“Evil Spirits” EP Player

Songs from the upcoming Evil Spirits EP, out August 25th on Ratchet Blade Records. Mather Louth (Radio Noir), Chopper Franklin (The Cramps) and Luis Mascaro team with the 69 Eyes vocalist Jyrki 69 for 4 dark roots tunes that combine gothic imagery and acoustic roots music featuring violin, banjo and mandolin.

Produced & mixed by Chopper Franklin

Mather Louth – vocals
Jyrki 69 – vocals
Chopper Franklin – guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass, keyboards
Luis Mascaro – violin

Recorded at The Devil’s Doghouse, Echo Park, Ca. and in Helsinki, Finland
Tintype photo by Allan Barnes
Layout by Chophouse Design

EVIL SPIRITS (Louth/Franklin)

Lost my share of hands taking gambles
When the cards weren’t dealt out clean
Shot my luck from the barrel of a gun
Now the shells are scattered at my feet

All the walls came crashing down on me
But the noise wouldn’t make a sound in me

Now the air has changed and I’m struggling to relearn how to breathe
Life is rearranged, body’s buried but with no time left to grieve

All the walls came crashing down on me
But the noise wouldn’t make a sound in me

I need
I need
I need a reason to breathe
I need a reason to bleed
I need a reason to believe
I need a reason to be

All the walls came crashing down on me
But the noise wouldn’t make a sound in me

 

HALLOWED BE THY NAME (Franklin)

Remember the times?
So young sweet like a wine
All the stars above
Falling down from the sky
Then came the rain
No one really needs to blame
Under the magnolia trees
That’s where we lost our dreams

Strange Pain
Baby if you need me
Why you gotta bleed me?
Strange Pain
Baby when you need me
Hallowed be thy name

Dreaming away
All of the things that we say
Like going astray
With all our saving grace
In the silence of night
Ends our dark delight
Under the magnolia trees
That’s where I buried our dreams

(chorus)

Until the end of days, I’ll go to where she lays
And as the end awaits, I’m forced to remember
And while the dreams all fade
I’m condemned to meet my fate
I offer the gift of my pain, to all that remain

(chorus out)

 

MAYLENE (Louth)

He:

Oh, little girl with eyes of green
I’m new to town, please pardon me
My heart is cold and my bones are tired
Come let me lay my feet by your fire

She:

Mama said that you’re an old man
With wicked thoughts and idle hands
I wasn’t raised for men like you
A rambler’s days are never through

He:

Your mama ain’t got her facts straight
My two hands are my finest traits
Just look at me in Sunday best
There’s more to me than you have guessed

Chorus:

What’s your name? (Maylene)
What’s your age? (Fourteen)
Where’s your ma? (Not home)
You afraid? (Hell no)
Well, let me in (You best be headin’)
‘Cause I won’t bite (On down the road)
Don’t trust your ma (‘Cause I won’t let in)
To know what’s right (Who I don’t know)

She:

Townfolk say you’re the type of guy
Who seeks out gals with the Devil’s eyes
You stay out late like there’s no sun
And don’t feel sad for what you’ve done

He:

Your townfolk talk a load of tripe
When warning you about “my type”
No girl like you have these eyes seen
Don’t torture me, oh sweet Maylene

She:

Well I suppose you’ve pled your case
I see no evil upon your face
I’ll let you in if you can vow
These things I’ve heard are lies somehow

Chorus:

Maylene (Ma keeps)
Eyes of green (Me at home)
Sweetest face (Says she’ll weep)
I’ve ever seen (If I go)
Well let me in (But I won’t listen)
‘Cause I won’t bite (‘Cause if I do)
Don’t trust your Ma (There won’t be)
To know what’s right (A me and you)

She:

I’ve seen your face somewhere, it’s strange
I cannot place from where you came

He:

Guess that I’ll be passing through
The job is done, not much to do
She’ll never live to see fifteen
No, not this time, my sweet Maylene

 

AFTER I’M GONE (Louth/Franklin)

Will you call me
Your one and only
In my arms fall
When you are lonely?

Will the bells toll
For our union
Two bands of gold
Ne’er to be undone?

How long, how long
How long will you wait after I’m
How long, how long
How long will you wait after I’m gone?

Will you bury
Me in the flowers
Mourn your married
All of the hours?

Will you find me
In another
Oft’ reminding
We were once lovers?

Darling
Ever by shadows
Say you’ll be waiting
Now and the morrow
Darling
Offer your true vow
Ever be faithful
Till every tree bows

(chorus)