Monsters and Music For Halloween 2014

A friend from my day job come to my desk to ask me a question that got me stumped.  He asked me why people in Canada get dressed up for Halloween.  Being he is from another part of the world, he was used to his cultural traditions of visiting the grave of loved ones, laying flowers, and respecting the dead that have passed on before us.  He was confused as to why we do not do the same.  I really did not have an answer for him.

If you were to look up the history behind Halloween, we have a large amount of information and cultural recognition of the spooky day.  Some cultures used it as a time of reflection.  It is time to visit the graves of loved ones, plant flowers, and say prayers for their safe journey to the afterlife.  Other cultures like Canada/USA have made it into a costume and decoration frenzy.  We seem to be more focused on the commercialism of the holiday (like most holidays in North America) than anything else.  But I do believe that the costumes and decorations still play a part in the celebration of the holiday.



I think one thing we both agreed on was the lack of enthusiasm we had for "sexy" costumes for Halloween.  OK, we get it.  You can look like a sexy nurse, or sexy doctor, or sexy police officer, sexy soldier, sexy ninja, etc.  If it's cosplay you seek, look for your local Comicon.  I don't really want to make this a rant about what you should and shouldn't wear




What's the point they're all the same, some stupid killer stalking some big-breasted girl who can't act who is always running up the stairs when she should be running out the front door, it's insulting. -Scream (1996)




Since I have been going out as the caped crusader or vampire at an early age, I quickly discovered that Halloween was meant to bring out the fear in all of us and embrace it.  We are to embrace that death happens to us all and we should not be scared of it the way society will have you believe.




"Something came out of the fog and tried to destroy us. In one moment, it vanished. But if this has been anything but a nightmare, and if we don't wake up to find ourselves safe in our beds, it could come again. To the ships at sea who can hear my voice: look across the water, into the darkness. Look for the fog." -The Fog (1980)




You look at Cheney, Rumsfeld, Karl Rove, and Bush - if you saw them on Halloween, they wouldn't need a costume. You'd give them a treat and compliment them on what great-looking demons they were. They are demons. There's no doubt about it. -Tommy Chong




I think my love of heavy metal at an early age put some of those freaky looks to rest.  While most friends in high school were cringing at the sight of rock artists like Slipknot or Marilyn Manson, I was quite content and was already desensitized to the perpetual stereotype of shock rock.  Sure kids will label you as 'goth' or 'emo' because of the music you listen to, but when Halloween comes around once a year it seems everyone wants to become part of that culture.



You still don’t understand what you’re dealing with, do you? A perfect organism. Its structural perfection is matched only by its hostility… I can’t lie to you about your chances, but…you have my sympathies. -Alien (1979)

So that being said, I want to share some of my favourite bands and songs that related me to Halloween.   Enjoy some blood, guts, horror, and most of all...FUN!  Post your own thoughts, comments and recommendations for this Halloween!




I met this 6-year-old child, with this blank, pale, emotionless face and the blackest eyes… the devil’s eyes. I spent eight years trying to reach him, and then another seven trying to keep him locked up because I realized what was living behind that boy’s eyes was purely and simply…evil. -Halloween (1978)





I want you to make a choice. There’s a slow-acting poison coursing through your system, which only I have the antidote for. Will you murder a mother and her child to save yourself? Listen carefully, if you will. There are rules. Let the game begin. -Saw (2004)





I am your number one fan. There is nothing to worry about. You are going to be just fine. I am your number one fan. -Misery (1990)





Listen to me! Please listen! If you don’t, if you won’t, if you fail to understand, then the same incredible terror that’s menacing me WILL STRIKE AT YOU! -Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)





I visited your home this morning after you’d left. I tried to play husband. I tried to taste the life of a simple man. It didn’t work out, so I took a souvenir… her pretty head. -Se7en (1995)





When the Jews return to Zion / And a comet rips the sky / And the Holy Roman Empire rises / Then You and I must die / From the eternal sea he rises / Creating armies on either shore / Turning man against his brother / ’Til man exists no more. -The Omen (1976)





You start to play it and it’s like somebody’s nightmare. And then this woman comes on, smiling at you, right? Seeing you… through the screen. Then when it’s over, your phone rings, someone knows you watched the tape… and what they say is, ‘You will die in seven days. -The Ring (2002)





The mortician said that Death has a design. Right? Now, what if you, me, Tod, Carter, Terry, Billy, Missus Lewton messed up that design. For whatever reason, I, I saw Death’s plan. We cheated him. But what if it was our time? What if we were not meant to get off that plane? What if it still is our time? If it is, then it’s not finished, and we will die – now, not later – unless, unless we find the patterns and cheat It again. -Final Destination (2000)

Stay safe and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!