Guitarist & Bassist for the Heathen Apostles, The Cramps, Nick Curran & the Lowlifes

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Heathen Apostles’ Gothic Pirate “Albatross” Video

Heathen Apostles gothic pirate

Today is the ninth anniversary of the Heathen Apostles “Albatross” music video, which captured an eerie gothic pirate / sorceress vibe, captured by bandmembers Mather Louth and Chopper Franklin. The band posted about it on their media accounts:

Heathen Apostles gothic pirateWho says Heathens never go to the beach? We shot the video for the standalone single “Albatross” 9 years ago in the Malibu caves here in Los Angeles. Mather plays three roles in it, and Chopper is the kidnapping pirate who meets his bloody demise in the end (either Mather or Chopper seemed to die in most of the videos back then). This was a fun one to film, check out the full video HERE

#gothicamericana #bloodgrass #heathenapostles #matherlouth #chopperfranklin #gothicoutlaw

Heathen Apostles gothic pirateVideo credits:
The music video for the Heathen Apostles’ (Mather Louth [Radio Noir], Chopper Franklin [The Cramps], Thomas Lorioux [Kings of Nuthin’] and Luis Mascaro) single “Albatross” was shot on location on the coast of Southern California in the Fall of 2016. You can purchase “Albatross” by clicking HERE

Heathen Apostles website: www.heathenapostles.com

Directed by the Heathen Apostles

Albatross produced and mixed by Chopper Franklin
Underwater footage shot by Vanessa Walton (Special thanks to Cheryl Walsh and Jessica Dru)
Make up by Alta De Koven and Mather Louth
Wardrobe by Cheri Wilson Chagolian and Mather Louth
Post Production at the Devil’s Doghouse, Echo Park, Ca.

© 2016 Ratchet Blade Records

Heathen Apostles Goth Rock Festival Announced For 2026

As the Heathen Apostles are starting to put together their tours for 2026, the first tour announcement is for the Blackpool Boneyard Weekender @blackpoolboneyardweekender, taking place 3rd July thru the 5th (we are playing Saturday the 4th) at the Waterloo Music Bar in Blackpool, UK. It is a goth rock festival (but also covers many genres of music) by Ratty Wilson @rattyfinky. Get your tickets at the link below, and we’ll be announcing an August ’26 festival date shortly.
GET TICKETS HERE.

Heathen Apostles Goth Rock Festival
From the Blackpool Boneyard Weekender website:”In 2023, former member of Alien Sex Fiend, Andrew ‘Ratty’ Wilson came up with the genius idea of arranging a music festival… The Blackpool Boneyard Weekender at the iconic Waterloo Music Bar is a captivating celebration of goth, rockabilly, industrial, and horror punk, bringing together like-minded souls for a weekend of unforgettable music and showmanship. Attendees can expect a diverse lineup of bands delivering high-energy performances, offering something for everyone. In addition to the incredible music, the Boneyard Weekender showcases amazing talent in the artists and traders area. The festival fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among those who share a passion for alternative music and art. It’s like The Cramps meets Alien Sex Fiend, and everything in between.

Heathen Apostles Goth Rock Festival

Absolutely delighted to announce a very special act for next year’s Blackpool Boneyard Weekender. ALIEN EX FIEND!!!
After 14 years doing my show with Vince Ripper and Dr Diablo and having a brilliant time  and creating amazing memories with them both, I’ve decided to do a one off show with a live band which will be Sunday’s headline act. Performing Alien Sex Fiend songs you’ve never heard live, all the classics, also show stuff and some surprises. This will be an homage to them and being a Fiend all my life.. Once a Fiend.. always a FIEND!!”

Heathen Apostles w/ Fields of the Nephilim in London – Feel of Spaghetti Westerns

Heathen Apostles w/ Fields of the Nephilim in London - Feel of Spaghetti Westerns

On a night meant for remembering those who have passed, where the feel of spaghetti westerns mixes with a touch of blood and darkness, we really couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the spooky season on a cold evening at the O2 Forum Kentish Town, London.

When the clock struck 19:30, Heathen Apostles showed up with their stunning hats, bringing their unique sound to the UK. I had never seen the Los Angeles-based foursome before, and I was speechless afterward. Their set was brief but impactful, blending dark country vibes with some moody gothic elements.

It really opened my eyes, as someone who isn’t too familiar with the genre, to the idea that music and taste can’t be boxed into just one label. “Be Careful What You Pray For” and “Red Brick Dust” had me and the London crowd wanting more. Their unique storytelling and moody instrumentation were just so captivating. I had no idea I could enjoy bluegrass, or should I say bloodgrass? It’s pretty cool how much rhythm there is, even without a drummer around.

With the violin and contrabass, plus some catchy guitar riffs from the well-known Chopper Franklin (who’s played guitar and bass for The Cramps, the Mau Maus, and more), Mather Louth’s voice and stage presence really take the audience to a rich, dust-bowl vibe, making it feel like they’ve walked right out of a “Weird West” or Southern Gothic horror film.

