Surf Curse is an American indie rock band based in Reno, Nevada. They gained popularity with their unique blend of surf rock and post-punk influences. One of their most popular albums is "Buds", which was released in 2013. It features a blend of catchy guitar hooks and melancholic lyrics that have resonated with listeners. One of the standout tracks on "Buds" is "Confederates", a moody and introspective song about the struggles of growing up and finding one's place in the world. The song combines atmospheric guitar riffs with haunting vocal melodies, creating a sense of nostalgia and longing.
The second feature from producer/director Tony Malanowski, THE CURSE OF THE SCREAMING DEAD (aka Curse of the Cannibal Confederates) came into being when Malanowski was offered money by the distributor of his first film, Night of Horror, to shoot additional gore scenes for that picture - and decided to make a new movie altogether! Taking the basic premise of Night of Horror (and several cast members for good measure), Malanowski’s second directorial effort dramatically ups the ante, filling its runtime with grisly zombie action, complete with innumerable exploding heads and lingering scenes of gleefully gooey entrail-chomping. Now lovingly restored in 2K from its original 16mm camera reversal by the gut-munching ghouls at Vinegar Syndrome, THE CURSE OF THE SCREAMING DEAD claws its way up from the dirt, loaded with a veritable feast of newly-produced extras telling the fascinating story behind the making of this regional zombie epic, alongside a new restoration of Night of Horror, all hitting Blu-ray for the very first time!
The second feature from producer director Tony Malanowski, THE CURSE OF THE SCREAMING DEAD aka Curse of the Cannibal Confederates came into being when Malanowski was offered money by the distributor of his first film, Night of Horror, to shoot additional gore scenes for that picture - and decided to make a new movie altogether. Shortly into their trip, however, one of their group, Kiyomi, notices the strange sound of bells ringing in the distance, prompting her would-be boyfriend Mel to investigate.
The song combines atmospheric guitar riffs with haunting vocal melodies, creating a sense of nostalgia and longing. In 2019, Surf Curse released a limited edition vinyl version of "Buds" that included "Confederates" along with other tracks from the album. The vinyl release was met with enthusiasm from fans, many of whom appreciate the unique sound and emotional depth of Surf Curse's music.
Curse of the Screaming Dead
Three young couples head off into the woods for a weekend of camping, beer-guzzling and love-making. Shortly into their trip, however, one of their group, Kiyomi, notices the strange sound of bells ringing in the distance, prompting her would-be boyfriend Mel to investigate. Upon stumbling across a Civil War cemetery, Mel makes the ill-fated decision to pocket an old diary he finds hidden at the site, which details the violent fate of the Confederate soldiers buried there. Little does he realize that this seemingly small act of theft will have grave consequences, as its pilfering triggers a horde of rotting, undead soldiers to awaken from their tortured slumber, ready to feast on Yankee flesh!
The second feature from producer/director Tony Malanowski, THE CURSE OF THE SCREAMING DEAD (aka Curse of the Cannibal Confederates) came into being when Malanowski was offered money by the distributor of his first film, Night of Horror, to shoot additional gore scenes for that picture - and decided to make a new movie altogether! Taking the basic premise of Night of Horror (and several cast members for good measure), Malanowski’s second directorial effort dramatically ups the ante, filling its runtime with grisly zombie action, complete with innumerable exploding heads and lingering scenes of gleefully gooey entrail-chomping. Now lovingly restored in 2K from its original 16mm camera reversal by the gut-munching ghouls at Vinegar Syndrome, THE CURSE OF THE SCREAMING DEAD claws its way up from the dirt, loaded with a veritable feast of newly-produced extras telling the fascinating story behind the making of this regional zombie epic, alongside a new restoration of Night of Horror, all hitting Blu-ray for the very first time!
- Commentary track with producer/director/editor Tony Malanowski and actor Steve Sandkuhler for The Curse of the Screaming Dead
- "Night of Horror" (1981) - a feature-length film directed by Tony Malanowski
- Commentary track with producer/director/editor Tony Malanowski and actor Steve Sandkuhler for Night of Horror
- "Scream On! The Making of The Curse of the Screaming Dead" (50 min) - documentary featuring interviews with producer/director/editor Tony Malanowski and actors Steve Sandkuhler, Rebecca Bach and Chris Gummer
- "Bart Mixon: The Man Behind the Masks" (12 min) - an interview with special make-up effects artist Bart Mixon
- "The Score of the Screaming Dead" (15 min) - featurette with composer Charlie Barnett and recording engineer Jim Crenca
- "Oh, What a Night. of Horror!" (43 min) - documentary on the making of Night of Horror, featuring interviews with producer/director/editor Tony Malanowski and actors Steve Sandkuhler and Rebecca Bach
- "A Morning After a Night of Horror: The "Unmade" Making of. " (20 min) - an interview with Night of Horror fans Rosie Nakamura and Autumn Nakamura Neal
- "I Put a Spell on You" (29 min) - Nightmare USA author Stephen Thrower on Night of Horror and The Curse of the Screaming Dead
- Outtakes for The Curse of the Screaming Dead (8 min)
- Original video trailer under the title of Curse of the Cannibal Confederates
Three young couples head off into the woods for a weekend of camping, beer-guzzling and love-making. Shortly into their trip, however, one of their group, Kiyomi, notices the strange sound of bells ringing in the distance, prompting her would-be boyfriend Mel to investigate. Upon stumbling across a Civil War cemetery, Mel makes the ill-fated decision to pocket an old diary he finds hidden at the site, which details the violent fate of the Confederate soldiers buried there. Little does he realize that this seemingly small act of theft will have grave consequences, as its pilfering triggers a horde of rotting, undead soldiers to awaken from their tortured slumber, ready to feast on Yankee flesh!
The vinyl format adds an extra layer of warmth and authenticity to the album, allowing listeners to fully immerse themselves in the band's sonic universe. The artwork and packaging of the vinyl release also contribute to the overall aesthetic of the album, creating a cohesive and immersive listening experience. Overall, "Confederates" and the vinyl release of "Buds" are representative of Surf Curse's ability to create introspective and atmospheric music that resonates with listeners. Their unique blend of surf rock and post-punk influences, combined with thoughtful lyrics, has garnered them a dedicated fanbase. The vinyl release of "Buds" is a testament to the enduring appeal of Surf Curse's music and their ability to connect with listeners on a deep emotional level..
Reviews for "Unpacking the Songwriting Process behind Surf Curse's Confederates Vinyl"
- Sarah - 1/5 stars - I was really excited to get the Surf Curse Confederates vinyl, but I was quite disappointed when I listened to it. The sound quality was poor, and the vocals were not clear at all. It sounded like the vinyl was warped or scratched. I even tried cleaning it, but it didn't make a difference. I was really looking forward to enjoying this album, but unfortunately, it was a letdown.
- Alex - 2/5 stars - I've been a fan of Surf Curse for a while now, but I have to say that the Confederates vinyl didn't live up to my expectations. The pressing quality was subpar, with lots of surface noise and pops throughout. The packaging and artwork were nice, but the sound was just not up to par. I really hope they improve the quality control for future releases because this one fell short.
- Julia - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to add the Surf Curse Confederates vinyl to my collection, but I found the overall sound to be quite flat and uninspiring. The songs lacked depth and didn't capture the energy I've come to love from Surf Curse's music. The vinyl itself also had some issues with skipping, which was quite frustrating. I really wanted to enjoy this album, but unfortunately, it didn't resonate with me like their previous releases.