I just realized how few Halloween posts I’m likely to do this year, so I decided to write one about a heavily debatable topic among horror fans: who is the best vampire on film? (And if you say any of the Cullens, I absolutely will not take you seriously.)
While there are those who swear the best will always be the originals, Nosferatu and/or Dracula, my personal choice is a little more recent. I am a huge fan of The Lost Boys, and David is deliciously evil, but nor does he have my vote. No, my favorite takes us back to 1985.
Fright Night, featuring the positively wicked Jerry Dandridge, as portrayed by Chris Sarandon. (And no, I don’t accept Colin Farrell in the role.)
He’s sexy, he’s suave, he’s charming, he’s seductive…and he is mean as a snake, emotionless, led by his baser needs. The creepiest, most dangerous thing about Jerry is how seamlessly he fits in with humanity. Sure, he’s a little odd, a bit too formal, but there’s something alluring in that, something that often persuades those around him to lower their guard.
The highlight of Fright Night, in my opinion, and the moment when I myself would be doomed to my fate, is the dance scene.
Sorry, Charlie. My hormones are overpowering my brain cells, and I’m going with the sketchy dude who’s been following us and watching you from next door…
So, in the spirit of spooky season, tell me which movie vampire is your favorite, and why.
I still have 11 days before I fly to Colorado to visit my brother, but my mind has already abandoned the real world. I am so ready to escape my job for a week. Plus, while I’m out there, I get my birthday gift: we’re going to Albuquerque for the Wednesday 13 Performs Murderdolls tour – and my brother bought me the VIP experience, so I’m meeting Wednesday 13!!!!!! I’ve been a fan since I was 15, and I just know I’m going to make a fool of myself.
In other news, I had an appointment with a gastroenterologist last week. I had been having some abdominal discomfort, up to and including mild pain just below my breastbone and slightly to the right. The doctor said it was most likely a pre-ulcer or an ulcer. I was given a medicine to coat my stomach when I eat and another that is supposed to help control my stomach acid. I also had an ultrasound done. Well, the office has not called with the ultrasound results, but the medicines seem to be helping. The only pain I’ve had in the past few days has been at work. One of my coworkers said that suggests an ulcer, because I’m hurting only when I’m stressed. I guess we’ll see. If I don’t hurt at all in Colorado, then the problem is my place of work. Haha!
Just wanted to share another personal post, give y’all an update on things. In regard to the music side of the blog, I have two interviews coming up: hard rockers Sever Red and the industrial metal band Corvin’s Breed (who is opening for Psyclon Nine on their upcoming Infection Divinum Tour). These will both be written, as I don’t yet have the option to do video or phone interviews. I’m also continuing my weekly Bands You Should Know, so if there’s anyone I need to do a brief blurb about, tell me in the comments!
I hope this post finds all of you well! Oh, and if y’all wanted to see a half-assed shot of what was visible in Alabama during the annular eclipse…
I was in the parking lot at work with three other employees trying to catch that. The picture might not be great, but we were having a lot of fun! Lol.
Saving Abel has announced that they are canceling all scheduled dates for the foreseeable future. Refunds will be issued to ticket holders at their point of purchase.
Here is the statement issued by the band.
“Due to some recent developments within the Saving Abel family, we unfortunately have to cancel all upcoming tour dates. There is nothing that Jared and the band were looking forward to more than playing live, but unfortunately, that will have to wait a little longer. We appreciate your understanding at this time, and all ticket holders will be issued refunds at the point of purchase.”
Industrial black metal band Psyclon Nine has announced the Infection Divinum xx Annos Tour with special guests Clockwork Echo, Guillotine, and Corvin’s Breed. Tickets for this 2023 run, as well as two April 2024 dates, are available via Psyclon Nine’s Bandcamp!
Note: There are no ticket links for the shows at Astoria Pub in Vancouver or Stimulate in NYC, nor do the sites for these venues have tickets for this tour on their event pages. If this changes, I will update this post with direct links to the tickets.
11/15 – San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge
11/16 – Sacramento, CA – Harlow’s
11/17 – Portland, OR – The Coffin Club (New date!)
11/18 – Vancouver, BC – Astoria Pub
11/20 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
11/24 – West Chicago, IL – WC Social Club
11/25 – Columbus, OH – Double Happiness
11/27 – Ann Arbor, MI – Necto
11/28 – Lakewood, OH – The Winchester
11/29 – Pittsburgh, PA – Preserving Underground
11/30 – Mechanicsburg, PA – Lovedraft’s Brewing Co.
