Blitzkid Explained

Blitzkid
Image Upright:1.2
Origin:Bluefield, West Virginia, U.S.
Years Active:1997–2012, 2019–present
Associated Acts:Gorgeous Frankenstein
The Undead
The Misfits
Vagora
Children of October
Mister Monster
A Gathering of None
The Roving Midnight
Current Members:Argyle Goolsby
TB Monstrosity
Past Members:Ricko Mortis
Del Shannon[1]
JV Bastard
Jason "J~Sin" Trioxin
Billy Bones
Dr. Stuart Evilstein
Rhea M
Andrew "Stripes" Winter
Paul Lifeless
Nathan Bane
Dr. Chud[2]
Verden Gravstead
Gilby Deviant

Blitzkid is an American horror punk band from Bluefield, West Virginia. One of the leading[3] [4] [5] [6] proponents of the horror punk scene, the band is led by singer/guitarist TB Monstrosity[7] and singer/bassist Argyle Goolsby.[8] Active from 1997 until 2012 and reforming in 2020, Blitzkid released five studio albums, appeared on numerous compilations,[9] and toured both nationally and internationally.

History

Goolsby, who credits his late mother for giving him the "dedication" to be successful in music,[10] and Monstrosity, who admits to having had the ambition to make Blitzkid a "huge" band,[11] began playing as Blitzkid in early 1997. Initially the duo were motivated by escaping boredom and creating a soundtrack for skating, but over time developed an interest in expressing thoughts about "universal understanding of the world and yourself and your place in it" by embedding metaphors within the dark imagery of their lyrics.[12]

Artist, children's author, and film maker Gris Grimly approached Blitzkid to compose the title track to his 2006 film Cannibal Flesh Riot. The band did this, and also received Grimly artwork to use for a Blitzkid T-shirt design.

Blitzkid played 260 live dates in 2006.[13] In August 2007, the band played the heavy metal-oriented Summer Breeze Open Air festival in Germany in front of 40,000 concert goers.[14] [15] Another notable live gig the band played that summer was supporting The Damned in Prague.[16] The Damned are an important influence to the band and to horror punk generally, and are one of the original UK punk bands.[17]

Blitzkid were back in Germany one year later, this time taking the main[18] stage at the gothic rock themed M'era Luna Festival,[19] playing before an audience of between 20,000 and 25,000.

In July 2010, during their tenth tour of Europe, Blitzkid were one of 34 bands to play the alternative rock Amphi Festival in Cologne, for as many as 50,000 attendees.[20] [21]

In 2011, Blitzkid were third on the bill of a North American tour with Face to Face, Strung Out, and the Darlings. This tour helped raise the band's profile in the wider punk community. A reviewer for the Dallas Observer found the band's "speedy pop-punk with a tinge of metal and classic Misfits" to be "worthy" and "polished",[22] while a reviewer of the Houston show opined that Blitzkid's fusion of "horror punk, '50s rock, and hardcore elements... kicked quite a bit of ass".[23] On the other hand, the advance coverage of the event in Nashville Scene, while praising the two headliners, dismissed Blitzkid as "gothy-looking mall rockers".[24] Following this tour Blitzkid again played Germany's Summer Breeze Open Air festival in August 2011.[25] During Blitzkid's final European tour in 2012, which also included 14 dates in Germany, seven in the UK, three in the Czech Republic, and two in Slovakia,[26] the band played in Russia for the first time, headlining[27] a one-hour 45 minute show[28] at Moscow's Relax Club. The UK dates included second billing (out of five bands) to Alien Sex Fiend at the November 3 lineup of the Whitby Goth Weekend.[29]

Citing changing family commitments, Monstrosity announced his intention to leave Blitzkid in 2011, but remain in his side-band, Vagora, which had a less demanding tour schedule. Blitzkid officially broke up by the end of 2012, with Argyle Goolsby embarking on a solo career.[30] As of July 2014, Goolsby and Monstrosity's current musical projects are the bands Argyle Goolsby and the Roving Midnight and A Gathering of None respectively.[31]

A documentary of Blitzkid's history titled Blitzkid: Return to the Living, directed by Jeff Frumess of Video Business Media, was released in 2017.[32]

After having reunited for two nights to appear at the Jason Trioxin tribute shows in Teaneck NJ in June 2019,[33] the band announced a reunion tour in spring 2020 called the Escape the Grave tour,[34] which later postponed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[35] [36]

