Episode 19: Duck, You Sucker! It’s Title Tracks Pt. 5

The Shindig Radio gang finally returns, and regionally specific fan favorite, Kyle Sullivan, is returning along with ’em!

Join him as he joins Graham C. Schofield and Mikey Rotella to endure more Horror Movie Title Tracks of dubious quality.

Laugh, You Clown! as you hear them hear songs from genre classics like 1973’s Arnold, Mexico’s Don’t Panic! and Alan Plone’s Phantom of the Ritz!

Marvel, You Rube! as they reference events from almost one full calendar year ago, like Matt Mastrella’s 43nd birthday and the passing of film legend William Smith.

Recoil, You Pussy! as they eat dusty skillet chips and scratch dry shit!

Duck, You Sucker! It’s Title Tracks Pt. 5!

Once Bitten

TRACK #285:

Once Bitten by 3 Speed

Since we’re talking about 80’s Monster comedies, and that subject is near and dear to my heart, let’s keep that theme running with our next track.

Way back in 2013, when the Halloween Shindig blog was in it’s infancy, we dropped Maria Vidal’s Hands Off from the film Once Bitten. It’s a prominent feature in the film, which plays during the very memorable 3-way dance-off between Lauren Hutton, Kim Coppins and a young Jim Carrey.

Now, why it’s taken 8 years to get that same film’s Title Track in the rotation is anyone guess, particularly since it’s been in the bullpen since before The Shindig ever made its way to the internet. For shame.

This one comes from the relatively unknown synth-pop band out of Boston called 3 Speed. They were pretty much a local act until they’re manager randomly sent a demo tape off to MGM. So impressed, the studio immediately flew the band out to do some recording for a new film.

They enjoyed some moderate success after this tune too, opening for the likes of Pat Benatar, but they were never offered a full-on record deal. Mostly, they just appeared on film soundtracks. Their song Cry can be heard in the Linda Blair’s awesome crossbow ladened revenge actioner, Savage Streets. Packed among all the tunes in bizarro 80’s sci-fi musical Voyage of the Rock Aliens is their song Back on the Streets. And Wind Me Up is featured in 1986’s BMX freakout, Rad – a movie I love that I’ll probably have to crowbar into an Action Distractions episode at some point.

But for now, let’s keep this spooky with 3 Speed and their synth pop title tracks Once Bitten.

Episode 8: Title Tracks Pt. 1: The Bad and The Ugly

It’s time for some Title Tracks!

The most celebrated Sub-Category on Halloween Shindig gets the Shindig Radio treatment, as the gang teams up on the the worst Title Tracks horror has to offer.

In Part 1 of this 2 part retrospective, prepare to pay your dues with unfortunate tunes from the likes of Hauntedween, Ghost Fever and Scream Dream, before basking in the gleaming light of Part 2’s certified gold.

Join Graham C. Schofield and Mikey Rotella for a night of crud, duds and CHUDS, as we trudge through the dregs of this great Category.

Oct. 18th: Once Bitten (1985)

Well it just wouldn’t be a true Shindig countdown with only one lonely 80’s monster comedy, so stacking the Halloween deck for us is the 1985 Jim Carrey vampire flick Once Bitten.

Jim plays high school virgin Mark Kendall, who just can’t seem to convince his girlfriend Robin to put out. So he and a couple of buddies hit the Sunset Strip in the great America pursuit of some first-time trim.

Unfortunately he finds The Countess, a seductive MILF with cougarish designs. How is this unfortunate? Well, she’s a vampire. A vampire that needs virginal blood each year to maintain those timeless good looks. As an added caveat, she must drink of this virgin a total of 3 times before Halloween or he beauty will fade away.

So, after what he believes is a one-night-stand, Mark is sucked into a slow decent toward vampirism; wearing shades, dressing cooler, eating raw steaks and losing his reflection. Can Robin discover the cause of Mark’s strange behavior and win him away from the clutches of the evil Countess, or is Mark doomed to join her cadre of immortal suitors?

It’s a great 80’s comedy with an early and energetic performance from Jim Carrey that’s filled with countless hallmarks of his later characters and style. Some fun supporting characters and another humorous turn from Blazing Saddles’ Clevon Little make the movie all that more enjoyable.

