Tommy Gun Interview

Tell us a bit about Tommy Gun- I was born in CarIsle, Pennsylvania back in November of 1982. I've traveled all around the world, lived in some pretty rad places, and I've gotten the opportunity to play with some really cool people and bands. I moved to Michigan at some point and I started playing in bands over 10 years ago. Some of those bands included: Switch 76, Robbery In Progress, The Hubies, Nuke and the Living Dead, the Vampirates, the Necrophilicons, and the Beat-Ups. I also do this solo music on the side.

What is your current release? Around my 24th birthday I released "The Rotten EP" for free on my MySpace page. 4 songs that I recorded after my last CD "I'm Poison." The album art was a picture I took right after Halloween this year of a rotten pumpkin on a neighbors porch.

It is a great Ep, what influences went into the songs on it? Well each song was influenced differently. "Stiff as a Board" came to me while I was in line at a bank trying to cash a paycheck. During that period, I was sick of my job, and sick of a lot of things.. and felt I was going nuts. That song came from me thinking I was going crazy. "Motor Psycho" was influenced by a Country Bob & The Bloodfarmers song called "Murder City Hotrod" .. I wanted to write a song that was straight forward rock n' roll with a bad ass guitar solo. "Family Business" is an old song I've been throwing around for a while.. it's the first country/rockabilly song I ever wrote. I wrote it on a road trip with 'the Hubies' a few years back. I have a slight obsession with the hitman lifestyle and wanted to write a song about that.. part of it is influanced by my Dad, who fought in Vietnam and has killed many people himself. And the last song on the CD is "Zeke the Plumber" .. anyone who was a pre-teen or a teenanger in the early to mid 90's watched the TV show "Salute Your Shorts" .. there was a Halloween episode that introduced the killer of "Zeke the Plumber" .. Mainly as a joke I decided I was going to write a song about that. No one thought I would do it, but I fooled them! The music is influenced by my time in the band 'Nuke and the Living Dead' .. I wanted to mix doo-wop and rockabilly. It's sort of my tribute to my buddies in that band.

Who are your all time favourite artists/bands? The Clash is and always will be my favorite band. No one compares to them in my book. But some of my biggest influences come from Billy Bragg, I was always really into him growing up with his politics mixed with melody. Black Flag was huge for me, they introduced me into the hardcore punk back when I was a little kid. The Canadian hardcore/punk band Marilyn's Vitamins are the reason I ever wanted to play in a band. Their lyrics and their songs were so heartfelt. Agent Orange is the reason I even picked up a guitar in the first place. Other musicians and bands that influance me are: Eddie Cochran, Johnny Cash, Gene Vincent, Wanda Jackson, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Stray Cats, The Stooges, MC5, FEAR, New York Dolls, Gorilla Biscuits, Youth Brigade, Bad Brains, Link Wray, The Cramps, The Damned, Misfits, Negative Approach, Almighty Lumberjacks of Death, Necros, The Germs, TSOL, Social Distortion, Descendents, Ramones, and plenty others.

How would you describe your musical style? Acoustic, Punk Rock n' Roll. That's basically the gist of it. Obviously some songs are influenced by other genres, ska, rockabilly, doo wop. But over all it's all rock n' roll.

Other than your solo material what other projects have you been a part of? My main band right now is "The Hubies" .. often my solo songs are performed live with them. I try them out solo style, and if they go over well we usually make them full band songs. I was in "Nuke and the Living Dead" for like 2 years. I recorded on their album "Dig This!" and on a few unreleased tracks post-Dig This that will probably never get released. I currently play guitar for the Horror punk band "The Necrophilicons" out of Grand Rapids, Michigan and I also play bass for the punk band "The Beat-Ups."

Where can people find out more about Tommy Gun? You can check out my MySpace page at www.myspace.com/thomasgun for my solo music. For the Hubies you can check out www.myspace.com/thehubies. For the Necrophilicons: www.myspace.com/thenecrophilicons. And for the Beat-Ups www.myspace.com/thebeatups.

Jason, Myers or Freddy? I was always a fan of all 3. Growing up I was more into Freddy. As I got a little bit older I got really into Jason and Michael Myers. Any movie where slutty teenagers die, is going to be a good movie!

