIE-HAMMER. So basically a bunch of snot-nosed no-talent 20 year olds got their way today, while we triumph forever.
I'd like to add that every band we've ever played with has been great and we have formed supportive relationships with all of them. This is the first experience I've ever had with a band that is so insecure, jealous, and afraid of our magnificent onstage libido vibe. How sad that is.
All the love in my heart,
Curvacia VaVoom