The Denver-based trio, Flahoola, is set to release their highly anticipated album on October 31, coinciding with Halloween. They will celebrate this milestone with a live performance at the Oriental Theater on November 1, inviting fans to join in a festive release show that promises an exciting atmosphere.
Bassist and vocalist John Napier shared a chilling personal anecdote that inspired the band’s creative energy. He recounted a recurring nightmare from his youth in which he was pursued by a Formula 1 driver. “I was being hunted by a Formula 1 racecar driver who was chasing me down in his car,” he explained. “I just remember seeing a white helmet with an Italian flag on it chasing me, and at the end he’d kill me. Every time I died, I would wake up.” This intense experience lasted for several years until a lucid dream allowed him to confront and defeat his pursuer.
The upcoming release show is not just a concert; it aims to be a full Halloween celebration. Drummer Jaydon Kershner mentioned their plans for audience engagement, suggesting it will be a lively event filled with costumes and festive activities. “We’re trying to make it a big Halloween party,” he stated, while guitarist Cole Helman humorously referred to the event as “Flahoolaween Volume I.”
Flahoola, an intriguing name derived from antiquated Irish slang meaning “an extremely vulgar woman,” has been making waves in the local music scene for nearly a decade. The trio, which includes Napier, Kershner, and Helman, combines elements of traditional metal, classic rock, and stoner-doom to create a unique sound. Although they have been performing energetically, this will mark their first official album release.
Kershner highlighted the band’s desire to share their music with a broader audience. “We wanted to get in and record these songs for a long time,” he explained. Fans have been eager to hear their music, often asking where they could find it after live performances. Since June, Flahoola has been releasing singles, with nearly half of the album now available, including tracks inspired by horror fiction.
To capture the raw energy of a live performance, the band recorded most of the album live in the studio. Kershner explained their process for one particular song, “TommyKnocker,” which they found difficult to keep at a slower tempo. “We were trying to do takes of it all together, and Chris was like, ‘It sounds like you guys just want to do that faster.’”
The album also features “Frankenstein’s Hell,” an innovative rock opera told from the perspective of the iconic monster. As the band looks forward, they have plans to enter the studio again to record additional material soon.
Flahoola’s release show, featuring support from local bands Tongue Hammer, Nova Nights, and Shwarma, will take place at 6 p.m. on November 1 at the Oriental Theater, located at 4335 West 44th Ave. As the band prepares for the event, Helman summed up their approach, stating, “It’s not intentional, but it’s rock and roll.”
With their debut album on the horizon and a vibrant release show planned, Flahoola is set to make a significant mark on the Denver music scene this Halloween.
