If you put your heart into something and believe in what you are doing, anything can happen. Taking with them the experience of other creative projects, Kat Keo and Kim Coffel decided not just to pack it in but dive deeper down the rabbit hole of their musical aspirations with the formation of Hoaxed.
A project that the two ladies from the naturally beautiful state of Oregon formed back in 2020, Hoaxed has steadily earned attention. A band with a dark, moody sound akin to old-school Doom Rock/Metal, the duo attracted the attention of Relapse Records, signed on with the label, and released their debut album, Two Shadows, in October 2022. A highly compelling set of nine songs, Hoaxed is now actively shaping their sophomore album at Falcon Studios in Portland. Looking to expand on what they did with Two Shadows, Guitarist/Vocalist Kat Keo, Drummer Kim Coffel, and the new third member, Bassist April Dimmick, are excited to take the next step forward.
Influenced by a diverse mix of Rock and Metal music, Hoaxed’s sound is also very cinematic. This attribute creates a dreamy motion picture feeling, which makes sense because both Keo and Coffel are former film majors. Having a deep-seated passion for the art of film, the trio recently cooked up some fresh popcorn and found a comfortable seat to dish out their favorite Horror films.
10) Demons (1985): This was April’s introduction to Italian Horror. Demon possession at the movies, a film within a film, trapped with no escape, helicopter crash—no one is safe from demons! The mask, cartoonish characters, and extreme ending really make this movie a cult classic.
9) The Ring (2002): Kim’s personal experience with The Ring: “When I was 11, I decided to partake in pop culture and watch the most talked about movie at school. My brother and I popped in our Blockbuster rental at 10:00 am. By 10:15, the TV was off and the blood gone from our faces. We took a second crack at it later that night (with our dad in tow), and we made it through, but not unscathed. All three of us had nightmares that night. Upon rewatching years later, I realize that it still holds up as scary, but I also appreciate how beautifully shot it is (hard to do when your eyes are squeezed shut).”
8) Crimson Peak (2015): Oh man, this movie. It’s silly, gorgeous, and horrifying in its twisted way… This one etched itself in our brains at the first watch and still brings a chill that pleases our gothic hearts.
7) Hereditary (2018): People aren’t lying when they say this movie is straight up traumatizing. Most horror stories begin with at least a glimmer of a happy life before the storm. Not this guy! Hereditary’s opening baseline is grim, if not despair, and quickly free-falls into the deeply disturbed. Scream Queen, Toni Collette, has done irreparable damage to our nerves. We needed a goddamn hug after this movie. And to keep all the lights on for the rest of our lives. And Jesus that piano wire…
6) Hellraiser (1987): Disturbed individuals and cenobites, the portal to chaos opens, and all hell breaks loose. Infidelity with a reanimating flesh feasting evil brother/uncle is pretty nasty. We love the color schemes, chains, hooks, blood, and amalgamations! It is all very enticing. Hellraiser embodies nightmarish BDSM & heavy metal – it’s pretty sick!
5) Sleepy Hollow (1999): This one is a yearly watch for Kat and probably the only horror film we’d classify as ‘comforting’, although “horror” is a loose descriptor for this one. Christina Ricci is lovely, Christopher Walken is haunting, and Christopher Lee’s delivery of ‘Sleepy Hollow’ is the stuff of legend—a beautiful piece from start to finish.
4) The Substance (2024): “It’s a Sci-Fi Thriller,” she said. It’s not scary, trust me!” Not long after The Substance started, we wanted to leave the theater and vomit. By the time the credits rolled, we were furious with what we had witnessed and disgusted that we even had bodies! It was awful. Disgusting. Beautiful. Gross. Clever. And oddly important. Body Horror might not always be our thing, but this movie was.
3) Get Out (2017): The best part of this movie is the perfect acting that drives the psychological horror. That scene where the lady smiles and says she feels great while tears roll down her face is so memorable. The idea of hypnosis is actually gut-droppingly scary for once. The whole time you think a squirming sense of unease, and are constantly whispering “what the fuck?”
2) 28 Days Later (2002): This one really worms its way into your brain. It’s not just a zombie movie; it goes so much deeper. You really feel the characters’ absolute terror and desperation. This one messed with us when we first saw it; it deserves to be a classic.
1) Halloween (1978): If we had to choose one John Carpenter film to rule them all, we’d have to go with Halloween. A classic movie that has fun character development & suspense. Who’s alive, who’s dead? We get the killer’s POV and an inside scoop while everyone is putting the pieces together on Halloween night. It’s simple and straightforward.
I love Crimson Peak, super good movie!