Free Delightfully-Deadly-Download Friday (I got a rock.)

Many of you.....okay, both of you may have noticed that the blog has become a ghost town of late. Not the fun sort of ghost town with haunted tumble weeds and dangerous deserted mine shafts, but the empty kind that just quietly sucks. If I'm completely honest, and I can be because no one is reading, I've misplaced my Halloween Spirit. I haven't lost it, it's just floating about in the ether somewhere near enough to cackle at me in the night, but always just out of reach. I've also misplaced my fifth grade grammar book in case you didn't notice the sloppy punctuation I've been spewing. These abrupt changes in personality are among the many percocets.....perco....perks of having a serious mood disorder(screwy noggin). I make no excuses; I simply want you all(all=X*0) to know that I begin projects and do not finish them. I've always been this way.
All that being said, the big day is looming over us like a giant Ray Harryhausen monster and we cannot merely allow it to pass us by without celebrating the hell out of it, even if it means I have to induce my lovable manic half with an IV of coffee and redbull.
Also, you may have noticed that it's Free Delightfully-Deadly-Download Friday. Did you notice? This week's links(yes linkS) honor the classic radio horror shows that we all wish we were old enough to forget.

http://www.themonsterclub.com/radiolibrary.htm

http://www.vintagehorror.com/

http://www.horror-theatre.com/

http://relicradio.com/home/the-horror

http://horrortales.libsyn.com/

......but it wasn't a rock; it was a ROCK LOBSTER!

Wednesdays with Wednesday

It's raining and I'm in a Nathaniel Hawthorne mood. Read The Birthmark and then read it again. Maybe posting will become more regular if you read it. I'm just saying....

Free Delightfully-Deadly-Download Friday

Watching Iron Maiden on T101. No time for witty wordplay. Today's free download comes from an off the wall  group of chicken heads with a crazy strong Dead Kennedys influence. Music for Mutants by The Radioactive Chicken Heads is hell-larious and perfect for the Halloweenie times. Get it here. Also here and here for their other albums. The official website can be found here. Okay, leave me alone now so I can watch The Maiden.

Attack of the Vicious Vinyl Vampires!

No, I haven't posted in a few days and you've all been utterly lost and without direction in my absence. In my defense, I had a birthday and I've been one busy son of a witch. The aforementioned birthday brought me so many albums I may have to rent a second plot for storage. Care for a list? No? Too bad.
Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures(180 gram vinyl with textured sleeve)
The Cure - Disintegration
Bauhaus - Bela Lugosi's Dead(Slow to Speak Edit) By far the coolest present ever
Echo and the Bunnymen - Lips Like Sugar single
Depeche Mode - Strangelove single
Grand Master Flash and Melle Mel - White Lines single
Deep Purple - In Rock
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Yes - The Yes Album
Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Nightingales & Bombers
Rick Wakemen - Journey to the Center of the Earth
Steely Dan - Pretzel Logic
Steely Dan - The Royal Scam
Aretha Franklin - Get it Right
Night Ranger - 7 Wishes
Dionne Warwick - Soulful
Styx - Equinox
Styx - Pieces of Eight
The Moody Blues - To Our Children's Children's Children
The Moody Blues - Seventh Sojourn
Kris Kristofferson - Help Me Make it Through the Night
Kris Kristofferson - To the Bone
Kris & Rita - Breakaway
Kris & Rita - Natural Act
Art Garfunkel - Watermark
Climax Blues Band - Stamp Album
Loretta Lynn - Hymns
Les Dudek - Ghost Town Parade
Van Morrison - A Sense of Wonder
Jim & Ingrid Croce - Another Day, Another Town
Bloodrock - 2
Lightnin' Hopkins - S/T
Fleetwood Mac - Penguin
Mountain - Nantucket Sleighride
John Fogerty - Eye of the Zombie
Bruce Springsteen - Darkness on the Edge of Town
Jackson Browne - Hold Out, The Pretender, Running on Empty, & Late for the Sky
Also Leonard Cohen's Various Positions on CD

Do you care in the least? Probably not, but I couldn't be happier. All the Halloween spookiness will return soon.

