The Johnson-Smith Novelty Company Horror Record

So with my decision to jump back in this Halloween, I soon started thinking ahead to another month of spooky, fun content for the blog. And of course, one of the first things I thought about was music. Music has always played an integral part of my Halloween season, and by extension, my life in general.

I started researching new options for my Freebie Fridays segments, where I share gems from my ever-increasing collection of old novelty Halloween "spooky sounds" records, cassettes and CDs throughout the month of October. I quickly realized that I had shared everything in my current collection, so it was time to go out and snap up a few more classics.

And I came upon a Halloween holy grail that I somehow hadn't heard of before...

The Johnson-Smith Novelty Company Horror Record!

Seven full inches of glorious Halloween novelty record cheese. Chock full of hilariously bad and poorly produced sound effects. Originally sold along side whoopie cushions and x-ray specs through ads in the back pages of horror comics and similar publications of the 1970s. I knew I had to add this one to the collection.

And while I still don't own a copy yet, I DID find something way more amazing than the record itself.

About 15 years ago, Jason Ellis, head curator of the absolutely amazing Scar Stuff blog, decided to take his love of this record to the next level. He took the original audio and animated it using the incredible art of Eerie Publications' classic horror comics. The same comics that housed the those original Johnson-Smith ads that you could have bought this record from. 

And the results are simply stunning! This video quickly made the rounds when it was first released, but I thought it was time to share this one again. It's just too damn good not to!

  

Ghost - "Kiss The Go-Goat"

Highbury Cemetery favorites Ghost are finally back with a new one, and it has a bit of psychedelic throwback coolness. Dig that funky keyboard! Super catchy with their signature flavoring of less-than-subtle sexuality.

And of course the new 7" record, 7 Inches of Satanic Panic, went up for sale this weekend while I was out riding my bike in the Pennsylvania hills, and I totally missed it. Sold out. Fudge.

So here's my plea to you. If anyone has one on order that they wouldn't mind parting with for a slight profit, please hit me up. I know they are all over eBay already, but I'm not going to pay outrageous flipper prices. Maybe $25 for a mint copy (plus a spirited shout-out on this illustrious blog??). Help a haunter out??

"Halloween Sound Effects" Soundtrack

This is an absolutely horrible record album that no collection should be without!

This collage of gruesome sounds is perfect for Trick or Treaters who need (or deserve?) a little terror in their lives, and can set the mood or be the life of your Hallowe'en party. Many of you have bought this ghoulish collection for the sheer pleasure of it all, however, a word of caution: Use headphones to avoid disturbing the squeamish!

Wait, what!?

Welcome to the first Freebie Friday of 2018! Every Friday during the month of October, I share another gem from my ever-growing collection of old novelty Halloween records and cassettes. And today, I'm kicking it off with an infamous classic!

Halloween Sound Effects Vol. 1: Music and Effects of a Terrifying Nature is a well-known entry in the novelty Halloween sounds market. And that first sentence from the record sleeve pretty much tells it all...

Released in 1982 on Canadian label, Total Records, this novelty soundtrack must have taken all of one afternoon to record and produce. Side one, simply entitled "Hallowe'en," is your run-of-the-mill spooky sound effects collection that sounds like it was recorded in someone's basement with a cassette deck. 17 bizarre and goofy tracks that clock in at under 11 minutes. 

The standout track on this side is definitely "Gluttony and Belching From Satisfied Monsters." And yes, there are actual, somewhat-awesome belching sounds and laughter included. There is no way that the artists who recorded this were taking it seriously.

And while side one is pretty much a throw away, the saving grace for this record is side two.

I'm not sure how the audio on side two can be considered "Hallowe'en In Space," but there are actually some cool ambient sound effects here. And with incredible track names like, "Cosmic Lunacy," "Plutonian Ice Caves," and "Honing The Light Sabre" (no copyright laws in Canada??), it makes the release all worth it.

Yes, it's another goofy novelty release overall, but the oddness of side two makes it a keeper in the collection. It's just too bad that the artists never created a Volume 2!


DOWNLOAD "HALLOWEEN SOUND EFFECTS VOL. 1" HERE.

  

Daniel Davies - "Shadows Alive"

From Daniel Davies, godson of and guitarist to John Carpenter's recording and touring band. A very "Carpenter-esque" haunting retro synth track from "Events Score," which releases today!

Events Score is available on Bandcamp, Lakeshore Records, and a gorgeous limited vinyl release from Burning Witches Records.

Guess which one I ordered!?!? And look for Davies' next release, the highly anticipated Halloween film soundtrack alongside current bandmates John and Cody Carpenter this October!

