Here are some behind-the-scenes photos from the Heathen Apostles video for the upcoming single Fool’s Gold (both the single and video are due 6/16/15 on Ratchet Blade Records), they were shot by the video’s director of photography Larry Drayton. Chopper is back from Europe (where he was touring with the 69 Cats) so post production and editing has begun.
Ratchet Blade Records now has copies of Mr. Badwrench’s immortal 1996 classic album Up Jumped the Devil back in stock. Widely regarded as one of the first true Gothabilly releases it features Chopper Franklin on guitar, Kustom Kulture artist and motorcycle builder Dan Collins on vocals and The Rocketz Tony “Slash” Red Horse on bass. Click HERE to preview and order.
The Heathen Apostles have wrapped the shoot for the video for the upcoming Fool’s Gold single (both single and video due June 26th on Ratchet Blade Records). A special thanks goes out to all that helped out on this project, Lawrence Drayton, Michael & Robbin at South Bay Customs, Nathan & Nicole of Paper Moon Vintage, Timbo Gruse (Speedbuggy), Brad Hayman (Switchblade 3), Daniel DeLeon (Resurex) and Alexia Petre. Set photo by Lawrence Drayton, look out for more behind-the-scenes shots and clips.
The teaser video for the upcoming Heathen Apostles Fool’s Gold single (on Ratchet Blade Records) has debuted, the 1930’s Depression era-themed shoot was shot directed by the band and is a precursor to the full length video that will accompany the single’s release. Share and comment on it and check back for more release details on Fool’s Gold.
Another great review of Moonshine Bright in the German magazine Ox Zine, pick up issue #118 for the review:
Name-dropping galore in the Press Release: this record was produced by the Cramps late bassist Chopper Franklin and the 
Moonshine cover final 1 smmastering was done by Geza X (the former producer of the Dead Kennedys and Black Flag. Moonshine Bright is album number five for the masked Hellbilly / Doom-country band from the USA. The genre style comes from the band itself, they blend a lively mix of styles from Southern Rock, punk, Alternative Country and a B-movie atmosphere. All in all it’s difficult to categorize: it is powerful, fully instrumented (supplemented by the classic country instruments: banjo, mandolin and violin), gloomy, aggressive and melodic. Bluegrass fiends will love the fast mandolin and banjo sections the best, and inevitably the rapid playing of Split Lip Rayfield comes to mind. But the again the next moment is a distorted guitar and the sound kicks into gloomy Rob Zombie to realms. The whole thing is exciting and is expected to attract fans of 16 Horsepower, Hank Williams III, The Meat Purveyors (and rockabilly and bluegrass in general) my equally much. 7 of 10 stars.
Christian Kruger
Ox Zine
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Radar: Heathen Apostles
Out of the City of Angels comes a devilish band with a dark twist on classic American country, bluegrass and murder balladry. The Heathen Apostles offer a sound that combines gothic and punk overtones with edgy lyrics of murderous love, outlaw crime and damnation. These heathens have been making a stir around Southern California during the past 2 years and just recently appeared at the annual Ink N Iron Festival at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA.
Now, when you first gets a glimpse of the Heathen Apostles, it is hard not to do a double take. This band casts a dark shadow over the crowd as they enter and appear more closely visually to funeral entertainment for a 19th century downed gunslinger versus an LA club night with twenty-something hipsters in the crowd pecking away at iPhones. However, with head-to-toe blackness, vintage Victorian-era attire, stern countenance and a wide array of instrumentation, the shear visuals of the band can be both alluring and overwhelming. The final blow comes from the diva front woman, Mather Louth (Radio Noir) who normally takes the stage with full funeral head veil, jet black lipstick and pale white skin. Mather out front of this group mystifies the crowd with haunting gazes and enigmatic poses throughout the performances, which transmits both beckoning and threatening signals at the same time.
Heathen Apostles may have roots in many genres, but their combined sound is altogether their own. The band touts familiar names such as Chopper Franklin (The Cramps) on guitar and Stevyn Grey (Christian Death, 45 Grave) on drums, but other band members round out this musically tight and original arrangement including Thomas Lorious (The Kings of Nuthin’) on an upright bass, Viktor Phoenix (Dessau) on both banjo/mandolin and the talents of Luis Mascaro on fiddle.
The songs of Heathen Apostles range all tempos and emotions. From the fast-paced, boot-clicking tunes of ‘Without A Trace’ and ‘Forget Me Not’ down to the somber murder ballads of ‘Before You Go’ and ‘Dark Was The Night’, the listener is not stuck in a monotonous or monochromatic musical experience.
Heathen Apostles has a tight musical delivery, an innovative dark approach and an unforgettable stage performance that stays with you long after the performance is over. The Heathen Apostles are not your typical night out on the town and definitely should not missed, as we might be seeing an ushering in of a new genre with possible copycat bands soon to follow.
Heathen Apostles will be playing various shows in and around Southern California including Hippy Killer Hoedown 2015 in Perris, CA. Please visit the band’s website or follow them on Facebook for more info.
Full length album, Boot Hill Hymnal and 3-song EP, Without A Trace, now available at www.heathenapostles.com.
Read the article online HERE.
More production stills have emerged from the Heathen Apostles’ Death’s Head music video shoot, this time they were shot on location by Lee Sterling. Both the Death’s Head single and video are out now on Ratchet Blade Records, you can preview and buy the single HERE, and you can watch the video HERE.
________________