Big Trouble in Little China (#10)

So Jack Burton has found a way out of the inescapable hell along with Lo Pan in a way only Jack can while his friends look for a way to bring him back to the land of the living. There is so much going on and the story gets more fun and more ridiculous as you read it. This comic is for fans only and I like it just like that! By John Carpenter and a fan for the fans.

A Conversation with Argyle Goolsby

Hello and thank you again for doing this interview. For those people who live under a rock, can you please introduce yourself?

Hello Land of the Living, I'm Argyle Goolsby.

Alright so, with two new singles out (“Thickets” and “Your Enemy’s Best Friend” both can be found on the ITunes for purchase) and a new release on the way, are they a sense of where the music is heading? Will they be on the new release? What can you tell us, the fans, about it?
The music I listen to as well as write has always been a juxtaposition of scattered influences. I've never had a dictated course I've tried to set it on. This is probably why most of my recordings are a collection of randomized atmospheres rather than an concentration of a theme. While lyrically and conceptually I generally stick to the winding dark paths I enjoy exploring, I try to allow the music to just write itself.  That's why "Your Enemies Best Friend" and "Thickets" are so different than one another. They don't necessarily represent any direction my music is headed though, and I won't putting them on the new upcoming album simply because I'm reserving track space on that record for new unreleased material. I can say that there is a nice dichotomy of songs on the new album.  There's a good balance between overall tone. Some songs harbor an air of dark romance, others are simply out for due blood.  

Will the new release be recorded much like the previous two E.P.s with you handling most of the instruments? Or, should we expect a guest spot?
I'll be handling most of the overall instrumentation (besides Chris who will will be playing drums).  I've got a few guest spots in mind..

You continually to grow as an artist. Your first two solos E.P.s  or even your back catalogue with Blitzkid is proof of that. Is there something you wish to tackle next?
For me it's not so much about doing something in particular so much as much as making sure whatever I do is dedicated and 100%.  Keeping the channels open and meeting challenges.  That's always how it's been and I'm sure the next corner won't be any different when i round it.

 

As an artist what inspires you (Music, movies, books etc)? What got you into this?
I loved seeing old silent horror movies whenever I could catch them on TV as a kid.  Which wasn't often.  I'd go to the library and read books on early cinema and the old horror movie stills always commanded my attention.  I wanted to see them all.  That wasn't really an option at the time so I was left with my imagination to decide what these movies  were about and how they played out. I had an anthology of Poe stories too which I loved and really opened my mind and imagination.  I was always around music growing up. Mainly old rock and roll oldies which I still love to this day. I remember really getting in to Iron Maiden at an early age.  They were (and still are) one of my first favorite bands.  My brother was really into them and I loved the album covers.  Later on I got into The Misfits and a whole new world was opened up to me.  It was all of the ghoulish imagery I had always loved as a kid married with the melody of the music of my childhood all coming face to face with the energy of punk rock I was feeling in my teens.  That was when the door for me to do what I do now really swung open.  I still read, draw and do all of the things I spent the bulk of my life doing, but from that moment on music really took a front seat.  

So, as someone who has been in Blitzkid, Mister Monster and Gorgeous Frankenstein, the list of musicians you have played with is like a dream team for Horror Rock. In this two part question, is there anyone that you have played with in the past that you would like to work with again on your solo releases or in another project? As well, is there anyone that you would dream to work with or would like to work with that you haven’t living or dead?
I get to play with Mister Monster again for the first time in probably 10 years this summer which will be fun.  Blitzkid is always in my heart.  GF was a great experience and really challenged me to juggle a lot of duties live.  Seriously, play "Reverse of God" and sing it at the same time. Or sing 14 Misfits songs while playing bass and dodging pointy guitar headstocks at every turn. I'd really like to sit down with Trever Keith of Face to Face and write some music.  We'd talked about this a little while back. He invited me to work with him on a few songs for a project he was doing. I'd really like to see that happen.  He's always been one of my all time favorite artists.  I was so relieved when Blitzkid toured with Face to Face and they weren't douches. Not that i expected that or anything. It's just sometimes you fly a little too close to the sun and it ruins your fun.  Those dudes were class acts. 