Notable collaborations

Blitzkid has a connection with the original and, by many accounts, leading horror punk progenitors,[37] [38] [39] the Misfits. In 2007, Goolsby played bass and performed vocal duties for Gorgeous Frankenstein, a project headed by ex-Misfits guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein.[40] [41] He played with Doyle's band while remaining in Blitzkid,[42] making him one of horror punk's more visible figures. Doyle returned the favor by guesting on "Mr. Sardonicus" on Blitzkid's Apparitional album. Doyle is one of two ex-Misfits to have collaborated with Blitzkid; Dr. Chud has played drums for Blitzkid at several gigs including the M'era Luna Festival. Chud's playing with Blitzkid can be heard on both the rare Hell Nights Tour 7″ picture disk and on the Anatomy of Reanimation LP.[43] [44] In 2002, Goolsby also played bass for The Undead, the notable horror punk band featuring ex-Misfit Bobby Steele.[45] [46]

Musical style

Blitzkid's melodic approach to the horror punk genre was noted for its strong vocals; Allmusic has described Monstrosity and Goolsby's singing as "immediately appealing".[47] Not all critics were enamored with their music however; the reviewer for Apoch's Metal Review expressed an unfavorable view of some of the band's non-vocal instrumentation.[48] A third reviewer, in a favorable appraisal, expressed the opinion that lyrical concerns aside, Apparitional-era Blitzkid was not sonically dissimilar to such notable punk rock peers as Bouncing Souls, NOFX, and AFI.[49]

Impact

Writing about the band's then-forthcoming retirement, Zachary Ehren of the Huffington Post remarked that "the legend of their music will continue to live on through their dedicated fanbase and the continuous terror they bring to mothers as their children listen to them across the globe."[50] Another reviewer had a more modest assessment of the band's impact; while conceding Blitzkid had been "in the Horror Punk spotlight ... for quite some time", it was suggested that that particular spotlight does not shine particularly brightly due to the band's "underground tactics".

Matt Pathetic, organizer of an annual horror punk festival in New Jersey, reflecting on his perspective of having had the band pester him to be included in 2001, only to become a perennial headliner until their retirement: "Ten years ago a lot of people used to say Blitzkid sounds like the new Misfits. Well, being involved in this scene for a decade, I can say nowadays there's a lot of bands that sound like Blitzkid."[51] But if others see Blitzkid as having left a significant mark, Argyle Goolsby, speaking after the band's last UK gig, is more humble: "I don't have these unreal expectations that we have to have been this ground-breaking blueprint band, I'm not looking for that. I'm just looking for someone to play our CD like ten years from now. When they have a good day. Or a bad day."

Band members

Timeline

Discography

Albums

YearTitleLabelFormatOther information
2000Terrifying TalesIndependentCDr
2001Let Flowers Die[52] Antidote RecordsLP/CDFirst full-length album, preceded by two EPs.
2003Trace of a Stranger[53] [54] Antidote Records[55] LP/CD
2006Five Cellars Below[56] Fiendforce RecordsLP/CD
2008Anatomy of Reanimation Vol 1Fiendforce RecordsLP/CDThis album features re-recorded versions of songs from Blitzkid's then-back catalog.
2011Apparitional[57] Century Media, EMILP/CDOnly BK album to feature Goolsby lead vocals on all tracks and Nathan Bane as main guitarist. Features guest guitar appearance by Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein on "Mr. Sardonicus".

