Bela and the Lugosis are a post-punk, neo-goth, glam-rock and garage band from Glasgow, whose entrancing music is shrouded by an allure of mystery and suspense. Comprised of John Lugosi on vocals, Sam Lugosi on guitars, James Lugosi on guitars and Gregor Lugosi on drums, Bela and the Lugosis are a glamorous mix of goth aesthetics, all dolled up, wearing their cloak with daggers like an old pro waiting to paint the town red.
A fantastic live act, Bela and the Lugosis are a band that draws blood from the DNA of bands such as David Bowie, Marc Bolan, The Psychedelic Furs, The Jesus and Mary Chain and The Velvet Underground, whilst creating their own original sound. They are also a band that reverberates and ripples from the same gene pool as neo-psychedelic/garage bands such as The Night Beats, Dead Rabbits and Underground Youth, whilst honouring their ancestral roots.
Having been busy in the studio, Bela and the Lugosis have made their debut album “Vampire Kiss”, which appropriately is released on Valentines day, captures the dark romanticism of the band. It’s an album that broods, and smoulders in the shadows of new wave and preens under the glitter-balls of glam-rock.
It’s through the all consuming vocals of John Lugosi that “Vampire Kiss” captivates and transcends an idiosyncratic presence likened to David Bowie, Marc Bolan, Lux Interior and Richard Butler. A charismatic frontman, John Lugosi alternates between the phantomesque alter-egos of goth-rock, glam-rock and art-rock, amidst the melodic motifs. Through his quivering tones, John Lugosi echoes the mystique created in the heyday of the 70s, whilst brooding with a crestfallen demeanour, that lingers with an intangible intensity. Along with the dual harmonies and relaying vocals, “Vampire Kiss” transports you to a golden age of rock roll, that resides in the vaults of power pop and dwells in the darkness of alternative rock.
Through the diverse drumming, “Vampire Kiss” revives the tribal beats of post-punk, creating a primal sense of brotherhood. Ingeniously, it’s through the skilful dexterity of the drums that Vampire Kiss is airlifted to the celebratory heights of new wave. They exude a positivity that almost claps between takes, creating a sense of sonic solidarity, whilst going back to the basics of punk.
Along with the aloof guitars, “Vampire Kiss” revs and rolls the wheels of garage-rock, that ignites the fuzzy ambience of the 60s, whilst staying true to the DIY ethos of third-wave garage-rock. Versatile and abstract, it’s through the alternating riffs that Vampire Kiss navigates down the nocturnal alleys of post-punk, shining a torch on dark-wave and glam-rock whilst taking a mild excursion towards jangly-pop. It’s an expressive range, that subtly shifts between sub-genres, and timelines through the classical eras of guitar-laden music.
An album that evokes a sense of understated drama and undercover sensuality, it’s through the poetic lyrics and dips into the xylophonic puddles that “Vampire Kiss” visits an art-rock arena, that spotlights the raw talent of the band. A band that is culturally crafted and artistically accomplished, Bela and the Lugosis are masters of wistful musings, astute observations and gripping sentiments that filter throughout. As a debut album, “Vampire Kiss” broods within the delirious dreams of etherealism, percolating with passion, under a noir-esque moonlight. It’s an impressive album, which has been selected as my “Album Of The Week”
List of Tracks:
Side1
- We’re Getting It On
- The Heart Makes Love Possible
- She Moves Me
- Patricia Villas
- No Meat Sunday
- Bela Says
Side 2
- Your love is like a hurricane
- Like Falling Stars
- Happiness is a warm body
- All the Love
- She’s a star
- We’re Getting It On ( Reprise)
Bela and the Lugosis “Vampire Kiss” 
released Monday February 14th 2022 on Bandcamp.