Horror Punk Guide

Horror punk is a music sub-genre that combines punk rock with horror film and B-movie themes and aesthetics.

Characteristics:

1. Themes and Lyrics:
   • Horror punk songs draw inspiration from horror movies, B-movies, monster movies, exploitation films, and psychological thrillers.
   • Lyrics often delve into macabre themes such as death, decay, murder, and the supernatural.
   • Dark, morbid, and tongue-in-cheek humor is common.

1. Musical Style:
   • Horror punk is typically fast-paced and aggressive with punk rock roots.
   • Moderate-to-high distortion guitar riffs and a driving bassline form the core.
   • Drumming is often fast-paced with double bass drumming.
   • Vocals range from melodic singing to shouting, screaming, and growling.

1. Image and Aesthetics:
   • Horror punk musicians often adopt a macabre and theatrical image.
   • Costumes, makeup, and props inspired by horror movies and B-movies are common.
   • Common elements include corpse paint, blood splatters, fake wounds, spikes, chains, and prosthetic limbs.

1. Performance and Stage Presence:
   • Live performances often incorporate horror-themed theatrics and props.
   • Audience participation and interaction are encouraged.
   • Bands may use horror-themed stage sets, lighting, and pyrotechnics to enhance the atmosphere.

1. Fashion:
   • Horror punk fashion combines punk elements with horror-inspired motifs.
   • Ripped clothing, dark colors, leather, chains, and studs are common.
   • Accessories like skulls, bones, and other horror-related imagery are popular.

Notable Horror Punk Bands:

• Misfits
• Samhain
• 45 Grave
• The Cramps
• Zombina & The Skeletones
• Blitzkid
• Calabrese
• The Damned
• The Meteors
• Wednesday 13

The History Of Horror Punk

Horror punk is a sub-genre of punk rock that combines elements of punk rock with horror-themed lyrics and imagery. It originated in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and was initially associated with bands such as the Misfits, 45 Grave, and Samhain.

The Misfits are often credited with being the first horror punk band. Formed in 1977 in Lodi, New Jersey, the Misfits began as a horror-themed punk rock band, taking inspiration from B-movies, monster movies, and science fiction. Their music was characterized by fast-paced tempos, distorted guitars, and lyrics about death, gore, and the supernatural.

45 Grave was another early horror punk band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1979. Like the Misfits, 45 Grave was inspired by horror films and monster movies. Their music was also characterized by fast-paced tempos, distorted guitars, and lyrics about death, gore, and the supernatural.

Samhain was formed in 1983 by Glenn Danzig, who had previously been the lead singer of the Misfits. Samhain's music was more experimental than the Misfits' and 45 Grave's, and incorporated elements of goth rock, heavy metal, and psychedelic rock. However, the band still maintained a horror-themed aesthetic, with lyrics about death, gore, and the supernatural.

Horror punk gained popularity in the 1980s, with bands such as the Cramps, the Meteors, and the Undead releasing albums and touring extensively. The sub-genre also began to influence other punk rock bands, such as the Ramones and the Dead Kennedys, who began to incorporate horror-themed elements into their music.

In the 1990s, horror punk experienced a resurgence in popularity, with bands such as the Misfits, 45 Grave, and Samhain reuniting and releasing new albums. New horror punk bands also emerged, such as the Murderdolls, the Nekromantix, and the Blitzkid.

Today, horror punk remains a popular sub-genre of punk rock, with bands such as the Misfits, 45 Grave, and Samhain continuing to tour and release new albums. New horror punk bands are also emerging, such as the Crimson Ghosts, the Last Hax, and the Anti-Nowhere League.

Horror Punk Band

1. Misfits
2. 45 Grave
3. Samhain
4. The Cramps
5. The Meteors
6. AFI
7. Tiger Army
8. The Damned
9. Blitzkid
10. The Murderdolls