If you need some spooky tunes to Watusi to this Halloween then transport your soul back to my interview last year with The Ghastly Ones.

You know me and my flashbacks! Who doesn’t like leftovers and what better way to reuse a post than to revisit a fun one from a year ago?

Transport yourself back to my interview with Baron Shivers from The Ghastly Ones by clicking here.

The Ghastly Ones will be signing their brand new 7inch Vinyl EP “GEARS N GHOULFINKS”  on Sunday November 8, 2009, starting 2:00 PM at Dark Delicacies  in Burbank, CA.

“…Come meet the band and get this limited edition record signed. Master Monster Hot Rod artist, THE PIZZ, who illustrated the cover, will be signing as well! Free full color die-cut sticker from POSTERPOP for the first 50 people! Dan Moses from The Dynotones and Big Tiki Dude will be spinning CD’s! “—The Ghastly Ones website

Halloween is almost here and I’m still searching for a costume. This year I’m contemplating the idea of being myself. What will you be for Halloween? Maybe these videos will give us some ideas.

How about something retro in plastic and polyester?

There’s always the outer space theme?

Maybe 80′s Flashback Fashion? Let’s listen to Mr. T’s advice on this one.

For all you Star Trek fans out there Klingon never goes out of Halloween style, especially if you add a little hip hop.

Alright, how about something scary? A werewolf or a vampire?

Any other ideas?

We’re not going too far with this Friday Flashback. I thought we could take a trip through the Housewife in Hollywood.com halls.

So light those candles, gut that pumpkin and enjoy some not so scary entertainment with these Halloween themed posts from last year. Flashback to October 2008 by clicking the hyperlinks below.

My Top 5 Halloween in Hollywood Favorites:

http://housewifeinhollywood.com/my-top-5-halloween-in-hollywood-favorites/

Are You Ready for a Mad Monster Party?

http://housewifeinhollywood.com/are-you-ready-for-a-mad-monster-party/

Thurl Ravenscroft leads the “singing busts” in Grim Grinning Ghosts. Here’s a couple fun facts, he was the voice of Tony the Tiger and he sang “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch”.  

For more information about Thurl, visit http://www.allthingsthurl.com/

For another version of Grim Grinning Ghosts take a listen to the Dapper Dans riding down Disneyland’s Main Street:

Visit http://doombuggies.com/ for Walt Disney’s Haunted Mansion fun!

Hannah Montana will be at the door with the usual favorites like princesses, pumpkins, and little vampires. My interest in pirates and my Johnny Depp enthusiasm leads me to the question, “How many Captain Jack’s will be out this year?”

You never know if you might meet the real Captain Jack Sparrow. Don’t be confused by imitations this Halloween season. Check out this documentary footage of the Real Captain Jack, found wandering around a park in Orange County, CA.

So if you do spot a Captain Jack Sparrow on Halloween night it just might be the real one and not an imposter. Be warned!

If you’d like to see more from the people that brought you the above YouTube selection check out www.markedmen.net and www.dusktodawnproductions.com. If you’re interested in becoming an authentic Captain Jack yourself this year, visit www.youtube.com/JantyChattaw for costume making tips.

I’m not one for creepy scary. I like silly scary, more like cute with a dash of scary thrown in. Here are my Top 5 Halloween in Hollywood Favorites:

1. Disney’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

I love Tim Burton’s version, Sleepy Hollow. Johnny Depp playing the role of Ichabod is great fun. I have to admit that my love for this story started with Disney’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow animated feature. With the intensity of Ichabod Crane riding through the hollow, and the catchy tune sung by Bing Crosby, this version of Washington Irving’s classic tale is my favorite.

I didn’t know guests could see The Headless Horsemen ride through Disney’s theme park. Did you?

2. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

I love everything Peanuts, and Charles Schulz was a genius in my book. I’ve always had a connection with Charlie Brown, but this movie is all about Linus and his wishful thinking for The Great Pumpkin. Halloween isn’t the same if I don’t watch the scene of Sally letting Linus have it for ruining her night of tricks or treats.

3. Thriller

Yes, the Michael Jackson Video! This video was one of the coolest things back when MTV actually aired videos. Listening to the retro classic will get your Halloween spirit off the wall. Even this wedding party couldn’t resist it:

4. Elvira

I know it’s time to rummage through the costume box when I see Elvira’s cardboard likeness standing in a grocery store aisle. Here she is in 1986 showing us examples of good treats to hand out for Halloween:

5. Corpse Bride

Tim Burton collaborated with Mike Johnson to bring this project to life. It was loosely based on the folktale version of an older Jewish story. Johnny Depp provided his voice talent to the role of Victor Van Dort. Another one of Burton’s regular stars, Helena Bonham Carter plays Emily.

One of my favorite things about this movie is the music composed by Danny Elfman. Here is a rendition by talented YouTubers of the beautiful piano duet with Emily and Victor.

 What are your Halloween in Hollywood favorites?

Foolish mortals, does your Halloween spirit need a revival? Do you wish that ghoulish feeling could last all year long? Are you in need of some groovy music you can shimmy too?