Danzig or Graves? Both are good. As far as the Misfits go I've always been more into the Danzig era.. although I do enjoy some of the Graves-Misfits shit. As far as solo stuff goes.. I like some of their work.. but not all of it.

Who is the MOTOR PSYCHO? and have you met him? The Motor Psycho is a killer creature from outer space who likes to go around and kill pretty much anyone who crosses his path on his trusty rusty motor cycle with a giant axe. It's based off a character from a B-movie with the same name. Have I met him? Not yet, and if I ever do he'll probably cut my head off and put it on display on his bike for all to see.

Any last words? Thanks for the interview, I appreciate it. Everyone to go my myspace page and download those songs for free! I make sure all my music is available for free online. The more who hear it the marrier!

Thanks for you time and keep up the awesome work!!!

Scare Street
Doctor Von Bracken

Interview With Dan Blood of Fall Victim

Who are we talking to? - It's me Dan Blood!

Band Members and roles? - I do Guitar and screech into a mic, Gav Ghastly hits dead human skins wrapped around dustbins, Scotty Trauma plays a bass and is the master of harmonies and finally, new to the gang is Jamie Rage who plays guitar and Keyboard...he will be doing backing too soon!

How did the name come about? - Ha ha I was in the bath and needed a name for my clothing label, and "Fall Victim" just came to me, meaning Victim of the Fall (autumn) originally but I think the name can be interpreted in many ways... theres no real meaning...but the clothing thing didn't take off hence now we are Fall Victim!

Where does the band hail from? - From Horrorfalls, sometimes it's known as Bournemouth to the living.

Tell us a little about the history of Fall Victim - Well, I started a band when I was 19 called "All hopes fade as worlds collide" after I decided not to carry on at art school... I hated the school, it drove me to do what I really wanted to do...we sucked, I mean truely sucked... but in about late 2004 scotty joined, and we were so happy, he bought an awesome new element to our sound! anyway we changed our name, and drummer twice and now we are as we are today!

How would you describe your sound? - Thats a tough one because we always try to change how we sound, but I guess right now it's a mixup of Punk, rock "n" roll, psychobilly, dare i say pop? and metal.

Favourite FV song and why? - Me personally... I would say "River of Revenge" which you may not know as it's a new one, I think its gonna sound great when we record it... It's just completely different to anything we've ever done, I think thats why I like it. I like singing it.

What are your releases to date? - 2004: Fall Victim EP 2004: The Night EP (promotional only) 2006: Urban Legends EP currently working on a new EP and a debut album!

Which of your songs are you most proud of? - I really didn't think Horrorfalls II would get the attention it did, I really didn't think much of it until it was recorded properly... It's a simple song but I'm proud of all of us that people have said how much they love that song so much and it nice to think it's something you've created.

Who are your biggest influences? - I wouldn't like to answer for the other guys directly so ill name a few that I know we all greatly adore... The Cramps, The Damned, Misfits, Therapy, The Offspring, AFI, Dead Kennedys, Demented are Go!, Nekros...many many bands!!!

Whats a Fall Victim show like? - It's like a stun gun, then your second Fall Victim show, Is like a wild drunken party!

Where can people find out more about Fall Victim? - They can go to www.fallvictim.co.uk which right now links to myspace but will soon be a full website with all the info you need to find more out about us!

Any last words? - curiosity killed the cat... but he found the best band in the world. www.fallvictim.co.uk hahahaha

Thank you for taking the time to talk to us! - No probs my man thanks for the interview!!

Scare Street
Doctor Von Bracken

Thomas Gun - The Rotten EP

This is the new EP from legendary musical pyscho Tommy Gun

As many of you may or may not know Tommy has played in and still plays in many new and upcoming bands that you should all check out, these include: Nuke And The Living Dead and The Hubies(review and interview coming soon!) among countless others.

This is a solo/acoustic EP and is a brilliant introduction into this guitar-weilding madmans world, psychobilly songs with a slight country feel and a fresh original sound to them.

'The Rotten EP' starts with a song about all things horrific!! and what is more horrible than horror movie re-makes! 'Stiff As A Board' is an enjoyable, sing-along tune that would sound just as good with a full band behind it. But i think the acoustic treatment gives it an extra level of eerieness.

