| On Saturday, September
14, 2002, I and about 15 others got to see the first Canadian show of The Cult
of the Psychic Fetus and the a re-screening of “Abaddon”. The concept
of a film and a band is an interesting marriage. However, the Festival gave the
films more publicity and, as such, the promotion was minimal about the bands.
”Abaddon” is a gothic opera that was presented as part of the Planet
Indie film fest held recently at the Club Trancaz. Film reviews are not
necessarily my forte, but I do have a few things to say about Abaddon. Pamela
Theodotou and Kris Wetherholt created a stage production and then translated it
to a film. Interplaying visual art, music and actors most have been an editing
challenge. Art films are always abstract and not always accessible. After the
screening, Pamela answered questions. She requested feedback and told the
audience that the interpretation of her film is quiet diverse as were the
reactions. My mental note reaction was immediate tongue in cheek: “Now I
don’t have to go out and try China White. Thanks for the visuals into
fresh mind-fuck hell.” The Baron Marcus from Vampire Beach Babes asked
whether she had studied religion due to the rich and complex myriad of
references. She responded stating that it is an interest and that no formal
education in this topic i nspired her. One of the characters in the film spoke
only using references from the biblical. The maze of Revelations, Matthew, and
letters was astounding and at times very difficult to digest. Maybe this was
due to the speed of which visuals, music and characterization flipped back and
forth. It is evident that the producers and some audience members got the
interplay, but I really would require a second screening to fully get the
contextual use. (This may also be due to the venue being sub-zero temperatures
for us scantily clad goth girls. : ) )
Pamela also directed the video, “She-Devil” for the feature band: The
Cult of the Psychic Fetus.
Their stage presence was amazing with a strobe light under the bass drum, green
wash, candles, and nostferatu imagery. Offline I could and will likely go on
and on about their music. But imagine titles of all your favourite b-movie
flicks turned into music tracks with original dark flare. I would love to be
the person tracking music to layer in film for transition moments of Tarantino
or Lynchian irony because this Cult would be my first choice. The music is
dark, dusty, musty, and gothy fun. Driving bass, dark Bauhaus tones, tongue in
cheek new favourites: "Cannibal Girls", "In the Basement",
"In the Shadows" and the title track: "She Devil".
After the show, the band members joined a few of us at Savage for introductions
to a number of DJs etc. and to check out the Toronto scene. It was late, so a
total tour was not possible. These Ohio boys need to come back and it is my
hope that some promoter picks them up. They have played CGBG's, all over the
US, a few of the Vampires Balls and never in Canada. They have a few cds and
have been around for 10 years. The Vampire Beach Babes opened for them once in
NYC at the 313. (right next to CBGB’s). If you are a fan of the MP3.com
Gothic show or of In Perpetual Motion, I am sure that I heard of them on In
Perpetual Motion's gothic psychoabilly show.
If you are a fan of Psychobilly, there is a new event at the Vatikan
sponsored by Rue
Morgue called “Ghoul’s Night Out” It starts on Oct. 1,
2002 and will be a great forum to hear some of The Cult of the Psychic Fetus.
(nudge to DJ Dragomer)
References: www.planetindie.com
http://stations.mp3s.com/stations/238/gothabilly_tunes_of_horror.html
http://www.ravenworldwide.com/ABADDONWEBSITE.htm
http://www.ravenworldwide.com/cultof.htm
www.ipmradio.com
The opinions expressed in this review do not
necessarily reflect those of Toronto-Goth.
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