Argyle Goolsby

Argyle Goolsby (born Steve Matthews in 1979[1]) is an American singer, bassist and songwriter. He is best known for being the lead vocalist, bassist and co-founder of horror punk band Blitzkid (1997–2012).[1]

Argyle Goolsby
Argyle Goolsby performing with The Roving Midnight at The Limelight in San Antonio, October 2018
Born
Steve Matthews

1979 (age 40–41)
Bluefield, West Virginia, United States
OccupationSinger-songwriter, bassist, tattoo artist
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
Years active1997–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websitewww.argylegoolsby.com
Signature

Although Blitzkid was disbanded in 2012, Goolsby pursues a career as a solo artist as Argyle Goolsby.[2][3] He performs with both his live electric band, The Roving Midnight as well as his fully acoustic band, The Hollow Bodies.[2]

Career

Blitzkid (1997–2012)
Main article: Blitzkid

In 1997, Argyle Goolsby and lead guitarist and vocalist T.B. Monstrosity (Tracy Byrd) started the punk rock band Blitzkid. Drawing their inspiration from B-movies and horror movie classics, the band was soon considered to belong to the subgenre of horror punk,[4] which emerged in the wake of the Misfits.[5]

Argyle Goolsby performing with Blitzkid at Club Relax in Moscow, Russia, October 2012

In the 2000s, Blizkid developed an underground following in the US, and especially in Europe.[4][6] Most of the band's albums were released through German horror punk group The Other's label, FiendForce Records.

Between 1997 and 2012, Goolsby recorded seven studio albums with Bliztkid[1] and several split EPs. Many of the group's songs were featured on horror punk compilations in the 2000s such as Mullets & Alcoholics (SFL Records, 2003), Flesheaters! (1332 Records, 2006), Gothic Compilation Part XLII (Batbeliever Releases, 2008), Get acquainted Vol. 1 (THENEXTART, 2008) or The Sound Of Horror Vol. 1 (Robot Monster, 2010).

With Blitzkid, Goolsby has toured in twenty-nine countries, played over seven hundred shows[7] and performed with several other bands and artists like Nim Vind, Stellar Corpses, The Cryptkeeper Five, The Damned, Leftöver Crack, The Crimson Ghosts, Strung Out and Face to Face.[6] Biltzkid was also part of many festivals and music events such as the Summer Breeze Open Air, the M'era Luna Festival or the Amphi Festival.

Argyle Goolsby performing with Blitzkid in Transylvania at Gambrinis in Cluj Napoca, Romania, October 2012

On November 10, 2012, during their final "Return To The Living Tour", Blitkid's members played their last concert in Düsseldorf (Germany).[8]

When questioned about the band's retirement, Goolsby stated:

It is not that we don't believe in what we are doing anymore. It's not that Blitzkid has become a burden. I have still plenty of music that I have written and that I am currently writing. Our music is not an extinguished flame. Retirement is more of a practical decision for right now.[4]

In November 2016, Jeff Frumess filmed a documentary entitled Blitzkid: Return to the Living which includes a part on the history of the band and two others that are dedicated respectively to the group's experience on the road and some live performances.[9] The documentary was co-written and produced by Argyle Goolsby.[9]

Notable collaborations
Main articles: Mister Monster (band), Dr. Chud's X-Ward, and Gorgeous Frankenstein

While remaining in Blitzkid, Goolsby collaborated on several occasions with former members of the Misfits. In 2002, Goolsby played bass as a tour member for The Undead, a horror punk band led by Bobby Steele[7] (the second guitarist of the Misfits original lineup).

The following year, he recorded three bass tracks on Diagnosis for Death (2003), an album released by Dr. Chud (ex-Misfits drummer of the Michale Graves Era) with his new band named Dr. Chud's X-Ward.[10] Goolsby was also a tour member for Chud's band[11]

In 2004, Goolsby collaborated with Mister Monster, performing back vocal duties and playing bass on the Deep Dark EP (Hell's Hundred Records).[12] Following the departure of Wednesday 13's bassist Kid Kid in 2006, Goolsby was hired as a replacing bassist to fill in for three shows.[13]

