Frankenstein's Party - 14 Boppin' Brainbenders From The Boneyard

Following the enthusiastic reception of our CD releases on the subjects of ‘Horror’ and ‘Halloween’, the first exclusive vinyl compilation on Bear Family Records is released here, akin to the afore-created horrid homunculus. We compiled ten from the already haunting house-party-hot tracks and dug-up four other long-lost but longing-for-life limb shakers.

Included, of course, is the well-known stalwart of operatic shock and roll Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, with his heart-breaking tale of the Little Demon. New to this compilation is the relatively obscure Virgil Holmes. He invites you to join his spooky ride on the Ghost Train, an anachronistic, and some say rhythmically avant-garde, Atlantic rockabilly release from 1961!

Speaking of rockabilly revivals: Also exclusive to this year’s comp is the highly collectible NRC 45 rpm of Rod Willis The Cat. The undisputed all-time classic is one of the songs that midwifed the psychobilly genre - included here with all the howling winds, cat screeches, and ghostly mumbles (some un-hip compilers tend to edit the sound effects … rockabilly purists go to…).

One of the prime examples of punk rock’s origins concludes side A of this platter, Casey Jones and the Governors rip through Screamin’ Lord Sutch’s gruesome (some say tasteless) tale of the Terror of the East End, Jack the Ripper. Their Star Club-infused spirit is unabashed rock and roll.   

The sprightly and twisting Frankenstein’s Party was recorded by four friends from a Philadelphia high school and church. Led into temptation just once - this was their sole release – but what a twist it gives! Another vocal group, the Monotones, delivers a chilling wail with their song Zombi. A great one to stroll to (zombies ain’t the fastest). 

The restrained and thus the more haunting in effect The Midnight Monster Hop by country veterans Jack and Jim from the Holly-Petty realm, and the uninhibited high school trash rocker The Mortal Monster Man by the Savoys round up the newly dug for this year. 

This record exploits it all – Teutonic and Slavic accents, screaming, screeching, chain-rattling, howling – everything your warped brain desires! TV host and entrepreneur Merv Griffin provides an all-encompassing exegesis in the opening track, House of Horrors. So, invite your friends, let your hair down, and get charged by the electrical spirit of the “man” himself – Herr Frankenstein.