And then, of course, there’s the extensive and memorable Halloween Party Dance-Off, where Hand’s Off by Maria Vidal (a playlist inclusion at #45) plays while Jim dances between sultry vamp Lauren Hutton and girl next door Karen Kopins.

October is as fine a time as any to treat yourself to this 80’s monster comedy with the Halloween Shindig Halloween seal of approval.

Monster Talk: 80’s Monster Comedies

Hands Off is the first musical selection of several from what I like to call 80’s Monster Comedies.

I guess in the 80’s, making silly comedies featuring werewolves, vampires and other monsters seemed like a good idea. And it was, at least I think it was, as this is perhaps my favorite sub-genre of film.

If I was ever handed the keys to a classroom at a University that didn’t particularly pride itself on their staff, I’d probably create the course “80’s Monster Comedies 101.” We’d sit around and watch these films, discuss them at length and then write needlessly analytical papers regarding their cultural context.

C’mon? You wouldn’t take that course? Fuck yeah you would. You mean I’d get college credit for writing a paper about Teen Wolf? Yes. Yes you would. But it better be a damn good paper, cause I ain’t gradin’ on no curve.

Here’s the course outline.

Week 1: Intro to Course / Full Moon High (1981)

Full Moon High bridges a gap between 70’s comedy and 80’s comedy. Discuss the elements of it’s 70’s sensibility. Does it make for a better or worse film in your opinion? Also, why is Alan Arkin so great? Oh he’s not? Please take this F with you on your way out the door.

Week 2: Teen Wolf (1985)

Would being a Werewolf actually make you a better basketball player? And if not, is there really any objection to one playing at a high school level? Bonus points for discussion of why Bobby Finnstock is the greatest coach ever to appear on film.

Week 3: Once Bitten (1985)

Fun tale of vampirism, or American morality play of underage/unprotected/anonymous sex during the AIDS era?

Week 4: My Best Friend Is A Vampire (1987)

Interesting addition to the legacy, or sub-par knock-off of Once Bitten? Extra points for a comparison of lifted elements appearing in Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)

Week 5: Teen Wolf Too (1987)

Is it morally objectionable to pit a college-aged student against a creature of the night in a combat based sport like boxing?

Week 6: Vampire’s Kiss (1988)

Nicholas Cage is absolutely fucking crazy in this film. It may very well be his most insane performance ever. So, here’s a Nicholas Cage wild card – make your argument as to which decade is best for Mr. Cage: The 80’s, The 90’s or The ‘00’s. Make the argument as to which is the worst. Then argue which film contains your favorite/best performance (note: those 2 distinctions might not be the same for you.)

Week 7: Monster High (1989)

Holy shit! This movie is utter garbage. Explain exactly why this movie is so god-awful and disappointing. Then detail how it could have been a great example of an 80’s Monster Comedy.

Week 8: My Mom’s a Werewolf (1989)

Pandering, reductive take on motherhood, or thoughtful, empowering take on menopause?

Week 9: Rockula (1990) and Final

Though technically released in February of 1990, Rockula was clearly filmed during the 80’s and feels like a 80’s monster comedy through and through. Discussion of the music, Dean Cameron’s awesomeness or the opening title sequence will all be accepted.

Final: Discuss 80’s Monster Comedies as a genre using examples from the entire course. Why are they great? Why do you hate them? Why would these movies really not work in other decades?

As extra credit, I’ll accept papers on Teen Vamp (1988), Beverly Hills Vampire (1989), I Was A Teenage Zombie (1987) or any other film not featured in the course that you can convince me belongs in the sub-genre.

And make sure to join us next semester for the follow-up course 80’s Party Monsters.

Hand’s Off

TRACK #45:

Hands Off by Maria Vidal

So, we’re just over 2 hours into the playlist, and you’re party should be starting to pick up a little.

But you’re guests are pissed, “What’s with this music? We can’t dance to this shit!”

Well, problem solved, thanks to Maria Vidal and Once Bitten.

If Jim Carrey, Lauren Hutton and Karen Kopins can all dance to this, and as well as they do, than anyone can.