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Jason Takes Your Town: Creatures of Crystal Lake Dates Set

by Chester Moore

Fans of horror, heavy metal and punk will get a two-fisted dose of those combustive elements this summer as Krampus: The Movie presents the "Creatures of Crystal Lake Tour".

Ari Lehman, the real First Jason, sings an ode to his "Mother". (Photo by Lisa Moore)

This tour will blast through the South and Midwest and features the bands First Jason and FREAK13.

First Jason is fronted by Jason himself, Ari Lehman, the actor that portrayed the first incarnation of the legendary camp killer in the 1980 classic. The band also features "Spider Baby" Jason Brown on lead guitar, "Wildman" Andy Wojtaszek on rhythm guitar, "Nefarious" Chuck Lescewicz (also of MACABRE) on bass and Amit "Cleaver" Shamir (Toured w/CRO-MAGS) on drums.

Playing a wild mix of punk and metal, the band deliver a killer set that reflects Lehman's horror roots and takes fans on a journey to Crystal Lake.

"People are such big fans of the Jason character and this is my way of embracing that and celebrating it in a twisted, but fun musical setting," said Lehman who handles all vocal duties.

First Jason have thrilled audiences at horror conventions in the Midwest and have created a dedicated fan base with songs "Red, Red, Red," "You Better Run" and "Sink or Swim".

FREAK13 are as legendary horror television host Joe Bob Briggs said, "...the only band to combine serious horror and serious metal".

Ari Lehman of First Jason and Chester Moore of FREAK13 sing FREAk13's "Crystal Lake" onstage in Dallas. (Photo by Lisa Moore)

Based in the swamps of southeast Texas, they have their own link to the Friday the 13th franchise, having played the official 25th anniversary celebration in Hollywood (Necrocomicon) and recorded a rendition of their number 1 Internet metal chart hit "Crystal Lake" with Betsy Palmer, the actress who portrayed Jason's mom "Pamela Voorhees".

"Betsy has become a friend of the band and provided an awesome narration for the song that just took it to an entirely new level. It was such an honor working with her," said FREAK13 bassist/vocalist Chester Moore.

The band are about to release the first single from their boxed set "Legacy of Horror", a Candyman-inspired track called "Believe in Me".

"We got Tony Todd to work with us on the song and do an amazing narration that sends chills down the spine of everyone who hears its. It's just stunning and we are so proud to have worked with him. To me he's like the modern Bela Lugosi or Vincent Prince, his voice and presence are unmistakable," Moore said.

Moore also said that having Krampus, the Movie and its affiliate Twister Mouse Entertainment, LLC sponsoring the tour will not only allow the bands to bring a real horror rock show to the fans, but also that is a perfect business partnership.

"Having a horror/metal/punk tour supported by a forthcoming horror film is a match made in heaven or perhaps elsewhere," he said.

"A supporter of the band pointed us in the direction of Amanda Carver of Twister Mouse Entertainment who had this amazing concept for Krampus, I thought it would be great to tie them in with the tour and fortunately for everyone that's how it worked out."

For those curious as the meaning of "Krampus", it is a twisted, dark Christmas time legend from Austria that is sure to scare the hell out of everyone once it hits the silver screen.

"I did a little research and found no other movie ever done on this legend and of course the creative juices started flowing. To be affiliated with a horror film is great, but to have a relationship with one that is treading pretty much new ground takes it to a new level and that is something we are always looking to do," Moore said.

Other sponsors of the tour include Bump in the Night Productions who will provide props and stage wear for the tour and CLC Graphix who are currently in a licensing agreement with FREAK13 for merchandise.

"We are going to have an awesome stage set and merchandise for this. We will only accept the best and that's exactly who we are involved with," Moore said.

The tour kicks off June 29 in Beaumont, TX and will end Friday July 13 in Chicago.

"This tour will be your chance not only to see some of the leaders in the underground horror rock movement but meet Jason himself, Ari Lehman, as he will be doing meet and greets at every show along with the bands," said Ronnie Friend, A&R
representative for Almas Records.

"Prepare yourself because the 'Creatures of Crystal Lake' might just be coming to your town."

For more information on the tour go to http://www.myspace.com/creaturesofcrystallake
or http://www.firstjason.com.

To learn more about Krampus,
go to http://www.krampusthemovie.com
or http://www.myspace.com/krampusthemovie

TOUR DATES
Jun 29
The Vortex/Beaumont, TX
Jun 30
Hi Ho Lounge/New Orleans, La
Jul 1
WC Dons/Jackson, Miss
Jul 2
The Complex/Memphis, Tenn.
Jul 5
Melody Inn/Indianapolis, Ind.
Jul 9
High Five Bar/Columbus, Ohio
Jul 12
Music Sorg Theater/Middletown, Ohio
Jul 13
Champ's Rock Room/Burbank, Ill.