Demos

EPs

Misc. releases

Compilations

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Blitzkid return to the land of the living . London Journalism Centre . November 19, 2012 . August 8, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140228124556/http://journalismcentre.co.uk/news/blitzkid-return-to-land-of-the-living/ . February 28, 2014 .
  2. Web site: The Abominable Dr.Chud Official Website – Biography . Drchud.com . August 8, 2014.
  3. Web site: March 18, 2011. Review Blitzkid - Apparitional. 2021-05-26. powermetal.de. de.
  4. Web site: Review: Blitzkid – "Head Over Hills" . Technicolor Terror . March 23, 2011 . August 8, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140814160132/http://technicolorterror.wordpress.com/2011/03/23/review-blitzkid-head-over-hills/ . August 14, 2014 . dead .
  5. Web site: Kritik von Stefan Richter . Blitzkid . Laut.de . August 8, 2014.
  6. Web site: Stereo Terror: Argyle Goolsby – A Dream Not Quite Remembered . The Deadhouse . June 9, 2014 . August 8, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161021023441/https://deadhousehorror.com/2014/06/09/stereo-terror-argylegoolsby/ . October 21, 2016 . dead .
  7. Web site: Bill Archer . Local band Blitzkid primed for new recording session and tour . Bluefield Daily Telegraph . June 1, 2010 . August 8, 2014.
  8. Web site: Interview with Argyle Goolsby of Blitzkid . Digital Diversion . June 30, 2011 . August 8, 2014 . August 19, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160819072824/http://www.digitaldiversion.net/2011/06/interview-with-argyle-goolsby-of-blitzkid-june-22-2011/ . dead .
  9. Web site: Albums by Blitzkid: Discography, songs, biography, and listening guide . Rate Your Music . August 8, 2014.
  10. Web site: Alternative Press . Altpress.com . May 2, 2011 . August 8, 2014.
  11. Web site: Unafraid of the Dark . Dayton City Paper . August 8, 2014 . September 23, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923212951/http://www.daytoncitypaper.com/unafraid-of-the-dark/ . dead .
  12. Web site: Drew Bludd . Interview With Blitzkid . Wreckhouse Magazine . January 18, 2011 . August 8, 2014.
  13. Web site: Bill Archer . Local band Blitzkid primed for new recording session and tour . Bluefield Daily Telegraph . June 1, 2010 . February 15, 2016.
  14. Web site: In Extremo News – in Metal Bands . Metal Underground.com . August 8, 2014.
  15. Web site: BLITZKID – SUMMER BREEZE Photo Gallery . Community.summer-breeze.de . August 18, 2007 . August 8, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140811034547/http://community.summer-breeze.de/cpg/thumbnails.php?album=705 . August 11, 2014 . dead .
  16. Web site: The Damned: Live Performances – 2007 . Whiterabbitskgs.co.uk . May 10, 2014 . August 8, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140727082205/http://www.whiterabbitskgs.co.uk/set_info/2007.htm . July 27, 2014 . dead .
  17. Web site: Oliver Sheppard . A Brief History of Deathrock, Part II . Souciant . April 30, 2012 . August 8, 2014.
  18. Web site: M'era Luna Festival – Hildesheim 2008 (Day 2 Main Stage) . Reflections of Darkness . August 21, 2008. August 8, 2014.
  19. Web site: Moonspell, Delain Confirmed For Germany's M'era Luna Festival . Blabbermouth.net . April 11, 2008 . August 8, 2014.
  20. Web site: Blitzkid . Bluefield Daily Telegraph . July 27, 2014. August 8, 2014.
  21. Web site: AMPHI FESTIVAL 2010 . Nocturnalhall.com . July 24, 2010 . August 8, 2014.
  22. Web site: Grubbs . Last Night: Face to Face, Strung Out, Blitzkid and The Darlings at the Granada Theater . Dallas Observer . June 6, 2011 . August 8, 2014 . August 10, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140810062011/http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/dc9/2011/06/last_night_face_to_face_strung.php . dead .
  23. Web site: Live: Face to Face/Strung Out/Blitzkid/The Darlings . Space City Rock . June 27, 2011 . August 8, 2014.
  24. Web site: Face to Face w/Strung Out & Blitzkid | Exit . Nashville Scene . August 8, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141006113847/http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashville/face-to-face-wstrung-out-and-blitzkid/Event?oid=2498767 . October 6, 2014 . dead .
  25. Web site: MAD SIN, HACKNEYED, BLITZKID Confirmed For Germany's Summer Breeze Festival . Bravewords.com . March 10, 2011 . August 8, 2014.
  26. Web site: Blitzkid Final and Confirmed European Dates . Horror-Punks.Com . September 21, 2012 . August 8, 2014 . August 17, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140817101335/http://horror-punks.com/forum/topics/blitzkid-final-and-confirmed-european-dates . dead .
  27. Web site: 12.10.2012 BLITZKID - FIRST AND THE LAST SHOW!!!. M.vk.com. September 10, 2020.
  28. Web site: BLITZKID – Live in Moscow (Relax club, 12.10.2012) . YouTube . October 14, 2012. August 8, 2014.
  29. Web site: Whitby Goth Weekend 2012 . Visitwhitby.com . August 8, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150308025541/http://www.visitwhitby.com/tourist-information/whitby-goth-weekend-2012 . March 8, 2015 . dead .