New Halloween Soundtrack - By John Carpenter!

I was beyond excited upon hearing that there is a new Halloween film in the works, especially with legendary director John Carpenter brought on to produce. This new film somehow fits in as a new sequel to the 1978 original, which makes no real sense especially with the quality of the original sequel, but like everyone else, I'm willing to give it a shot. Because hey, John Carpenter.

So imagine how giddy I got when news broke that Carpenter was tagged with creating the new score to the film, too. A new Carpenter-associated Halloween film WITH A CARPENTER SCORE! Technically it will be composed by Carpenter, his son Cody and godson Daniel Davies (part of his band that have been touring for the past 3 years), which should make for an interesting update on the original score.

After hearing this news, I was all in. On October 19th, I will be in line to see this at my local theater (large crowds of people be damned!). I have been taken over by Halloween mania...

And to keep the hysteria going, Sacred Bones Records announced the release of the new Halloween soundtrack this week. Kaboom. My head just exploded. 3 different vinyl versions from Sacred Bones. And literally a thousand other release versions throughout other record labels, record stores and countries. Enough to make a collector go mad...

I quickly settled on grabbing a copy of the Sacred Bones "Art Edition" of 2,000. An alternate, die-cut sleeve with amazing (better!) art by Chris Bilheimer, really cool clear-and-orange-blob vinyl, and a huge, super cool Michael Myers target practice poster. And I'm glad I moved quick on this one, because all 2,000 sold out in 24 hours. Unbelievable. I guess Halloween mania isn't just limited to me...

The Halloween soundtrack drops on October 19th!

Svartsinn - "Doubt As Sin (Nietzsche's Lament)"

I just picked up Mørkets Variabler, the latest release from Norwegian dark ambient artist Svartsinn. Wonderfully cold, atmospheric dark ambient that hits dead center of what is becoming more and more of my wheelhouse.

The more I explore the works of dark ambient artists like Svartsinn, the more I'm convinced of its effective use in a haunt setting. It really sets an overall, ominous tone that could really punch up the sense of dread and foreboding in a given haunt scene, and I have been using various dark ambient tracks in my haunt display for years now.

The standout track on this release for me is Doubt As Sin (Nietzsche's Lament). This track has a slightly darker tone than the other tracks. I really love the cold, low vibrating tones and harsh, echoing reverb throughout. Add in the slightest hints of vocal whispers and you have an incredibly eerie track.

And being the vinyl snob that I am, I opted for the limited, double-vinyl edition of this release. Gorgeous, minimalist matte black artwork throughout the gatefold sleeve and continued through each of the insert sleeves. Upon opening the package up, I was rewarded with a small extra cool touch on one of the insert sleeves - an autograph from Svartsinn himself, Jan Roger Petterson!

Prosper In Darkness, indeed! I HIGHLY recommend this release to any dark ambient fans or any Halloween fans looking for a different angle to get their creep on!

  

The Misfits - Night of the Living Dead

Another amazing Misfits ep that I'd probably have to trade a body part for in order to acquire an original copy of on vinyl, but it's worth it! This particular video is pretty awful, but the audio quality is very good.

R-A-T-T-F-I-N-K Rat Fink!!

The Misfits - Horror Business

I'm currently willing to trade a mostly perfectly good kidney for an original vinyl copy of this one. An absolute classic...

Atrium Carceri & Cities Last Broadcast - "Prepare The Stage Of Night"

So I finally received my vinyl copy of Atrium Carceri & Cities Last Broadcast's Black Corner Den, and all I can say is, "Damn!"

Photo by Cryo Chamber

I have been listening to the digital download copy I got along with the vinyl purchase and I've been really impressed with every track. Not so much dark and foreboding, but more melancholic ambient with this release. I'm not very meditative, but I have been able to relax deeply and fall asleep to these tracks nightly.

And now when I spin the vinyl, it's actually a bit different. I was hoping for a bit more richness in the vinyl and it does not disappoint. You can hear so many more layers with the vinyl and it has a much fuller, deeper low end. This vinyl version will be my go-to whenever I'm working away in my office, and I REALLY recommend a vinyl copy if you happen to have even a decent turntable.

This is the first dark ambient release on vinyl that I have added to my collection (and the first release on vinyl from Cryo Chamber). If other vinyl releases offer more complexity and richness over their digital counterparts like this one does, it surely won't be the last!

Atrium Carceri & Cities Last Broadcast - "Black Corner Den"

I am SUPER excited about this new dark ambient collaboration between two giants of the genre!!

