This year, Mather made the decision to hone her craft more fully as a writer. With that in mind, she has joined Substack with the intent to begin writing more long-form pieces on the creative process as well as points of personal inspiration for her.
In her own words via her announcement on Instagram: “Maybe on a more universal level, I can say this: I’m going to be talking about things that inspire me. You know, whether it’s people that inspire me…whether it’s books that inspire me…whether it’s animal magic, astrology, personal style, some sort of media that I took in, some other creator doing their thing. But I think the main goal is, I’m really going to try to tap into what is inspiring me then and there, in that moment.”
Heathen Apostles London: Fourth Time, New Territory – In London on July 1st, the Heathen Apostles make their fourth descent upon the city, and this time the stage is somewhere that suits them as well as a well-worn black suit — Paper Dress Vintage, 352a Mare Street, Hackney.
If you’ve never been, Paper Dress is the kind of place that shouldn’t exist but absolutely does: a treasure trove of hand-sourced vintage clothing from the 1900s to the 1980s by day, and by night a two-level live music venue and bar with craft beers, cocktails, and a backyard open to the dark East London sky. Part thrift store séance, part neighborhood haunt — history on the racks and music in the walls.
Last year saw the Heathen Apostles opening for the legendary Fields of the Nephilim at the O2 Forum Kentish Town — gothic rock royalty and a night soaked in fog and riffs. July 1st is something different; intimate and up close. A room where the music nails you in the chest and Mather Louth’s murder ballads find nowhere to hide.
Opening the night are The Red Barn — a band whose pedigree runs deep through the veins of British avant-garde music. With members drawn from Miranda Sex Garden and the Puppini Sisters, expect something dark, lush, and utterly unlike what came before.
Vintage threads on the racks, bloodgrass in the air, it’ll be a night that won’t sit quietly. London, July 1st. Come dressed accordingly.
The Heathen Apostles have just been announced for the latest edition of the Rebellion Festival 2026 taking place, as always, at Winter Gardens in Blackpool, UK. After playing the Almost Acoustic stage last year, the band will be performing on the Opera House stage this year. It’s taking place 6 – 9 August, as most of you know the band’s performance dates and set times will be announced at a later date, meanwhile you can get your tickets HERE.
From the Rebellion PR: Put simply, Rebellion is the biggest independently run Punk Festival in the UK. Set in the historic Blackpool Winter Gardens, the festival offers over 300 live acts spread across 6 stages, including an ‘introducing’ stage for new acts, alongside a literary festival, a marketplace where you can buy clothing, band merch, records/CDs, handmade goods/artwork and much, much more. It is a great opportunity to meet friends old and new from across the world, have a drink in the numerous bars and enjoy the delights that one of Britain’s top tourist destinations has to offer.
Rebellion is an indoor festival held in the wonderful WINTER GARDENS in the seaside town of Blackpool. Lots of venues, cafes, bars under one roof – no need to worry about umbrellas or the great British weather affecting the festival!! Walk-up ticketing depend on whether or not tickets are sold out, which will be advertised via our Social Media sites. If there are tickets available, these can be purchased from the Box Office (details above), where you will be given a wristband when you buy your ticket and allowed straight into the venue.
January 18, 2026 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Heathen Apostles Announced For Rebellion Festival 2026
As the Heathen Apostles are starting to put together their tours for 2026, the first tour announcement is for the Blackpool Boneyard Weekender, taking place 3rd July thru the 5th (we are playing Saturday the 4th) at the Waterloo Music Bar in Blackpool, UK. It is a gothic rock festival (but also covers many genres of music) by Ratty Wilson. Get your tickets at the link below, and we’ll be announcing an August ’26 festival date shortly. GET TICKETS HERE.
From the Blackpool Boneyard Weekender website:
“In 2023, former member of Alien Sex Fiend, Andrew ‘Ratty’ Wilson came up with the genius idea of arranging a music festival… The Blackpool Boneyard Weekender at the iconic Waterloo Music Bar is a captivating celebration of goth, rockabilly, industrial, and horror punk, bringing together like-minded souls for a weekend of unforgettable music and showmanship. Attendees can expect a diverse lineup of bands delivering high-energy performances, offering something for everyone. In addition to the incredible music, the Boneyard Weekender showcases amazing talent in the artists and traders area. The festival fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among those who share a passion for alternative music and art. It’s like The Cramps meets Alien Sex Fiend, and everything in between.
Absolutely delighted to announce a very special act for next year’s Blackpool Boneyard Weekender. ALIEN EX FIEND!!!
After 14 years doing my show with Vince Ripper and Dr Diablo and having a brilliant time and creating amazing memories with them both, I’ve decided to do a one off show with a live band which will be Sunday’s headline act. Performing Alien Sex Fiend songs you’ve never heard live, all the classics, also show stuff and some surprises. This will be an homage to them and being a Fiend all my life.. Once a Fiend.. always a FIEND!!”
November 21, 2025 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Heathen Apostles Gothic Rock Festival Announced For 2026
On a night meant for remembering those who have passed, where the feel of spaghetti westerns mixes with a touch of blood and darkness, we really couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the spooky season on a cold evening at the O2 Forum Kentish Town, London. When the clock struck 19:30, Heathen Apostles showed up with their stunning hats, bringing their unique sound to the UK. I had never seen the Los Angeles-based foursome before, and I was speechless afterward. Their set was brief but impactful, blending dark country vibes with some moody gothic elements.
It really opened my eyes, as someone who isn’t too familiar with the genre, to the idea that music and taste can’t be boxed into just one label. “Be Careful What You Pray For” and “Red Brick Dust” had me and the London crowd wanting more. Their unique storytelling and moody instrumentation were just so captivating. I had no idea I could enjoy bluegrass, or should I say bloodgrass? It’s pretty cool how much rhythm there is, even without a drummer around.
