Hey everyone,
While I don’t consider Dance Party Massacre a horror brand (take a look at Fright Rags or Rotten Cotton if you want horror gear), it’s obviously influenced greatly by it. I like to think our imagery comes from horror and our attitude from a more fun, partying atmosphere. After watching so many horror movies you really start to notice what makes them stand together (or separate), and what’s really the inspiration behind them.
Horror movies are not all the same and subgenres run amock including zombie movies, ghost films, creature features, exploitation, and gorefests. A string of films which eventually got dubbed “slashers” (and were the main focus of inspiration for season 1 of DPM) began with the likes of Halloween in 1978 and became cemented when A Nightmare on Elm Street in 1984 was a success.
“Let’s kiiiillll people!!”
You know those 3 big-bads Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, and Freddy Krueger? Ya, well they didn’t became pop icons for nothing. The films they were a part of became a relevant, popular, and new film subgenre of its own. One that focuses on a masked serial killer stalking teenagers who are usually drinking a lot or having sex. The youth get picked off one by one while the killer is seemingly unstoppable …That is until he comes face-to-face with the Final Girl—the good girl of the bunch who ultimately defeats the big, bad guy at the end of the film (at least until the sequel). It’s really a classic battle of evil vs. good.
These girls just wanna have fun!
I already realize going through all of that makes me sound like a HUGE NERD, but I don’t care! What I find so compelling about these Final Girls is not just what they stand for, but how they seemingly developed out of nowhere (it’s really still a theory). But when a film becomes successful copycats are made (and made and made and made) and as each tries to add in their own originality there are a few basic themes that have to stay true in order for the audience to be familiar with the story. Thus the creation of The Boogeyman vs The Final Girl.
Doesn’t anyone see the black guy getting attacked by Freddy?!
There are certainly variations on this theme, (not just a lone girl, more mystery or sc-fi themes than horror, etc.) but either way these Final Girls, and ultimately Final Boys, are who I see when I think of the people who wear Dance Party Massacre. Survivors that have made it through the night; who when push comes to kill you better step out of the way because nothing will stop us from having a good time!
Watch your backs!
Alex
PS-There is a really great blog that relates to this subject run by a woman who talks about obscure horror films, favors nostalgic film art, and writes about her love of the genre. Of course, she’s dubbed herself the Final Girl.
