TRACK #236:

Power of the Night by Terrence Mann

Ah, Critters, the quintessential 80’s Sci-Fi-Horror-Creature-Feature if there was one.

Critters was a big film for me as a kid. Being a little too young for having anything but just passing exposure to the gorier slashers of the day, films like Monster Squad, Critters and Killer Klowns are what grabbed me early and drew me into the wide world of horror.

Incidentally, The Chiodo brothers, responsible parties for those Killer Klowns, are also the culprits behind the Crite, amazing little 80’s puppet monsters such as they are. These brothers definitely informed my youth, without question.

So what brings us here tonight? Why Johnny Steele, that’s who! The coiffed haired rocker from whom the intergalactic bounty hunter Ug steals his visage.

Those bounty hunters are cool, with their weird faceless goo-heads that mimic whatever person they’d like. Pretty neat.

Now, Johnny Steele’s just some Earth rocker Ug sees while getting a crash course in Earth culture from the video montage he’s watching en route to our planet. Ug likes the cut of ole Johnny’s jib, and quickly programs Johnny face into his weird goo-head for full metamorphosis. The scene is a great example of bitchin 80’s reverse FXery, and no doubt leaves an impression.

And Johnny’s 80’s arena-anthem Power of the Night is all over this movie. Dee Wallace is watching it’s video on the TV. Brad throws on it’s tape in defiance after being sent to his room. Even Billy Zane’s ponytail-rocking douchball Steve is bumpin’ this shit in his Porsche 944. Damn straight he is.

Curiously though, this song isn’t played during the end credits. Doubly frustrating is that it appeared on the original vinyl LP of the Critters soundtrack but not on any subsequent cassette or CD releases. So finding clean, uncompressed versions that don’t sound awful is harder than one might imagine. We made do with the best we could find.

Sweet song or not, it’s a certified Shindigger that was written and performed by actor Terrence Mann, who plays Ug/Johnny Steele in the film. Pretty solid. Now that’s commitment to a role right there, and damn it if Terrence doesn’t sell this shit out of that performance.

What’s more? Terrence is one of only 2 actors to appear in all 4 Critters films. This guy gets the fuck down on Crite.

So let’s bring Terrence aboard and rock out with Johnny Steele’s  Power of the Night!