From the Cryo Chamber Bandcamp page:

The two bearded Swedes join forces on this collaborative album. Black Corner Den is the result of long winter studio sessions separated by the Atlantic Ocean but made possible by the internet. Lonely moments in the company of the night lamp, overlooking the messy pile of tape loops while the machines hummed and the piano played until the morning.

Exploring the opium dens at the end of the 19th century this album takes you deep into the soothing dreams of dead poets.

"The streets lay silent as the floor creeks under your bare feet. The old loft lit by a wax candle, it's light dancing over your oak desk. You grab the vial of black ink and the leather bound book as you scurry out the door into the humid night. You pass trails of fire as the lamplighter tends to the myriad lanterns adorning the bridge. A left turn leads you down a set of stone stairs where the satin clad lounge welcomes you in.

Sweet smoke lingers in here where gentlemen gather to dream about the black sea. Your booth at the far end stands prepared. A pipe, tinderbox and purple pillow for a tired head. You have a friend tonight and it calls itself the Black Corner Den."

Pär Boström’s dreamlike soundscapes combines with the careful melodies and elegant structures of Simon Heath. The perfect soundtrack for decadent nights or introverted reading sessions, preferably combined.

As an added bonus, they are doing a limited, absolutely gorgeous release on vinyl!

I don't have any dark ambient releases on vinyl, but I'm all in on this one. I can't wait to hear this release through the warm tones of my turntable.

Black Corner Den releases September 5 on Cryo Chamber.

Waxwork Records - "The Thing" Deluxe Vinyl Soundtrack

I've been collecting vinyl records for 25-plus years now, but the record that showed up at my door today may be the new greatest piece in my ever-expanding collection. I have been an avid collector of Waxwork Records' horror and sci-fi soundtrack releases since their start, back in 2013. Beautifully illustrated covers created by well-known artists, stunningly gorgeous colored vinyl combinations and well-researched and thorough liner notes by directors and composers have become a hallmark of the Waxwork name, and their latest release is undoubtedly their best yet.

John Carpenter's 1982 sci-fi horror masterpiece, The Thing, is widely regarded as some of his best work. Carpenter, who is well-known for scoring his own films, actually stepped away from writing the soundtrack for this film, and instead turned it over to legendary Italian soundtrack composer, Ennio Morricone. Morricone's cold, minimalist composition sets the perfect tone to accentuate the theme of stark isolation in the film.

Continuing with that cold, stark theme, Waxwork's "Trapped In The Ice" Deluxe Edition is somewhat of a masterpiece in its own right. The entire package comes housed in a glossy, die-cut outer case with only a stark logo of the film's title.

The outer case then "cracks" apart to reveal the contents inside: a gatefold sleeve, beautifully illustrated by Justin Erickson of Phantom City Creative, a fold-out poster and a matching booklet, complete with a full interview with director John Carpenter.

And if the outer die-cut shell, gatefold sleeve, booklet and fold-out poster weren't enough, the blue and white haze "ice" vinyl may be the best part of this incredible package. A beautiful swirl pattern that almost reflects the outline of Antarctica itself on the cover.

Top to bottom, this is easily one of the best releases to come out of Waxwork (and that really is saying something!). The amount of work that went into this release is staggering and the end product takes its rightful place at the top of my collection.

And unfortunately, with the hype that surrounded this release, the Deluxe version sold out immediately. But you can still find this (as well as the standard white vinyl "snow" edition) on eBay or Discogs, albeit at a premium price. But save your pennies, because this really is a piece that needs to be in your collection!

"Monster Mash Sounds of Terror!" Soundtrack

Listen to this Horror! If you dare!

This is a trip into the uncharted regions of the unnatural world of horror. A region where the supernatural takes over the minds of men. It is that place where the fiends lurk, ready to plunge their fangs deep. If you dare, turn out the lights, and play this record on your phonograph.

Gasp and scream as the victims plead in vain for mercy, or quick death. If your heart is too weak for this journey into terror, do not play this record. Your nerves will jarr to the grotesque inhumanity of man to man within. The screams you hear maybe your own after this diabolical detour into... MADNESS!

Can you stand the shock of hearing the Exorcist battle Satan? Hear the unearthly sounds of the possession of the soul! Listen if you dare! Will the burning of witches at the stake unhinge your mind? Does the screaming amongst the flames shatter your sanity! The evil blackness within this record is a journey into unbelievable... TERROR!

We're finishing off this season of Freebie Fridays with another Wade Denning/Pickwick Records novelty Halloween classic from 1974. "Monster Mash Sounds of Terror!" is a great collection of  short horror stories with incredible titles including The Werewolf Attacks, Frankenstein Returns, The Incredible Giant Crab, Victims of the Guillotine, and The Nightmare of Lost Souls. Each story is roughly two to three minutes in length, and each one is a hilarious classic. 

