‘A Bar Tender Tale’ sound track

I’m very pleased to announce the release of my new novella, A Bar Tender Tale, set in Brighton, England.

You can buy it from Dreamspinner

Or Amazon

I’ve been waiting to do this musical sound track for a while! (For more on The Misfits and bands who love B-movies, please visit my normal blog!)

There are a lot of music mentions in Bar Tender, so I’m going to choose the highlights which I feel really capture the feel of the story, and it’s setting. Starting with….

The Cramps! Everyone’s favourite sleaze rock surf band. Our hero Nathan loves them so much, he plays them when he’s getting ready; ‘Human Fly’ and ‘You Got Good Taste’ feature, and are just too fun to not play!

 

Jumping along to The Specials! Obviously it’s got to be ‘Ghost Town’, a nod to Brit flick ‘Sean of the Dead’!

The Specials (and Madness) get a quick mention in Bar Tender when our hero Nathan is in the pub, and hungover manager Gary has re-emerged. I wanted a tune that was popular with alternative types, but also quite mellow. Something to get you thinking….

 

Moving into the story, our hero Nathan is on shift at gay bar ‘Rainbows’ when his new fella surprises him by showing up on the doorstep. I had to pick a song that spoke (or rather, screamed) “Brighton gay bar” to me. Obviously, Kylie is a classic choice!

I’m pretty sure this was the one I had in mind when I wrote the scene! It remarks in the story that Nathan “isn’t a fan” but he reluctantly admits it does suit the romantic mood! (Hehe!)

Actually, having viewed the video for ‘All The Lovers’ I’m glad I chose it – this video is genius!

 

Ahh, how nice!

And rounding up to the end of the story, our hero Nathan finally gets to watch a horror movie with his dream man. Nathan choose the (somewhat unromantic!) horror movie ‘House of 1000 Corpses’, directed by rock music mega star Rob Zombie.

After the opening scene (where there is A LOT of swearing, so be warned!) this is the opening song and title credits. Dig that grinding beat!

 

Ahh, romance is in the air!

And along with a smattering of punk rock mentions here and there, that’s pretty much the story! In a nut shell.

For those who wondered, this is our hero Nathan’s ring tone….

Thank you for stopping by!

 

“I hope you diiieee….. Die, monster, die!!”

 

 

 

‘Halloween Night’ sound track

For my new piece of writing I’ve done a short prequel into the world of Crucifox, my (ficitonal) goth rock band. (Oh I just couldn’t help myself!)

Read it for free at my website

I love music, I love bands.

The music is very important to me and influences this story greatly. Let’s go through it in order and pick out my favourites! With quotes from my story ‘Halloween Night’.

Seeing as goth rose from punk, let’s kick this off with some classic British punk; it’s a great song (the original and the best!) so what better place to start…

In response to his statement, Sky tells Brandon,
“In the words of the Anti-Nowhere League, ‘so fucking what’?”

Moving onto the club…
The heavy bass of Bauhaus proclaiming ‘Bela Lougosi’s Dead’ vibrated through his body, his very mind.

Ah ‘the daddy’ of all goth songs! And still as haunting and amazing as it was in 1979.

And now…
At one point he looked out onto the dance floor and saw Sky dancing the hula to the industrial stomp of Skinny Puppy.

Before ‘industrial’ became synonymous with multi-coloured poodles and too much bad hair, Skinny Puppy were the leaders of industrial in the goth sector. Still the musician’s choice, and this song is an all time favourite.

Later on…
The panic set in and he cowered in a corner. The Sisters of Mercy filled his ears.

Can’t be goth without a bit of Sisters! Probably one of the slower songs would be played towards the end of the night.

I haven’t included every band I mention in ‘Halloween Night’. Such as Gene Loves Jezebel, New Model Army, Killing Joke… I will definitely be going on a big New Model Army drive during the Crucifox series! ;p

Let’s finish off today with The Virgin Prunes!

I adore this song, another of the more ‘trad’ and ‘haunting’ styles. Apparently the band were friends of Bono! Still, don’t let that affect your opinion ;p

Containing the immortal line, ‘give me money, give me sex, give me booze and cigarettes!’

Check in on my ‘Crucifox’ band page on my website for updates.

www.melanietushmore.co.uk     ;p

‘It was an accident I didn’t meeeeaaaaann it!’ – Virgin Prunes

‘The Price of Falling’ sound track

‘The Price of Falling’ first released by me March 2011, Re-released by Two Pistols in October 2011.

‘The Price Of Falling’, my first book, was written with a sound track in mind that consisted largely of the character’s favourite band, Depeche Mode.
I love the lyrics for ‘Never Let Me Down Again’ and the dramatic music, which I first featured on the character’s car journey to the woods at night.

 

In the story I also mention the characters going to a show in Austin, Texas, for the band Revolting Cocks, aka Rev Co. I did as much research as possible and did find a date in Austin for Rev Co in 1988 on their ‘GD SOAB’ Tour.

Rev Co is one of the many side projects for a number of musicians, including Al Jourgensen, the singer from Ministry \m/

Be warned, don’t google search ‘revolting cocks’ you’ll get a nasty shock!

My aim was to mention music that sounded bizarre and perhaps a little daunting, as my main character was such a straight laced guy the reader would hopefully feel the same dubious reactions as he did when faced with a band named ‘Revolting Cocks’!
Below is an album version of ‘In the neck’ (which technically wouldn’t have been out when my novel was set, as ‘Beers, Steers and Queers’ came out in 1991, but as the names suggest it’s rather hard to find videos of their songs that aren’t incredibly offensive!

This is a rather laid back affair for Rev Co! Bear in mind that a band like this, formed of artists who voice liberated views on politics and social issues, choose names and titles like this designed to shock and provoke thought.

Now I just want to include a cover of Rod Stewart by Rev Co, and possibly one of the best rock videos ever created. ‘Do Ya Think I’m Sexy’

FYI, Ministry’s Al Jourgensen is the singing head that appears on the stripper’s body! LOL