In Profile - Ghosts Run Wild

I had the pleasure of checking out a kick-ass vampire flick recently called The Damned. And as much as I was impressed by The Quiroz Brothers’ production, I was equally intrigued by their choice in soundtrack artist. The music you’ll hear playing in cars and such during the movie was performed by Ghosts Run Wild, a punk rock band with an emphasis on dark, horror-style themes. And as far as I can gather from the info available, it’s basically a one man operation with indie punk rocker Jim Vance behind the wheel.

Vance -- or “Jim Invisible” as he’s referred to on the band’s MySpace page -- started making his own brand of spook rock back in ‘99 with the Von Dooms, and cites a broad spectrum of artistic influences ranging from the author Robert E. Howard (creator of Conan) to bands such as the B-52’s and the Ramones.

While operating with band mate Francis in the Von Dooms, the two released their first EP called “From Beyond” with Reanimator Records. The band later hooked up with Valiant Death Records for their first full length titled “I’ll Be Lurking For You.” It was after these two initial releases that Vance started operating under the name Ghosts Run Wild, and subsequently worked on the soundtrack for The Damned, a vampire film that released directly to DVD in 2006.

Then with his new moniker firmly in place, he released two albums under the label of Tri-Lobed Burning Records, his first being “Recluse Rouser” as Ghosts Run Wild, and then a 35 song ‘best of’ compilation called “Intensely Cold, Shockingly Old” from his old Von Dooms days.

Fast-forward to the present, and Jim Vance is as prolific as ever with his new label Dirty Ugly Records. He’s appeared on three combo/split albums in conjunction with other artists, twice as Ghosts Run Wild and once as Thee Haints (a side project). Additionally, he has two releases coming from Devil’s Ruin Records, a full length album titled “If You Want Evil” and another combo/split production in which he’s paired up with Slim Wild Boar.

I had heard Vance’s work on the soundtrack for The Damned and been suitably impressed, but I also wanted to check out an example of his latest material, so I picked up a copy of his full length release, “If You Want Evil.” I found it over at Interpunk, a pretty cool online music shop, and really enjoyed listening to the album once I had it in hand. He’s got an undeniably original, layed-back spooky vibe to his music that reminds me a little of some Doom Metal bands I’ve heard like Electric Wizard.

So if you’re a fan of punk rock in general, or just the ultra-spooky horror sub-genre that Ghosts Run Wild do so well, I’d recommend checking this guy out. He may bounce around between record labels faster than a hooker on meth hits a mattress, but the man’s music is undeniably kick-ass. Give it a listen.