The Kings Of Halloween Music: Creature Feature
Photo by Daniel Lincoln on Unsplash.
I used to carry out a lot of holiday traditions in my younger years, especially throughout college. Growing up, holidays were the one time of the year that everyone was on their best behavior and kind to each other. We decorated, made themed food dishes and gathered with friends. Every season I would have playlists ready to go with music to get me in the mood for the upcoming celebrations and some I still listen to today.
As I’ve grown into adulthood, things like decorating and cooking have lost their fervor. I don’t have as many friends to share in holiday spirits anymore. There are a handful of people who still turn up with costumes, but all in all, holidays just aren’t the same, and I can’t tell if it’s because we’re all older, or if times really have changed post-pandemic. I can watch as many old horror flicks as I want over and over, but even Vincent Price doesn’t make me feel at home like he used to.
With this nostalgic day coming up, I’d like to highlight one of the artists I turn to every year for Halloween. It’s like a road trip somewhere familiar — and helps me remember better times, despite the subject matter. As a self-made tradition, I whip these guys out of the vault of Spotify every October and although their music is a tad bit dated, it never ceases to bring me joy and get me in a campy disposition in time for my favorite holiday.
Hailing from Ventura, California and reaching their height around 2008-2011, I present to you this hidden gem of spooky season: Creature Feature. Named after the classic genre of horror TV shows from the 1960s-80s, the project was formed by genius duo Curtis Rx and Erik X, and it was the answer to every goth bitch’s dreams.
With organ-like, creepy keys and impeccable vocals that could embody characters like grave robbers, various undead ghouls, and even a ‘Dr. Sawbones,’ this band is not for the faint of heart. There’s a song about holding someone hostage and plenty of axe murderous lyrics, but there are a few milder tracks like ‘A Gorey Demise,’ ‘Buried Alive’ and ‘Six Foot Deep,’ that are perfect to put on as background noise at your next Monster Mash.
A lot of Creature Feature’s work showcases excerpts from Edgar Allen Poe, so there is a certain poeticism in most of their music. Storytelling is a huge draw as well, taking the listener on a journey through haunted houses, creepy carnivals and post-apocalyptic worlds of survival and zombies. Some of their pieces pause for segments of dialogue or clips taken from obscure sources, like ‘Aim For The Head,’ uses snippets from a classic movie, though I can’t recall exactly which one (I want to say it’s the original, 1968 Night Of The Living Dead, but don’t quote me on that). While they’re certainly not a group that’s family-friendly, they’re a wild, chaotic ride perfect for a Dark And Stormy Night.
The reason why I love artists like Creature Feature so much is because despite how niche their style may be, they do it damn well. Each and every track is crafted with flair, finesse and an aesthetic that remains cohesive throughout their active years. They continued to release music up until 2020, and Curtis Rx did go on a solo project called Rufus Rex around 2011, around the same time that Eric X left the band to spend more time with his family. Regardless of their slow retreat away from the spotlight, their albums continue to endure as the Halloween band, with ageless classics like ‘The Greatest Show Unearthed,’ ‘The Netherworld’ and ‘Here There Be Witches.’
I do hope wherever Curtis Rx and Eric X went, they realize the cryptic, haunting mark they left on the music world. They really did change the game when it came to the more eerie genres of the era, at a defining time in my life when I needed it most. I started listening to them around 2008 when they first started gaining momentum in the MySpace days, and will continue to love their unabashed, unashamed aptitude for the macabre for years to come… perhaps even when we all join the ghosts in the underworld. For those of us who like to “seek out the dark forces and join their hellish crusade,” Creature Feature will always hold a place in my heart.
To listen to Creature Feature, visit their Spotify profile here.