With the violin and contrabass, plus some catchy guitar riffs from the well-known Chopper Franklin (who’s played guitar and bass for The Cramps, the Mau Maus, and more), Mather Louth’s voice and stage presence really take the audience to a rich, dust-bowl vibe, making it feel like they’ve walked right out of a “Weird West” or Southern Gothic horror film.
Author Sabrina Schiavinato. Photo: Peterson Marti.
Read the entire review at Chaoszine HERE.
November 3, 2025 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Heathen Apostles w/ Fields of the Nephilim in London – Dark Country Vibes
The O2 Institute in Birmingham was cloaked in darkness and anticipation on October 25th as Fields of the Nephilim kicked off the first night of their six-date UK run celebrating an incredible 40 years of gothic majesty. The lineup promised a night steeped in atmosphere and history, with Balaam & The Angel and the Heathen Apostles setting the stage for the legendary headliners. Opening the evening were Heathen Apostles, bringing their distinctive blend of Gothic Americana to the Midlands. For myself, this was the first opportunity to see the Los Angeles-based outfit live and they did not disappoint. Their seven-song set was short but potent, weaving dark country influences with brooding gothic undertones. “Be Careful What You Pray For” and “Red Brick Dust” drew the crowd in with their haunting storytelling and moody instrumentation. By the time they closed with “The Reckoning,” the Apostles had made a clear impression, proving that their unique brand of shadowy Americana translates powerfully onstage.
Set-list:
Deaths Head
Paint The Stars
Careful What You Pray For
Shadow Of The Crows
Red Brick Dust
Two For The Road
The Reckoning
Then, as the lights dimmed and the familiar haze of smoke began to roll across the stage, it was time for Fields of the Nephilim. True to form, the band emerged as spectral silhouettes through a dense fog, instantly transforming the venue into a cathedral of shadow and sound. Opening with “Intro (The Harmonica Man)”, the atmosphere was nothing short of ritualistic, the perfect invocation for what was to come.
Over the course of a 12-song set, Carl McCoy and company guided the audience through a journey that spanned decades of their mystic, desert-drenched mythology. Highlights included “Love Under Will” a stunning back-to-back pairing of “Dawnrazor”, and “Moonchild”, each one met with roars of recognition from the devoted crowd. “At the Gates of Silent Memory” offered a slower, more introspective moment, drenched in melancholic grandeur, before the band closed the main set with the thunderous “Psychonaut.”
But the night wasn’t over yet. As the smoke settled momentarily, the band returned for a well-deserved encore, launching into “Last Exit for the Lost” to near end a night steeped in mystery, nostalgia, and raw power. McCoy’s commanding presence, the band’s unwavering precision, and the hypnotic visuals created an experience that felt almost otherworldly.
Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell
October 27, 2025 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Live Review of Heathen Apostles and Fields of the Nephilim – Dark Country Influences
Review and photos by markosgigarchive, visit for full review: Blimey little did I know this was going to be an ace night given I’d never heard of the support acts or indeed Ray Coen – but being an ardent Waterboys fan and a lover of the Irish fiddle Steve Wickham was a no brainer. It ended up as a weird and wonderful surprise plus I’ve no got 2 new bands to check out. Quick summary: Sarah Vista are a mix between a Mexican mariachi band and an Ennio Morricone spaghetti western soundtrack. Heathen Apostles at the 100 Club were Tennessee bluegrass with a gothic country twist aptly named ‘bloodgrass’ by their singer.
The Heathen Apostles definitely have a dark western image – hat, hair styles, beards/sideburns – it could easily be 1873 in Tennessee. To me they looked like a cross between Jason and the Scorchers and Aimish undertakers, and the attractive lead singer was the antithesis of Stevie Nicks.. So after a bit of investigation it turns out Chopper was with the Cramps for a while – great education .
The band are: Mather Louth (vocals/guitar/ bodhrán); Chopper Franklin (guitar/mandolin); Thomas Lorioux (Upright Bass), Luis Mascaro (violin).
Being a small gig the band have to do their own humping – thankfully they don’t have much gear. Dressed all in black and wearing hats they looked mean and ready to kick ass. Mather, dressed like the wicked witch of the west, immediately commands attention and her screeching eerie voice blends perfectly with the dark nature of many of their songs, even the up tempo ones.
Obviously I don’t know any of the songs but did manage to video them in action singing Death’s Head a rather wonderful tune. There was plenty gothic foot stomping rhythms that would go down well at any hoedown! I really enjoyed there set and will check them out for future gigs.
The “fuck Trump” comment was unnecessary – there are way too many people need fucking!
PS – Alex Cox, the director, is using the band’s ‘Careful What You Pray For’ in his upcoming ‘Dead Souls’ film.
October 8, 2025 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Review: Steve Wickham & Ray Coen; Heathen Apostles at 100 Club
The Heathen Apostles will be joining the Fields of the Nephilim tour for three dates, which is in addition to being on the bill with them for the Tomorrow’s Ghosts Festival on Halloween night. The appearances land in the middle of our fall UK tour which starts on 22nd October and runs to 8th November. Here is the tour’s press release:
Fields Of The Nephilim rise again, stepping into the light next month for five very special shows, including a Halloween headline performance at the sold-out Tomorrow’s Ghost festival in Whitby and culminating in London on Nov 1st, to celebrate Samhain. It’s time for Fields of the Nephilim live 2025!
Featuring music and moments from throughout Fields Of The Nephilim’s storied existence, these five performances serve to reanimate the past and generate the next chapter for both the band and their faithful followers.
Carl McCoy reflects, “It’s been 40 years since we released ‘Burning The Fields’ in 1985, our first 12” vinyl EP.
