Top 13 (of the Week)

Sure,you know what's cool. But do you know what's really fuckin' FAR OUT? That's where Advanced Demonology comes in. Every week, (K)en and (S)wilson trudge through the murky waters of the pop culture hellscape, dredging up sparkly morsels of wonder. These are the result of our latest foray into the world of the weird, our wildest, wiggest-out picks of the week. Call it our 13 Point Program.

13. Barb Wire Dolls
If you base the quality of a punk rock band on how hot the girl lead singer is (and I do), then Barb Wire Dolls is the best new punk band in the goddamn world. I mean, holy smokes is this chick photogenic.  Their debut album, Slit, is out now. It's fun, poppy, snot-rock. The vinyl version is due out on  Jan 15th. Crazily enough, there's a doc in the works about 'em because they're the first punk band from Greece to make it (sorta) in the US.  Anyway, cool tunes, foxy chick, punk rock. It's can't-miss situation. (K)

12. The Visitors (1972)
You can tell right from the get-go this one is going to be a long slow bummer, 1972 Style. James Woods plays an ex-Vietnam vet who lives on a farm with his girlfriend, new born baby and an aging alcoholic father-in-law.  When they get an unexpected visit from a couple of his old army buddies who have an axe to grind about some shit that went down in 'Nam. Steve Railsback, who played Charlie in Helter Skelter, is as deranged as can be. (S)

11. Blood on Satan's Claw
I've been waiting decades to see this early 70's Satanic-shocker from Tigon, and it was worth the wait. Super creepy flick about kids in an 18th century British village pledging their allegiance to Satan, who stomps around like a mutant goat. I think Black Metal got it's whole schtick from this fucked-up movie.  Also, Linda Hayden is the most evil-looking 18 year old I've ever seen in my life. (K)

10. The Devil Loves Anal Sex
If anyone should know anything about the Devil and anal sex it's going to be gay porn star right? Joseph Sciambra was "saved" from gay porn and homosexuality by Jesus Christ. If you find this video compelling check out the rest of the story! (S)

9. Unknown Mortal Orchestra
UMO is a pop-psychedelic band from New Zealand and/or Portland (there probably isn't that much of a difference). Their second album, the cleverly titled “II” is out next month, and it's awesome, like the Polyphonic Spree on a hot dog budget jamming with Marc Bolan in a basement somewhere. Bonus: the cover has a naked Satanic chick with a sword on it. Double-bonus: pre-order the vinyl from the band, and get an art-print of said naked devil-childe to adorn your wall. (K)

8. Thy Courage Quail -Goblin's Gate
Really nice downer folk, good tunes, great banjo. Songs about being lost in the wilderness of life. "Old Fat Fox" is a highlight. (S)



7. Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings
Rack toys weren't good toys, they were the bullshit plastic junk they sold at the drugstore. They were also one of the greatest things about being a kid. Since they cost next to nothing, you could almost always convince your parents to get you a rubber Dracula or a Banana Splits kazoo. This far-out book collects hundreds of photos of these long-gone childhood trinkets. It's eye-popping and hilarious. I mean, really, a Police Woman Crime Lab Play Set? (K)

6. Puffy Areolas - 1982: Dishonorable Discharge
Brilliant! These serious down home rust belt belt freak out punks/pukes named themselves after something truly delectable, that doesn't get enough media attention, if yah ask me. My guess is that 1982 is the year these scumbags ( I mean that as a  term of endearment) were born?  Bongs explode and beer cans melt. (S)

5. Carny (1980)
I'm not sure why The Band's Robbie Robertson made and starred in a movie about carny hustlers, but he did, and it's great. Gary Busey is an evil clown, Jodie Foster is a teenage runaway, there's freaks and strippers and homicidal rednecks and hustles and hassles. Bitchin'. Really well made and cool flick. (K)

4. Black Science - An Echo Through the Eyes Of Forever
Like if Roky Erickson fronted the Cult or Guns "N Roses? Or maybe if the Replacements took acid as much as they drank? It's like cock freak out rock? it rules! it's really out of fashion to do this kind of thing right now whatever this thing is. This is some of the most out there shit in the out land I've ever outed. Do yourself a favor and spend the time on the lyrics they are fuckin' worth it: "Sitting out on your house, Watching hardcore U.F.O's , Drawing pictures playing solos till ten, are you amplified to rock?" If you order the "Chaos Magick Edition" of the CD the band promises to personally enchant the disc with a rare chaos magic ritual and they are not joking. The disc will arrive haunted! (S)


3. Krautrock: the Rebirth of Germany
Everybody loves Krautrock, ie weirdo German bands from the 70's who mixed rock with jazz, prog, punk and whatever else and made gonzoid experimental head-melter albums. But how did it happen, and who's to blame? This killer doc from the BBC tells the whole kooky story. (K)

2. Death Drug (1978)
This is a tough film to track down and an even tougher one to watch, but  it's worth it.  Philip Michael Tomas stars in an ant-PCP film. Only be careful, you might actually need to smoke PCP to numb the pain. (S)

1. Jessica Pratt
We didn't bother to do any end-of-the-year Top Ten lists because, honestly, there was so much amazing stuff this year that paring it down just seemed impossible to me. Clearly, we are in a rock n' roll Renaissance of some kind. But anyways, that being said, I do have a favorite album of 2012, and it's this one, the self-titled debut by Jessica Pratt. A singer-songwriter from SF, Pratt's plaintive folk songs are deadringers for long-gone hippie death goddesses like Judee Sill or Vashti Bunyan. Her album is haunting, eerie, melancholic, and amazing. I listen to it everyday. I believe I am bewitched! (K)