Horror punk is an offshoot of hardcore punk that primarily features lyrics about horror movies or dark subjects in general. These songs are either highly cathartic and confessional, or they present a horror-themed narrative. The microgenre tends to draw from psychobilly as well. The most well-known horror punk band is probably the Misfits, but here are four others that influenced the scene as well.
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Horror Punk Bands That Aren’t the Misfits
Our Time Down Here
Formed in Southampton, England, in 2006, Our Time Down Here lasted until 2013 and released two full-length albums in their time. Once called “U.K. punk’s best kept secret,” two of the band’s members would go on to form Creeper in 2013. Their 2012 album Midnight Mass was inspired by love letters that lead vocalist Will Gould found in his step-mother’s broker’s house. The idea for the album was to make a “punk rock opera,” with Gould hoping it would “translate as a punk rock school play.” The band took theatrical influences from Ziggy Stardust, The Art of Drowning by AFI, and Good Mourning by Alkaline Trio. Even though they didn’t last that long, Our Time Down Here was an integral influence on the horror punk scene in the U.K.
The Creepshow
The Creepshow formed in Burlington, Canada, in 2005. They started as a psychobilly band, leaning into horror punk through their fast-paced songs and horror movie-based lyrics. The band lasted through various lead changes, releasing their first album with Jen “Hellcat” Blackwood, then her sister Sarah “Sin” Blackwood for the next couple of albums. After Sin left in 2012, The Creepshow brought on Kenda “Twisted” Legaspi as lead vocalist, who has remained their lead vocalist and guitarist since then. The band released their most recent album, Death At My Door, in 2017.
The Young Werewolves
Formed in 2002 in Philadelphia, The Young Werewolves got together after guitarist Nick Falcon posted ads reading, “musicians interested in forming a band with a sound like The Ramones-meets-Buddy Holly at a Beef-and-Beer,” adding “all greasers please apply.” With a distinct surf-rock horror-punk psychobilly sound, The Young Werewolves are a unique blend of microgenres, and their music has been used in several TV shows like The Real World, Shameless, Burn Notice, and Blue Mountain State. The Young Werewolves were a defining band for the early 2000s horror punk scene, especially in their local Philly scene.
Miss Vincent
Miss Vincent formed in Southampton, England, in 2012. They were directly influenced by Our Time Down Here, also from Southampton. Even though they’ve been together since 2012, they didn’t release their debut full-length album until 2021. Overall, they lean more rockabilly and vintage rock than straight horror punk, but definitely have their roots in the subgenre based on their lyricism. Definitely a must-listen for fans of vintage vibes, pop-punk, and gloomy punk.
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