In the early 80s we performed at many clubs, venues and any stage that would have us. We had no record deal, no distribution, but we managed to scrape together enough dosh to enable us to record four songs in a small studio, which was XXX Studios in Acton, London, and then released the EP under our own Tower Release label.
We only had 500 pressed, and I remember the cover and centre labels were all folded and glued by the band members. If you happen to have one of these official original release versions, your cover and labels have probably come apart or decomposed by now.
We are not planning on performing or releasing an anniversary version of this; I think we will lay this one to rest. Those fields have been burnt.
The shows this autumn are more about commemorating my four decades of Fields Of The Nephilim. A perfect reason to celebrate this season in 2025.”
Heathen Apostles – Reading Facebar – 16 July 2025 – It’s a welcome return to the Facebar for LA’s seminal gothic americana band, Heathen Apostles. This is their third appearance at the venue in as many years and they continue to win more followers each visit.
Looking like the meanest bunch of ne’er-do-well gunslinging musicians to walk out of a Sergio Leone film, Heathen Apostles take to the stage to wow the audience with their gothic americana. Former Cramps man, Chopper Franklin on guitar/mandolin is augmented by Luis Mascaro’s fiddle and Thomas Lorioux on upright bass to creating a soundtrack that wouldn’t sound out of place in a decadent saloon in ‘Deadwood’. Singer and guitarist, Mather Louth brings a dark alluring glamour to the lineup with a vocal style that is infused with the emotiveness of Patsy Cline and Nick Cave’s old-testament preacher.
Opening with the fiddle dominated ‘Paint the Stars’, the band start a career spanning set that includes numerous murder ballads, up to date political comment and a splattering of cover versions. ‘Death’s Head’ sees Mather and the band channeling the whole of the Bad Seeds ‘Murder Ballads’ album into one magnificent song. The slower but still epic ‘The Gods of Men’ from the recent ‘The In Between’ album is followed by the alt country of ‘Black Hawk’. For my generation, Alex Cox is a fascinating but flawed director of films such as ‘Repo Man’ and ‘Sid and Nancy’. He was also the presenter of ‘Moviedrome’ on BBC2 in the late eighties/early nineties showcasing numerous cult films across its run. A great deal of my viewing habits has been influenced by his recommendations, and to hear that he is using the band’s ‘Careful What You Pray For’ in his upcoming ‘Dead Souls’ film has piqued my interest. The song itself sees the return of Mather’s southern preacher, spaghetti western guitar and some frenetic fiddling from Luis.
‘Drowned in Trouble’ keeps the tempo going with a wonderfully melodic vocal from Mather. ‘Capital T’ is one of the band’s more political songs and is musically more laid back with a rockabilly shuffle forming the song’s base. Next, we are in bluegrass territory with a cover of Hank Williams’ ‘Ramblin’ Man’. ‘Shadow of the Crows’ ups the pace again with the narrative of a remorseless and vengeful protagonist. ‘Lily of the West’ is a classic tale of obsession and betrayal whilst the brooding ‘Tall Rider’ reminisces on a life long lived.
‘In the Blood’ sees a man awaiting his fate as the gallows swing in the wind. Hank Williams makes a second appearance with an enthralling cover of ‘Long Gone Lonesome Blues’. We’re into the home stretch and given how hot the venue is tonight, we are certainly ready for a drink and ‘Two for the Road’. The set finishes with the frantic stomp of ‘Without a Trace’ which could soundtrack a gothic hoedown.
The band return to the stage for the melancholic ‘Easy Come Easy Go’, before Luis gives us a blast of Bach’s ‘Toccato in D minor’ on his violin to introduce the full gothic onslaught of ‘The Reckoning’. It’s a glorious cacophony of sound with the full band letting rip as Mather brings the end of days to a western town. I’ve never been disappointed by Heathen Apostles live and tonight was no different – another enthralling appearance. They’re playing Rebellion next month and Tomorrow’s Ghosts later in the year. I recommend a detour to see them if you are at either festival.
Text and Photos by Ian Ladlow
July 21, 2025 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on UK Review of “Seminal Gothic Americana Band”
Have you laid eyes on the Heathen Apostles before? Neither had I, so I tightened my corset and braced for the spectacle as The Lexington’s stage morphed into a grand theater. The band took their places, ready to unleash their storm.
For a bewildering moment, I wondered if a mistake had been made and that we were all about to see a production of The Crucible…
But then the music starts, and all thoughts of justice governed by fear, prejudice, and suspicion are banished by the powerful chemistry and musical genius that fills the air.
Dimly lit and serious-faced, with an intensity so fierce it sends shivers down the spine, the crew aboard this storm-tossed vessel of sound is a force to be reckoned with. Mather Louth, captain of this weather-beaten Gothic Americana ship, commands the stage with vocals that pierce through the fog like a cutlass through the thickest of sails. Her voice guides us through seas of murderous balladry, the brooding lyrics and intricate instrumentation flowing with the ease of a ship slicing through dark, tempestuous waters. Their genre-bending style is as unpredictable as the high seas, each song a rogue wave crashing with elegance and power.
“Capital T” was led by the alluring violinist Luis Mascaro, whose bow dances with the finesse of a master swordsman. “Shadow of the Crows” follows, with Thomas Lorioux’s heavily percussive bass”
Amidst it all, the violinist—our ship’s smiling rogue—grins through the storm, his playing as sharp as any rapier blade. And smile he should, for his skill is nothing short of staggering. With a call from Louth—“How y’all doing, London?”—the ship sails into “Death’s Head,” and Louth, trading her well-worn guitar for a bodhrán, spins a tale of love turned sour and a stolen heart, the tremolo percussive beat building into a magnificent, macabre crescendo.
Strings fly off the fiddle, fingers a blur of fury and speed. Mather announces that their seventh album, The In Between, has just been unleashed upon the world. The crowd—many dressed in their own interpretations of Gothic Americana, a right old bunch of gothic buccaneers, some with no hair, others with long hair flowing, hats tipped just so, and a few even adorned with a small skull or two—respond with hearty cheers, fully enraptured. In no time, they’re under a spell, completely connected to the rhythm.