The next song, 'Motor Psycho' is my personal fave, i love it from the first riff to the last! Brilliant clever lyrics and easy on the ear. Then comes 'Family Business', in my opinion this is the weakest song on the EP but this does not mean its a bad song, not at all. Then the last track 'ZTP' which i have since found out stands for 'Zeke The Plumber', this song has a very Doo-wop feel to it with the clapping, woah backing vocals and off course the doo-wop breakdown. Another awesome song and a brilliant song to end on!

If you are bored of the same old pyschobilly/horror-themed music then Tommy Gun is definately for you, and remember keep a look out for that MOTOR PSYCHO!!!!!

Under A Nightmare - Monsters '89

The new FREE album from Under A Nightmare 'Monsters 89'

Now from what ive heard in the past from these guys i was expecting fast punk rock/hardcore punk songs about halloween, horror and all things ghoulish, and i am certainly not dissapointed!

Like all good horror movies this album starts with an introduction, but this one comes with a twist, it sounds safe and makes the listener comfortable with what their listening to. And then comes the lethal blow!!! 'Cant Wait Til Halloween'
is the first track proper and celebrates all things ghoulish and every fiends favourite time of year. The next two tracks i didnt persoanlly like the first time i heard them but since listening to the album more i have come to appreciate their rawness and freshness and are now amongst my favourite songs on the record. Now we come to my favourite song on the whole album 'Mosters 89', this song starts with a cool little intro and then bursts into a fast-paced punk rock verse followed by awesome backing vocals and some more amazing guitar work coutesy of Coffin Keenan and Marky Madness.
Another strong song is 'Boneyard Road' which has an instant sing-along chorus and will surely become a fan favourite. Other songs that stand out to me are 'Become The Stranger', i love the idea behind this song!!, 'Take It To The Grave'. a shouty punk rock lesson in gang vocals and simple, fun song writing, 'Curse Of The Living', an acoustic affair with added violin!!! and 'Wish It Away', another instant classic showing the four horsemen of the apocalypse doing what they do best!

Every song on this album is a blinder and will keep all you horrorpunks crooning til next halloween!

Fall Victim - Urban Legends

As soon as this CD was in my hands i knew it was something special, the boys in fall victim took a risky chance with the EPs artwork because it is awesome and instantly sets the expectation for music of a high standard, but FV knew what they were doing! and thank god they did because this EP is exceptional. Being an avid Horrorpunk fan when i first discovered Fall Victim i expected the usual, pop-punk riffs played on slightly out of tune guitars, the same punk drum beats and Danzig copycat vocals, but NO!! to my surprise there are none of those insight.
The first thing i noticed about these songs was the strong basslines provided by Scotty Trauma, then followed by the original fresh sounding vocals and guitarlines by Dan Blood, and maybe the most interesting drumming ive heard from an underground 'punk' band in a long long time. Not on this record but bound to help the constant evolution of FV is new guitarist Jamie Rage.

The EP is full of catchy instant classics, opener 'Just A Bad Memory' is the perfect track to start the infection, this is followed by instant fan fave 'Horrorfalls 2' a perfect mix of horror and punk, the next song 'Bad Reception' is just pure brilliance! the lyrics are fun but clever aswell. 'Three Steps' will always be my favourite Fall Victim song, and live it is immense, a driving punk anthem with gang backing vocals! and the finale 'Black Rose Blooming', starts with an evil macabre carnival sounding riff and then transforms into another storming punk masterpiece!!
This is Fall Victim's first release proper and is released on their own Smart Skeleton label, the production is near flawless and the package as a whole is perfect in every sense. Go out and buy this EP now!! you will love every single song and will listen again and again. Also be sure to catch these guys live because there live show is not to be missed!!

Fall Victim Myspace

Welcome To Scare Street

Where HORROR has YOU round for tea!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to Scare Street the new review site for horrorpunk/rock bands, on this blog we will have reviews and interview with some of the big bands in the scene today but our main purpose is to show the public the more underground bands around at the moment. These bands need all the support and more or less stay together because of the fans, no corporate bullshit here! The bands we will feature will come from all over the world.

So, Welcoem and i hope you enjoy your stay!!!!