Ska and Metal are "Walking On Sunshine" for American Psycho
Ska is not dead. It just kills.
Ska, metal, and comic books together is just not something you see everyday. So when it happens, something cool is brewing.
It all begins with an email in the Squeedar inbox that boasted a long subject title. The only words that were recognizable were Reel Big Fish . During the high school days of long ago, ska was happening and Reel Big Fish were one of the big band names. One of their biggest songs, “Sell Out”, was a staple on many of our playlists.
That email was an announcement of a collaborative music video between Reel Big Fish and Ice Nine Kills of a cover of the Katrina and the Wave’s 1983 song “Walking on Sunshine”. Interesting but why was this newsworthy? The eyebrows were fully furrowed as the curiosity deepened. Then the music video is watched and there is absolute confusion.
Why would a music video garner such a reaction? First, watch the music video:
[warning: graphic depictions of blood and simulated violence]
After watching the music video, it should be clear why there was so much confusion. The answer: I have never seen the 2000 “American Psycho” movie starring Christian Bale. Until now.
Once the connection was made between the movie and the music video, the curiosity began a personal journey of discovering something cool indeed . When two different music styles work together on a music video that references a movie over twenty years old, that warrants a deep dive into why. The official answer is that the music video is associated with the upcoming American Psycho comic book series from Sumerian Press.
The Movie
“American Psycho” originated as a novel by Bret Easton Ellis and was adapted into a film directed by Mary Harron. It is a dark comedy thriller centering around the questionable mind of Patrick Bateman. Bateman holds a high corporate level position where we never see him put any effort at the office other than comparing business cards with colleagues. He runs with a scummy white collar group who spend more energy comparing who can make reservations at the most trendy restaurants than working at the company. On top of being a corporate jerk, Bateman spends his nights satiating his need for sex and murder. Throughout the movie, his actions become more and more erratic switching between unhinged lectures of music history to possible hallucinations. He is so unbalanced that it generates the most ultimate question: was any of it real?
The movie features an amazing cast that includes William Dafoe, Reese Witherspoon, Jared Leto, and Chloe Sevigny. Yes, it did cross the mind that this was a movie that featured Batman, Green Goblin, and Joker.
Knowing that the movie would involve a serial killer, there was some concern on how graphic the violence would be. As a well known flincher of all things that stab, this movie was completely viewable.
Many of the horror scene were framed in a way that seemed reminiscent of classical works such as the Exorcist or The Shining. The actual murder scenes would cut away in a manner similar to Hitchcock’s movie style. It made a film style that added a visual element question of Bateman’s grasp on reality. As if he was subconsciously superimposing classic films to manifest his deep desire to kill.
Overall, the movie is a fantastic piece of film and completely earns the status of being a film history icon. It’s so well beloved that it has spawned many meme variations. So it is no wonder the film has generated so much energetic collaboration between musicians and comics!
The Comic Book Series
The comic book series will be a reimagining of the main character, Patrick Bateman. What is interesting to learn is that the series will have two parallel time lines: one of Patrick Bateman and one with a new character named Charlene Carruthers. Charlene Carruthers is a young woman who is also descending into the same madness that that seemed to have plagued Patrick Bateman. Is the past repeating itself?
The five-issue series is written by Michael Calero (Quested), artwork by Piotr Kowalski (The Witcher, Bloodborne, Sex), and colors by Brad Simpson (Kong of Skull Island, Stray Dogs, Blade Runner Origins).
To obtain a copy of the comic book series, contact your local comic book store or head to the Sumerian Comics website HERE.
The Comic Book Series Soundtrack
“Walking On Sunshine” is not the only music video connected to the comic book series. There is a whole list of other music videos that have created this fascinating soundtrack. Check out the following for an even expansive audio experience with the comic series:
“The Algorithm” by Puscifer. A more darker and deeply pulsating sound reminiscent of the early 2000 apathetic vibes.
“Sweet Dreams” by Unlike Pluto. A great cover the Eurythmics’’ amazing song that just instantly transports you into sweet madness.
“Dangerous” by Pertubator. A cover of Depeche Mode that makes you want to go into an underground dance club…
“Where Did You Sleep Last Night” by Ramsey. Just an absolutely creepy cover of Leadbelly's song.
The Merch
If the music is not enough, there are even shirts to collect and covet. Ice Nine Kills has a monthly “investigation” themed subscription called Nightmare On The Ninth. They have dedicated their current merch capsule to the release with “an offed the wall collection just in time for a summer of slaughter”. To grab your own, go HERE.
““It’s no secret to INK fans that ska punk and horror movies are what pumps through my bloodstream. When the opportunity arose to combine one of my favorite films with one of my favorites bands of all time I didn’t just jump at the chance, I skanked over to my nail gun, axe and chainsaw and bludgeoned out my favorite cover we’ve ever done.””
Ice Nine Kills x Reel Big Fish - Credit Adrienne Boeing
““We are thrilled to have Ice Nine Kills performing a cover of ‘Walking On Sunshine’ for the soundtrack to our American Psycho comic book series. Their unique blend of theatricality and intensity perfectly complements the dark and twisted themes of our story. This collaboration brings an exciting new dimension to the project, and we can’t wait for fans to experience this iconic song like never before.””
