Despite their name, Memphis’ The Pop Ritual is not very pop. The Memphis band leans heavily into the classic industrial tones pioneered by the likes of Einstürzende Neubauten and Nine Inch Nails.
Pop Ritual guitarist Scott Nivens says that when they released their album It Sheds Again in December, 2019, the band “had no idea how vocalist Colin Wilson’s lyrics detailing solipsistic self-destruction — both socially and personally — would be so pertinent to the happenings of 2020.”
To highlight the words, which often get obscured behind effects and noise in industrial music, the band created a series of lyric videos for each of the album’s six songs.
“Throughout 2020, social constructs have been put to the test,” Nivens said. “But what about the natural world? Collaging the indiscriminate savagery of the animal kingdom with stories of existential struggles was a meditation on what these songs meant over a year ago and what they will mean in the future.”
Here’s the lyric video for the title track, “It Sheds Again,” featuring an octopus who is definitely not your teacher.
Music Video Monday: The Pop Ritual
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Harry Koniditsiotis jokes that he may be “the gothest motherfucker in town.” This is his time of year. The proprietor of 5 and Dime Recording knows how to create a spooky sound. The proof is in the blood pudding with his band Switchblade Kid, who tap the vein of classic death rockers like The Jesus and Mary Chain and Bauhaus. For his latest song “The Young Don’t Cry,” Koniditsiotis says the discovery of a forgotten film reel led to the creation of a supernatural music video. “My friend Parker Hays goes to estate sales and usually gives me all the 8mm stuff he can’t sell. It’s always old home movies and various film releases. I joke to him that one day I’m going to find stag films or something scandalous in the lot. This time I did find something interesting on an unmarked 3.5 min reel — Hammer Films’ ‘The Vampire of Marrakesh.’”
Hammer was the British film company who produced a string of classic horror films from 1955-1975. Productions like The Curse of Frankenstein and The Mummy, with their spooky, atmospheric production design and straight-faced camp portrayals of monsters and maidens, made stars out of Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. ‘The Vampire of Marrakesh’is a rare short film that was produced as part of a serial called Tom Terriss the Vagabond Adventurer — Quest of the Perfect Woman. “Basically, the plot is, a douche British guy travels to exotic lands to scam on chicks,” says Koniditsiotis.
The serial predates the founding of Hammer in 1935, but the fledgling company is believed to have purchased the rights to the film from a defunct production company and released as a stand-alone short. “Memphis film scholar Matt Martin of Black Lodge believes the film has never been released on VHS or DVD,” says Koniditsiotis. “Oddly enough, ‘The Vampire of Marrakesh’ does have an IMDB review: ‘Incredibly awful film is something that I’d highly recommend to those who love bad movies. So incredibly awful it’s worth watching.’”
If that’s not a ringing endorsement, I don’t know what is. Koniditsiotis edited the surviving scenes from the 8mm reel together to create a suitably seasonal video for “The Young Don’t Cry.” Switchblade Kid will be hosting a Halloween Death Rock Party at 5 & Dime Studio on October 31st. It will be socially distanced to emphasize the gothic alienation and existential horror of the pandemic holiday. Take a look at the video — if you dare!
Music Video Monday: Switchblade Kid
If you would like to see your music video featured on Music Video Monday, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com.
Jennifer Burris is back as Crown Vox, Memphis’ gothic synth pop queen, with a world premiere! In “Ruler Of The Ball”, she’s taking drastic steps to maintain her hold on the realm—and some of the steps are backwards. Vox’s spooky, atmospheric song was produced by Eliot Ives at Young Ave. Sound. The video was directed by Mitch Martin, and shot by Gabe DeCarlo in the Annesdale Mansion. Robert Fortner returns in his role as Vox’s chief antagonist, a role he originated in last year’s “No Loving But Yours” video, and this time he’s brought along a squad of bannermen. I think I speak for all music video directors in saying that we hope to one day make something that needs Six Corolino’s services as weapons master. So while we’re waiting for the belated Game Of Thrones season premiere, here’s four minutes of sinister, sword-wielding bliss.
Music Video Monday: Crown Vox
If you would like to see your music video featured on Music Video Monday, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com