Author Sabrina Schiavinato. Photo: Peterson Marti.
Read the entire review at Chaoszine HERE.

Heathen Apostles on Tour with Fields of the Nephilim

Heathen Apostles on Tour with Fields of the Nephilim

This fall will see the Heathen Apostles on tour with Fields of the Nephilim tour for three dates, which is in addition to being on the bill with them for the Tomorrow’s Ghosts Festival on Halloween night. The appearances land in the middle of our fall UK tour which starts on 22nd October and runs to 8th November. Here is the tour’s press release:

Fields Of The Nephilim rise again, stepping into the light next month for five very special shows, including a Halloween headline performance at the sold-out Tomorrow’s Ghost festival in Whitby and culminating in London on Nov 1st, to celebrate Samhain. It’s time for Fields of the Nephilim live 2025!

Heathen Apostles on Tour with Fields of the NephilimFeaturing music and moments from throughout Fields Of The Nephilim’s storied existence, these five performances serve to reanimate the past and generate the next chapter for both the band and their faithful followers.

Carl McCoy reflects, “It’s been 40 years since we released ‘Burning The Fields’ in 1985, our first 12” vinyl EP. 

In the early 80s we performed at many clubs, venues and any stage that would have us. We had no record deal, no distribution, but we managed to scrape together enough dosh to enable us to record four songs in a small studio, which was XXX Studios in Acton, London, and then released the EP under our own Tower Release label.

We only had 500 pressed, and I remember the cover and centre labels were all folded and glued by the band members. If you happen to have one of these official original release versions, your cover and labels have probably come apart or decomposed by now.

We are not planning on performing or releasing an anniversary version of this; I think we will lay this one to rest. Those fields have been burnt.

The shows this autumn are more about commemorating my four decades of Fields Of The Nephilim. A perfect reason to celebrate this season in 2025.”

Fields Of The Nephilim will be joined by alternative heroes Balaam And The Angel and Claytown Troupe as well as acclaimed Gothic Americana band Heathen Apostles.

Heathen Apostles on Tour with Fields of the Nephilim

from GothicWestern.com

FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM 2025 HEADLINE SHOWS

Oct 25th – BIRMINGHAM, Institute
(w/ Balaam & The Angel + Heathen Apostles)

Oct 26th – MANCHESTER, O2 Ritz
(w/ Claytown Troupe + Heathen Apostles)

Oct 31st – WHITBY, Tomorrows Ghosts Festival [SOLD OUT]
(w/ Clan of Xymox + Pink Turns Blue + Heathen Apostles)

Nov 1st – LONDON, O2 Forum, Kentish Town
(w/ Claytown Troupe + Heathen Apostles)

Final remaining tickets are available HERE.

Gothic Rock Journalist Mick Mercer Reviews Heathen Apostles Show

The long running gothic rock journalist Mick Mercer has written a review of the Heathen Apostles intimate show at the Anchor Inn in Wingham, UK:

Heathen Apostles – Anchor, Wingham – July 24th 2025

Gothic Rock Journalist Mick Mercer Reviews Heathen ApostlesWell, this was a delightfully weird surprise. We knew we were going to see them, obviously, but the how and where and why was a higgledy-piggledy burst of wonderment. The sort of pub setting where you just get chatting to people, the promoters are geezers with a wealth of experience (and good ears, clearly), and towards the end of the set the lady behind the bar wends through the crowd taking entrance money (only a tenner!) in a tankard.

The venue is well known for putting shows on in its garden, but it had been peeing down all day, so that was off. Although they have a large room upstairs that was hosting a meal, so the band ended up crammed into the corner of the public bar. Given that this is a typical village high street pub you can imagine how tiny an area this is. To the left a bar billiards table, in front of them people on bar stools. Genial troupers all, the band declare this an ‘intimate’ gig and serenely surge through their material, Chopper Franklin on guitar stooping to avoid his hat brushing the rafters. (Luckily Lynda was taking photos on her phone, as these are probably brighter than what I got on the camera. My photos will be on Substack later today.)

Gothic Rock Journalist Mick Mercer Reviews Heathen Apostles

I am not greatly familiar with their music, having simply played a few songs on the show, so bought five CDs afterwards to explore further, but the Gothic Country sound has always made sense. From ghost towns to campfire devilry, outlaws, emotional husks and fiery characters of legend, it can present vivid imagery and ideas.

Gothic Rock Journalist Mick Mercer Reviews Heathen ApostlesDown the years I’ve been hooked in by the brilliance of the cowpunk originators Tex & The Horseheads, Blood & The Saddle and Screaming Sirens … which bizarrely fits in with guitarist Chopper Franklin, as those three bands were featured on the epic compilation Hell Comes To Your House Volume II alongside his own Mau Maus! Then through the quieter 90’s we had Ghoultown, with the noughties throwing Lonesome Wyatt, Those Poor Bastards and Sons Of Perdition at us, and there was even the recent madness of Goth Brooks. Gothic Country is a rich vein as yet unfully tapped. We could do with much more of this.