Part Time Punks

There's a joyful exultation that rings throughout the twelve tracks on The Crytelles full-length debut, 'Attach And Detach'. Perhaps it's the sound of singer/guitarist Gitane Demone's liberation from the shackles of crass corporate commercialism and the tyranny of genre ghetto-ization? Whatever the case, Demone, a former singer/keyboard player in Christian Death and a highly provocative performance artist in her own right, possesses a spritually emotive voice and creates music that is drenched in the minimalism of primal rock and roll and filtered through bluesy, jazz-tinged inflections. Combined with the wonderfully rumbling rhythm section formed by Demone's daughter Zara Kand and bass player Troy Rounseville, the result is a highly unique style of music that will be adored by more than just the Goth and Death Rock set.

Produced and recorded by Mike McHugh over a three year period between 2007 and 2009 at the Distillery in Costa Mesa, CA., 'Attach And Detach' refers to the yin and yang of birth and death, creation and destruction, beginnings and endings, while at the same time reflecting upon the harsh and uncertain times we are living in with a cynical and brutal honesty. "I never did a thing to you, still you try to keep me down. I never said a word to you, but oh, I hear you putting me down..." she sings in Outcast Of Society. And on the topic of love, Demone's musings range from the disdainful in Pig Rag singing, "There's more to love - that's sex/It's about all some men are good for...fools and emotional wrecks", to the more helpful take in A Dream That Is Evah Near where she offers, "I'll sing for you to come and get me.../And take me to heaven high," as if channeling the sultry power of enigmatic female performers as Merlene Dietrich, Billie Holiday and Etta James thru a rock 'n' roll prism, Gitane Demone and The Crystelles makes somber music that uplifts the soul.

By Bob Cantu


F Girl - Vocals
F Boy - Guitar
Sam Soto - Bass
Jay Smith - Drums


With the self-ascribed motto "Play loud, Dance slow," Portland-based Shadowhouse sits at the intersection of post punk and goth. Singer Shane grew up in the punk clubs of SE Portland and formed the band in early 2012, along with Josh on drums, Samantha on bass and Ashley on synths. Their songs combine a love for new peer bands and a deep fascination with bands of the past.


In this delusive world
I viewed the moon
two years too long.