Cranky Casket Case

    Another birthday, another year closer to death. Seems like a pretty fair arrangement to me. As of yesterday, The Casket Case is dragging one more year of baggage on his unceasing march to the grave. The fun's not over yet though because today brings more record hunting with The Ghoulfriend and a Birds/Psycho double feature. It's a one night only affair, in my ghoulfriend's living room, and you're not invited. If I sound mean it's because I am. I'm a cranky old man and you love me in spite of it. You people are weird.
    Enough with the pleasantries, I know what you're really here for. "Casket," you say.(That's what you call me because you think we're on a first name basis.) "Casket, how can I get my Halloween spirit to ooze from every pore in a slimy torrent of freakish fun, like yours?" The simple answer: you can't. You can, however, increase what spirit you have by visiting some of the wonderful blogs found here. Also, you can set the morbid mood by reading horror classics such as those Wednesday has been so kindly sharing, or the little over-written, pseudo-intellectual, neo-gothic tale being spun by yours truly. Speaking of, you can expect to hear more of the story in the weeks to come. With that, children, I bid you adieu. (Adieu: French for all the horrible things that would be censored if I said them in English.)

Wednesdays with Wednesday(Kitty Culture from the Crypt)

It's the fat one's birthday and he's blaring Deep Purple. How's a girl supposed to write anything with all this racket? It certainly isn't easy, but I won't let a little progressive proto-metal stop me in my tireless efforts to bring culture to the unwashed masses(i.e. you). So sit down, shut up, and prepare to be terrified beyond your wildest nightmares, in classic fashion.
The House on the Borderland by William Hope Hodgson is among my favorite horror novels. Not much gets under my fur, but I still get uneasy around albino pigs since  reading this. Find it here, or here for more options.

Cruisin' the Wasteland

He's enjoying the cooling weather; no boo's while driving though.

As hideous as the Casket Case is, he still tries on masks at every opportunity.

The big day is getting closer and the goblins are coming out. Look for tasty treats, the return of Wednesday, and Free Delightfully-Deadly-Download Fridays. Also, if you have any interest in hearing more of the story we began on Sunday, you have to speak up. Until next time, I'll be in the boneyard with a shovel and a burlap sack.

The De-Canonization of St. Death

Well cats and kittens, I thought long and hard(around 3 minutes) about what to post for today, and I've decided that perhaps we should all huddle 'round the headstone for story time. I've written a few introductory paragraphs to what I hope will turn into a half-way decent short story in the high tradition of the 'mad confession'. In case you have yet to discover this fact, we undead are huge fans of the melodramatic. I'd love to hear thoughts, comments, praise, criticism, or absolute lunatic babbling. Anything but silence. If you want to hear more of the story, SAY SO.
That being said, I submit for the approval of the midnight....Er, I mean, I give you:

The De-Canonization of St. Death

    It is entirely possible that my story is not worth telling. I've often asked myself if it's even worth remembering, but, sadly, that is not within my control. As with any story, I ought to begin at the beginning, though I could begin with the end and work my way back for effect. To be perfectly honest, I don't think it will make a difference either way. My memory has been somewhat augmented by a series of desperate and failed attempts at forgetting: liquor, narcotics, strange and exotic debaucheries invented for the sole purpose of escaping reality. Yes, every attempt only served to bring the horror into greater relief.

    I do not wish to share with you my experiences. To blacken the innocence of my fellow man by damning him to the knowledge of such evil seems a crime of a kind with my darkest sins. Yet any discipline, any control I maintain over my own actions is diminishing momently. There is a beast battering the walls of my soul and he will not be detained.

    Here I sit in the comfort of my study, the friendly embrace of my well-worn chair offering no longer the solace I have always found between it's massive arms. Though the air about her portrait is heavy with incense and the smoke moves sensually in the candlelight, as though imbued with some feminine intelligence, I find no pleasure, no quickening of the blood. Youth has long since abandoned me and rightfully so. My books keep a watchful eye over me, yet I have no sense of security. Here I sit to tell you of a horror of infinite magnitude, and I will not find peace until I share with you my curse.

