HorrorPops

It was at a 1996 show in Cologne, Germany, during POPKOM that the Danish psychobilly sextet the HorrorPops first took root, with bassist and lead singer Patricia Day’s indie-punk collective Peanut Pump Gun supporting guitarist Kim Nekroman’s band Nekromantix. Mutual musical and personal interests quickly surfaced between Day and Nekroman, prompting them to exchange instruments and form a new group outside their usual styles. Drummer Niedermeier and second guitarist Caz the Clash, both ex-members of Strawberry Slaughterhouse, completed the lineup that became the HorrorPops. The band began performing in 1998, drawing crowds through high-energy live sets that included go-go dancers Mille and Kamilla—Day’s colleagues from a piercing shop—while also cutting demos intended for a press kit. Between 2000 and 2002 the group toured steadily, cultivated a dedicated audience, and ultimately secured a deal with Hellcat Records. Caz the Clash departed in 2003 and was succeeded by K'aarrghh'sten (aka Karsten), another Strawberry Slaughterhouse alumnus; around the same time a vinyl single pairing “Ghouls” and “Psychobitches Outta Hell” appeared. The full-length Hell Yeah arrived in April 2004 via the storied punk imprint Epitaph. Although Mille and Karsten exited amid the subsequent tour, the HorrorPops maintained their momentum: Geoff Kresge left his standup bass role in Tiger Army to join on guitar, and longtime associate Naomi—now called No-No—filled the vacant dancer position. While fitting in several Warped Tour dates in 2005, the band tracked its next album, Bring it On, which surfaced that September as their second Epitaph release. Early 2008 brought Kiss Kiss Kill Kill, on which the HorrorPops reverted to their original three-piece configuration.