  

As a world renown and recognized artist, what is your current assessment of the scene?
I don't really know how to access what the scene is and I never have so I make no attempts to diagram it now.  The bands that are doing it on their own, the fans that are supporting them and their music.  That's the scene I focus on. Scenes can get to be like big house parties.  First your hanging out with your friends and the next thing you know someone has stolen all of the beer and barfed all over your furniture.  I just stick with the people that remember why they came and stay to help clean it up.  That's how parties go. You just have to accept that if you really believe in partying you're just gonna have to accept some piss on your rug.  I just focus on the positive side and throw the rest in the wash. Otherwise you're focused on cleaning up piss when you could be doing something more rewarding.

Is there any new releases (music, movies, etc.) that you are looking forward to?
I'm excited about the new Faith No More record. I'm also excited to watch What we do in the shadows again for the 20th some time.   

Along with music, in case some don’t know, you also are a tattoo artist. What is your favorite piece that you have done and is there a piece that you would like to do?
My favorite piece to do was a pacman in a Ushanka hat singing into a microphone with an Irish flag wrapped around it which went (obscenely large) on someone's back.  I'd like to do that tattoo again. 

What is the oddest piece you have done thus far?
See above.

So, with music, tattoos and the artwork that you’ve done in the past, is there anything that you would like to do that you haven’t attempted yet like writing, acting, movie etc.?
Whatever I do I just want to do it  with all of my heart and on my own merits.  I enjoy building my own house. Just gotta see what additions it needs and get to work when that time comes. 

 

Thank you once again for this honor. Are there any parting words for the readers?
Long Live The Horror!  (Don't make other people admins to your FB page). Hahaha. 

Nightbreed (#12)

So, I guess this is the end my friends of a fantastic story! After waking up from a coma Aaron is introduced to his son and faces one final with the priest! Go see how it all ends as, yes there could of been more or it could of been drawn out longer but, it's an ending that makes sense and fits the story, along with the original source material perfectly. Overall, I am pleased with both the writing and the art as any fan would enjoy this when they read it. So, in the end, the new Midian is where the monsters go.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters (#4)

So, what an ending! Mikey finally gets a suit, Winston is possessed by Chi-You and the Turtles assist the Ghostbusters with the ways of the Ninja to kick some ghost ass and save the day. This is a childhood dream come true as this story was just fun! It's a bit of what you would expect with a dash of awesomeness and amazing art by Dan Schoening. I recommend this story for those who are kids at heart and fans of both. You don't need to have read any issue either as this story stands alone. It helps that it was written by fans for fans and that makes me happy beyond happy.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters (#3)

So, they make a discovery about how Chi-You controls people, blew him up, freed Casey and royally pissed him off! I can't wait to see how the team up of my childhood dream team up ends with the next issue! Will they find a way home? Will Mikey show them more delicious pizza topping combinations and finally get his suit? I guess will find out in issue 4!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters (#2)

So Chi-You has Casey and goes looking for more warriors like him at a Rangers' playoff game while the Turtles are at the firehouse while Donatello is flipping out at all of Egon's and Ray's creations...oh! And Slimer scared the crap out of Mikey. So much is happening as Egon estimates that they have 72 hrs to get them back home before they disappear while going to battle the ghost at the Gardens...beyond cool!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters (#1)

My childhood has crashed head first into each other as the Ninja Turtles have come from thier New York to the one featuring the Ghostbusters! The first issue sets up the story so far with great art (as always) from Dan Schoening. I can't wait to read on to see what transpires as Casey Jones is possessed by an ancient spirit seeking both revenge and world domination. ...yes, this has my childhood self beyond and overly excited and rightfully so.

Deadpool (#250 aka #45)

So, we have Deadpool doing what he does best...killing people and making awesome jokes along the way. Throw in a way to spoil a happy ending with a death that cannot be reversed  (oh, they better! Better be just a dream!) and you have the last issue of Deadpool. There is still so much left like what is going to happen with his monster queen wife and such....guess we'll have to wait and see how he is revived. Also, the extra stories thrown in were BEYOND funny! Great work...lets see where this all leads or, if they actually keep him dead....better not!

Reanimator (#1)

So Herbert West is back with a new assistant in New Orleans now still perfecting his formula. There is murder, mayhem and mystery all around as we are left with a good one while in the midst of a drug war between a gang that worships Cthulhu and a street gang battling over the drug West created to fund his research. So much going on in issue one that I can't wait to see where the authors are headed with the story.

Escape from New York (#5)

Okay, so, Snake is in Serbia with the bounty still on his head while he joins the Americans to battle the Russians. Sounds about right as this story keeps on getting better the longer it goes. They do an amazing job keeping everything you love about the classic character created by one John Carpenter.

