Band Bio
"Raw. Striking. Brutal." - Jack Burns, The Culture Trip
It was a late fall evening when Rockabilly’s rowdy cousin, Punk, grabbed a chainsaw, plugged it into a hi-gain amp, and carved a haunting melody into the crisp Northern California mountain air. That howl marked the birth of Ghost Town Hangmen—a punkabilly powerhouse that’s since carved out its place in the West Coast music scene.
Drawing from country grit, blues soul, and jazz swagger—all wrapped in a punk rock finish—Ghost Town Hangmen deliver a sound that’s raw, honest, and unmistakably their own. You’ll hear it across their discography: the explosive Burning Through the Fields (2020), the stripped-down intensity of the House of Faith Sessions (2018), the cinematic Room 33 EP (2013), and their gritty self-titled debut (2011).
With a lineup that brings new energy and tight chemistry to every show, Ghost Town Hangmen continue to evolve without losing sight of the spirit that started it all. Their songs—like “The Beginning of the End,” “Mean Ass Man,” and “If I Had a Dollar”—have earned airplay on West Coast radio and built a loyal following from dive bars to festival stages. Along the way, they've shared the bill with icons like The Living End, The Reverend Horton Heat, The Dead Kennedys, Swingin’ Utters, The Koffin Kats, and The Chop Tops.
Known for high-voltage live shows that leave crowds fired up and wanting more, Ghost Town Hangmen are proof that punkabilly is alive, well, and raising hell. Catch a show and see why fans across the globe keep coming back for more.
Meet the Band:
Craig Hyatt – Guitar/Vocals
Kyle Malone – Drums/Vocals
Paul Mestice – Bass/Vocals
Press
The Culture Trip
Jack Burns
“Raw. Striking. Brutal. How many bands can produce something incredibly fresh, but retain what makes the genre authentic? With an emphasis on bass complementing searing guitar beats, Ghost Town Hangmen may not proclaim themselves officially rockabilly, but there are enough elements in their punk- and jazz-influenced sound to warrant some affiliation. Their sound is definitely recommended for those looking for something harder on the rock temperature. ”
MetroActive
Aaron Carnes
“Not every punkabilly band sounds like those gender-bending lunatics, The Cramps. Santa Cruz's Ghost Town Hangmen for instance, may be scoring opening spots for the wild and raunchy Reverend Horton Heat and The Chop Tops, but their influences range a bit wider. Clearly they've been listening to the Beatles. Plus their swinging rockabilly beats pay more obvious homage to the classic '50s era grooves. Even when the heavy distortion kicks in, the energy is much mellower than, say, Mojo Nixon. ”