In the Face!

The Ghoulfriend recently took up crocheting. You know crocheting, right? It's that craft with yarn and the giant face-stabbing needle. She attempted to teach me how it's done, but I have paint shakers for hands and it was during my battle with the Molar Monster so I was heavily medicated. There is a point to all of this and here it is: while perusing the Countdown to Halloween list, I came across a creepy crochet blog that has me in stitches, or bobbles, or other craft words. In the 'spirit' of Halloween, which is sharing treats, I'll be putting up this link. It's the same as this one.

Also...

What a Horrible Month to be Broke

   It's October and theaters are soaked in blood. I already missed Last Exorcism and chances are I won't catch Devil. With the soon to be released Let Me In, Case 39, and My Soul to Take, I think I might just cry. What's a creep to do? I will see Paranormal Activity 2 if I have to sell a kidney....not my own ofcourse.

   In these economic dark ages I find comfort in my idiot box. The month of October has always been a good time for television but this year might just top them all. As of 8:00 P.M.(7:00 Central) TCM will be unleashing a horde of Hammer horror classics beginning with 1958's Horror of Dracula! I know I'm cutting it a bit short with this one but there's really nothing you can do about that is there. Go here for more information on TCM's Hammer Horror series(every Friday).

   For those of you without satellite/cable, Elvira, the queen of the spookshow, will be hosting her Movie Macabre throughout October on local stations. Check here for your local listings.

   That's all the noose for now jerks and jerkettes. Be sure to check back often, and don't forget about that Free Delighfully-Deadly-Download posted earlier today. Also, it wouldn't kill you to leave a comment. If it does, I promise not to let my next reader leave one.  “Dig” you later.

Free Delightfully-Deadly-Download Friday

   The Molar Monster is out! It took quite a bit of work, but I can finally sleep. For those of you who are shaking your heads at the magnitude of my stupidity, I did have the tooth pulled by a professional dentist....I did. He let me keep it so I staged this little photo. Credit to Ashley for the great idea.
   Now that I've come down off of all those painkillers I can resume the blog, and what better time to re-kick things off than the first of October? Yes, haunting season officially begins today and the Ghoulfriend and I couldn't be more excited.
   In an effort to increase readership(from 0 to something slightly higher), I'll be participating in the Countdown to Halloween which begins as of now. Even if they don't link to me, I'm still counting down the days.
   Speaking of counting down the days, I know that's exactly what you beautiful little creeps have all been doing in anticipation of Free Delightfully-Deadly-Download Friday. Let's start October with a good old-fashion, grease soaked, blood stained, rock and roll ruckus. Chop Shop were the baddest hot-rodding horror fiends to ever take the stage and their Badlands E.P. can be found here along with some demos.
   Wish I had more time to stick around and chew the rat with you boils and ghouls, but sunrise is just around the corner and I haven't even made my coffin. Goodnight and may you all rot in peace.

Molar Monster

I'm all doped up on painkillers and seriously considering performing dental surgery on myself. I will return to posting as soon as I get my tooth fixed. Until then, enjoy this sketch I made of the Molar Monster.

Interview with Beth Balousek

Autumn is upon us and I have a variety of chemicals to make my rotting tooth bearable. You may or may not have noticed the distinct lack of Wednesday yesterday, but we will chalk it up to ridiculous levels of pain. I'm sure you'll understand.
Tonight I have for you the long awaited interview with Beth Balousek of Scarecrow.

Casket Case: The NY area seems to have been darkly fertile in the early 80s. What was your wildest experience in the scene?

Beth Balousek: 80's on the Lower east side were a BLAST - seems as if everyone was 18-25 years old, all of us high school rejects (or at least, none of us were the homecoming king/queen.....) wildly artistic. Felt like we were running the show for a while - the uptown-ers would come downtown to check out our art/music/clothing. Great fun. Not just that, but we helped each other out - supported each other's art, had rent parties...we had phone hot lines that could rally up hundreds of people for everything from Victor Bruno's renegade parties to instant demonstrations to help keep the building squatters safe from the police. Safety in numbers -

CC: How was your relationship with the guys in the band?