October 22, 2024 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Heathen Apostles at the Lexington London – live show review
The Blood, Tears and Thunder DUB song is the second single from Chopper Franklin’s “Spaghetti Western Dub No.1”, the upcoming album out 1/26/24 on Ratchet Blade Records. The lyric video uses clips from the spaghetti westerns “If You Meet Sartana Pray For Your Death” (1968) and “Death Rides a Horse” (1967, both in the public domain.) It also features news clips displaying the violence between the PNP (whose leader was Michael Manley) and the JLP (led by Reagan-stooge Edward Seaga, who had ordered the 1976 assassination attempt on Bob Marley) both during, and after, the contentious 1980 Jamaican elections.
“This is well worth a look if you have any interest in Spaghetti Music and or Dub. Chopper Franklin’s latest project is a combination of the two so as far as I’m concerned it can’t go far wrong. The single is great and the production is top notch, I can’t wait for the rest of it …Brilliant.” Spaghetti Western Daily
In the spirit of The Clash, Bad Brains’ and Public Image Limited’s brews of reggae and punk, Franklin takes his original Spaghetti Western compositions and remixes them with the deep, bass-heavy rhythms and echo-drenched soundscapes of Dub. The album features vocals by Mather Louth and the Phantom of the Black Hills.
December 8, 2023 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Mather featured on Chopper Franklin’s New Spaghetti Western Dub Song
The Heathen Apostles will be appearing at Bar Sinister, Southern California’s premiere Gothic club, this Friday, December 8th. Also on the bill at the show at Bar Sinister will be Jason Charles Miller and Carrellee, and it will feature DJ Purgatory.
December 4, 2023 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Heathen Apostles performing at Bar Sinister
The Heathen Apostles’ Chopper Franklin’s “The Scorpion Says DUB” is the first single from the album “Spaghetti Western Dub No. 1” (out January 26, 2024 on Ratchet Blade Records). It’s groundbreaking Spaghetti Western Dub music that fuses the vast, arid landscapes of Spaghetti Western music and the heavy rhythms of Dub Reggae, and features Mather on vocals. You can listen and download HERE, and watch the lyric video HERE.
In the spirit of The Clash, Bad Brains’ and Public Image Limited’s brews of reggae and punk, Franklin takes his original Spaghetti Western compositions and remixes them with the deep, bass-heavy, echo-drenched soundscapes of Dub.
In a world where music can often feel predictable, Chopper Franklin’s upcoming album offers a refreshing departure from the ordinary. Known for his relentless energy and innovation, Chopper has played with legendary bands and artists (The Cramps, Wanda Jackson, Nick Curran), as well as creating his own projects, often pushing the boundaries of musical genres. “Spaghetti Western Dub No. 1” also features the epic vocals of Chopper’s bandmate Mather Louth (Heathen Apostles) and Ratchet Blade Records labelmate the Phantom of the Black Hills (hillbilly/thrash outlaws). They’ve sang on genre-bending songs like “The Scorpion Says Dub” (the album’s first single), “Blood, Tears and Thunder Dub” (a tale of a good man forced into an outlaw gang) and “The Ghost of a Believer Dub” (a story of a good romance gone bad) that transcend boundaries and invites listeners on an unforgettable journey.
The “Spaghetti Western Dub No. 1” album will be released on Ratchet Blade Records, a label known for its dedication to unique and innovative music. With an impressive roster of artists who push boundaries and challenge expectations, Ratchet Blade Records is the perfect platform for this innovative musical experiment.
November 17, 2023 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Mather to appear on new Chopper Franklin single “The Scorpion Says DUB”
From the Heathen Apostles Instagram: Heathen Apostles are proud to announce their new partnership with Rocky Road Touring (@rockyroadtouring), a bespoke agency with offices in both the United States as well as the United Kingdom.
The band is excited for this new chapter, as the agency is already home to a large selection of icons spanning across the many sects of gothic music (such as Peter Murphy, Sisters of Mercy, Killing Joke, Fields of the Nephilim, and Diamanda Galas). Henceforth, the band will be represented abroad by agent Dana McDonald, and any booking inquiries should be directed to her via dana@rockyroadtouring.com. Offers are already starting to come in for 2024, so if y’all want us in your neck of the woods, be sure to reach out.
In the 1990’s Dana was invited to move to NYC to take the position as Exclusive Talent Buyer for the legendary, Coney Island High. The list of artists whom she booked and promoted at this point is an innovative, exciting, and very diverse roster including The Damned, Modest Mouse, John Cale, Incubus, Alan Vega, 311, Queens of the Stone Age, The Ramones ( last NYC show ) and the list goes on. Around the year 2000, Coney Island High closed and lots of her beloved artists came to her directly asking her to book them a NYC show. She ended up booking them tours rather, and also separately, managing artists, and her agency, DNA Artists was born. She also continued her career as an independent promoter in NYC cultivating weekly and annual events such as Small Beast and The Official ,Annual, Lou Reed Birthday celebration which she continues to co-produce and curate.
From 2017 and up until March 2020 Dana was Head Talent Buyer for renowned NYC venues, The Bowery Electric and Berlin ( NYC) where she booked and promoted 50 local, national, and international shows per month. Most recently she has been specializing in Artist development and booking International Tours.
November 2, 2023 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Heathen Apostles Partnering With Rocky Road Touring
Recently Nashville DJ Eric Clark posted a “REACTS” video of the Heathen Apostles song (and Gothic Americana video for) “Death’s Head”. For the band, it’s always interesting to hear mainstream media’s take (he reviews Ryan Bingham and Oliver Anthony in the same batch) on what they do. While Eric definitely gets it, some don’t; it’s absolutely not for everybody. And that’s just the way they want it.
