Deep in the dank alleyways as the salt breeze stains the tins of high society comes some of the most dangerous and exhilarating trash can punk you have heard coming from coastal England. The Horrors have spent the 21st century scaring parents and exploiting the rebellion of youth with their crypt garage sound. Five albums (four of them hit the UK Top 40). Their uniquely unhinged attitude bears resemblance to anywhere from The Damned to The Cramps. . . maybe you can say that they are a possessed Link Wray on acid.
Travel back to 2006 when they released their debut EP (sometimes referred to as We Are The Horrors), The Horrors gave birth to a handful of newborn adolescent romps as well as covers. The one of Screaming Lord Sutch’s “Jack The Ripper” is chaotic with Faris Badwan’s gutter British drawl and Malcolm and Angus Young treated abrasive yells (think “TNT” or “Squealer”) of “Jack the Rippah” all conjoin into create mass cacophony out of garage rock. What they do to this song is obscene and gratuitously exhilarating, the way rock and roll should be.
“Sheena Is A Parasite” is one of the most frightening music videos I have seen in quite a while. The way the beat drives through in exorcism cadence, and the convulsive dance while the band comes in and out of frame is an incredible visual testament to the song’s purpose—chronicling the demise of punk music and its cultural influence. Director Chris Cunningham did an incredible job at leaving the scars, cuts, and bruises in a video that uses light and shadow so well. Sheena has been corrupted by the tortuous soul of John Carpenter instead of the cartoonish punk of the past. I love how the drummer plays rabid beats while being unphased and staring straight into your soul like Dr. Caligari.
This whole EP is covered with rabies—uncontrollable and scary just how infectious their punk attitude to vintage rock and roll can be. Times have changed and their lineup have changed. What remains the same is that they rule the roost on the coolest heads of hair east of the pond.
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