BB: Still talk to Joe and Ron - known Ron since 1980 - met him in Ann Arbor. We had a band then - used to play the Detroit/Ann Arbor scene before we moved to NYC. Had even crazier times in Michigan - hanging out with Niagra/Ron Ashton/Mike Davis - Destroy All Monsters and entourage.

CC: Who were your biggest influences at the time, and how has your opinion of their music changed over the years?

BB: Big influences - Siouxsie, Patti Smith...Iggy. I am a Detroit girl. Give me a fast car and a stack of Marshalls....yep, still.

CC: What is you opinion of the current goth/deathrock revival?

BB: Like hearing that the old stuff is still getting played...funny that folks think goth is some new thang -

CC: I've made out a good deal of your lyrics and it's obvious that you neither skimp out on the startling imagery nor go for the easy rhyme(a personal pet peeve). Being a poet, how important do you feel lyrics are in a song? What role do they play in the music in the context of personal expression as well as the 'public consumption'?

BB: Lyrics? Gawd! Can't sing without them!

CC: What is the writing process like for you?

BB: Writing process is very bumpy. Sometimes it comes. Sometimes , not. Right now I'm in a "not" phase and hating it.

CC: Your thoughts on the business aspect of music?

BB: Must say, I don't think I've ever had any thoughts on the biz end of music - being on stage was always more a matter of performance art, not a job.
Was in a couple bands before Scarecrow and before that I was a performance artist on my own. It's always been about the mood a performer can set. the image on stage and the twists that image makes. Don't know if that's gonna make much sense...

So, the words/poesy/lyrics play into the performing/persona

That's that kids. Hope you enjoyed it.

Free Delightfully-Deadly-Download Friday

It's Free-Delightfully-Deadly-Download Friday and I've managed to once again deliver the ghoulish goods. This EP by The Four Roses will keep you in stitches. I know I've found a new classic for my Annual Halloween Playlist. The Halloween Ep by The Four Roses: Get it here. Pay special attention to the first track.

There are always two sides to every story. Mine is always right.

As Wednesday has informed you, she recently caught her tail on fire. What she neglected to tell you was that yours truly was on the scene to immediately snuff the flame. She didn't even know anything happened until she came across the burnt fur while bathing herself. How does she repay me? By hacking up a hairball in my coffin at the ungodly hour of 7 A.M. I had to change the lining before returning to my eternal rest. I digress......still digressing......ok.

Alright witches and warlocks, it's contest time! I suggest you start conjuring because I want to see The Most Disgusting Display of Halloween Spirit before the Month of October. Send in pictures of yourself as Halloweened up as you can possibly manage with a date stamp proving the photo was taken before October. Or just lie to me because I'm very trusting. The freakiest fiend with the most spirit will be awarded the very prestigious and very not fake Most-Disgusting-Display-of-Halloween-Spirit-before-the-Month-of-October trophy. Photos can be sent to the Casket Case by way of my plot tender at wessmith84@hotmail.com

That's all of me you get for now. Don't forget that tomorrow is Free-Delightfully-Deadly-Download Friday. Also, you are officially one day closer to death. Sweet dreams.

Wednesdays with Wednesday(Aflame with Rage)

If that lumbering lummox that calls himself my owner isn't more careful, I'll rip out his jugular. Can you believe he actually caught my tail on fire? Then he has the nerve to blame it on me for getting too close to his candles. It's bad enough that he makes me watch Dracula 24/7; now he's attempting to incinerate me. He has the balls to refer to himself as the King of Cats....I'd like to see just how many lives he has. Never fear though, I left a hairball on his bed this morning.

Now that I've vented my considerable spleen, I suppose you'll want me to get on with the column. Typical humans! You take and take, but what have you ever given me? I will, however, forgive you as you are the inferior species. Be grateful.