No real "haunted house" sound effects on this one, but the short stories and accompanying sounds more than make up for that! 19 classic stories with excellent narration and a rendition of the Halloween staple, "Monster Mash" make for a truly fun listen. I have played this record a number of times since picking it up and it is still enjoyable all the way through.

DOWNLOAD "MONSTER MASH SOUNDS OF TERROR!" RIGHT HERE.

  

Joel Grind - "Fatal Planet"

The newest instrumental synth 7" record coming out next week from Toxic Holocaust founder, Joel Grind. Cool limited vinyl pressings available from Poisoned Mind Records on August 13.

I really dig the classic horror synth score sound on both tracks, and a copy of this 7" will be headed to my collection immediately! Another highly recommended release!

Evil Dead 2 - Fan Designed Packaging Poll

From Waxwork Records:

Waxwork Records is excited to launch our very first fan designed soundtrack poll. What this means is that you get to vote on various concepts for the front album cover, inner gatefold, and back cover art of the LP jacket for our upcoming soundtrack release of the 1987 horror classic, EVIL DEAD 2.

It’s no secret that Waxwork Records likes to let fans behind the curtain to see what goes on behind the scenes here in our camp. As true fans of music, cinema, and art, we think it’s crucial to let everyone have a look at how our products are created. We have taken you into our pressing plant, we have taken you into artists’ homes and studios, and now we want you to have the opportunity to help design one of our deluxe soundtrack releases on vinyl.

Waxwork Records has worked closely with illustrator Justin Erickson of Phantom City Creative to illustrate various artistic concepts of our EVIL DEAD 2 soundtrack release. Justin is a true talent and a great problem solver. We think you’ll love what he came up with!

So, come join us in the woods and help us design our groovy EVIL DEAD 2 release. But, remember to keep out of the fruit cellar!

CAST YOUR VOTE HERE!

(For what it's worth, I voted D/B/B.)

  
  

Theme From "Friday the 13th Part III"

I'm beyond excited for Waxwork Records' latest release: the complete, double LP soundtrack to Friday the 13th Part III, composed by Henry Manfredini. It is by far the greatest soundtrack of the F13 franchise, and with new cover art by Ghoulish Gary Pullin, an optional 3D lenticular cover and "3D colored" or "Blood Splattered Hockey Mask" colored vinyl options, a mandatory release for your collection.

And did I mention that this has the infamous "disco theme song"!?!

"Hallowe'en Spooky Sounds" 7"

I don't want the Halloween season to be over yet, so I'm going to keep it going with a bonus Freebie Fridays offering! It's a classic vintage 45 record that has been burning up my turntable ever since I scored it back in September.

Sounds Records' vintage novelty Halloween 45 from 1962 is your standard faire, with the usual storm, cats, dogs, footsteps, moaning, laughing and screaming sound effects. It's pretty lo-fi, but the thin, recorded-in-studio sound is what makes this release so great! Classic, silly Halloween spook sounds with classic Halloween sleeve art.

The funny thing about this release is that there seems to be two versions, most likely just label variations. One version has the classic spooky sounds listed on side one and "Storm with Rain and Spookie Sounds" on the second side. The version I have has a slightly different list of sound effects on side one and "Same with space between sound effects," on side two. Regardless, it's still a great little record and it will continue to get some spins on the turntable... 

DOWNLOAD "HALLOWE'EN SPOOKY SOUNDS" HERE.

  

"Haunted House" Soundtrack

Recorded Live in Transylvania Studios.

Take a trip through the haunted house if you dare! Turn your home into a scarry (sic), chilling, fearful domain of monsters, ghosts and goblins.

This week's Freebie Friday soundtrack is a vintage classic from 1985. (Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the) Haunted House, from Haunted House Music Co. (no, not the classic Disney release by the same title) is an accompanying Halloween soundtrack to Night In A Graveyard, another low-budget-but-wonderfully-campy release from the same year. And more great sleeve art with that classic, creepy vintage illustrated style!

Side one takes us on a 15 minute trip through a haunted house with the usual, vintage spooky sounds. Side two is a separated collection of various spooky sound effects. Apparently, this label had a third release entitled, The Ride of the Headless Horseman put out the same year, although I do not have that one to share yet.

And yes, although this release had been shared years ago by Scar Stuff, Cult of the Great Pumpkin and Mostly Ghostly Music Sharing BLAAAHHHHGGG!, the great campy factor of this record is just too much fun not to share again.

Warning: Do not listen to this recording alone.

May be hazardous to your health.

Parental guidance suggested.

