Morticia

Active years: 1985 to present (reunion shows)

Twin Cities goth and deathrock band formed in 1985, known as one of the early horror-rock acts of the American goth scene.

Morticia came to life in the Twin Cities in 1985, started by keyboardist and singer Jodie Tanaka and drummer and singer Matt Bachelor. The two set out to make dark, moody and romantic music, and the band became known as the premier goth and deathrock band in the Twin Cities and one of the innovators of horror-rock. Morticia's first release was a self-released five-song EP with covers of The Doors' Crystal Ship and Lou Reed's Walk on the Wild Side. A two-song 7-inch single, Zombie Love and Scare Me to Death, followed in 1986. On Channel 83 Records the band released Mortal Fear in 1987, D.O.A. in 1988, with a title track covering Bloodrock, and 13 Nightmares in 1991, which includes a cover of Bauhaus's Bela Lugosi's Dead. Over the years the lineup included bassists Chrystopher Winter and Timm Farrlor, and guitarists Therese Rita Langevin, Carmilla Casquette, Marko Nostrada, Dave Majerus and Tim Kletti. Morticia shared stages with Impaler and Slave Raider, opened for Wendy O. Williams, and played bills with Alien Sex Fiend and Sex Gang Children. In 2020 Heaven and Hell Records reissued all three albums, remastered and limited to 500 copies each, timed for Halloween. Morticia has kept rising from the crypt for Halloween shows, including the Turf Club in 2018 and 2021.