The Aquabats vs. Hot Topic!

Hard to believe it's almost the end of this year's Halloweek! October has flown by on leathery bat wings, but it's not over yet--still two more days of hell to raise until the big day, and I plan to celebrate right up until the end. In fact, I'll be traveling to a different time zone on Thursday just to have the longest (and best?) Halloween ever!

After traveling back in time over the last few days to relive the gloomiest glory days of goth, I thought it would be a good idea to get out the cold cream today and wash off the pancake make-up. I mean, looking undead is great and all, but let's face it--if you don't take off the white face every now and then, you'll get zits. So if the songs from the past few days have made your lust for the funereal get a little out of hand, today's song is offered as an antidote.

"Fashion Zombies" by the Aquabats comes from their 2005 album Charge!! and spins a cautionary tale of what happens when you only shop at Hot Topic. Lest you be offended by the band's depiction of goths, however, keep in mind that this missive is coming from a group of paunchy adult men who dress in skin-tight superhero costumes and go by names like "MC Bat Commander" and "Eagle 'Bones' Falconhawk." 
The Aquabats started out in 1994 as a ska band, but in the years since, their sound has evolved to incorporate punk, New Wave, surf, and other influences. Since March of last year, they have even starred in their own children's TV show called The Aquabats! Super Show!, which is based on the band's superhero mythology and follows in the footsteps of other great children's variety shows like Sid and Marty Kroft and Pee-Wee's Playhouse. 

The video for "Fashion Zombies" gives a good feel for the band's child-friendly but adult-clever style. Is it wrong that I love this song but also own most of the clothing items lambasted in its lyrics? Aquabats, you have divided my black little heart against itself.