In 2007, ex-Misfits lead guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein was looking for a vocalist for his solo band project, Gorgeous Frankenstein and finally recruited Landon Blood for the recording of an eponymous album.[14] Blood left the band shortly after and was replaced by Argyle Goolsby who played bass and performed vocal duties for Gorgeous Frankenstein first tour, opening for Danzig.[15] Dr. Chud (drums) and Stephanie Bellars (aka Gorgeous George, Doyle's ex-wife) were also part of this line up.[16]

In 2009, Goolsby took part of what is sometimes referred as the Misfits "Near-Reunion" in New Jersey. Performing as an opening act for Danzig, this lineup included Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein (lead guitar), Dr. Chud (drums), Michale Graves (vocals) and Argyle Goolsby (bass) (Jerry Only, the Misfits original bassist, did not participate in the event).[17]

Goolsby had written many songs that he intended to work on with Gorgeous Frankenstein, but since the band project was abandoned, most of this material became part of Blitkid's last album, Apparitional.[18] From the ashes of Gorgeous Frankenstein, Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein founded a new horror metal band eponymously named Doyle with vocalist Alex Story in 2012.

Argyle Goolsby performing at Gilman (924 Gilman Street – Alternative Music Foundation) in Berkeley, California, November 2016

Recent projects (2012–2017)

Following Blitkid's disestablishment in 2012, Goolsby started a solo career with a new band project named Argyle Goolsby and The Roving Midnight.[19] He has been steadily releasing EPs and singles since 2012. In 2015, a compilation album, Saturnalia of the Accursed[20] which collects two EPs and a few other songs was released as well as a cover of "Save Me Tonight" by White Sister, originally featured on the soundtrack of Fright Night (1985)."[2]

In 2016, Goolsby started a series of concert with a fully acoustic band, The Hollow Bodies, playing both his own material and some Blitzkid songs.

Inspiration and songwriting

Goolsby has always been fascinated by cryptozoological monsters, Horror movies and horror fiction, which are the core inspiration for his songwriting[8] as well as folklore and ghost stories (especially those native to his home in Appalachia).[21]

His work is also inspired by the aesthetics of the Gilded Age, German Expressionist films and the era of silent cinema in general.[8]

His lyrics deal with real-world subjects projected through horror-themed metaphors, a writing style he acknowledges being influence by the Misfits.[8]

For Goolsby, horror is not only an inspiration, but it is also a lifestyle, an aesthetic approach that focuses on "a conjured presence".[4] In this respect, during his live performances, he is often disguised as a monster, personifying a vampire or a zombie.[3][8]

If shocking can be considered as a major aspect of Goolsby's songwriting and style, it is also part of his own reflection on horror as a means of expression. As he suggests it himself:

If you really stop to think about it, a lot of the monsters aren't really the monsters, it is man that's the monster. So a lot of horror movies are social commentaries in a way, which is what punk rock is. So a really nice blend of metaphor and humanity for the most part and that's what I like the most about it. I like the duality of man, you can be a monster and you can be human. It's just all wrapped together.[8]

Musical instruments

Goolsby has a copyrighted bass design called "The Haxxan" (Iron Lung Guitars, England), a name that refers to Häxan, a Danish silent horror movie, but he is most noted for his use of a Fender Aerodyne bass and a Telefunken M80 chrome microphone.[1] He also makes use of "The Levitation Station" during his live performances. This personal invention can be described as a custom microphone stand on which he can climb and hover, giving the illusion of floating.

  • Argyle Goolsby on The Levitation Station at The Winchester in Cleveland, OH, October 2018
  • The Haxxan, detail
  • Argyle Goolsby high atop the Levitation Station at The Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles, CA October 2018
  • The Haxxan, complete design
  • Argyle Goolsby with his custom Skull Mic in Germany, 2017
  • The Haxxan, Iron Lung logo

Personal life

Steve Matthews was born in Bluefield, West Virginia. Aside from his musical career, he also works as a tattoo artist in his hometown of Bluefield.[4] As an ordained minister, he offers his services to officiate wedding ceremonies or provide live entertainment through GigSalad, an online marketplace for booking entertainment and services for events.[7]

Goolsby runs his own label and publishing company, A Corpse with No Name Productions (A.C.W.N.N.), located in New Milford, Connecticut.[22]

He married his long-time girlfriend, Jordan Paoletta on October 21, 2017.[23] The service was ordained by Victoria Price at Witch's Dungeon Classic Movie Museum in Bristol, Connecticut.[24]

