CURSE IN THE TREES.
Posted on September 22, 2026 Leave a Comment
– The Evil Dead (1981)
The Halloween season arrives at different times and in different types of ways for everyone. For me personally, it used to be as soon as I started spotting candy on shelves, big box stores putting out their gigantic displays and of course the opening of Spirit Halloween.
As I get older and crustier, that stuff doesn’t draw my attention like it used to. Maybe it’s just the burnout factor from these places putting out Halloween junk when the air is still hot and the trees are green. It could also be just an over abundance and a little oversaturation. Something about it rubs me the wrong way, like Halloween is getting too commercial or something. However…to each their own! I’m the last Uncle to spoil anyone’s good time. At the end of the day at least people are celebrating — which is all all that truly matters. Keep the spirit alive in your neighborhood and rock until you drop on Halloween night.
For the TNUC Lair, going forward I want Halloween to be as DIY as possible. It feels more wholesome, authentic and reaffirming to build a lumpy scarecrow out of your dad’s old pajamas or fill those giant pumpkin trash bags with leaves. Maybe put together a homemade, haphazard cemetery in the front yard. Even if it’s crudely done, all the better!
I’m lucky enough to live somewhere that leaves on trees change color and the chilly air rears its head just as Fall unmasks. The weather and climate has become such an energy source for setting the table to the season of Autumn. I don’t know what I’d do without it!
Speaking of table setters and trees, it’s the perfect time for a musical offering to celebrate the best time of year which is just about to rear it’s head. The opening scene during Dario Argento’s 1985 movie, Phenomena (US title: Creepers) has always gone under my skin with the eerie music and close-up shots of trees shaking in the cold wind.
Bill Wyman, yes that Bill Wyman, bassist from The Rolling Stones, somehow got pulled into this zany Italian horror flick. This moody track has just the right amount of creepy-crawliness to give off feelings of being isolated in the mountains or deep in the forest. It’s beautiful but unsettling. That perfect marriage of dark and light. A proper slow lurk into the season.
Argento really pulled out all the stops when it came to music in Phenomena. The plot of the film itself might be wonky and not the most memorable but that’s all part of the experience when watching Argento movies. It’s certainly made up for by having Donald Pleasance, Jennifer Connolly, a few hundred bugs, one chimpanzee and a soundtrack that features everyone from Iron Maiden to Goblin to the bassist from The Stones.
NUOVO TESTAMENTO – 2 HEARTS [VIDEO]
Posted on July 30, 2026 1 Comment
Considering that at this very moment we’re smack dab in the middle of “carny season”, I can think of no better time to premiere a new TNUC video for a hot little number dedicated to all the summer lovers out there.
Nuovo Testamento are consistently making the best electronic dance music/disco on the scene. The song “2 Hearts” from the group’s most recent EP, Trouble, takes a slight detour into ballad territory but still remains danceable and alluring as ever. Singer Chelsea Crowley’s vocals are always so rich — the verses are like hummable choruses and the actual choruses are just out of this world catchy and infectious.
Just imagine Miami Sound Machine meets Depeche Mode at a carnival at night with Uncle T as the seasoned, veteran carny worker. Watch the video. I hope you enjoy.
Catch them on tour this summer!
www.NuovoTestamento.com
GO TO CAMP CRYSTAL LAKE.
Posted on June 17, 2026 1 Comment
Uncle TNUC has been fascinated with summer camp basically since he was in ALF underpants. Everyone reading this already knows this given the four camp mixtapes, merchandise, a music video and the nonstop dedication from day one around this place. It’s all thanks to movies — and the mightiest of the mighty is FRIDAY THE 13th from 1980. It needs no explanation because you’ve probably heard of the film? Jason Voorhees, teenagers, skinny joints, throat-ripping, neck-slashing, summer fun in the woods? That’s the one.
“Camp TNUC” wouldn’t have been possible without the obsession of Friday the 13th’s Camp Crystal Lake and everything that went with it. From deformed weirdos in the woods to panty raids, we cherish every single thing there is to do with summer camp.
In a small corner of Northwestern New Jersey lies the town of Hardwick, where the fine folks at Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco did a remarkable thing by opening their creaky gates some years ago to let Friday the 13th fans on guided tours of the original filming location! The real cabins. The real lake. It’s all here.
