It seems that Helter Skelter is not the only thing taking the youths by storm. One look inside the record stores and its clear to anyone that a new and undead trend is sweeping through the nation. Among groups such as the "Bloody Maries" and the "Dead Kings", a breakout vampire punk group--"Hell Bats"--has dominated sales, selling an impressive 100,000 copies since their debut in 1975.

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It's no wonder that parents are worrying for the future generation. None more so than parent group "Mothers Speak Out" who have not remained silent in the wake of what they believe is the "planned corruption of their youth."

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"It's an agenda, you see," said Amelia Grant, president of the MSO organization. "The boys grow their hair long, the girls cut their hair short, and now it's the 'cool thing' to be undead. It's not the American way!"

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Grant, an American sweetheart best known for her appearances in Apple Paradise commercials, has been a vocal protestor of all vampire punk bands, particularly Hell Bats who, she claims, have seduced the youth into death rituals and Satanism.

While she has successfully inspired many mothers across North America to fight for the next generation of young folks, this has yet to affect the sales of the unflappable Hell Bats, best known for their lyrics on death, drugs, and rock n' roll.

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In an exclusive interview with Crusade News, these "Hell Bats" were surprisingly mild-mannered. We met them in the cool back lounge in Detroit's Afterlife Bar, a vampire "drinking hole", for lack of a better term. Beyond the closed door of the lounge was the shrill sound of thrash metal and the roaring of a mosh pit.

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"We're pretty aware that we make a lot of folks uneasy," said Hell Bats bassist, Gustav Guillermo. "We're only trying to express ourselves in the way that feels right. It just happens to include being, well, dead. Something that surprisingly resonated with suburban white kids."

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Hell Bats' drummer, Armando Guerrero added, "I find it ironic that these moms are speaking out about music when they should be worried about the toll of hapless war and death. Punk is the voice of those who can't speak for themselves, so what better than to have a punk band that can speak for the dead?"

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Hell Bats' guitarist, Christiane Vega, when pressed for comment, stated she likes the smell of glue.

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Consuela Manuel, the controversial lead singer of the band and among the most notable vampire rockers from the tumultuous '60s, was eager to address the moral hangups of the parent group directly.

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"As vampires, we push the envelope, you know?" Manuel said. "My girl friend was telling me that, as vampires, we live on the edge of life and death and that scares people. We're a constant reminder of their fragility...I guess eating people also scares them, I dunno."

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With their tour taking them to California, the Hell Bats are both intriguing and infuriating people living and dead alike. Grant promises that, with the Hell Bats arriving in her home state, she will be there to greet them with righteous protest.

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When informed about the pending protest waiting for them, the Hell Bats showed little concern.

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"Let 'em," Manuel said. "I hope they enjoy the show! Our new album, El Revolucion de los Inodoros, has a song about how much we love America and how capitalist imperialism has made our countries so much better. We'll even give them a MILF discount on our album at the merch table."

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The Hell Bats next tour show will be held at Costa Mesa's Cuckoo's Nest on November 2.

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