  30. Web site: Blitzkid frontman, Argyle Goolsby Releases Solo EP "A Dream Not Quite Remembered" . Horror-Punks.Com . July 1, 2012 . August 8, 2014 . August 17, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140817101350/http://horror-punks.com/forum/topics/blitzkid-frontman-argyle-goolsby-releases-solo-ep-a-dream-not-qui . dead .
  31. Web site: Hyde . Jekyll A. . Jekyll A. Hyde and his Reviews from the Mad Laboratory!: A Conversation with Argyle Goolsby . Jekyllahydereviews.blogspot.ca . April 29, 2015 . November 3, 2015.
  32. Web site: Long Live the Horror. October 31, 2017. September 10, 2020. IMDb.com.
  33. https://donyc.com/events/2019/6/29/jason-trioxin-40th-birthday-tribute-show-all-ages
  34. Web site: Blitzkid Escape the Grave Tour 2020 . January 14, 2020 . January 14, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200114235124/https://blitzkid.com/home/blog/blitzkid-escape-the-grave-tour-2020 . dead .
  35. News: Goolsby . Argyle . Monstrosity . TB . Blitzkid Escape The Grave tour RESCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER . A Corpse With No Name Productions . March 18, 2020 . August 27, 2023 .
  36. News: Rudnesky . Franki . MilkBoy Philly celebrates reopening of second floor music venue with live performances . Philly Voice . December 1, 2022 . August 27, 2023 .
  37. Web site: Stereo Terror: Argyle Goolsby – A Dream Not Quite Remembered . Deadhouse Horror . June 9, 2014 . August 8, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161021023441/https://deadhousehorror.com/2014/06/09/stereo-terror-argylegoolsby/ . October 21, 2016 . dead .
  38. Web site: Alex Rendon . Misfits' Only Original Member Talks Reuniting With Glenn Danzig and Being an Angry, Middle-Aged Dude . New Times Broward . August 23, 2012 . August 8, 2014 . August 10, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140810155948/http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/2012-08-23/music/misfits-only-original-member-talks-reuniting-with-glenn-danzig-and-being-an-angry-middle-aged-dude/ . dead .
  39. Web site: Greco . Ralph . This Music Leaves Stains: The Complete Story Of the Misfits – Short and Sweet NYC . Shortandsweetnyc.com . March 12, 2014 . August 8, 2014.
  40. Web site: Danzig / Gorgeous Frankenstein – live in Baltimore . Punknews.org . October 30, 2007. August 8, 2014.
  41. Web site: Gorgeous Frankenstein Recruits Vocalist, Completes Debut Cd Recordings . Blabbermouth.net . July 9, 2007 . August 8, 2014.
  42. Web site: The Official Gorgeous Frankenstein – The Band . Hauntedhotsauce.com . September 15, 1964 . August 8, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140803030427/http://www.hauntedhotsauce.com/GorgeousFrankenstein/GorgeousFrankenstein_TheBand.html . August 3, 2014 . dead .
  43. Web site: Music Magazine – M'era Luna Festival – Hildesheim 2008 (Day 2 Main Stage) . Reflections of Darkness . August 21, 2008. August 8, 2014.
  44. Web site: NEW Blitzkid – hell nights tour 7-inch record picture disc . Collectorsfrenzy.com . August 8, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170316204411/http://collectorsfrenzy.com/details/161073195813/NEW_Blitzkid__hell_nights_tour_7_record_picture_disc__VERY_RARE . March 16, 2017 . dead .
  45. Web site: The Undead . Shelf3d.com . August 8, 2014.
  46. Web site: Tales from the Shadows of your soul: July 2006 . Talesfromtheshadows.blogspot.com . August 8, 2014.
  47. Web site: Stewart Mason . Five Cellars Below – Blitzkid . AllMusic . September 19, 2006 . August 8, 2014.
  48. Web site: Blitzkid: Apparitional . Apoch's Metal Review . December 10, 2011. August 8, 2014.
  49. Web site: Blitzkid – Apparitional Review . DecoyMusic.com . August 8, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140811192146/http://www.decoymusic.com/reviews/blitzkid-apparitional . August 11, 2014 . dead .
  50. Web site: Zachary Ehren. July 18, 2012. Long Live the Horror – The Rise and Retirement of Blitzkid. Huffington Post. August 8, 2014.
  51. Web site: Blitzkid . Technicolor Terror . August 8, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140814160158/https://technicolorterror.wordpress.com/category/blitzkid/ . August 14, 2014 . dead .
  52. Web site: CD Reviews: Blitzkid – Let Flowers Die . Rockzone.Com . August 8, 2014 . August 10, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140810080655/http://rockzone.com/reviews/blitzkid-lettheflowersdie.shtml . dead .
  53. Web site: Interviews : BLITZKID . de. ox-fanzine.de . August 8, 2014.
  54. Web site: Blitzkid – Trace of a Stranger (album review) . Sputnikmusic . June 15, 2006 . August 8, 2014.
  55. Web site: Trace of a Stranger by Blitzkid . https://web.archive.org/web/20140809211754/http://www.mtv.com/artists/blitzkid/discography/356248/ . dead . August 9, 2014 . MTV . September 9, 2003 . August 8, 2014.
  56. Web site: Blitzkid – Five Cellars Below . Punknews.org . June 2007. August 8, 2014.
  57. Web site: Chiller | Scary Good . Fearnet.com . August 8, 2014.
  58. Web site: Songs For The Aesthetically Challenged: Blitzkid: MP3 Downloads . Amazon.com . May 17, 2010 . August 8, 2014.
  59. Web site: Ye110w . Terrifying Tales – Blitzkid . Last.fm . August 8, 2014.
  60. Web site: Blitzkid. Discogs.com. September 10, 2020.

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