Comateens

by Michael Sutton
Despite their ghoulish name the Comateens were actually more of a party band. Taking their name from a lurid headline in the New York Post, the Comateens carried the monster-mash torch originally lit by the Cramps and the Fleshtones. Toss in the demented energy of the B-52s and the Comateens sound is complete. The Comateens were formed in New York in 1980 by Ramona Jan (guitar), Nik North (bass, vocals), and a drum machine. After Lyn Byrd (synthesizer, vocals) and Oliver North (guitar, vocals) joined the group, they recorded their self-titled debut LP in 1981. The album became a cult favorite among college hipsters, especially the bands remake of The Munsters Theme. However, the Comateens actually gained a larger following in Europe, wherein the groups quirks ? such as the necrophilia tale Cool Chick ? were more easily digested. The band released two more LPs ? 1983s Pictures on a String and 1984s Deal With It ? and then split up in 1985. Byrd and Oliver North eventually reunited in North and Byrd, but North passed away soon thereafter.