I have a secret to admit…I don’t like the Horrorpops. When given the task of reviewing their set at the Hootenanny, I did my best impersonation of a 4 year old boy forced to go clothes shopping with mom. But, I have to qualify my statement. On the road trip down to the ‘nanny, I listened to a few tracks, just to get primed. Heavy upright slap bass, poppy drums, ska influences, and a strong but youthful vibrato, occasionally dropping to a whisper or rising to command. Then it hit me: Patricia Day is the psychobilly Gwen Stefani!
I like Gwen Stefani. I like rockabilly. I used to be way-goth. I like girl-fronted bands. Therefore, I *have* to like the Horrorpops. And, according to the Horrorpops’ rules, my only answer must be, “Hell YEAH!”
The story of how the band got together is actually pretty sweet. Singer and upright bass player Patricia Day met her now husband (and the Nekromantix upright bass player) Kim Nekroman in the fervent punk / psychobilly scene in Copenhagen in 1996. One sees visions of a Scandinavian “Valley Girl” epoch blossoming. In forming the Horrorpops, Day and Nekroman decided to switch-up instruments for fun; he taught her to play the upright bass and she taught him to play guitar. Super-cute, right? The pair is joined by Niedermeier on drums.
I was floored by their stage presence. It was what made me give up the ghost and really appreciate their performance. Day commanded the audience. She knew exactly what they were longing for! She coyly bantered with the crowd with a sexy, raspy voice. I could have a girl-crush on that voice! She wailed on her bass with confidence, wearing a skirt with a slit up to her hip.
And, how cool was it that she was the only girl singer to perform on the main stage at the Hootenanny. Day is one of the ONLY women in the testosterone-fueled rockabilly / psychobilly world. She could part the ocean of brawny, sweaty men like the red sea, all of them ogling her presence. They completely were into the music, but were so respectful of Day; they didn’t want to get too rowdy. I was amazed. The respect was palpable.
So, hell, yeah, the Horrorpops were great. SoCal kids love their psychobilly. And while their signature go-go dancers were absent at the Hootenanny, Patricia had enough sex-appeal to leave the crowd zomb-i-fied.