The Ghastly Ones bring you spooky surf sounds from beyond the grave. Learn more about this groovy, or should I say ghouly band. I had a fun Q&A with Norman, aka Baron Shivers, take a look if you dare:

HIH:  Who came up with the name? Was there any inspiration from the 60’s horror movie with the same title?

Garrett “Dr. Lehos” and I wrote a bunch of names down and The Ghastly Ones stuck because it just had a cool spooky vibe to it but not too over the top. It came from an Andy Milligan film of the same name from 1968. It’s a pretty bad movie but we dug the spirit of the film, plus The Lively Ones was, and still is, one of our favorite surf bands from 60’s. The Deadly Ones was already used by a novelty band in the 60’s, so The Ghastly Ones was perfect.

HIH:  When I hear the word Surf band I think of music from the Ventures. Hearing Cemetery Surf, I think of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion theme song with its ghoulish lyrics and 60’s sounds. What made you want to incorporate the silly scary?

Growing up I really loved The Munsters and religiously watched Creature Features on late night TV. Both shows had a surfy sounding theme song and the idea clicked in my head to make the first real spooky surf group. The Deadly Ones was a novelty band that played instrumentals with groans and screams on top and several bands including The Ventures played around with spooky songs but no one had even done an all horror surf band, so The Ghastly Ones were born!

HIH:   There’s an event in the summer called Tiki Oasis. You played there this year and it sounded like a wild time. I’m fascinated by the mixture of tiki themes mixed with zombies. Can you give us an idea of where this mix came from?

Zombies and Tiki go hand in hand. Besides there being a famous tropical drink called the Zombie, Tiki imagery has always been steeped in mysterious island rituals and Voodoo practices but in a very romantic and idealized way. In the old days many restaurants and bars had this theme and the tradition carries on today.

HIH:  Can we purchase the single you did for the SpongeBob Scaredy Pants episode?

We don’t have that single for sale but we get asked about SpongeBob a lot. We really enjoyed creating music for that show. We just contributed music for another animated film called Los Campiones de La Lucha Libre. It’s from the creators of Mucha Lucha.

HIH:   You’ve been together since the mid 90’s. Has your band changed at all since then?

The biggest change was the addition of a permanent keyboard player, Dave aka “Capt Clegg”. He’s been on all of our recordings since day one but he joined our band officially in 2006. Other than that, we’ve been incorporating some more Davie Allan style fuzz numbers and recently we’ve been on a Japanese Instro kick. There were these cats in the 60’s, Yuzo Kayama and Terry Terauchi that did some amazing Ventures style instros but with a very aggressive guitar tone that we really like. We’re doing a tribute to them in January at Deke Dickeson’s Guitar Geek Festival here in the LA area.

HIH:   What is one of your favorite late night monster movies?

Wow, that’s a very long list! For starters anything by Mario Bava, Black Sunday, Black Sabbath, Kill baby Kill. Hammer films and the original Universal Horror films of the 30’s and 40’s are great. Horror of Party Beach is a big fave, Beach Girls and the Monster, Frankenstein Meets The Space Monster, and the Santo Wrestling films are non-stop fun too. This list could go several pages.

HIH:  In 2007, you performed for the first time in Japan, and on the East Coast. Was there a big difference between those audiences and your California fans?

The Japanese fans were amazing. They love to go nuts over there. A mosh pit started at one of our shows but it wasn’t violent, just kids having a great time. We love to see people out there moving dancing and jumping around, not just staring at our every move.

HIH:  What’s next for The Ghastly Ones?

More grave-diggin’, fuzz-fueled, reverb-drenched, brew-injected, hearse-powered skullduggery at a location near you!

For some hip, happening and haunting tunes go to:

 www.myspace.com/ghastlyones

The Ghastly Ones

“Baron Shivers” Drums and Vocals
“Dr. Lehos”  Lead Guitar
“Sir GoGo Ghostly”  Bass
“Captain Clegg”  Organ
“Necrobella”  Go-Go

There is no such thing as a cheap “ready to wear” costume these days. I remember some of my friends at grade school showing up with their plastic masks and matching pullover tie back shirts, known to be the cheapest of all costumes. I was very proud that my mom logged in hours of designing, shopping, sewing and adding those finishing touches to my unique costume choices.

At least a handful of Halloween Supercenters have sprouted up around my house and there’s nothing inexpensive about them. I always tell people once Halloween hits, it will be New Year’s Eve in no time. From now until the New Year begins, we will be faced with many shopping opportunities. At times these opportunities seem more like obligations. First its Halloween costumes and trick or treat candy, then Thanksgiving fixings, and on to Christmas, Hanukkah, or other such festive gift giving.

I’ll try not to worry about expenses this holiday season. Instead I’ll focus on the fun activities, social gatherings, and creative ways I can display my holiday spirit.

We’re planning on attending a Halloween party this year which jolted my memory about one of my favorite holiday shows of yesteryear.

Mad Monster Party was produced by Arthur Rankin, Jr., and directed by Jules Bass, the same duo that brought us holiday stop-motion favorites like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, and Frosty the Snowman.

Anyone else remember this holiday special featuring the voices of legendary Boris Karloff, and Phyllis Diller?

Find out more about Betsy Ross at betsyrosshouse.org