It was in the fall of 1987, in a neighborhood Chicago bar. Artist and performer Franke Nardiello met with newly transplanted Bostonian musician Marston Daley over drinks. They crafted a shocking and lurid film concept, MY LIFE WITH THE THRILL KILL KULT. Inspired by a shared love of tabloid tales of sex and Satan, kitschy horror and exploitation films in the style of Russ Myers, the concept came naturally. The name was ripped straight from a British headline Nardiello had noted while living in London. With limited experience and resources the film was scrapped, but work on its accompanying soundtrack continued. Legendary Chicago record label Wax Trax! Records were drawn by the hard beats, distorted vocals, rich instruments and bizarre film samples. They released a three song EP in 1988. The full–length album, I SEE GOOD SPIRITS AND I SEE BAD SPIRITS, followed the same year. People seemed to love it almost instantly, and so, their dreams of celluloid became a reality on vinyl.
In the spring of 1989, Nardiello and Daley took on the names Groovie Mann and Buzz McCoy (respectfully). They recruited band members from bar stools and created a back-up group of singers/dancers dubbed the BOMB GANG GIRLZ. They jammed the crew of nine into a van with musical and stage gear alike, and hit the road. The tour had a “Cabaret From Hell” vibe and it aroused the curiosity of the kids and media, establishing THRILL KILL KULT as one of America’s premier industrial/electro acts.
They continued to fuel the underground club dance floors with tracks like “The Days Of Swine And Roses”, “Kooler Than Jesus” and “A Daisy Chain 4 Satan”. The Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) was appalled. It wasn’t long before Groovie and Buzz started experimenting, combining disco bass with wah-wah guitars and dabbling in big bad burlesque brass. The result was SEXPLOSION! (1991). It was lusty and dangerous, giving them their first taste of commercial success with “Sex On Wheelz” and attracting a whole new set of fans.
The explosion of popularity found TKK on Interscope and in 1993 they released 13 ABOVE THE NIGHT, the first album recorded with their touring band members, bassist Levi Levi, drummer Otto Matrix, guitarist Trash Kavity and “Chicago House Diva” singer Shawn Christopher. For their second release with Interscope, HIT & RUN HOLIDAY (1995), they crafted a surf-punk meets Motown sound that told the story of vixen Krystal Starlust and drifter Apollo. Like all of their releases, it had an overpowering cinematic quality so it wasn’t surprising when Hollywood took notice. The duo found themselves writing for an assortment of soundtracks like Paul Verhoeven’s “Showgirls” and Ralph Bakshi’s “Cool World.” They even stepped in front of the camera for a cameo in the cult classic “The Crow” to perform the song “After The Flesh”.
In 1998 MLWTTKK signed to Rykodisc, who reissued their Wax Trax! catalog. And later, GAY, BLACK & MARRIED (2005), an homage to the 70’s disco era, and the depraved strip-lounge-rock fest, FILTHIEST SHOW IN TOWN (2007).
They have released 2 albums on their own label, SLEAZEBOX MUSIC, as well as a BOMB GANG GIRLZ cd titled A TASTE 4 TROUBLE, written and produced by Buzz McCoy. It features the formidable long time vocalist and dancer Jacky Blacque, with a guest appearance by Groovie Mann.
Still a favorite among directors who are looking for sexy sleaze, their music is frequently in both major and independent films and television, most recently in Sexy Evil Genius (Lionsgate) But it doesn’t end in with the studio, film and tv, Groovie and Buzz still take the KULT out on tour extensively along with a rotating cast of depraved characters. In 2010 they re-created their role in the “Sextacy Ball” tour along with Belgium’s outrageous Lords of Acid. In 2011 they performed at the “Wax Trax! Retrospectacle” show in Chicago, with old label mates Front 242 and Revolting Cocks. And the fall of 2012, the KULT celecrates their milestone 25th anniversary with a 7 week tour of the States.
MY LIFE WITH THE THRILL KILL KULT continue to morph and stretch the fabric of music as we know it, always remaining true to the KULT and true innovators.
The Cast of THRILL KILL KULT and the BOMB GANG GIRLZ (in alphabetical order)
Abbie Damned (Abbie Nienkamp) – Vocals
Amber Guitar-Star (William Tucker) – Guitar
Arena Rock (Carmen Marusich) – Vocals
Avalucious White (Louanne Ponder) – Performance
Beat Mistress (Linda LeSabre) – Drums
Beki Colada (Beki Aldridge) – Vocals
Brett Piranha (Brett Frana) – Guitar
Brian the First (Brian St Clair) – Drums
Buck Ryder (Thomas Lockyear) – Keys
Buzz McCoy (Marston Daley) – Keys, Vocals
Cherrie Blue (Ruth McArdle) – Vocals
Cliff Powers (Jheri Grisham) – Drums
Curse (Chris Mackey) – Keys
Davy Dasher (Dave Janusko) – Guitar
Groovie Mann (Franke Nardiello) – Lead Vocals
Grudge (Scott Stangle) – Bartender
Jacky Blacque (Rachel Hollingsworth) – Vocals
James Fury (James Basore) – Drums
Jasmine Night (Shawn Christopher) – Vocals
Justin Thyme (Justin Bennett) – Drums
Kitty Killdare (Laura Gomel) – Vocals
Levi Levi (Charles Levi) – Bass
Marquis Mark (Mark McCabe) – Keys
Martini (Shaun Jordon) – Keys
MicHelle (Michelle Walters Seibold) – Vocals
Mimi Star (Mami Sato) – Bass
Otto Matix (Adam Aaronson) – Drums
Pepper Somerset (Tracey Williams) – Vocals
Rhonda “Pickles” Bond (Sue Bond Naese) – Vocals
Sekret DeZyre (Laura Dame) – Vocals
Shok (Jason Kantor) – Drums
Sinderella Pussie (Marcia Ove) – Vocals
Skip Towne (Brian Gillespie) – Drums
Stellae Suicide (Francesca Pozzato Bennett) – Dancer
Ten (Ron Zisook) – Performance
Trash Kavity (Bruce Manning) – Guitar
Unkle Pat (Patrick Gordon) – Sound
Viva Nova (Pamela Manning) – Vocals
WesTin (Westin Halvorson) – Guitar
Wolf (Wolfgang Dodge) – Horn
Xtina X (Cristina Petro) – Vocals