Death’s Head is the first of the Heathen Apostles videos from the Fire to the Fuse album, to preview and purchase it click HERE, on iTunes click HERE, for Amazon click HERE.
Directed by the Heathen Apostles
Director of Photography, Still Photography: Lawrence Drayton
Makeup by Alexi Petre
Wardrobe: Cheri Wilson Chagollan, Mather Louth
Snake Handler: Peggy Rivera
As if plucked from a surreal spaghetti western, Mather Louth and Chopper Franklin made quite the spectacle, striding down London’s Pentonville Road in full regalia. That enigmatic sight not only awakened that mysterious voice in one’s head, that in moments of aging self-doubt makes us slip back into our leather trousers and cut-off cowboy shirts, but also sparked a throwback to Lux Interior’s pre-show red wine chase at Sainsbury’s before a barnstormer at the Town and Country in Kentish Town, many, many moons ago.
The crowd erupted in jubilant cheers as the Heathen Apostles, giants of Gothic Americana, took the stage. Under the sonic leadership of the completely mesmerizing Mather Louth, with her stirring vocals and rhythmic guitar, they came alive. They dominated the stage as if they were vampire outlaws in a confrontation that could only end one way. Their performance, laced with elements of the surreal and the mysterious, unraveled like a vividly illustrated Nathaniel Hawthorne poem, with each musician playing a key part. Chopper Franklin’s fiendishly intricate guitar work, Thomas Lorioux‘s firm upright bass, and Luis Mascaro’s evocative violin added a rich depth to their sound.
With the first haunting notes of Paint the Stars, we were swept away on a spiritual journey deep into the heart of Gothic Americana. The set was a gripping ride through spectral ballads and propulsive rock anthems that navigated through shadowy and mystifying terrains. Mather Louth’s resonant vocals, laced with an eerie undercurrent, twined with Mascaro’s assertive fiddle, piercing the creeping fog of dry ice, and stirring images of phantom prairies and forsaken souls. Her voice flowed seamlessly with Chopper Franklin’s guitar, which spun complex webs of sound, vibrating with the soul of Gothic storytelling.
The crowd was held captive by Mather’s powerful voice during songs like Lily of the West. Simultaneously, Chopper’s feverish guitar work in Gravedigger’s Song and Long Gone Lonesome Blues created a seamless blend of Americana with Gothic allure. The musicians’ harmonious interplay, bolstered by Lorioux’s rhythmic prowess and Mascaro’s poignant violin, further captivated the audience during Two for the Road and Without a Trace.
The atmosphere was dense as Get Outta Dodge and The Reckoning reverberated through the venue, making its very foundations tremble. The spectral melodies, captivating visuals, and the dark allure crafted by Heathen Apostles surrounded the audience in a world between reality and the supernatural, evoking a sense of adventure and mystery.
As the twilight fell over Islington, the echoes of the soul-stirring fusion of Gothic Americana and Country and Western continued to reverberate through The Lexington. Even as the embers died down, we were left yearning for more. The Heathen Apostles had etched themselves into our dark hearts, ensuring their spectral melodies and mystical storytelling would stay with us long after the last note had faded into the night.
August 5, 2023 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Heathen Apostles in London – A Surreal Spaghetti Western
It was the night Bloodgrass came to the dark environs of the Six Six Bar in sleepy university city, an unusually large flock of jet-black crows seen above the ever-reaching spires of Cambridge. The portents were heavy and the anticipation was high. Cutting a swathe across the country on their first U.K. tour, Los Angeles outfit Heathen Apostles were bringing their Gothic grace to the many, whispers of good times and dark murder ballads an irresistible draw.
Heathen Apostles have been casting their own particular spell for a decade now, their own brand of blackened Americana bringing a stark and much needed contrast to the saccharine filled confection that Nashville has made its billions from. They’re an incredibly tight and powerful outfit, the only thing bloated being the rotting corpses in their songs. There’s an authenticity here that keys into the reality of the Old West, grit sprinkled with the Gothic as if Tim Burton directed TV show ‘Deadwood’ but toned down his more archly camp sensibilities. Certainly, the musicianship is dazzling and the songs themselves reveling with an intoxicating atmosphere.
Whilst the lighting in the Six Six is always frustratingly mainly from the back with little to shine onto the performers except light from the bar itself, the darkness and backlit effect worked well in this instance, the band bathed in red and somewhat shadowy. With the glorious voice of Mather Louth, tinted with a Southern burr, the Apostles have the perfect singer to tell tales of things that should be left in the twilight world between Heaven and Hell, her delivery bringing it all to life. Next to her, the foreboding tall, thin figure of Chopper Franklin exudes rock ‘n’ roll from his every move, his guitar and mandolin used with dexterous and deadly intent. Completing the quartet, the driving upright bass of Thomas Lorioux is a thunderous and relentless force, breathless in its drive and the violin playing of Luis Mascaro is the lightning to Lorioux’s thunder as it darts in and out, sometimes dancing but equally capable of bringing a deftly unsettling air.
Capable of doing elegiac as well as the frantic, there’s a great dynamic at play as the heavy ‘Death’s Head’ and a galloping ‘Fools Gold’ stand shoulder to shoulder with the frisky ‘Shady Grove’ and the folk of ‘Roots Run Deep’. New material hits the spot too as ‘Black Hawk’ illustrates just what a rich seam of material they’re digging and with ‘Gravediggers’ touchingly dedicated to the late, great Mark Lanegan and the grandeur of their cover of Hank Williams ‘Ramblin’ Man’, the outfit show they’ve certainly got the style and talent to continue to work this fertile land.
