Groovie Ghoulies
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980s |
| Headquarters | Sacramento , United States |
| Products | Albums, EPs, singles |
The Groovie Ghoulies were a pop punk group originating from Sacramento, California, recognized for their horror movie-themed music. Throughout their career, they produced numerous albums, EPs, and singles, and performed on international tours. Their band name was inspired by the 1970s animated show Groovie Goolies, itself a spin-off from Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.
History
Although the lineup changed frequently over time, bassist and vocalist Jeff Alexander—better known as Kepi Ghoulie—served as the band's central figure. Guitarist Rochelle "Roach" Sparman was another significant longtime member. Alexander and Sparman were married at one point but later divorced, a factor that complicated the band's continuity and contributed to its eventual dissolution. The Groovie Ghoulies developed a sound merging pop-punk with elements drawn from early punk pioneers like the Ramones and the Misfits, 1960s garage rock and bubblegum pop groups such as The Troggs and The Monkees, alongside 1950s rock and roll legends including Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis. Their repertoire included cover versions of tracks by these artists and others like KISS, Daniel Johnston, and Neil Diamond.
The band declared their disbandment on May 9, 2007, just prior to the release of their ninth studio album, 99 Lives.
In 2008, two tribute compilations—Let's Go Ghoulie (Knowhere Records) and When The Kids Go Go Go Crazy (Kamikaze Records)—were issued, showcasing contributions from artists across Europe and North America.
Following the breakup, frontman Kepi recorded renditions of Groovie Ghoulies songs on various projects, notably Fun In The Dark with The Accelerators (2015) and Re-Animation Festival with The Copyrights (2019).
In September 2022, Kepi revealed plans to reissue the entire Groovie Ghoulies discography through Pirates Press.
Former band members
- Jeff (Kepi) Alexander – bass guitar, lead vocals (founding member and final lineup)
- Rochelle (Roach) Sparman – guitar, backing vocals (final lineup)
- Nora (Scampi) Fasano – drums, backing vocals (final lineup)
- John (Rudge) Rudgers – guitar (original lineup)
- Geolyn Carvin – guitar, backing vocals (original lineup)
- John (Vetty) Vetter – bass (original lineup)
- John Phillip (Johny) Sosa – drums (original lineup)
- John Harris – drums
- Dan Panic Sullivan – drums
- Wendy Powell – drums, backing vocals
- B-Face Rat – bass
- Matt K. Shrugg – drums
- Jaz Brown – drums
- Dan Reynoso (Danny Secretion) – drums
- Jason Patrone – bass (departed after two weeks)
- Skid Jones – guitar
- Amy – drums
- Brian – drums
- Dave – drums
- Andrew Phillips – guitar
Albums
| Year | Title | Label | Format | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Appetite for Adrenochrome | Crimson Corpse Records | LP/CD | Debut release; later reissued in 1996 by Lookout! Records, again in 2003 by Springman Records, and once more in 2015 by Green Door Records and Eccentric Pop Records. |
| 1994 | Born in the Basement | Green Door Records | LP/CD | Re-released in 1996 through Lookout! Records and in 2004 by Springman Records. |
| 1996 | World Contact Day | Lookout! Records | LP/CD | Reissued in 2002 by Springman Records. |
| 1997 | Re-Animation Festival | Lookout! Records | LP/CD | Re-released in 2003 by Springman Records. |
| 1999 | Fun in the Dark | Lookout! Records | LP/CD | Reissued in 2003 via Springman Records. |
| 2000 | Travels with My Amp | Lookout! Records | LP/CD | |
| 2002 | Go! Stories | Stardumb Records | LP/CD | Green Door Records reissued this with bonus tracks in 2002. |
| 2003 | Monster Club | Stardumb Records | CD | Green Door Records reissued it in 2004. |
| 2007 | 99 Lives | Green Door Records | CD | Final studio album released before disbandment. |
| 2014 | 'Flying Saucer Rock N Roll' | 'Green Door Records', 'Eccentric Pop Records' | 'LP/CD' | 'Compilation of remastered first three 7" releases expanded into a full-length LP.' |
EPs
| Year | Title | Label | Format | Additional details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | "Planet Brian Jones" | Supersonic RefrigeRecords | 7" | Released exclusively in Italy. |
| 2001 | Freaks on Parade | Stardumb Records | CD | Vinyl reissue issued by Surfin' Ki Records in 2014. |
| 2001 | "Summer Fun with the Groovie Ghoulies" | Green Door Records | CD | Tour CD distributed alongside a fanzine. |
| 2002 | "Summer Fun 2002" | Green Door Records | CD | Tour CD released in conjunction with a fanzine. |
| 2005 | 'Berry'd Alive' | 'Green Door Records' | 'CD/10"' | 'Features cover versions of tracks originally by Chuck Berry.' |
Singles
Splits
| Year | Title | Label | Format | Additional details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Cake Sprit EP | Stingray | 7" | Four-way split featuring Groovie Ghoulies, The Spazzys, Dazes, and Mach Pelican. |
| 1997 | 3 for the Price of One | Sell Out | 7" | Split release with Groovie Ghoulies, Wankin' Teenagers, and Receivers. |
| 1998 | Chronic for the Troops | Delmonico | CD/7" | Split collaboration with Chixdiggit! |
| 1998 | "Funny Funny" | Gearhead Records | 7" | RPM No. 007; backed with The Donnas' "Wig-Wam Bam". |
| 1999 | Wedding Invitation | What Else? | 12" | Heart-shaped vinyl split including Lynrd's Innards, Groovie Ghoulies, and Slingshot Episode. |
| 2004 | 'Til Death do us Party | Springman Records | 7" | Split release with The Secretions. |
Compilation albums
- Tantrum – 1990 LP/CD
- Gabba Gabba Hey – 1991 CD
- Groin Thunder – 1992 CD
- Heide Sez – 1996 CD
- Team Mint – 1996 CD
- Back Asswards – 1996 CD
- More Bounce to the Ounce – 1997 CD
- The Last Great Thing You Did – 1997 CD
- Psycho Sisters – 1998 CD
- Forward Til Death – 1999 CD
- Built For Speed – 1999 CD
- Short Music For Short People – 1999 CD
- Runnin' On Fumes – 2000 CD
- Lookout! Freakout – 2000 CD
- 3 Chord Rocket Science – 2001 CD
- A Tribute to NOFX – 2002 CD
- A Punk Tribute to AC/DC – 2002 CD
- Third Strike Punk Rock Strike Volume Three – 2002 CD
- A Fistful of Rock N Roll Vol. No. 10 – 2002 CD
- Pop Punk Loves You – 2002 CD
- The Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show – 2003 CD
- Punk Rock High School Int. – 2004 CD
- MolokoPlus No. 26 – 2004 CD
- Volume 4: Pop Punk – 2005 CD
- Backyard City Rockers 3 – 2005 CD