The soundtrack for the zombie classic Return of the Living Dead from 1985 is one of my regular go-tos, usually landing on the deck once a month if not every other. A punk-heavy dash of mayhem befitting of a tongue-in-cheek gorefest featuring The Cramps, The Damned, TSOL, Roky Erickson, Tall Boys, Jet Black Berries, The Flesheaters and punk-metal hybrid, 45 Grave, whose memorable stomp anthem “Partytime” serves as the movie’s rally cry. Albeit don’t be fooled, because the film uses as alternate version while the soundtrack issues its “Zombie Version” of “Partytime.”

Sadly omitted from this glorious soundtrack from 80s punk and heavy metal label, Restless Records, are The F.U.’s “Young, Fast Iranians” (no doubt from the hangover of tensions between that country and the United States when this came out) and Francis Haines’ iconic synth-dashed “Trioxin Theme” which rolls over the opening credits.

Yet anyone who’s seen this splat comedy gem will no doubt be kicking back to SSQ’s Goth masterpiece, “Tonight (We’ll Make Love Until We Die),” a song even more delicious when you know a little history behind it. SSQ was a synthpop unit featuring Stacy Q, who’d score big a year later in 1986 with her bubblegum pop number under her stage name, “Two of Hearts.” She’d partnered with new wave figurehead Jon St. James in SSQ and the band delved a twisted, sexy and haunting number here with its brilliant erotic lyrics, the most savory being “I once slept with the devil, he was really no big thrill.”

Of course, you’re no doubt thinking of 80s scream queen Linnea Quigley as punkette “Trash,” stripping down to just her leg warmers atop a graveyard sepulture with this number playing. Sleazy as hell, but the way the song is spread across the entire scene all the way to its fadeout gives it an element of style atypical for the decade’s brand of horror.

–Ray Van Horn, Jr.