Suspiria (Originale) - Goblin

 

Christmas came early back in December of 2018 or did Halloween come late? The 1920's revival theater within walking distance of my house (shout out to the Byrd Theater) was hosting Goblin (well some of the original members) to live score their 1977 soundtrack to Suspiria. Would this be a popular event I asked myself? Am I the crazy one that can't wait for this to happen? As mentioned in an earlier post, my crowd estimation skills are not sensei-like but this event was a sell out. 

I had only seen Suspiria on the big screen once before. It was a year prior at the IFC Center in Greenwich Village at a midnight screening celebrating it's 30 year anniversary. Not taking away from the films's frights, but the walk to the film center may have been scarier than the movie that night. Oh yes, another film was also being played at this witching hour...1988's Tom Cruise classic, Cocktail. What was the occasion for this? No idea but I love the randomness. As much as I appreciate "Cocktails and Dreams" and the hit song from "some of The Beach Boys" including a pink tank topped Uncle Jesse himself, Mr. John Stamos on drums..it was an easy choice.

If you're not familiar with the film, Tom Cruise is a business student paying his way through college while mastering circus like bartending techniques....Whoops, let's get back to Suspiria. 

This Dario Argento giallo classic follows an America ballet dancer who heads to Germany to attend a prestigious dance academy which happens to be run by witches. That's about all you need to know. The cinematography is mesmerizing and the soundtrack is infectious. Goblin scored a few Argento films (check out Deep Red if you dig this one, it's funky as hell) I dare you to not get the main theme below out of your head after watching as it effortlessly weaves in and out of the film. Needless to say, Goblin live rocked and the movie lit up the soft red lighted historic movie house like a piece of blood splattered art. Hard to believe the spooky season is almost over but this move would be a great way to cap off your October viewings. I've seen the 2018 remake and while it's an interesting movie on it's own, I'd save that one for a later day and recommend you check out Mr. Argento's classic first. Merry Christmas and Happy Halloween!

  

 

Suspiria (Originale)

SUSPIRIA - 40th Anniversary 4K Restoration Trailer (2017) | HD

The Beach Boys - Kokomo (1988)

Goodbye Horses - Q Lazzarus

 

"You told me, I've seen it all before

Been there, I've seen my hopes and dreams

A lying on the ground"

Figured I'd slow things down a bit for this week's "spooky" post. Songs used in advertising sometimes take the soul out of a tune you once loved. Instead of coming to your own conclusion about a song's meaning or a sparked memory, the advertiser's image of cars or soap conquer your subconscious.(I guess that's what they get paid for)  I suppose it's similar to reading a book before seeing the movie so you can use your own imagination and interpret the words the author has presented. Songs used in movies however can take certain pieces of music and elevate the way you process them. Whether it's Scorsese playing the Stones or insert any 80's movie with a Kenny Loggins tune, these songs become elevated and sometimes iconic depending on the impact of the scene. (Oh, totally going to post some of my favorite soundtrack tunes at some point....let's just say ole K. Loggins will be brought up again)

I don't believe this song was creepy when it was released into the world in 1988 but once Jonathan Deeme displayed it in one of the more disturbing scenes in 1991's ,"Silence of The Lambs" this tune become infamous. If you've seen the movie you know which scene I'm referring too. The one with a girl in a pit, a toy poodle, lotion, baskets, and a mangina dance. Is that still a PC term? Was it ever?

I believe Silence of the Lambs is a great movie but I prefer the fantastical and supernatural horror pictures rather than the "based on true events" flicks. Real life is scary enough! Speaking of fantastical, the pic from the left is back from 1987 or 88? My Uncle used to work for Coors so this cutout from the Halloween TV promos of the time was in his basement TV room and as a 10 year I found this piece of Elvira art "very interesting." 

The horror flick I wanted to spotlight this week was a new discovery for me about two years ago, !975's "Race with the Devil"!I heard it discussed on one of my favorite movie podcasts, Pure Cinema . The movie stars Peter Fonda, Warren Oates, and Hot Lips from MASH. The cliff's notes version is two couples take an RV trip out to the desert to ride motorbikes (as people do?) when they accidentally witness some type of ritualistic human sacrifice. At that point our Dirt Bike heroes are chased from town to town by some type of cult that as we find out has lot's of reach. Great tagline too..."When you race with the devil...you better be faster than hell!" Cheers everyone.

Q Lazzarus - Goodbye Horses (Original Video)

Race With The Devil (1975) Original Theatrical Movie Trailer

1986 Coors Light beer commercial featuring Elvira.

Am I Evil? - Metallica

 

"Am I evil? Yes, I am

Am I evil? I am man, yes I am"

4/2/92, the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland I attended my first concert..Metallica!! I was in 8th grade (check out that sweet turtleneck from my class pic) Metallica was already a large presence but this tour supported the Black Album so they were about about to become a global phenomenon. They actually opened the show with the hit single at the time "Enter Sandman." (see below intro clip from the tour) Thanks to the power of the internet I was able to pull up the setlist and revisit the 24 song assault which covered their whole catalogue and a few covers. We only saw 22 of the songs because after a second encore my dad figured we should get home because after all it was a school night. I remember being terrified and excited at the same time before the show. Just driving through the parking lot seeing all the metal heads partying was a bit intimidating to my 14 old self, but I knew I was about to witness a monumental event. From my car window I thought, whoever invented black jeans made a lot of money from Metallica fans. 

I was fortunate to view the show from above. The company my dad worked for at the time had a "skybox" at the Capital Centre so my brother and I got to catch Bullet and Capital games (and of course a few WWF matches) frequently while my dad was working and hosting guests. It was a pretty sweet perk to have. The adults were excited to have unlimited beer and wine while I got to enjoy all you can eat hotdogs and Sprite. I remember seeing my first "passed out" adult at an Aerosmith concert. One minute she's hanging over the glass screaming "play Angel!" over and over again. The next minute she was curled up on a couch. The skybox was always an experience. 

The last song I heard before walking out was a Diamond Head cover, Am I Evil. It's got everything you need in a metal song...anthemic chorus, witches, fire and kick ass guitar solos. I laugh thinking of 13 year old me responding to James's question Am I Evil? Me and the rest of the crowd fist pumping flashing the rock and roll sign screaming YES I AM!! Ha-ha, even though I was someone who never liked to get into trouble so I'm not really evil....OR AM I!!!!! 

Speaking of evil, i'm also a die hard horror movie fan. While I celebrate this genre all year round, it seems more special to revisit some spooky tales during October. I figure i'd share some of my favs over the next few weeks. Growing up in the 80's slasher movies were extremely popular and the monsters were becoming rock stars. Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, Leatherface and Jason Voorhees. For whatever reason I always had a softspot for the hockey masked lunatic, Jason. I've seen all 12 installments of the franchise but have seen 1-6 the most. It's hard to pick a favorite but I do dig part 4 quite a bit. Corey Feldman and Crispin Glover? How could you go wrong? Check out the below trailer and of course the amazing dancing stylings of Mr. George McFly himself!(before meeting his demise with a corkscrew...don't drink kids!) Happy October!

Metallica - Enter Sandman - [Live San Diego 1992] [HD]

Friday the 13th Part 4 (1984) Official Trailer [HD]

Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984) - Crispin Glover Dance

Metallica- Am I Evil? (Studio Version)

Happy October!!

 

I know it's been awhile but I plan on being more active during my favorite month of the year posting some "spooky tunes" for your listening pleasure. Stay tuned. Happy October everyone!