As the American Werewolves sing: Tonight, they’re gonna get their kicks, tonight — just like the horror flicks. Cleveland’s top gloom-doom-horror bands will co-headline a special Halloween show. The Wolves’ blend of ’50s pop and old-school hardcore only gets smoother with age, and — unlike so-called emo bands — they can pack a song with emotion without sounding like sissies with skinned knees. Kill the Fall plays blackened rock and roll for a gray world. Costumes are optional, but when the bands tear apart the stage props, you don’t want pumpkin-splatter all over your best club clothes.

This article appears in Oct 25-31, 2006.