Matt Batchelor and Jodie Tanaka formed Morticia in 1985. They both shared a passion for alternative music and bad horror flicks. With musical influences The Damned, 45 Grave, Alice Cooper, The Runaways, Blondie and 60s icons The Doors.

In 1986, they put out a 45 rpm on their own label Bat Records – “Zombie Love” B/W “You Scare Me to Death”. Enlisting the voice over of campy horror movie host Jake Esau (TV’s Count Dracula), the single debuted on the notorious Dr. Demento radio show before becoming a season standard on many Halloween programs and events.

In 1987, independent record label Channel 83 signed the band to record their first full length LP, Mortal Fear. Joining Jodie and Matt were androgynous bass player extraordinare Chrystopher Winter and Carmilla Casquette on lead guitar.

Morticia live performances started with Jodie’s emergence from a custom built coffin, and would end with Matt’s trademark drum solo, during which he set his kit on fire and breathe and blow flames. The audience was always in for a treat as stage antics included simulated surgery, magic wands sending bursts of colorful flame throughout the room and an incredible light show, often accompanied by video monitors creating a true performance environment.

1988 was to be the biggest year for the band. A short independent film called “The Blood Club” was filmed. The producer and director of the movie engaged Morticia to write the musical score and perform in a scene. Also that year, the band released their second record for Channel 83, D.O.A. Named after a song by 70s band Bloodrock, the song is a graphic depiction of an airplane wreck and the ensuing suffering as the main character repflects on the accident as he dies.

Carmilla left the band before recording D.O.A. - leaving the guitar role to Dave Majerus. Dallas-based satellite station Z-Rock launched the single “Voyear” into nationwide rotation just as the band began the film/video of the same song.

In the early 90s, Morticia released their gothic metal CD, Thirteen Nightmares. This record was truly a fusion of style and talent and received numerous recognitions.

Black Widow Records release of CD Exhumed marks the first release of classic Moriticia vinyl- name choice cuts from both Mortal Fear and D.O.A. as well as a live cut from the last performance of the band- 45 Grave’s “Partytime”, recorded at the legendary 1st Avenue nightclub in Minneapolis and an video cut of “Voyeur”.

Discography: http://www.discogs.com/artist/Morticia+(2)

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