Roky Erickson

American musician and singer-songwriter Roky Erickson’s storied career and rise to cult status has at times been overshadowed by tales of his tragic personal life. However, his influence on rock music spanning four decades is undeniable, whether through the 13th Floor Elevators, Roky Erickson And The Aliens or his solo work.

From an early age, Roky had a fascination with horror films which set the tone for his pioneering musical style dubbed as “horror rock”. He wrote his first songs in his early teens. He was only 18 when he co-founded the 13th Floor Elevators, and in 1966 the band’s debut single “You’re Gonna Miss Me” charted, marking a milestone in his early career that contributed to the legendary status he is attributed today. 13th Floor Elevators continued to release albums throughout the 60s with the final studio album released in 1969. Whilst incarcerated at the Rusk State Hospital for the criminally insane in the mid-70s he formed the band Roky Erickson And The Aliens and started work on what would be The Evil One (originally released in 1980 and 1981).

The original Evil One sessions produced classics including “Two Headed Dog,” “I Walked With A Zombie” and “It’s A Cold Night For Alligators.” Tracks such as “White Faces,” “The Wind And More” and “I Walked With A Zombie” drew on Roky’s love of vintage horror films; “Creatures with the Atom Brian” references the 1955 film of the same name. The Fire Records deluxe version of The Evil One is cut at 45rpm across two LPs, for maximum sonic depth and clarity. It features the original front cover of the American LP version available for the first time anywhere since it was first used in 1981. Also including extensive liner notes by Austin music journalist Joe Nick Patoski who was at a 1979 recording session for The Evil One. Both CD and LP formats contain rare photos and images from the archives of Roky’s then manager Craig Luckin.

With a cult following behind him, Roky continued to release music and in 1986 released Don’t Slander Me, and Gremlins Have Pictures that same year. Don’t Slander Me features underrated gems like “Starry Eyes” and “Bermuda” which appeared frequently in Erickson’s live shows. The song “Burn the Flames” featured on the soundtrack for the 1985 horror movie The Return of the Living Dead and the track “Haunt” also appeared in the 1999 film Boys Don’t Cry. The LA Times wrote of the album, “There’s a menacing edginess underlying some of the tunes, for all the bouncy garage-rock spunk of the title track, you wouldn`t want to ignore its repeated warning.” And All Music calling Don’t Slander Me “one of Erickson’s strongest rock albums, with his voice sharp as a switchblade…”

Gremlins Have Pictures is a selection compiling live material recorded at various venues between 1975 and 1982, and with three backing bands, the Aliens, the Explosives, and Blieb Alien. Pitchfork aptly describe it, “a candid peek under Erickson’s hood during his most potent years as a solo artist. Top to bottom, it’s a revelation … jagged and unhinged enough for the chaos of Erickson’s subconscious to bleed through.” Gremlins notably include a cover of the Velvet Underground’s “Heroin” other notable songs on the track list include “I Have Always Been Here Before” about which Billboard said, “may be the most gorgeous, primeval ballad (Erickson) ever wrote.”. Austin Chronicle reviews Erickson’s 80s era albums as “the clearest glimpse into his raging musical soul.” He described Gremlins Have Pictures specifically as “in some ways the most compelling”…”a vivid, unvarnished account of Roky Erickson’s singular talent and vision.” 

Fire Records is proud to shine a light on this musical legend by spotlighting these particular albums in 2027 offering deluxe editions of both with more details to follow.