HALLOWEEN NOVELTY SONGS: MUSIC TO DIE FOR! Part 5

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On September 7, 2011 I published the first in a three-part series (seen HERE) covering a favorite topic of mine, Halloween novelty songs. I initially became a fan thanks to the Dr. Demento Show (visit the official website HERE) that I would listen to as a young teen every Sunday night, pulling in a weak signal from a Boston-area station. Like all good things, the Dr. Demento Show eventually went off the air in this area but thanks to Rhino Records I was able to start building up a collection of novelty songs, with an emphasis on my favorite holiday, Halloween.

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Hanging Out At Ghoulie Manor!

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1985 was a big year for me; not only did I graduate high school but it was also the year I became a home haunter. Halloween was always a favorite holiday of mine and one of the things I always loved when I was trick or treating were the houses that did a little bit more than just putting out a lit jack-o-lantern. I decided I was going to be that guy and like most things I do, I went all out and gave it 150%. My first year was actually small with just a rotted corpse sitting in a chair and me wearing a Be Something Studios (now Zagone Studios) Shrunken Head mask to give the kids a scare before handing them their candy.

DSCF2899Though my original Be Something Studios Shrunken Head mask is no more, I recently bought a new copy, for nostalgia sake.

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Frightful chain of stores finally brings the SPIRIT back in Halloween!

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During the Halloween season, I’ve always been partial to the mom and pop costume shops. For one thing, I like to support the little guy but, for another, they also tend to carry less of the mass produced products bigger chains do. Unfortunately those stores are becoming a rarity thanks, in large part, to chains such as Spirit Halloween and Halloween Town.

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Lita Ford Slams “The Runaways” Film…and Sharon Osbourne!

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Days of the Dead (associated with New England’s Rock n’ Shock) has a tradition of mixing up their horror related guests with notable rock musicians. Past examples include original members of KISS; Ace Frehley and Peter Criss – with Frehley slated to return this November for their Chicago event. The two interests do go hand and hand and, for further illustration, the immortal Gene Simmons will be appearing at the Fright Night Film Fest in just a few short weeks.

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THE THING about “Days of the Dead” Indianapolis!

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The inimitable “Russ Wrangler” arrived at my place around 1pm; all smiles and full of energy. Clad in sunglasses and sandals, he looked more prepared for a day at the beach as opposed to a horror convention but clearly the overall message was “vacation” and a welcomed one at that. We loaded my things and immediately embarked for Indianapolis with no lulls in conversation, making the drive go by much quicker.

This was my third Days of the Dead in Indianapolis (fourth overall) and Russ’ second. I remember attending the very first one while being impressed with how fan-friendly it was; something I’d hoped hadn’t changed. It seems like fan conventions of any kind start off slow and friendly and, should they find success, later become out-of-control Goliath’s with the fans getting lost somewhere in the mix.

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Giant Insects Attack Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo!

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Early last summer, I published some photos of Brookfield Zoo’s 2012 “X-Treme Bugs” exhibit (see HERE). Sadly, this special exhibit has swarmed and gone but not before giving guests one last look during their “Creatures of the Night” event.  Here are some pictures that will surely appeal those of us who grew up devoted to those giant atomic bug movies that were so popular back in the ’50s.

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