Artist description Classic goth in the Siouxsie vein, highlighted by icy, menacing female vocals, tribal drums, and spiky, swirling guitar and bass interludes.

Music Style Dark, ornate, icy, post-punk gothic

Musical Influences Siouxsie & the Banshees, Joy Division, Sex Gang Children, Killing Joke, The Cure, Bauhaus, Birthday Party

Similar Artists Siouxsie & the Banshees, Joy Division, Sex Gang Children, Killing Joke, The Cure, Bauhaus

Artist History Forming in 1983, Scarecrow could legitimately claim to be New York City's very first gothic band, just ahead of Of a Mesh, and they were a huge influence on later local Eighties bands in the same style such as The Naked and the Dead and Ochrana. After a stellar three-song demo and several exceptional CBGB gigs in early '84, followed by a notorious writeup in the fanzine "Ephemeral Youth," Scarecrow split up. Guitarist Joe Truck (nee Kasher, switching to vocals) and bassist Andy Trash (nee Cushen) formed the swampabilly splendor of Chop Shop (Truck later drummed in Burning Rome; fronted Brain Eaters, Rocket Angel, and Snake Charmers; and became a famous tattoo artist). Scarecrow drummer Ron Gonzalez later joined the legendary NY noise-rock outfit Swans; his drumming can be heard on their classic 1986 Jem/PVC albums "Greed" and "Holy Money," as well as the double-live "Public Castration Is a Good Idea." Frontwoman Beth Balousek wrote us in 2002 to say "I'm tickled to hear my old self!" She has a son, writes, and is opening a store.

Group Members Beth Balousek: vocals; Joe Truck: guitar; Andy Trash: bass; Ron Gonzalez: drums

Instruments guitar, bass, drums

Press Reviews "Ephemeral Youth" (1984)

Location New York, NY - USA

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