Musicians (The Roving Midnight)
  • Johnny Ott – Guitar/Backup vocals
  • Shadow Windhawk (Noah Bailey) – Guitar/Backup vocals
  • Mike Groch – Bass/Backup vocals
  • Dave Noonan – Drums
  • Marc Poulin – Drums
  • Andrew Winter – Drums
  • Adam Parent – Drums
  • Tony Kirkham – Drums
  • Willie Wolfbite – Bass
  • Howie Wowie – Bass
  • Emilio Menze – Bass
  • Gozer – Guitar
  • Carlos 'Loki' Cofino – Guitar
  • Jimmy Ray Harrington – Guitar
  • Nate Bane – Guitar
  • Jason Trioxin – Guitar
  • Nick Arabatzis – Keyboards
  • Jack Deskins – Keyboards/Saxophone[19]
  • With Blitzkid at the Summer Breeze Open Air (August 2007)
  • With Blizkid in Russia (2015)
  • Performing at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles, CA (2018)
  • Performing at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles, CA (2018)
  • Performing at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles, CA (2018)
  • Portrait, USA (2018)
  • Performing in the US (2018)
  • Performing in the US (2018)
  • Performing in Tampa, FL (2018)
  • Performing at Savage Mountain Punk Fest (2018)
  • Performing at Club Red Mesa, AZ (2018)
  • Performing in Calgary, Canada (2018)
  • Performing at Brick By Brick, San Diego, CA (2018)
  • Performing at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles, CA (2018)
  • Portrait with skeleton gloves
  • Portrait
  • Portrait on coffin
  • Performing in Leipzig, Germany (2016)
  • Performing at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles, CA (2018)

Discography

Blitzkid (1997–2012)
Albums
  • Terrifying Tales – Death By Jersey, Independent, 1999 ; A Corpse With No Name Music, 2006.
  • Let Flowers Die, Antidote Records, 2001.
  • Trace of a Stranger, Fiendforce Records, 2003.
  • Five Cellars Below, Fiendforce Records 2006
  • Apparitional, People Like You Records, 2011.
Split EPs, 7", 10"
  • Blitzkid / Mister Monster, Exhuming Graves and Making Dates, EP, Fiendforce Records, 2004.
  • Blitzkid / The Spook, Everyday Is Halloween – Tales Of Terror And Unspeakable Horror, 7", Fiendforce Records, 2004.
  • Blitzkid / The Cryptkeeper Five, No Balls Records, 2007.
  • Blitzkid / Nim Vind, Fistfull Of Balls, Volume 1, 7" (2x), No Balls Records, 2010.
  • Blitzkid / The Cryptkeeper Five, Split Personalities, 10", The Black Sneer, 2012.
Singles
  • "Head Over Hills", 7", "I Used To Fuck People Like You in Prison" Records, 2011.
Compilation
  • Anatomy Of Reanimation, Fiendforce Records, 2008.
Video
  • Terrifying Tales – Death By Jersey, A Corpse With No Name Music, 2006 (Live at Connections in Clifton, New Jersey on May 28 and October 31, 2005).

Mister Monster
  • Deep Dark (EP), 2003.

Dr. Chud's X-Ward

1476
  • A Wolf's Age, Not on Label, Limited Edition, 2009 (Vocals, 2 songs written, credited as Steve Matthews).[25]

Solo releases
  • A Dream Not Quite Remembered..., EP, No Balls Records, 2012.
  • Under The Witness Stars, EP, A Corpse With No Name, 2013.
  • Argyle Goolsby / The Big Bad, The Wild And Woeful West Virginia, 7", A Corpse With No Name, 2013.
  • "Thickets", Single, A Corpse With No Name, 2015.
  • "Your Enemy's Best Friend", File, MP3, Single, A Corpse With No Name, 2015.
  • "Baskerville", Single, A Corpse With No Name, 2015.
  • Saturnalia of the Accursed, Compilation, No Balls Records/A Corpse With No Name, 2015 (Includes "The Being", a song inspired by the Flatwoods monster).
  • Darken your Doorstep, A Corpse With No Name, 2017.
  • "Save Me Tonight", Single, A Corpse With No Name, 2017
  • Hollow Bodies, A Corpse With No Name, 2018.

