DICK VENOM & THE TERRORTONES - ROCKINROLLIN' VAMPIREMAN
Jailhouse Morgue Records

This three-track effort should be good – a triple headed psychobilly assault on the senses, with songs that are sleazy, sordid and squalid. But rather like the comic book strip that is included in the booklet, it doesn’t quite hit the mark. It’s not so much that Mr Venom and his band are bad – just that their material isn’t as strong as they deserve.

Ironically, it gets better as it progresses - opener Sticky Pants Trance is the weakest track here, lacking in any solid tuneage or rock ‘n’ roll authenticity, but RockinRollin’ VampireMan at least has a grubbiness to its moody vibe. Lilly & the Killers ends with a high note, rocking out nicely, but the band desperately need better production to beef up the sound, which seems way too weak. I imagine this stuff kicks considerably more ass live.

DAVID FLINT

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