Today in Pop Culture: It’s Britmas, Bitch!
Published on December 2nd, 2015 in: Holidays, Music, Today In Pop Culture |
As Autumn gives way rapidly to Winter, a question enters the seasonal zeitgeist.
Has Britney Spears’ birthday become too commercialized? Are we seeing too much of it, too soon?
Today In Pop Culture: Crosby Meets Bowie
Published on November 30th, 2015 in: Culture Shock, Holidays, Music, Retrovirus, Today In Pop Culture, TV |
Pop quiz, hot shots.
Who was the biggest selling musical artist of the twentieth century? We’ll make this multiple choice, just to make it easier.
A) Elvis Presley
B) Madonna
C) Perry Como
D) Bachman-Turner Overdrive
If you guessed Bachman-Turner Overdrive, bless your heart.
The ScreamCast: Episodes 41 – 43
Published on January 9th, 2015 in: Holidays, Horror, Movies, Science Fiction |
You might have missed these recent installments of The ScreamCast. Now’s your chance to catch up.
Episode 41 – Silent Night Deadly Night (1984)
Includes a critique of Scream Factory’s Blu-ray release and a rundown of other holiday-themed movies.
Episode 42 – Tales From The Crypt (1972), The Vault Of Horror (1973) & Trancers (1984)
Brad, Sean, and Brian discuss the Scream Factory releases of Tales From The Crypt and The Vault of Horror as well as Full Moon’s Trancers reissue.
Episode 43 – The Device (2014) & The Quatermass Xperiment (1955)
Director John Portanova joins the crew to talk about his latest film The Device as well as Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray release of The Quatermass Xperiment and a list of Top 10 Alien Abduction/Invasion flicks.
Best Of 2014: The Muffs
Published on January 2nd, 2015 in: Best Of Lists, Books, Holidays, Music |
Notable Christmas Albums: Past, Present, and Future
Published on December 19th, 2014 in: Holidays, Music |By Brenna Chase
Tired of the same worn out Christmas songs you’re subjected to every season, but still want to get into the holiday spirit? While there are tons of dispensable versions of every yuletide tune in existence, there are still some notable albums worthy of consideration.
Christmas Albums Everyone Should Try At Least Once
The ScreamCast: Episode 40 – To All A Goodnight
Published on December 12th, 2014 in: Holidays, Horror, Movies, VHS |
Episode 40 is up now! Brad, Sean, and Brian tackle VHS classic To All A Goodnight, a Santa Slasher from 1980.
The ScreamCast: Episodes 37, 38, and 39
Published on December 5th, 2014 in: Action Movies, DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews, Holidays, Horror, Movie Reviews, Movies |
There are three new episodes of The ScreamCast up for your listening pleasure.
Episode 37 – Prom Night (1980): Podcast includes Canuxploitation.com founder Paul Corupe in a discussion of this new reissue from Synapse.
Episode 38 – Monkey Shines (1988) & The Dark Half (1993): Brad and Sean discuss whether or not these films hold up on their new Scream Factory reissues.
Episode 39 – Raw Force (1982) & Christmas Evil (1980): Brad, Sean, and Brian discuss these two reissues from Vinegar Syndrome.
Music Review: Various Artists, An Americana Christmas
Published on December 5th, 2014 in: Current Faves, Holidays, Music, Music Reviews, Reviews |
The worst Christmas song I’ve ever heard that isn’t “The Christmas Shoes” is its glurgy precursor, Red Sovine’s “Is There Really A Santa Claus?” I heard the song on a country Christmas compilation I picked up at a flea market for a buck. In it, a widower (dead mom alert!) who has been very cross with his children on Christmas Eve (telling them there was no Santa Claus, that jerk) realizes the error of his ways and goes out to get them presents, hoping the stores haven’t closed. He gets hit by a car. The kids’ presents? Delivered by . . . Santa. The song is jawdroppingly awful, yet awesome.
Music Review: Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse, A New Orleans Creole Christmas
Published on November 14th, 2014 in: Current Faves, Holidays, Music, Music Reviews, Reviews |
On their first, and hopefully not last, Christmas album, New Orleans’ own Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse takes Christmas standards and lets them breathe. A New Orleans Creole Christmas rewards careful listening and attentiveness with unexpected grace notes, bent phrases, and excellent playing. While his name is prominently featured, Irvin Mayfield has surrounded himself with supremely talented musicians who complement his brilliance as a trumpet player.
Keepin’ Halloween Alive with Alice Cooper
Published on October 31st, 2014 in: Halloween, Holidays, Horror, Music |By Tyler Hodg
Unless you’ve lived under a rock your entire life, you know that Alice Cooper makes a living out of shocking and scaring audiences. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the King of Hallowe’en’s spooktacular single “Keepin’ Halloween Alive,” and it’s only fitting that the song sees a revision. Released digitally and on glow in the dark vinyl, “Keepin’ Halloween Alive” is definitely not a trick, but a high energy, extremely fun treat. You know, brand name, none of that generic crap.
I can’t fathom the fact that it took Alice Cooper 40 years to make an official Halloween song. Nonetheless, “Keepin’ Halloween Alive” not only rocks, it’s scary good. It’s up-tempo and is the perfect way to get into the spirit for the day of the dead.
Buying the digital version of the song is great and all, but the seven-inch glow in the dark vinyl is definitely the way to go. Side A features the song “Keepin’ Halloween Alive” and if you flip the vinyl over, side C (very clever, Alice!) is a live version of the fan favorite “I Love the Dead.”
I don’t know where Alice Cooper has been hiding, but Halloween is alive and well. His song hasn’t exactly become a mainstream Halloween hit, which is a shame seeing as it’s the perfect song for the occasion. Just as we’re keeping Halloween alive, we should be keeping this song alive as well. Long live Alice Cooper and may everyone’s Halloween be a thriller of a night.
Boo!