For years rabid fans would try and get close, or trespass onto the property to see what actually still existed, if anything. This woodsy wilderness has been operating as a boy scout’s camp since 1927 and continued through the 1980’s until today. It remains private property but Crystal Lake Tours offers tickets to fans for daytime, nighttime and even overnight tours. Plus celebrity events and even canoe excursions!
This is BIG. Uncle T had the privilege of visiting last weekend and needless to say, I had the time of my life. Have a look at our “1980 and now” findings below which also includes the neighboring town of Blairstown, NJ where other scenes from the movie were shot.
Bridge Street in Blairstown, NJ
Steve Christy’s Jeep? The “Strip Monopoly” game setup? The attention to detail throughout the tour was impeccable. Even small details like a rope hanging from a rafter that only the nerdiest diehard would ever notice. Or the coffee cans with correct labels. For the hardcores who know everything there is to know about Friday the 13th, this place is extremely impressive.
I’m always drawn to horror locations that have nature setting. Whether it be Creepshow, Pet Semetery, The Fog or Friday the 13th – there’s something about the steadiness and purity of an old cemetery or forbidden stretch of woods that refuses to change over time. It’s my comfort zone.
These photos are a good indication of what Crystal Lake Tours has to offer but they really don’t do it justice. Around every corner of this camp is something to marvel at if you’re a fan of Jason Voorhees and summer camp in general. For instance not shown here is the archery range or the canoe setup where little dead Jason popped out of the water! Also the merchandise in the gift shop. My God is that a work of art. You name it, they have everything imaginable. T-shirts, hats, pennants, flags, canteens, camping lights, paddles, Crystal Lake water, items made of wood from the original cabins, ponchos, blankets and so much more!
My advice is to book a tour and GO TO CAMP CRYSTAL LAKE.
RUNAWAY.
Posted on May 29, 2026 Leave a Comment
Surrounded by a thousand eyes, danger in the night
A city full of broken hearts, burning like white light
The streets are filled with promises you never get to keep
The streets are full of dreamers walking in their sleep
TAKE ME OUT TO THE RATT GAME.
Posted on May 22, 2026 3 Comments
For many of us, baseball is one of those sports that automatically makes you think of summertime. More specifically though, “America’s national pastime” means also the arrival of summer and everything that welcomes this time of year. Birds are chirping, the trees are lush, kids are out on their bikes and the ice cream man truck’s jingle can be heard in the distance. The crack of that wooden bat hitting the ball followed immediately by feet hitting the dusty infield.
Then suddenly, Ratt’s “Lay It Down” plays over the PA system!?
In 1985, iconic heavy metal vermin Ratt played a charity softball game in Tampa Bay against the radio station 95YNF. It pains me that I have to even say this but NO, these photos are NOT AI.
TNUC’s sources don’t provide stats or plays from the actual game, but based on images taken by photographer Christopher Helton, these Ratt ‘n Rollers were having a grand old time. Custom Team Ratt uniforms, ripping cigs in the dugout, drinking Bud heavy’s in the outfield and even singer Stephen Pearcy posed for a photo at the pitcher’s mound with his trusty inflatable rat.
“Take me out to the Ratt game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some Quaaludes and a fifth of Jack,
I don’t care if I never get back”
Here’s to summer days and double plays. I wonder if Ratt won the game and if they celebrated at Pizza Hut afterwards! Just the way God intended it…
Stephen Pearcy cruising the salad bar and smoking a cig. Warren DeMartini standing on a red checkered table playing a guitar solo. Robbin Crosby under the infamous Pizza Hut chandelier with a super supreme pan pizza. Juan Crucier practicing his stage moves by twirling around the brass railings. Bobby Blotzer in the bathroom the entire time after a bad decision to order that nuclear bowl of chili.
3:15 THE MOMENT OF TRUTH.
Posted on May 5, 2026 3 Comments
Happy 40th anniversary to the best movie that no one is talking about.
