MAD MACKEREL’S TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

For our first ever Festive Feature on Mad Mackerel, we asked twelve of our favourite bands and artists of 2011 to answer twelve questions and we will publish them over the next twelve days taking us up to Christmas Eve.

Lonesome Wyatt & The Holy Spooks latest offering Heartsick is described as “twelve mournful offerings of loneliness, sorrow and decay” and so it is, but that’s not to say it isn’t also some of the best southern gothic folk you’re ever likely to come across. The songs are (mostly) slow and (always) macabre from the twisted nursery rhyme lilt of Grotesquerie to the sinister fairground waltz of One of the Wolves and the jaunty psychedelic vibe that accompanies Going Crazy. From the first moment to the last, Lonesome Wyatt & The Holy Spooks have delivered a masterpiece of its genre.

1) Three iconic clashes. Who would you vote for in each of these (you can say why too if you wish)?

a) The Velvet Underground or The Doors?

The Doors I guess.

b) Bob Dylan or Neil Young? 

Bob Dylan I suppose.

c) The Sex Pistols or the Clash?

Sex Pistols I reckon.

2) What has been your personal highlight of 2011 (and why)?

Falling down the steps because I hurt my heel.  

3) What was your low point of the year (and why)?

Running out of tea because I like tea.

4) You can give one single album from 2011 to just one person for Christmas. What would you buy and who for?

Raveonettes “Raven in the Grave,” to Jesus.

5) Give us between two and five songs from 2011 that you’d recommend as the best of the year.

“With the Ship” –Hank III

“My Time’s Up” The Raveonettes 

6) Do you have a favourite Christmas Carol – why?

“Satan Lied to Me” – The Louvin Brothers because it’s good.

7) Imagine you are snowed in and stuck in an isolated house in the woods for Christmas with no way out. Wolves and bears are prowling outside.You need to recommend the following:

A classic song to impress an ultra cool, know-it-all, teenager

“Southern Moon” – The Delmore Brothers

A song to terrify Grandma

“Lonesome Town” -Ricky Nelson

A traditional song to help send Grandad to sleep

“In the Shadows” –Mercyful Fate

A song for someone just waking from a five-year coma

“Torture Killer” – Six Feet Under

A book to frighten the children

“Ethan Frome” by Edith Wharton

An unforgettable film to watch

Metropolis 

8) What is top of your Christmas list this year? Why?

Conan the Barbarian #1 because it is good.

9) What is the worst Christmas present you’ve ever given and/or ever received?

A death curse. 

10) Will you be making a New Year Resolution?

No. 

11) Imagine you’re headlining a Christmas Concert at your favourite venue. You can share the stage with three other artists or bands (past or present) for the final encore of the night. Who would they be and what would you play?

I would never play a Christmas Concert.

12) Can you write us a Christmas themed limerick (go on please have a go)?

No. 

Buy Heartsick here.

Listen to In The Gloaming and Feast Of Fear from Heartsick.

a

Download Lonesome Wyatt & The Holy Spooks – Macabre Holy Pleasure mp3 (from Sabella)

Tomorrow: Ohioan

Previously: Twilight Hotel (here), The Lovely Eggs (here), Grass House (here), Hurray For The Riff Raff (here)

Follow @madmackerel