Closing with the buoyant drinking song ‘Two More for the Road’ and a tremendous ‘Without a Trace’, this black-clad gang rode out of town with smiles on their faces, their job here done and their willing victims slain by glorious murder ballads. Magnificent.
Review by Paul Monkhouse
July 27, 2023 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Heathen Apostles Live – Good Times and Dark Murder Ballads
Gothic Americana supergroup The Heathen Apostles at The Edge of The Wedge, Southsea: ‘Dark and delicious fun’ | Review If you’re familiar with the gritty western TV show Deadwood, you could imagine The Heathen Apostles as the ideal inhouse band for Al Swearengen’s Gem Saloon. By Chris Broom
If not (and why not?) picture a dusty, wild west town where talk is cheap and life is cheaper still – but with a great soundtrack.
Hailing from Los Angeles, the four-piece play a gothic take on Americana and bluegrass – which they have aptly dubbed ‘bloodgrass’. And the band walk it like they talk it – no casual jeans and T-shirts here – the men are dressed in funeral-black suits while frontwoman Mather Louth cuts a striking pose with her waist-length red hair. They look as if they could have stepped off the high plains circa 1890.
Over the course of five albums and various EPs the band have carved themselves a distinctive niche.
Louth’s voice veers from the beguilingly sweet to a snarl that suggests you’d better not cross her.
The set draws on their own material as well as several well-picked covers, including a brace from the ‘hillbilly Shakespeare’, Hank Williams, Sr – Ramblin’ Man and Long Gone Lonesome Blues, the latter getting as close to pure country as this band allow. Another welcome cover is the haunting, natural fit of Mark Lanegan’s Gravedigger’s Song – another artist who was more than a little in touch with his dark side.
Guitarist/mandolin player Chopper Franklin is a veteran of the late-’70s punk scene, and at times attacks his instruments like he’s still in one of those bands. He is an imposing, impressive figure, towering over Louth.
Meanwhile the fingers of Thomas Lorioux on standup bass are frequently a blur as he anchors the others with his furious basslines.
Along the way there are murder ballads, a hefty heap of heaven’n’hell, and plenty of booze – the main set finishes with their own song, Two For The Road.
The final encore, a thundering The Reckoning, is preceded by violinist Luis Mascaro’s blistering version of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor – a piece more typically associated with the organ. I can comfortably say I’ve never heard anything like it. If the devil came down to Southsea instead of Georgia, he would have surely lost his bet again.
This has been the band’s first, long overdue UK tour. Devil willing, they’ll be back soon for more dark and delicious fun.
July 21, 2023 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Heathen Apostles Review – Gritty Western Music
It’s been seven years to the day since the Heathen Apostles blew fans of Gothic Americana music away with their unique cover of Merle Haggard’s classic song “Misery and Gin.” Their haunting, Gothic Western-style rendition of the classic track expertly uses haunting strings and the ethereal vocals of Mather Louth to create a brooding, melancholic soundscape. It’s a style that the band has become revered for, and it’s on full display in this unforgettable rendition. Louth’s voice, in particular, is a standout in the track- it’s powerful and emotive, yet restrained, perfectly capturing the raw emotions of the lyrics.
Seven years on from the release of the “Misery and Gin” cover, the Heathen Apostles remain at the forefront of Gothic Americana music. Their unique blend of genres and exceptional musicianship has garnered them a passionate fanbase around the world. And, of course, their talent for reimagining classic tracks like “Misery and Gin” ensures that their Gothic Western-style version will continue to captivate listeners for years to come.
Directed by the Heathen Apostles
Mather Louth as The Dead-Eye Gal Chopper Franklin as The Howlin Gun
Mister Luz as Black Bart/Buffalo Bill Cody
Natasha Paulson as The Country Girl
Stevyn Grey as The Peacemaker
Timbo Gruse as The Bartender
Ayriel Hartman as The Flirt
Lauren Foulk and Damian Stellabott as The Couple
Special FX aging makeup: Jennifer Corona
Beauty makeup: Alexia Petre
Wardrobe: Cheri Wilson Chagollan, Chopper Franklin, Mather Louth
Shot at Wonderland Studios (Anaheim, Ca., thanks to Cheri Wilson Chagollan www.wonderlandstudiosoc.com) and Johnny’s Bar (Highland Park, Ca., thanks to Zak Crandell and Romina Corilla).
Post Production at the Devil’s Doghouse, Echo Park, Ca.
Gothic Americana supergroup The Heathen Apostles make their Portsmouth live debut: ‘We’re lean and mean and ready to do it!’ | Portsmouth News Interview If you take a pinch of Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, a touch of Bauhaus, plus the blues of Howlin’ Wolf, Loretta Lynn and Bessie Smith, as well as a hefty dose of the dark sound of the Appalachians, then you’re getting close to the dark sound of the Heathen Apostles. But perhaps the band hit upon the best epithet for their gothic Americana with the atmospherically titled Bloodgrass EPs, currently numbering four volumes in total. This is roots music that revels in the dark side.
The band was created in 2013 by vocalist Mather Louth, formerly of ‘swamp jazz’ band Radio Noir, and guitarist Chopper Franklin, a multi-instrumentalist known for his past with garage-rock legends The Cramps and cult punks the Mau Maus among others. They recruited upright bassist Thomas Lorioux, from the group The Kings of Nuthin’, and violinist Luis Mascaro. Based in Los Angeles, they are making their long-awaited UK debut this month, including a date at The Wedgewood Rooms in Southsea.
Heathen Apostles. Picture by Rebecca Van Der Schaft
As we discuss their roots, Chopper says: ‘For me it goes way back. Almost every band I’ve been in has been roots-music based, even the punk band the Maus Maus I was in back in the early ’80s, we were very heavily based in R&B and The Stones and The [New York] Dolls, and still had that aggressiveness, and there was a little bit of that goth – early-’80s goth-rock is just the best – and it kind of evolved from that.
