Ghoultown Bio:
"The true tequila-guzzlin' sounds of Texxxas!" exclaims
Razorcake Magazine, which sums up the music and attitude behind
Texas-based Ghoultown. Their latest release BURY THEM DEEP
continues to hone their unique heavy western sound, which has brought
attention from both fans and press alike since their inception in
1999. In addition to five CD releases, Ghoultown's dark western
dirges and unmistakable presence have found their way into five
movie soundtracks, a short film, numerous compilations, a comic
book, and even a video game.
Formed in 1999… The band’s first release, BOOTS
OF HELL, introduced the band's Tex-Mex punk rock
style, while garnering rabid reviews, a fanbase and independent
radio airplay. The band's early buzz also landed them on several
compilations; the most notable being Skully Records' ROCKIN' NECROPOLIS
where they share the bill with some of the best independent psychobilly
acts around the world.
In early 2001… Ghoultown released their full-length debut,
TALES FROM THE DEAD WEST. The album,
produced by Kol Marshall (Mercyful Fate, Roller), captured the versatility
of the Texan quintet from the powerful
“Killer in Texas” to the haunting climax of “Running
From the Sun.” “This album already has a place on my
best of 2001 list,” quoted a Harder Beat reviewer who reflected
the response as a whole. Not only were ears turned, but eyes as
well as the release pushed the band into new live show territory.
With highlight performances such as an Atlanta benefit, which featured
Jerry Only of the legendary Misfits as an onstage guest, Ghoultown
has played with a wide variety of bands such as Hank III, Rocket
From the Crypt, The Independents, DRI, Bile, Mighty Mighty Bosstones,
Flametrick Subs, Dick Dale, Road Kings, Rock City Morgue, Blitzkid,
Men of Porn, Captured By Robots, and The Misfits.
By 2002… Ghoultown also invaded the film world when four of
their tunes were chosen for the soundtrack of
the horror-slasher, AMERICAN NIGHTMARE, starring Debbie Rochon (TROMEO
& JULIET). As a testament to
their memorable live show, the movie script was subsequently altered
to include a Ghoultown performance cameo after the director witnessed
the band live. In the spring of 2002, not only did the band release
their follow-up GIVE 'EM MORE ROPE, but also signed
a licensing deal with Netherlands-based Corazong Records to release
the Ghoultown U.S. catalog in Europe and Canada. By late summer,
the band hit the road for a 35 date U.S. tour which included performances
all the way from NY's CBGBs to The Garage in L.A. The tour concluded
with a performance at one of the world's largest annual entertainment
media conventions, Dragon*Con in Atlanta, where the band has performed
twice by popular demand.
Hitting 2003… Ghoultown's signature tune “Killer In
Texas” made yet another appearance in a short film called
HEADCHEESE which was released on DVD with the movie FREAK. Appropriately,
HEADCHEESE was filmed
in the same location as TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE... house and all!
Spending the first half of 2003
performing, the band toured the midwest and east coast, in addition
to numerous Texas area shows. By the end of spring, Ghoultown completed
work on songs for two more films, SLICE OF LIFE and HALLOW'S END.
In 2004… Ghoultown released a double disc set, LIVE
FROM TEXAS!, which showcased their powerful live
show on both CD and DVD. "Ghoultown puts the grit back into
rock 'n' roll with a blazing hellfire vengeance!" said Horror
Garage in praise of the release, which has garnered extremely positive
feedback and become the best selling release to date. Also in 2004,
the band managed to creep into the video game market where several
of their actual gig posters can be seen in the award-winning VAMPIRE
MASQUERADE: BLOODLINES PC game.
Currently… Ghoultown is playing in support their new release,
BURY THEM DEEP, on Zoviet Records.
Produced by Chris Telkes (Nocturne) and mastered by Sara Lee Lucas
of Marilyn Manson fame, BURY THEM
DEEP features 7 new tracks that rank as some of the band’s
best. To top it off, the packaging boasts fantastic cover art by
Dan Brereton, who has also done cover art for Rob Zombie and Fireball
Ministry, among others. With this new release, Ghoultown has continued
to expand their growing fanbase for 2007 and beyond!
Interview questions from GlobalGothic.com answered
by Count Lyle:
GG: How would you guys define "Hellbilly"
and who inspired your
completely unique sound?
CL: To me, Hellbilly is a type of music which
takes old country and
western, rockabilly or roots rock elements and infuses them with
new life,
twisting the traditional sounds and bringing in new elements such
as punk,
horror, metal or other fresh ingredients. Our sound was mostly inspired
by my
love for punk and dark metal music crossed with my love for Johnny
Cash
and other outlaw country guys that I grew up listening to here in
Texas. The Ghoultown sound was something that developed over time
since there
was no other band that sounded quite like it to draw from. We're
like the
song "Ghost Riders in the Sky" except in our version the
fiery steers
come down out of the sky and eat you.
GG: What do you enjoy the most about playing live?
CL: Seeing fans sing our songs is one of the best
things about it.
GG: What would your single most important piece
of advice be for other
bands looking to get with a good label?
CL: Quit now and go to college.
GG: Are girls flinging pink thongs at you yet?
CL: No.
GG: Wouldn't that be a plus?
CL: I don't care.
GG: What do you want to see happen next for the
band?
CL: I want us to walk into a club and receive
a complimentary bottle of
tequila.
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/ghoultown
http://www.ghoultown.com
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