 

DOWNLOAD "HAUNTED HOUSE" HERE.



Halloween Weather Forecast Update:

Holding steady! I hope this forecast sticks...


 
 

"Halloween Horrors" Soundtrack

With these sound effects, you can make your own Halloween Party. For best results, listen to this album in the dark.

Next up for Freebie Fridays is A&M Records' classic vintage Halloween record from 1977, Halloween Horrors. With cover art like this, how could you pass it up?

Side One (Story: Halloween Horror) is a narrated tale of a man's journey through his inherited haunted mansion on Halloween night. The main character is voiced by Michael Bell, a professional voice actor whose credits include the cartoon classics Scooby Doo, The Smurfs, Transformers, G.I. Joe and Voltron, just to name a few.

Side Two (The Sounds of Halloween) starts with an incredible introduction from Peter Cullen, another famous professional voice talent who is best known for providing the voice of Optimus Prime in Transformers. The rest of the side finishes off with a collection of "Halloween-ish" sound effects including screams, creaking doors, pipe organs, thunder, bats, crashes, guns, flying saucers and much more.

A top-notch Halloween album, from it's incredibly spooky cover art to it's famously-voiced stories and sound effects. Just don't forget to listen to this album in a dark room.


Download Halloween Horrors here.

  

John Carpenter's Lost Themes

Yes, a lot of people have already posted tracks from director/composer John Carpenter's new release, Lost Themes, but I wanted to wait until I got my vinyl copy before I listened to any of the pre-release tracks and chimed in.

Today, my copy finally showed up in the mail, and suffice to say that it hasn't stopped spinning on my turntable yet.

I was able to score a deluxe version from Sacred Bones, and the packaging did not disappoint. A beautiful orange and black swirl vinyl record housed by the standard gatefold sleeve with liner notes, and then wrapped in a custom, numbered, silk screened outer cardstock sleeve that is sealed with a Sacred Bones wax stamp. From the visual standpoint, well worth the wait!

Upon spinning the record itself, I was really pleased with all of the tracks. Nine moody, synth-driven instrumentals that reference his infamous movie scores, yet progress far enough to really stand on their own. Overall, the release seems like the logical progression of a Carpenter composition.

As an added bonus, the digital download includes a further six remixed versions of Carpenter's tracks, all of which take the original material and spin it in completely different directions. I like the remixes almost as much as Carpenter's originals.

I'm not one for long-winded reviews, so I'm just going to tell you to go out and pick up this release. You won't be disappointed. I know that this will be spinning at the cemetery for a long time to come!

Thrift Store Score

It's rare when the planets align and things really work out in your favor, but when it does happen it's sure to put a grin on your face.

Last weekend, I made a trip to the local thrift store to find some odds and ends to complete this year's MHC costume. I'm not a big thrift store shopper, but I'll stop by on occasion when I need something specific.

In a rare slice of luck, I ended up leaving the store with three bags of goodies and a look of bewilderment in what I had just scored in one trip...


A stroll through the small appliances aisle and I immediately stumbled on a shihatsu massager in perfect working condition. Total price? 4 DOLLARS!!!

There are so many options for what animated prop I could build with this! Ground breaker? Coffin grabber? The possibilities are endless! Surely this was the one score that would make the trip worth it, right?

After throwing the massager into my cart, I turned the corner and headed over to the vinyl records bin. And what was sticking out of the shelf, practically screaming my name to buy them and take them home with me?

THREE Hüsker Dü records! Candy Apple Grey, New Day Rising and Flip Your Wig. All original pressings, all in great condition. Total price? SIXTY CENTS EACH!!!!! SCORE!!!!!

 

All 3 records now have new, protective plastic sleeves and are sitting securely in my record collection. I once found a Dead Kennedys record at a Record Exchange for $4, but three Hüsker Dü records at sixty cents each trumps that!

I eventually made my way to the children's area and picked up a stuffed teddy bear that I was looking for for a Halloween prop project that will be revealed shortly. Price? ONE SHINY QUARTER! When the little guy is re-purposed and the project is complete, I'll reveal it here. This project is a lot of fun and it has a wonderfully twisted use for a traditional teddy bear. This one will be a thing of childhood nightmares come Halloween...

Finally, I made my way to the men's section and score 3 leather belts for an "accessory" piece I'm currently finishing for my MHC costume. Another deal at ONE DOLLAR EACH! This piece should be done in the next day or two (it has to be finished by Friday!!), and I'll be sure to share it once it's finished. This one will be a lot of fun, too.


So after a long hiatus from the thrift store, I walk out with the best score I've ever had there. It looks like I'll have to make time to get there much more often!!