Planet X is releasing Killer Tone Jones third EP of 2019 called HELLOWEEN on 19th October. The EP will be released on CD and via the usual Download and Streaming platforms. The EP is part of the build up to the release of the debut Killer Tone Jones album ‘Growl’. But as we reach Halloween, we thought it would be good to find out more about ‘Helloween’ and the tracks on it with Steve Midniter guitarist with Killer Tone Jones.
PX: What’s the inspiration for the new EP?
SM: Apart from a celebration of all things spooky and Halloween related the EP is in part inspired by old classics like ‘The Monster Mash’ by Bobby Picket and ‘Sunglasses after Dark’ by the Cramps, especially on then first to tracks Helloween and The Creeper which are more like the Cramps mixed with Duane Eddy but lyrically it’s all a bit ‘Carry on Screaming’ really!
PX: Why did you choose those as inspirations?
SM: We try to use strong melodies within the noise so we can brainwash the human species into surrendering to the alien overlords of Planet X (evil laugh Ha Ha!).
We actually want people to sing along and get involved with what we do, it’s not important who or what you are we just try and make our noise memorable.
PX: What are the other tracks about?
SM: Mercy, Mercy features some heavy-duty cigar box slide and is influenced by stoner and sludge blues from the USA. It features some great slap bass from Serena Sykes and goes for the jugular throughout.
The song is about addictions we’ve all witnessed good friends become slaves to various addictive things and the culture that surrounds it. It’s about how you give yourself up to the need for your ‘fix’. We know it’s nothing new and a three-minute slide blues track will not cure anybody, but it is what it is and most of all it’s a very nice little choon.
The last track on the EP is influenced by an episode from sci fi radio show from then 1950s called ‘The last man’ and also the B-movie classic ‘The Last Man on earth’ starring horror legend Vincent Price.
We had some great sax parts from both Charlotte ‘Lottie B’ Beattie and Puffer Gun on Last man and Helloween to mix in which added some excellent early sixties feel to the fuzz box and twangy guitars.