‘I’ve been in gothabilly bands and cowpunk, and it’s always had that roots base, which I loved. It was right there in my first band, everyone listened to blues and R&B and reggae and being exposed to that as a teenager, I saw this as an evolution of that. We definitely lean more towards the gothic-Americana in that we are doing the country and the bluegrass, and there’s some of that blues and R&B, a little gypsy jazz here and there – you throw it in a big stew and mix it all up and hopefully it’s palatable.
The two met through mutual acquaintances. ‘I’d see her see at some of the local clubs around here,’ recalls Chopper. ‘We ran into each other at a party – it’s just two blocks from where we now live, ironically, and I mentioned that I wanted to do this project, something along these lines. It had always been a dream of mine to have a project with all of these influences. I mentioned it to her, it was just an idea at that time, and I had to finish up another project. I gave her two songs, she came over and sang on one of them, in the studio here and it was just magic. I knew she was going to be the singer. It was Dark Was The Night, which was our first real single we put out. ‘Everything else fell into place. We did things a bit backwards – we recorded our album and shot our video before we even played a show, so we were able to put this whole thing together and present it to musicians and collaborators and show promoters as: “This is what it is”.
And as you can see from the pictures, the band has a strong visual aspect. ‘I’m self-taught in that regard and I’ve had amazing mentors over the years. It’s always been an interest of mine, so the band has been a good platform for me to experiment with that sort of thing. In certain videos we just come up with these crazy visual concepts, like I’m a resurrected moth woman and Chopper is resuscitating from a bone circle – just go with it…!
‘The videos are really where we have fun and over the years we’ve been blessed to work with friends of ours who are very talented directors or digital artists. We did this one video that was inspired by German expressionism, and it’s all black and white – it’s awesome. It offers more of the realm that our music exists in and the way that we see it.
The band’s most recent release is the single Gothic Western Haunts single for ‘weird west’ animated series The Goodbye Family, which Chopper also writes the score for. ‘Lorin (Morgan-Richards, the show’s creator) reached out to us during the pandemic,’ explains Chopper. ‘He’s been making that comic for quite a while and it’s his take on gothic western, and he’s heavily influenced by the original Addams Family as well. He decided he was going to do an animated series and he reached out to us to do the music. It’s worked really well.
While much of their material is original, the band is no stranger to a well-chosen cover song too. ‘That’s always fun,’ says Chopper, ‘especially once you’ve determined with your band what your sound is and what you want to put out there, to grab a song that’s not quite the genre, but is a great song… We did Echo and The Bunnymen, but we’ve also done old Irish and English murder ballads and everything in between.’
On 2019’s Dust to Dust they also tackled the haunting folk song In The Pines, perhaps more familiar to modern audiences as Where Did You Sleep Last Night? by Nirvana on their Unplugged album. And that’s not to mention Gershwin’s classic Summertime on Bloodgrass, Vol.1. ‘Especially with a song like that, it’s a challenge because it’s been done so many times and it’s been interpreted so many times – how do you make it fresh?’ says Mather of the latter song. ‘For me, filter it through your own lens. I’ve had people come up to me and say: “That was really ballsy that you guys covered that, because everyone’s covered it, but yours is unique somehow”. As long as you put yourself into it and put what you love into it, it’s what’s unique to you. When you’re trying to flat-out recreate a song, that’s where you have that magic opportunity.’
Edited for space, for more on the Heathen Apostles’ dark sound of the Appalachians by Chris Broom, read the full interviewHERE.
July 11, 2023 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Heathen Apostles – Dark Sound of the Appalachians
Today marks the eighth anniversary of the Heathen Apostles’ Gothic Americana style music video for their song “Fool’s Gold.” Released in 2015, this dark and cinematic video transports us back to the Depression era, where bank robbers are seeking refuge in a fortune teller’s lair after a heist. “Fool’s Gold” is undoubtedly one of their most popular songs, and the music video took it to another level. The video was directed by the band and the song was produced by Chopper Franklin. The video follows a gang of bank robbers as they seek refuge in a mysterious and otherworldly lair. The fate of these robbers is determined by Mather Louth’s fortune teller character, who has a magical connection to the spirits of the underworld.
The use of shadows, light, and symbolism further adds to the video’s atmospheric and eerie ambiance. The video shows us the consequences of greed and violence, as the robbers who seek to escape with their loot end up trapped in a cycle of fear. Louth’s fortune teller character represents a higher power that has the power to judge and punish, much like the spirits of the afterlife.
It’s a testament to the talent and creativity of the Heathen Apostles and their collaborators who brought it to life. The band continues to release new and exciting music that pushes the boundaries with their Gothic Americana style, so hold tight to see what they have in store in the future.
Directed by The Heathen Apostles.
Director of Photography, Still Photography: Lawrence Drayton
Band footage shot by Daniel DeLeon
Makeup: Alexia Petre
Wardrobe: Nicole Loretta of Paper Moon Vintage
Henna: Kelly Jurado
Locations: Marsak Manor (thanks Nathan & Nicole) and South Bay Customs
Fool’s Gold written by Louth/Franklin, produced & mixed by Chopper Franklin at the Devil’s Doghouse, Echo Park, Ca.
The dates have been finalized for the Heathen Apostles UK tour. The first show is on 13 July, 2023, it will be their first one of the United Kingdom. There are 18 dates and will be built around their appearance at the Rustic Stomp Festival in Dorset, Poole on 15 July. The band will be shooting a southern gothic music video for their next single from their current release Bloodgrass Vol. 3 & 4. You can get tour promotion information from Hawkeye Houlihan at hawkeyesbanjo (at) hotmail.com.