12/1 – New York, NY – Stimulate
12/2 – Richmond, VA – Fallout
12/3 – El Cajon, CA – Radio Room
12/5 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater
12/6 – Colorado Springs, CO – Vultures
12/7 – Denver, CO – HQ
12/30 – Hollywood, CA – Bar Sinister
April 2024 Shows
4/18 – London, UK – Reptile (Psyclon Nine only)
4/21 – Siggiewi, Malta – Dark Malta Festival 2024 (Psyclon Nine only)
Update:Due to overwhelming demand, the show in Dallas on 11/3 has been moved from Sundown to the Granada Theater, and is now all ages as well!
Horror punk band Murderdolls’ debut album, Beyond the Valley of the Murderdolls, turns 21 this year! In celebration of this anniversary, frontman Wednesday 13 is hitting the road to perform songs from their first record, as well as their second and final release, Women and Children Last (2010). Wednesday’s touring lineup for this run includes Murderdolls’ alumni Roman Surman and Jack Tankersley.
The supporting acts are Gemini Syndrome, Infected Rain, and Black Satellite.
Anger Overdose is an industrial metal band with members from both Australia and the northeastern U.S. Recently, Anger Overdose combined forces with singer/songwriter Melishah, adding her standout vocals to the mix. For fans of 3Teeth, Sköld, Ludovico Technique, and the later era of KMFDM.
Anger Overdose will be releasing their next single, “Replicate,” soon. The band is also starting The AoDiscussion Live, a show on which they invite other artists to chat about various topics and just generally have a good time. The first episode will premiere on October 20th!
My personal favorite song from Anger Overdose is “Army of the Undead.” It is the third track on their 2022 album AOD.
And here is the band’s latest single, “The Game.” This Motörhead cover features Superposition.
Be sure to follow and/or subscribe to Anger Overdose on their various socials!
It’s been a semi-slow month for me in regard to reading. I did reach my new goal of 50 books for 2023, though. Guess I have to reset the goal again. I feel like I’m getting through so many books because I use the Kindle app and read on my lunch breaks at work. My coworkers think I’m weird, but whatever. Losing myself in a good book makes me happy and, I swear, lowers my blood pressure when I’m having a stressful shift.
Anyway, I have finished 6 books since my last update. My favorites were The Cotton Candy Massacre and its sequel, written by Christopher Robertson. If you like gore-filled slashers, these are the books for you! And now for my usual list of what I read, along with a brief review of each.
Nightseer(Laurell K. Hamilton)
Rating: 3/5
I have read a lot of books by Laurell K. Hamilton, most of them part of her Anita Blake series. I’ve tried two of her stand-alone novels, including this one, and I enjoyed both. Nightseer had a good plot and decent story, but I had to knock off a couple of points for the way it built so gradually, only to end very abruptly. I wondered if she intended to continue this story at a later date, for the ending left it wide open for a sequel.
The Nightmare (Lars Kepler)
Rating: 3.5/5
The Nightmare is the second book in Lars Kepler’s Joona Linna series. These novels are intricately crafted, in-depth, and filled with twists and turns, but they are fairly quick reads because of how they are written, and they certainly grab and hold your interest. So far, The Hypnotist has been my favorite. With The Nightmare as its follow-up, I am sure I will finish this whole series.
Every Witch Way But Wicked (Amanda M. Lee)
Rating: 3.5/5
I didn’t realize how many series I have started until I was putting this list together. Every Witch Way But Wicked is the second book in Amanda M. Lee’s Wicked Witches of the Midwest series. I would call these books “cozy paranormal mysteries.” They’re fun and humorous and great for indulging while curled up with a fuzzy blanket and a mug of tea. I highly recommend checking them out.
Shadow Girl (Gerry Schmitt)
Rating: 4/5
I did one of those Blind Date With a Book orders on Etsy and was sent this novel. I was wary, because I don’t typically enjoy stories about cops, detectives, etc. However, I actually liked Shadow Girl. Perhaps my favorite thing about it was the way the characters were written, particularly Afton Tangler. Afton has goals, she wants to be a detective, but she’s not superwoman, and I appreciate that. So often authors make the mistake of having a main character who is super smart or unrealistically tough or something that puts them above their surrounding cast. But Gerry Schmitt has made a relatable, likeable protagonist in Afton, someone you can root for and that you want to see succeed.
The Cotton Candy Massacre and The Cotton Candy Massacre: Part Toots (Christopher Robertson)
Rating: 5/5
This was a nightmare carnival ride of clowns, gore, and creative kills. As stated, if you’re a fan of slashers – and if you hate clowns, or love them – these are books you should read. The characters were vivid and interesting and likeable, in their own way, and Leigh was just a straight badass. I loved both books and will definitely be reading the third one if it’s written (which Christopher has implied will happen).
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As planned for October, I have begun reading Frankenstein. I’m also totally engrossed in Lisa Jewell’s None of This is True and Jennifer McMahon’s The Drowning Kind.
Mostly Music 