The Moon-Rays consist of:
Scott Mensching-
Drums,
Greg Griffiths-
Greg has control over anything with keys attached to it i
Adam Kraus-
acoustic bass.
Brandon Cochran-
All guitars
Andy (the Madman) Blanco-
All saxophones and arranger for Swingin at the Seance'
Influences
Sounds Like
The Ventures meet Brian Setzer meets Glenn Miller while tripping on Edgar Allan Poe.
Swingin at the Seance" has really dusted off the Skeletons in the Closet, featuring Halloween songs done in the 30's and 40's by Louis Armstrong, Artie Shaw, Louis Jordan, Bessie Smith, Glenn Miller, and Tommy Dorsey.
For a different way to listen to this CD, TURN YOUR BASS WAY DOWN and ease back on the highs until you have a nice vintage "old radio sound" coming through the speakers...the music never sounds better!!!!!!!!
WHATS THE BUZZ????
We had a blast playing the the BMovie celebration in Franklin In. with our favorite hipster guru, Will "The Thrill"! Here's Will and Prof. Spooky after the show about to be eaten by "The Blob"...
">
WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR NEW CD...
This album adds to the wealth of material I have to play here at Nightmare City. I am pleased to promote and play independent artists, especially when it's this good!!
Stevoinyrstereo-WZRD
The Moon-rays have outdone themselves with this CD that celebrates some of the cooest music from the past. Always a fan, and this latest release is superb!
PAUL SCRABO- Film and television producer
From Monsterkid Magazine!
Swingin' at the Séance
The Moon-Rays
It's always been a little hard to describe the music of The Moon-Rays to the uninitiated. It's a blend of so many things that it can't really be categorized unless "cool" is a musical category of its own. Their past releases have been mainly rooted in the sounds of the '60s lounge and surf music, but always with a slant toward the unusual and spooky. Songs with titles like Blues for Vampira, The Grim Creeper, Thrillville, Drag Fink, Mysterion, Sophomore Werewolf in Love and The Devil in Nylons gives you some insight into the thematic direction of the group.
In The Moon-Rays' newest collection of spooky selections titled Swingin' at the Séance, the band trades in their bongos for brass and they explore some of the more macabre pop songs from the '30s and '40s. If you're a fan of Big Band music you might recognize the title song as a piece originally recorded by Glenn Miller and his orchestra in 1941. Other selections were recorded by well-known swing-era artists like Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Louie Armstrong and Bing Crosby.
The complete track list includes You've Got Me Voodoo'd, Mr. Ghost Goes to town, The Headless Horseman, Nightmare, Jack You're Dead, Swingin' at the Séance, Mysterioso, Skeletons in the Closet, The Spooks Jump In, Shuffle of the Damned, Creepy Charlie and Haunted House Blues (the oldest number on the CD with was recorded by Bessie Smith in 1923). Unless you're a devoted fan of old jazz and swing music, you're probably not familiar with these songs. The most well-known of the bunch is probably The Headless Horseman which is featured in Walt Disney's 1947 animated classic ICHABOD AND MR. TOAD and sung by the aforementioned Mr. Crosby.
Thanks to The Moon-Rays, new listeners can now enjoy these forgotten spook songs for the first time. Band member Scott Mersching explains in the liner notes that he became familiar with most of these songs through his father who played in bands during the '40s and recalls them as "Halloween songs" performed by many bands of that era.
Scott says, "This CD is for my dad, his generation of musicians, people that have never heard these songs and the people who both know and embrace the music of their fathers and grandfathers."
Although a stylistic departure from their previous CDs (Thrills and Chills , The Ghouls Go West and Sinister Surf) with more musicians and more vocals than before, Swingin' at the Séance hits the target it strives for dead on and conjures up a crystal ball full of swingin' and spooky listening fun. And special kudos for the CD's packaging. It's beautifully designed and provides some appropriate tricks and treats with its period-style graphics and Halloween images.
You can sample the music at the Moon-Ray's Myspace page and order the disc from the Moon-Rays website. Then grab your ghoul and get ready to hit the dance floor.
Kerry Gammill
Buy Moon-Rays CDs AT AMAZON.COM
Moon-Rays discography-
THRILLS AND CHILLS-2002---THE GHOULS GO WEST-2004---SINISTER SURF-2006--- Filmography- Dr.Horrors Erotic House of Idiots--- American Scary---Ghost in a Teeny Bikini---The Ghastly Love of Johnny X
Tickets for the Chicago "FESTIVAL OF FIENDS" is now on sale. With the purchase of a weekend pass you will get. Access to the show and all events. One randomnly inserted autograph card, one autographed 8x10, a free dvd(see site for sample titles, and finally the April 2009 issue of Autograph Magazine featuring the Forrest (Famous Monsters Of Filmland) Ackerman collection. While supplies last.The Festival Of Fiends weekend pass also gets you entrence to the PRICK OR TREAT TATTOO FESTIVAL being held in the same hotel For more info head over to http://ultimatehorrorcon.com/
Chicago Bands and Entainers we are looking to fill some spots in upcoming event show. If you are looking to get in some clubs and festivals please email us.
My Fiddler's Bow is on sale this month. Visit this page: http://adamrsweet.com/mybow.html to order through PayPal or direct from Emily's Website
Every order comes with a free cake of green Irish rosin!
Adam
Online Now!