Alice Cooper (#6)

After the defeat of the Clan Black, Alice celebrates with a comeback tour! In this thrilling final issue, Cooper battles Doubting Thomas for control of himself as everything is turned against him. As a fan of Cooper, I am very happy with how this series was done. Oh! The throwing in of lyrics and song titles was a nice touch too that long time fans will be happy with as well.

Alice Cooper (#5)

WOW! A comeback show where Cooper gets revenge on Clan Black and a giant snake has her feeding time. This was a fun and awesome storyline as Alice, the Lord of Nightmares, reclaims his Shock Rock crown. All hail to the king!

Alice Cooper (#4)

So, into the forest of Nightmoors we head where Robbie has found what makes his bully afraid and his sister seems to have made a deal with Clan Black all the while Alice and his nightmares setup for his big comeback show....this story is pure Cooper greatness.

Alice Cooper (#3)

So, Cooper is back home with the bully, Robbie is also in the nightmare world after being drowned and the Black Clan have Robbie's sister. All is awesome in this book as Cooper and company reminds us of why he is still so awesome after all these years!

Alice Cooper (#2)

So, Alice is battling his new master's bully, his old manager is pissed, the Black Clan want him back, there's a giant snake and his butler is Vincent Price! How freaking cool is this!? I'm excited for where this will all lead to next!

Alice Cooper (#1)

Welcome to the nightmare, I think you may like it as the master of the nightmare world Alice is trapped into a contract that makes him go after new talent for his boss. Once he breaks that contract, he us summoned from his home to a bedroom of a bullied child. So far so good. A touch confusing at the beginning but things are looking a touch clearer at the end as Alice looks like he's in for a fight.

Hack/Slash: Son of Samhain (#5)

So, grand finale means EPIC BATTLE! Throw in an ending that means that we haven't seen the last of Cassie and Ocky and all is well. This series has been REALLY good with great art to go along. Exceeded all my expectations after the first issue. Fans of the character will be very happy with this release.

Hack/Slash: Son of Samhain (#4)

Holy shit! So, after some mind games, Delroy is blown up, Cassie and Ocky battle an army and come face to face with the new monster god looking for world domination all setting up for a MONSTER finale. Get it? Fine, bad joke.

Hack/Slash: Son of Samhain (#3)

So, CAT AND POOCH ARE BACK! Thier part was funny as the story really starts rolling with the purpose of the monsters coming to light, the fact that the Black Light is somehow involved and a war is on our hands. Can't wait to see where all this leads next.

Hack/Slash: Son of Samhain (#2)

So, after a wait I finally received missing issues that will allow me to read a bunch of series and, with the trades coming out soon, you'll know if the stories are worth reading or not. here we have Cassie Hack with her tracker friend looking for a kid who....has a bit of a dark side. We find out more of why Cassie walked back into this life and that more evil is on the way. Looks like the action is really picking up after a slow start in issue 1.

Army of Darkness (#5)

So, the finale of the current series is upon us with Ash once again battling the forces of evil as they try to bring chaos to the world through 24 hour network programing! The laughs are plenty and the ending is brilliant! I can't wait to see where they go from here as the stories have been that masterful. Fans of the movies will find lots to love especially when you got the king baby.

Return of the Living Deadpool (#3)

So, Deadpool is on the run with his new friend from zombies converted into Deadpools, are captured and taken to Deadpool central and....Deadpool finds some holy Deadpools who name thier beliefs after former Deadpool writers. Make sense to you? This is a great and awesome story that is funny from beginning to end. As well, with the conclusion coming up, I can't wait to see how it all ends

Vagora - The Lust Of Lily Part 2: Tiger

With a new year, we receive the next chapter in the Lust of Lily saga by the amazing Vagora! Well, at 22 minutes, let me tell you how amazing it is. Vagora is a band that doesn't release the same album over and over and over again. With their body of work, they keep taking what they did before and expand beyond it to forge new territory that keeps you drooling for each next release. The songs hit hard, you can feel the lyrics and the music just grabs you from the first note to the last. It is hard for me to pick standout tracks on a Vagora release because they are just that good. If you're already a fan of this band you will know and understand what I mean. If you are not, you should be converted to the masses, drink the punch and enjoy the journey you are about to take. I mean, "Devil in the Rainbow" is a great way to start the album, followed by "Cracks in the Mirror", "Optical Reflection" and "Amphora Flames". This flows into "Lucky 17" and the closer "Fluent in Cryptic". Just masterful if you ask me. So, with only one chapter left, I cannot wait to hear what the guys deliver next for our ears to hear.