The Texas-based band Ghoultown combines punk rock, Western stylings, mariachi, and a dose of B-movie trappings that has earned them attention since their formation in 1999. Led by vocalist/guitarist Count Lyle, and backed by guitarists Lizard Lazario and Jake Middlefinger, bassist Santi, trumpet player Dez Black, and drummer X-Ray Charles, Ghoultown issued a three-song EP entitled Boots of Hell in late 1999, earning solid reviews and some independent radio airplay. They followed with a full-length release, Tales From the Dead West, two years later and live shows, sharing the bill with acts like Rocket From the Crypt, D.R.I., and Dick Dale. Ghoultown managed to gain more exposure in 2002 when several of the band's songs were included in the soundtrack of the slasher flick American Nightmare. The band also had its eyes set on issuing a Ghoultown comic book penned by Lyle. ~ Tom Demalon