The hellcat is out of the bag. Just like their last CD, the latest Horrorpops CD—-Kiss Kiss Kill Kill--has leaked on to the Internet. The first single, Headed For the Disco, has already been released by the band on Hellcat Records, but it seems that the February 5th debut just didn't come soon enough.
For anyone unfamiliar with the band, The Horrorpops' stage performance is something between burlesque and a freak show. Front-woman Patricia Day plays a standup like a demented pop star; husband Kim Nekroman (of the Nekromantix) plays his guitar with the same vigor that you would expect someone who was, say, clinically insane? Accompanied by Niedermeier on drums and a pair of go-go dancers, the band has quickly become a staple of the psychobilly scene, although they have refused to accept the label. Think Gwen Stefani in a B-grade horror movie; The Bride of Frankenstein in a do-wop band.
But will this next album live up to the standard the past two have created for the band? Will it be just as catchy, and just as danceable? Will Nekroman be able to hold down the guitar by himself, now that the band has been left with only one guitarist?
The simple answer is this: YES. Kiss Kiss Kill Kill is a bit more rock and roll than Hell Yeah, although slightly less aggressive than Bring it On! The album lacks the customary countrybilly song that the last two CDs included, but the entire CD has a slightly more Southern feel. It sounds less like the band's next album than a continuation of the last two. New songs, same great feel.
The Horrorpops' only released single, Headed For The Disco, is the same pop-filled psychoshit that their fans have grown used to, with a spin; one of the catchier tracks, Refugee, is enough to make anyone wish they were a go-go. The CD also offers a continuation of the instrumental track Horrorbeach that was featured on their first CD. The new song, Horrorbeach Part 2, is horror-surf that keeps with the CD's full-throttle feel.
The factor that pushed The Horrorpops so far in just ten years may be that they have something to offer to the underground punk scene—a female vocalist. In a genre that usually favours men, it's a rare sight to find a girl in the pit. Most seem content with their status as pin up / coat rack. All throughout her career, Patricia Day has proved that although there's still a cap on where girls—even subcultural girls—belong, nothing is impossible. Since emigrating from Copenhagen to LA, Day has been a juggernaut in a pencil skirt and heels. Not letting her marriage to the infamous Nekroman define either herself or her career, she has shown everyone that she can not only play with the big boys, but look gorgeous doing it.
The album's third track, Missfit, shows fans a side of Day that they may have missed before. The lyrics say "I carry my fists / I carry my fists up high / 'cause most of the time I have to fight / for what I believe is right. / even stupid things like keeping my hair dyed / and I'm from the wrong side of town / on top of that, I'm female." The song goes on to the chorus: "Nothing I say is adequate / according to you I'm a missfit / what makes you my judge and juror? / So I / I don't care for the common trend / why is it something I have to defend? / who made you make my judge and juror." Girls can relate to the track—especially since the number of feminist rockabilly songs since the 1950's could probably be counted on one hand. The song is guaranteed to be one of their biggest live this, with a bridge that every girl in the crowd will be singing along to: "My fist, in the middle of your face!"
To hear the single Headed for the Disco, or for upcoming tour information, visit the Horrorpops at their myspace (http://www.myspace.com/thehorrorpops) and turn up your speakers. Kiss Kiss Kill Kill hits store everywhere February 5th 2008.
Written by Marissa Blazko
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