The Groovie Ghoulies

Horror movie-fueled Sacramento, CA, pop-punks the Groovie Ghoulies originally comprised singer/bassist Kepi, his guitarist wife Roach, and drummer Wendy. After debuting in 1989 with the album Appetite for Adrenochrome, the group spent the early '90s largely out of the spotlight, issuing only the occasional single (including 1990's "Lost Generation" and 1992's "Christmas on Mars") before finally releasing their sophomore album, Born in the Basement, in 1994. By now a hugely popular attraction on the Sacramento club circuit, in 1996 the Groovie Ghoulies signed to Lookout Records to release World Contact Day; Wendy left the lineup soon after, however, and was replaced by ex-Screeching Weasel drummer Dan Panic. In the wake of 1997's Re-Animation Festival, Panic exited as well and was eventually replaced by drummer Jaz Brown. The Ghoulies' fifth LP, Fun in the Dark, followed in 1999, and a year later the group resurfaced with Travels with My Amp. The band left Lookout! soon after, but showed up on Stardumb for the Freaks on Parade EP in 2002. Featuring new drummer Scampi, Go! Stories was the first full-length released on the label, appearing later in the summer and followed by a European tour. The group followed up in late 2003 with a record made up mostly of re-recorded versions of old singles and Lookout album tracks called Monster Club. After leaving Stardumb and starting their own imprint, Green Door Records, the group released an amped-up EP of Chuck Berry covers, Berry'd Alive, in August 2005, and proved they were still going strong in 2007 with their ninth release, 99 Lives. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide