What makes a song Halloween music? Is it ghosts, goblins, and things that go bump in the night—or is it the creeping suspicion that Tom Waits is building something in his basement?

On this fifth Halloween outing, Steve and Keith go far beyond Monster Mash and Thriller to build the ultimate soundtrack to the gradual collapse of civilization, one record at a time. From Bauhaus, The Cure, and John Carpenter to King Gizzard, Phish, Hawkwind, Skinny Puppy, and the gloriously unhinged Igorrr, the guys explore the fine line between spooky atmosphere, psychedelic weirdness, industrial chaos, and music that might just clear the room.

Along the way, they debate what belongs on a Halloween playlist, celebrate the art of the perfectly timed musical descent into madness, and reveal why a great party mix needs more than a few novelty hits. You need pacing, menace, a little theatrical nonsense—and an emergency escape route back to The Time Warp.

So dim the lights, pour yourself something questionable, and join two dads with an unreasonable number of Halloween records as they venture from haunted glamour to musical sacrilege.

Listen responsibly. If you hear Bauhaus coming from an empty room, don't investigate. Just add the song to your playlist.

Let us know what’s up.

Support the show

Did you know that The New Dad Rock has swag? Coffee mugs, pillow and t-shirts in a multitude of colors and arm lengths.