Since the early days horror and punk have had a side by side, lurid, on stage and screen relationship. Horror and all its monstrous, bloody creations have shared inspiration with painted up performers donning the look of the undead as mobile corpses, dressed up or rotting, have shared screen time with humans in countless movies since the golden age of film. Whether it was flesh ripping zombies or pale fanged predators, punk has been a natural soundtrack to the walking undead.
Regardless what subgenre prefix you put in front of the P word, Omaha’s, The Scabby Ghouls take their style from the grotesque graveyards to the crashing West Coast waves. Seven tracks introduce their terrifying-chorded tales to the world.
The Ghouls are voiced by rhythm guitarist Denise Hazard, with guitarist Louie Hazard, bassist Alex Steffens and drummer Nathan Christensen. They blend beach ball, bonfire, party-loving punk and the dark creeping macabre with humor and grit for a unique listening experience.
Fan dubbed Scooby-Doo Punk and Haunted House Punk, the band is a 365 celebration of all that is cinematically scream-worthy and musically macabre. True Crime history and dreamy ‘80s slashers have their spotlight moment as Hazard spins tales with serious matter of fact tone to spooky camp-fire warnings. There’s a certain cadence to her delivery like showing up to a party on a stormy night and being greeted by the creepy butler at the door.
Lyrically, they feed their audience with horror’s inspired by real world, above ground events, though several songs report below ground activity.
Punks hit the waves on “Body Surfin” prepping for the wipe out, crash and burn. Island-like drumming summons flashbacks of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘80s. Like Herman Munster hanging ten.
“The Scabby Ghouls” is a dark midnight stroll foreshadowing blood-flow as panic ensues. “Midwest Zombies” lurks of the undead, on tour in route towards you.
“Black Dahlia Bombshell” narrates the well-known true crime tale, still unsolved, still unspeakable as guitar’s stalk the memory of the former starlet. One, two “Dreddy Krueger” is coming for you. Whether it’s sharp edged whiplash locks or a creepy glove, they sing the saga of the Springwood slasher.
Bass burns up the asphalt on “Road Ragin,” stay clear roadsters and Sunday drivers. “Knife Fight” is rapid, quick blow speed of blade combat. A feeling and anticipation like an old school rumble is in the air tonight, like a taste for blood.
With seven tasty tracks packed with sweetness and punky salt, The Scabby Ghouls are a welcome addition to any balanced breakfast table and music collection. Packed with eight essential vitamins and a mascot that could scare the crap out of a silly rabbit or a sweet vampire, just make sure the toy doesn’t come with an exhibit tag.