Heathen Apostles UK tour:
Thurs 13th July – Cobblestones, Bridgewater, UK
Fri 14th July – The Treehouse, Frome, UK
Sat 15th July – Rustic Stomp, Dorset, UK
Sun 16th July – Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth, UK
Mon 17th July – video shoot
Tues 18th July – The Cellar Bar, Bournemouth, UK
Wed 19th July – Lexington, London, UK
Thurs 20th July – The Reindeer, Norwich, UK
Fri 21st July – Facebar, Reading, UK
Sat 22nd July – Endorset Festival, UK 2023 (afternoon set)
Sat 22nd July – Tap & Grape, Poole, UK (evening set)
Sun 23rd July – Christchurch Festival, Christchurch, UK
Mon 24th July – The Six Six Bar, Cambridge, UK
Tue 25th July – The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham, UK
Wed 26th July – The Anchor Inn Wingham, Canterbury, UK
Thurs 27th July – Prince Albert, Brighton, UK
Fri 28th July – The Plough, Torrington, UK
Sat 29th July – The Cavern, Exeter, UK
Sun 30th July – The Pig, Hastings, UK
Born of the voices of past lives and baptized in the dust bowl dirt, the Gothic Americana music of the Heathen Apostles harkens back to a bygone chapter of American history. Using contrasting influences such as Bauhaus, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds and The Pogues along with Howlin’ Wolf, Loretta Lynn (the band covers her classic Fist City) and Bessie Smith, the Heathen Apostles have created a style of music that at once conjurs both angels and demons, and will enlighten a darkened soul.
June 7, 2023 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Heathen Apostles Tour and Southern Gothic Music Video
The Gothic Western gallery show “Dead End Trail” is opening June 3rd 6-10 PM at Copro Nason Gallery in Santa Monica, California. It will contain new paintings by Sean Cheetham, Kate Zambrano, Sonya Palencia and Jeff Nentrup. The Gothic Western gallery will feature two extraordinary oil paintings of Mather Louth and Chopper Franklin of the Gothic Western band the Heathen Apostles that was painted by Sean Cheetham. The title of the Mather painting is “There in the Ground, My Buried Heart”, and the title of the Chopper painting is “All of our Vows, in Death Did Part”, both lines from the Heathen Apostle’s song “Deadly Nightshade”.
Mather Louth and Chopper Franklin
Sean Cheetham’s paintings have been included in numerous significant exhibitions internationally including the National Portrait Gallery in London. He has a devoted following of collectors and art students that are inspired by his work and distinctive technique. Cheetham’s selection of subjects typically in familiar urban scenes contributes a truthful and often raw spirit that makes his work distinctive and a contemporary testimony of our time.
Kate Zambrano is a self-taught artist living in California. She was born in Texas, but decided to leave at age seventeen to begin a semi-nomadic lifestyle. She enrolled in college to study psychology, but after a while, she realized that she was more into the subject than pursuing an actual career in the field.
Sonya Palencia, is a painter, illustrator, sculptor and woodcarver, whose work celebrates nature and the mystical with the romantic aesthetics of the old world. As a child, Sonya began creating art and studying the nearby wilderness, historical landmarks, and the extraordinary past of her native California.
As a Southern California native, Jeffrey Nentrup developed a love for art and nature at a young age. After years of painting digitally in the high-octane commercial art ranks and working on marquee projects for A-list clients (Dreamworks, Warner Bros., Universal, Sony, Disney, Paramount, NASA) and a top cover artist who’s artwork has been featured on dozens of novels worldwide, Jeff has returned to the immediacy of his first love, oil painting.
May 13, 2023 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Heathen Apostles in Gothic Western Gallery Show
The Rustic Stomp, Dorset’s finest Roots Festival is bringing together a plethora of local, national and international artists to give you the finest bluegrass, gothic western hoedown, blues, swamp stomp, country-based festival, with tractors, that money can buy. Three days of music and merriment are all wrapped within the Rustic aesthetic. This year’s Rustic Stomp will also include historic vehicles and a Well Bean hub within the festival arena.This year’s festival brings together three of the Crawdaddy festival brands under one roof, as it were. The Wonky Donk stage will feature the best of hoedown, country and hillbilly music. The Dark Holler stage takes a slightly, well, darker comedic look at life and the Organford stage is a more accessible, easy listening venue.
The event opens up on a ticketed event headlined by local foot-stompers The Jimmy Hillbillies throwing down their Dorset Hoedown for the masses. Friday night features the mighty Frank from Blue Velvet from Hastings and taking the Roots scene by storm, local skiffle kings Quinn’s Quinney, as well as Burg and the Vagabond Choir and festival favourites The Curst Sons. Saturday has a real heavy weight feel to it with international superstars the Heathen Apostles featuring ex-Cramps member Chopper Franklin, headlining the event. Texas Swing outfit the Bootheel Playboys, Dead Horse Bay, a plethora of local artists on the Dungaville Stage and London’s finest banjo player and builder Flatfoot Johnny. Sunday takes a stronger turn towards the genre of Country with the amazing Sarah Vista headlining.
The history of the Rustic Stomp goes back over 10 years, when Hawkeye Houlihan and some friends put on a little festival at the Donkey Sanctuary at Home Farm, Lytchet. The aim then was to help rescue donkeys by putting on some great rustic music that people would love. Well, the donkeys are rescued now and the festival is growing, its aim to put the Dorset ‘roots’ scene on the map. The festival is also looking to grow and has moved to a new, more accessible site at Pike’s Farm, Organford. “Each year we are aiming to increase the accessibility of this type of music to a wider audience and promote the local artists that provide the backbone to the scene, as well as bring in some top-ranking national and international stars” says Hawkeye.
The Rustic Stomp is on from the evening of Thursday 13th July until Sunday 16th July and takes place at Pikes Farm, Organford, Dorset. Weekend tickets are £86.40, day tickets from £27.50.
April 2, 2023 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on The Rustic Stomp Festival – Gothic Western Hoedown
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