Argyle Goolsby (born Steve Matthews; September 15, 1978[1][2]) is an American musician, best known for being the lead vocalist, bassist and co-founder of horror punk band Blitzkid (1997–present).[1]
When Blitzkid disbanded in 2012, Goolsby pursued a career as a solo artist as Argyle Goolsby.[3][4] He performs with both his live electric band, The Roving Midnight, as well as his fully acoustic band, The Hollow Bodies.[3]
Goolsby was born in Bluefield, West Virginia. In 1997, Goolsby and lead guitarist and vocalist T.B. Monstrosity (Tracy Byrd) started the punk rock band Blitzkid. Drawing their inspiration from B-movies and horror movie classics, the band was soon considered to belong to the subgenre of horror punk,[5] which emerged in the wake of the Misfits.[6]
Goolsby performing with Blitzkid at Club Relax in Moscow, October 2012
In the 2000s, Blitzkid developed an underground following in the US and especially in Europe.[5][7] Most of the band's albums were released through German horror punk group The Other's label, FiendForce Records.
Between 1997 and 2012, Goolsby recorded seven studio albums with Blitzkid[1] and several split EPs. Many of the group's songs were featured on horror punk compilations in the 2000s, such as Mullets & Alcoholics (SFL Records, 2003), Flesheaters! (1332 Records, 2006), Gothic Compilation Part XLII (Batbeliever Releases, 2008), Get Acquainted Vol. 1 (THENEXTART, 2008) or The Sound of Horror Vol. 1 (Robot Monster, 2010).
On November 10, 2012, during their final "Return to the Living Tour", Blitzkid played their last concert in Düsseldorf, Germany.[9]
When questioned about the band's retirement, Goolsby stated:
"It is not that we don't believe in what we are doing anymore. It's not that Blitzkid has become a burden. I have still plenty of music that I have written and that I am currently writing. Our music is not an extinguished flame. Retirement is more of a practical decision for right now."[5]
Goolsby performing with Blitzkid in Transylvania at Gambrinis in Cluj Napoca, Romania, October 2012
In November 2016, Jeff Frumess filmed a documentary titled Blitzkid: Return to the Living, which includes a part on the history of the band and two others that are dedicated respectively to the group's experience on the road and some live performances.[10] The documentary was co-written and produced by Goolsby.[10]
While remaining in Blitzkid, Goolsby collaborated on several occasions with former members of the Misfits. In 2002, Goolsby played bass as a tour member for The Undead, a horror punk band led by Bobby Steele[8] (the second guitarist of the Misfits original lineup).
The following year, he recorded three bass tracks on Diagnosis for Death (2003), an album released by Dr. Chud (ex-Misfits drummer of the Michale Graves Era) with his new band named Dr. Chud's X-Ward.[11] Goolsby was also a tour member for Chud's band[12]
In 2004, Goolsby collaborated with Mister Monster, performing back vocal duties and playing bass on the Deep Dark EP (Hell's Hundred Records).[13] Following the departure of Wednesday 13's bassist Kid Kid in 2006, Goolsby was hired as a replacing bassist to fill in for three shows.[14]
In 2007, ex-Misfits lead guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein was looking for a vocalist for his solo band project, Gorgeous Frankenstein and finally recruited Landon Blood for the recording of an eponymous album.[15] Blood left the band shortly after and was replaced by Argyle Goolsby who played bass and performed vocal duties for Gorgeous Frankenstein first tour, opening for Danzig.[16] Dr. Chud (drums) and Stephanie Bellars (aka Gorgeous George, Doyle's ex-wife) were also part of this line up.[17]
In 2009, Goolsby took part of what is sometimes referred as the Misfits "Near-Reunion" in New Jersey. Performing as an opening act for Danzig, this lineup included Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein (lead guitar), Dr. Chud (drums), Michale Graves (vocals) and Goolsby (bass) (Jerry Only, the Misfits original bassist, did not participate in the event).[18]
Goolsby had written many songs that he intended to work on with Gorgeous Frankenstein, but since the band project was abandoned, most of this material became part of Blitzkid's last album, Apparitional.[19] From the ashes of Gorgeous Frankenstein, Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein founded a new horror metal band eponymously named Doyle with vocalist Alex Story in 2012.
Goolsby performing at Gilman (924 Gilman Street – Alternative Music Foundation) in Berkeley, California, November 2016
Recent projects (2012–2017)
Following Blitkid's disestablishment in 2012, Goolsby started a solo career with a new band project named Argyle Goolsby and the Roving Midnight.[20] He has been steadily releasing EPs and singles since 2012. In 2015, a compilation album, Saturnalia of the Accursed[21] which collects two EPs and a few other songs was released as well as a cover of "Save Me Tonight" by White Sister, originally featured on the soundtrack of Fright Night (1985)."[3]
In 2016, Goolsby started a series of concert with a fully acoustic band, The Hollow Bodies, playing both his own material and some Blitzkid songs.
His lyrics deal with real-world subjects projected through horror-themed metaphors, a writing style he acknowledges being influence by the Misfits.[9]
For Goolsby, horror is not only an inspiration, but it is also a lifestyle, an aesthetic approach that focuses on "a conjured presence".[5] In this respect, during his live performances, he is often disguised as a monster, personifying a vampire or a zombie.[4][9]
If shocking can be considered as a major aspect of Goolsby's songwriting and style, it is also part of his own reflection on horror as a means of expression. As he suggests it himself:
"If you really stop to think about it, a lot of the monsters aren't really the monsters, it is man that's the monster. So a lot of horror movies are social commentaries in a way, which is what punk rock is. So a really nice blend of metaphor and humanity for the most part and that's what I like the most about it. I like the duality of man, you can be a monster and you can be human. It's just all wrapped together."[9]
Musical instruments
Goolsby has a copyrighted bass design called "The Haxxan" (Iron Lung Guitars, England), a name that refers to Häxan, a Danish silent horror movie, but he is most noted for his use of a Fender Aerodyne bass and a Telefunken M80 chrome microphone.[1] He also makes use of "The Levitation Station" during his live performances. This personal invention can be described as a custom microphone stand on which he can climb and hover, giving the illusion of floating.
Goolsby on The Levitation Station at The Winchester in Cleveland, October 2018
The Haxxan, detail
Goolsby high atop the Levitation Station at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles, October 2018
The Haxxan, complete design
Goolsby with his custom Skull Mic in Germany, 2017
Aside from his musical career, Goolsby also works as a tattoo artist in his hometown of Bluefield.[5] As an ordained minister, he offers his services to officiate wedding ceremonies or provide live entertainment through GigSalad, an online marketplace for booking entertainment and services for events.[8]
Goolsby runs his own label and publishing company, A Corpse with No Name Productions (A.C.W.N.N.), located in New Milford, Connecticut.[24]
Mister Monster, Life at the end of October (bass/vocals), 2017 (upcoming album)
Films and videos
Michael P. Russin, Blitzkid: Death by Jersey, 2009 (live at Connections in Clifton, New Jersey, on May 28 and October 31, 2005)
You Must See It to Believe It!!!, Live, Evilive, 2010 (includes two videos ("Gorgeous Frankenstein" and "Man or Monster") and a 2008 tour documentary)[28]
Paul Basile, Living the American Nightmare, 2011 (documentary about Myke Hideous)
Jeff Frumess, Blitzkid: Return to the Living, 2016
