Song of the Day (Shocktober): The Fuzztones “Ward 81”

Halloween is my favorite holiday to DJ. Way better than New Years Eve, 4th of July, St Patricks Day, you name it. You can really create a mood on Halloween and one of my favorite artists to play then are The Fuzztones. Formed in New York in the early 80s, their debut LP Lysergic Emanations contains numerous Halloween appropriate songs including “Ward 81” (featured here), “Strychnine” and “Radar Eyes,” the latter two being The Sonics and Godz covers.

The Fuzztones were named after a guitar effect box which provides a “fuzzy” tone by increasing the guitar’s gain. The Fuzztones put their pedals to good use here. Add some great organ, creepy vocals and some weird spoken word samples and you have a classic Halloween song. The video too is a work of art so don’t miss. It features a mental institution from hell with many nods to the Samuel Fuller midnight movie classic, Shock Corridor.