Dayton music you should listen to: Halloween edition
By: Vivienne Machi and Libby Ballengee
Happy Halloween! Do you need something besides "The Monster Mash" and The Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack to rock out to while you hang cobwebs and carve pumpkins? This most auspicious time of year demands a quality soundtrack, and Dayton bands seriously deliver for any sort of festivity you're planning.
These six tunes from Dayton bands are sure to bring the spook factor to the season. Play them responsibly (and by that, we mean constantly).
Don’t miss out on your weekend shows: Check in with the Dayton Music Insider.
Brainiac: "Martian Dance Invasion"
Brainiac was a popular indie rock band from Dayton during the early '90s alternative music explosion. Formed in 1992, the group went on to perform at the 1995 Lollapalooza, and went on tour with Beck, The Breeders and Jesus Lizard. Their career was cut short by a tragic car accident, killing vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist Tim Taylor.
Brainiac was one of the first Dayton bands I saw regularly, and this song takes me right back to those tight, sweaty and highly energetic shows at Sub Galley. This dorky marching band girl from the burbs thought Michelle Bodine was the most badass chick ever, and still does!
To go with our Halloween theme, and in honor of their contributions to the scene, we picked Martian Dance Invasion off the band’s July 1993 debut release Smack Baby Bunny for this month’s selections. This song is aggressive and yet catchy, fuzzy, hard-hitting, and has just the right touch of that signature '90s synth sound. -LB
The Luxury Pushers: "3 Minute Manifesto"
Halloween makes me immediately think “dark, brooding, mysterious” – a description that perfectly fits local punk rockers Luxury Pushers (LXP). Formed in 2003, LXP features ultra-cool members that have been mainstays in the Dayton music scene for many years, including Jamy Holliday, Matt Randall and Eric Purtle.
One of their most popular songs, “3 Minute Manifesto” from 2007’s Welcome to the Party, Traitor, gives you a taste of their progressive punk style. I love that you can hear Jamy’s guitar riffs clearly in between the driving drums and bass. The vocals are killer, adding dynamic contrast between the gruff leads by Purtle, and the almost pop-like backing vocals. Hard core, metal and rock fans will enjoy this just as much as the punk rockers out there! -LB
Grenades!?: "I'm Aware, Wolf"
The newest band I’m featuring is Grenades!?, which was formed in 2010. This local alternative/indie group released their first album Interrobang, this year. The hilariously titled second track “I’m Aware, Wolf” is perfect for this month’s Halloween playlist.
“I’m Aware, Wolf” is one of the more aggressive tracks on an album that features relatively quieter, almost ethereal songs. I’m in love with an album that takes me places, up and down, and Grenades!? delivers in a surprisingly seamless way. The last 30 seconds of this song are my favorite, in which it crescendos into a complex frenzy that absolutely rocks!!
The fun thing about this particular song is that it really fits in nicely with the previously reviewed tracks, and demonstrates the influence and progression of Dayton’s hard rock sound.-LB
Curse of Cassandra: "Darkkiss"
For the goth-industrial-EDM crowd, the husband-wife duo of Jacob and Nicole Richter bring slinky, dark and sexy dance grooves that are the perfect soundtrack to your Buffy the Vampire Slayer-themed Halloween party. If you're looking for a holiday weekend filled with dance tunes from the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Pendulum and New Order, definitely consider adding Curse of Cassandra to the shuffle and dance with the Devil all night long. "Darkkiss" in particular has all the components you need for a good spooky party: great vibe, killer voice, sinister attitude. -VM
The Loveless: "Deville-ish"
For a wordy music lover like myself, it doesn't get much better than a song title pun involving classic cars, rockabilly and the Devil. Dayton's own psychobilly rockers The Loveless have the soundtrack to your rowdy night in the pit, knocking back shots of Jameson while maintaining a perfectly coiffed pompadour. "Deville-ish" is the pump-up song you need for a night full of partying, shenanigans and howling at the moon. -VM
Team Void: "Scram"
With a touch of "Miserlu" in the melody, "Scram" by Dayton's own luchadore rock group Team Void will be the soundtrack to your Halloween night, into Nov. 1 if you celebrate Day of the Dead.
If you haven't caught one of the Team's shows, fronted by longtime Dayton musician Louie Beam Lerma ("El Muerto"), you're missing out on a performance by a group of "dead lucha rockers" who blend the traditions of Mexican lucha fighters with surf standards, mariachi horns and garage rock guitars. Join the party of the undead. -VM
Let us know what you’re listening to! Tweet us: @DaytonVivi and @LibbyBallengee
Whenever possible, we highly encourage checking your local music/record store for Dayton musicians’ releases. Support your bands, support your businesses. Call Omega Music, Toxic Beauty Records and Poster Gallery, Play It Again Music, and Disc Exchange to see what they have in stock.
Want more local music suggestions? Check out our past Guided By Noises columns.