Guest appearances
  • Serpenteens, "Destroy Your World" (vocals), The Superhuman Monstershow, Blood And Guts Records, 2007.
  • The Spook, Let There Be Dark (vocals), Fiendfoce Records, 2008.
  • The Crimson Ghosts, Dead Eyes Can See (vocals), Fiendfoce Records, 2008.
  • The Crimson Ghosts, Generation Gore (vocals), Contra Light Records, 2010.
  • The Cryptkeeper Five, The Unbeatable Cry (vocals), The Cryptkeeper Five Self-released, 2011.
  • Zombina and the Skeletones, "Love Is Strange" (vocals), Zombina and the Skeletones Self-released, 2014.
  • The Big Bad, The Big Bad, (vocals), Digital release, 2014.
  • Pyogenesis, A Century in the Curse Of Time (vocals), AFM Records, 2015.
  • The Fright, "Edward" (vocals), Rising Beyond, 7Hard, 2015.
  • Bloodsucking Zombies from Outer Space, Mister Barlow (vocals), Earthquake Files, 2016.
  • Mister Monster, Life at the end of October (Bass/Vocals), 2017 (upcoming album).

Films and videos
  • Michael P. Russin, Blitzkid: Death by Jersey, 2009 (Live At Connections In Clifton, New Jersey On May 28 and October 31, 2005).
  • You Must See It to Believe It!!!, Live, Evilive, 2010 (Includes two videos ("Gorgeous Frankenstein" and "Man or Monster" and a 2008 Tour Documentary).[26]
  • Paul Basile, Living the American Nightmare, 2011 (documentary about Myke Hideous).
  • Jeff Frumess, Blitzkid: Return to the Living, 2016.
  • Lloyd Kaufman, Shakespeare's Sh*tstorm, Troma Films, 2019.
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References
  1. Archer, Bill (June 1, 2010). "Local band Blitzkid primed for new recording session and tour". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  2. "5 Horrorpunk Bands to Check Out in 2016". Dread Central. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  3. Chapel, Lucas (April 2016). "Interview – Argyle Goolsby (part 1)". Devolution Magazine: 58.
  4. Ehren, Zachary (July 18, 2012). "Long Live the Horror — The Rise and Retirement of BLITZKID". The Huffington Post. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  5. Anderl, Timothy (April 10, 2012). "Unafraid of the Dark". Dayton City Paper.
  6. Barkan, Jonathan (April 15, 2011). "Exclusive Interview: Chatting It Up With Blitzkid's Argyle Goolsby". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved February 18, 2017.
  7. "About Argyle Goolsby". GigSalad. Retrieved February 18, 2017.
  8. Berta, Elin. "Blitzkid return to the land of the living". London Journalism Centre. Archived from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  9. "Blitzkid: Return to the Living (2016)". IMDb. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  10. "Dr. Chud's X-Ward, Diagnosis For Death". Discogs. Retrieved February 18, 2017.
  11. "Argyle Goolsby". Encyclopedia Metallum. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  12. "Mister Monster(2) – Deep Dark". Discogs. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  13. "Wednesday 13 Part Ways With Bassist, Announce Temporary Replacement (March 13, 2006)". Blabbermouth. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  14. "Gorgeous Frankenstein Recruits Vocalist, Completes Debut CD Recordings (July 9, 2007)". Blabbermouth. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  15. "Gorgeous Frankenstein – Profile". Vampire Freaks. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  16. "Danzig / Gorgeous Frankenstein live in Baltimore (2007)". PunkNews.org. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  17. "Misfits Near-Reunion In New Jersey (December 28, 2009)". Blabbermouth. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  18. "Interview with Argyle Goolsby of Blitzkid, June 22, 2011". Digital Diversion. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  19. Dickens, Tad (April 28, 2016). "Three shows that fell through the cracks – Argyle Goolsby, Sly Devil, Ray Scott". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  20. Steffens, John. "We review Argyle Goolsby's 'Saturnalia of the Accursed'". Rue Morgue. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  21. McBride, Wallace. "Punk shadows". The Collinsport Historical Society. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  22. "A Corpse With No Name". Archived from the original on November 17, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  23. According to his Instagram account
  24. According to his Instagram account
  25. "1476 – A Wolf's Age". Discogs. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  26. Carman, Keith (October 14, 2010). "Gorgeous Frankenstein You Must See It To Believe It!!!". Exclaim!. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
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