3:15 THE MOMENT OF TRUTH
The year is 1986. The place is Lincoln High School. The most viscous street gang in the city are the Cobras – a switchblade-wielding bunch of shit-bums who rule the school with a reign of terror. Routine violent crime and organized drug trading has become the norm of a typical school day. Each member of the Cobras wears a single-dangly-dagger earring and a cheap, vending machine-looking snake tattoo. They have names like Cinco, Whitey, Smiley, Chooch and…Jeff.
Jeff Hanna was once the most feared member of the Cobras, but now Jeff is sick of fighting so he leaves the gang for good. Fast forward a year later and Jeff has new friends, he’s on the basketball team and he’s turning up the heat with the most righteous babe in school. But suddenly after a drug raid at the school, his old gangbanger compadres are threatening to kill him. They even brutalize his new girlfriend via support from their sister gang ladies who look like Mötley Crüe “Looks That Kill” MTV video rejects. Jeff has had enough and now it’s time for one more fight. At 3:15.
This is one of those movies that remains somewhat underground and I never hear people talking about, which is headscratching because of how good it is. It’s up there with all the great high school exploitation movies that all seem to take place in Southern California’s valley towns. I’ll admit this movie is my #1 even next to classics like Tuff Turf and Class of 1984. Beyond all the clichés and hilarious stereotypes including the Asian high school gang practicing karate at recess, the strength of 3:15 is the fast-paced, no-nonsense energy in this movie that grabs you by the throat in the first ten minutes of the film and doesn’t let go.
I love movies that waste no time. Once Jeff abandons the Cobras, there’s a nervous, pulsating energy that kicks immediately into gear. It’s the dreadful fear of what’s going to happen to Jeff (Adam Baldwin, My Bodyguard) and his girlfriend Sherry (Deborah Foreman, Valley Girl) and just how far Jeff will go when he retaliates. The two young lovers are believable and cool, instead of their characters being so over the top on a cartoonish level which can be a common trope in teensploitation films. This isn’t West Side Story, Grease or even Stand and Deliver. Jeff is just a regular dude who just happens to be one tough son of a bitch. You get the impression that he can beat up both the punks and the jocks. Sherry on the other hand is a hot little number but they didn’t paint her to be the most popular girl in school or a goody two-shoes cheerleader.
3:15 is also filled with fun little moments that if you blink you might miss. Below are some of Uncle T’s favorites.
Gina Gershon! – Expect quite a few brief cameos like the always spicy Gina Gershon who plays one of the ‘Cobrettes’.
Black militant high schoolers! – Here’s a character who sadly they didn’t explain anything about and he’s played by Mario Van Peebles. His gang is called “The M-16’s”. I would really like to know what sort of high school experience this dude was having.
BMX Bandit! – With all the gangland activity happening at virtually all minutes of the hour, it’s cool that a kid doing tricks on his bike like he’s Cru Jones is completely unfazed. No tattoos, cigarettes or weapons. Just a neon-pink shirt and his bike.
Familiar dirtbags! – Yes, if this kid looks familiar it’s because he played the same character in the high school terror classic Tuff Turf just one year earlier. Looks the same, acts the same…it’s the same character.
Karate kids! – Of course all the Asian boys in school naturally have to be ninjas and practice karate at recess. Their gang is called “The Tams”.
Innocence of youth! – In the middle of all this warfare and drug dealing, these two random kids are seen playing “hot hands” (or is it “Pat A Cake”?) while smoking cigarettes. Good, clean fun.
Contraband weapons! – One thing I miss about high school is all the trickery and innovative ways to be a scumbag. Take for instance coming up with weapons like a lipstick knife or a metal hair braid. The ‘Cobrette’ on the left swings her braid around to knock people in the face during a fight!
Unreleased soundtrack! – Going into this movie I had a feeling the soundtrack was going to be a ripper and my prediction was right. There are a bunch of tracks by soundtrack regular Chris Farren (Night of the Comet, Girls Just Want to Have Fun) that need to be unearthed and cleaned up for future TNUC mixtapes! The only song that appeared somewhere else was Shriekback’s “Lined Up” which also appeared on the group’s 1983 album, Care. The song plays during the drug raid at school, right before all hell breaks loose!
It’s time for one more showdown after the school day ends. It’s time for someone to die. It’s 3:15 THE MOMENT OF TRUTH.
40 years after this movie came out and it definitely deserves more attention. TNUC highly recommends you find it!