Today I've decided to grace you with the master of horror himself: Edgar Allan Poe. Project Gutenberg has a wealth of Poe, but don't forget who gave you the links.

The Works of Edgar Allan Poe:

Vol. 1 here or here for more options

Vol. 2 here or here

Vol. 3 here or here

Vol. 4 here or here

Vol. 5 here or here

That should keep you busy for a while. Until next time, remember that you're only human and I am so much better than you that it physically hurts.

Last Year's Pumpkin Carving.

Last year's pumpkin carving festivities will soon be put to shame, but first let's take a look back.

The pumpkin was the head of the tax-man. The knife was a knife.

He had it coming. (God I love that woman.)

The Casket Case isn't proud of this piddly pumpkin, but there's always next time.

The Ghoulfriend really showed me up.

Fire makes everything better.

Pestilent, Perverse, Palpitating, Putrefying, Pumpkins!

The ghoulfriend recently left a comment asking for jack o' lantern stencils. What a wonderful example of masked support: her way of giving me ideas without 'giving' me ideas. That being said; sharpen the blades, turn down the lights, and get ready to mutilate some defenseless pumpkins. I've been hard at work with my pick and shovel unearthing some of the internet's finest stencil sites. Behold the results:

Paid Sites
www.zombiepumpkins.com
Tons of creepy cut ups for those of you with actual money.

www.pumpkinlady.com/pattern.htm
Nice variety at decent prices....not free, but still decent.

http://www.jamminpumpkins.com/
Some non-traditional patterns including comic heroes, video game characters, and Rankin/Bass classics!

http://www.stoneykins.com/
Killer designs with a large selection of freebies.

Free Sites
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/halloween/mpatterns.htm
A hellish handful of simpler stencils.

http://www.celebrating-halloween.com/pumpkincarving/index.shtml
Scream-worthy shapes.

http://www.hersheys.com/celebrate/halloween/fun-stuff/stencils/
Not the largest selection, but very family friendly.

http://www.fantasypumpkins.com/free-patterns.htm
Unbelievable images for the advanced user.

http://www.biosci.missouri.edu/liscum/halloween/pumpkin_03/pumppatterns.html
The single greatest collection of pumpkin stencils with instructions for making your own out of any image. I will be attempting some of these during this year's festivities.

http://www.bhg.com/holidays/halloween/pumpkin-carving/pumpkin-stencil-maker/?psrc=mb07
Frightfully fun virtual carver. After you've perfected your putrid pumpkin, print off a stencil and brink it to unholy life.

Free Delightfully-Deadly-Download Friday

It's Friday and the boneyard is rocking. I've just returned from a small slaycation complete with murderous mayhem and detestable debauchery. Fortunately for all, I have returned in time for Free Delightfully-Deadly-Download Friday. In my searches through the sonorous sarcophagi, I've managed to once again uncover something that should never have been disturbed. I fear that I've brought down upon myself an unshakable curse - the curse of the catchy chorus. If I were a brave man, I would endure this curse alone, but I have no spine. Seriously, graverobbers got to it. Think ill of me if you will, but I'm sharing this week's free download with you in spite of it's spellbinding qualities. The song is Grave Robber at Large by Creature Feature and if it doesn't get your toes a-tappin', sew them back on and try again. Download it here and suffer the consequences.

Wednesdays with Wednesday(Finally Alone)

Finally, I have the crypt to myself. The Casket Case is out of town this week and you know what they say....ofcourse you don't know what they say, human. The saying goes, when the moron's away, the kitty will play. I may have overdone it a bit on the catnip last night, but I've still come through with the goods. Even hung over, cats are the essence of class and culture. What do I have for you this week, you ask? None other than a little story many consider to be the first gothic novel, The Castle of Otranto. Written in 1764 by Horace Walpole, this tale is wickedly surreal and every bit as enthralling as we've come to expect our melodramatic gothic literature to be.
Read it here, or here for more details.
You'll forgive me if I don't stick around to demean you more, but I have to return to the party. Good night, pissants.