VAMPIRICUS - "The Teeth have It"
by Rose Apodaca Jones
OC Weekly November 29-December 5, 1996 (page 82)

These peepers have seen it all when it comes to nightlife frippery, but dental prosthetics (as you regulars out there will vouch) are hardly a common trimming in club fashion. Obviously, a club where the promoter, the doorman and dozens of the patrons flash faux fangs-as is the case at Vampiricus-is going to stand out. In fact, hitting Monday night's do in the Vault---aptly below street level and inside downtown Long Beach's superclub Jillian's--and smiling without them (yes, Goths do smile) could leave one open to a serious hickey.

The devoted travel from as far away as Santa Monica and San Diego to the post-Sabbath, candle-lit soiree hosted by Blade, a fixture on the scene recognizable by the large bits of stainless steel that stud a face painted like the Joker's or the Crow's. His drawn-in grin stretched across his face more than usual last week as he presided over an evening visited by the Mistress of the Dark herself, Elvira. With her everywhere she sauntered was a film crew from E! Entertainment Television, blinding everyone with more spotlights than they wee probably accustomed to (having moon tans and all) while shooting tape for a program on erotica. Vampiricus and Elvira are fodder for the "dark side of erotica" segment of the cable special, which is scheduled to air in January.

The visit had been posted all over the internet, resulting in a larger turnout than usual and--at least for one purveyor of Gothic regalia, Ipso Facto in Fullerton--increasing sales on an otherwise-average Monday. Shop owner Terri Kennedy looked especially plum in her black-velvet Mary Queen of Scots-period gown.

Not everyone echoed the whispers of "fabulous, fabulous" that followed TV's fave ghoul. The more hardcore loitered in the endless hallway leading to the powder room, away from the cameras, during most of the filming. However, they did manage to rear their pallid mugs for the cameras upstairs for Elvira to tape a quick plug for her microlager, Elvira's Night Brew.

But the nightclub hardly needs Hollywood to keep things interesting. Driving a relentless energy are resident DJs The Medik (who spun that night) and the DingBat (whose band, Element, performed despite the technical problems plaguing the evening). Opener Datura managed to get through a shortened yet wickedly commanding set despite the sound system troubles.

The real queen of the evening, though, was the Lilliputian Jasmin Lee, who wore a chandelier-like crown ablaze with nine candles over her thigh-length platinum plaits and wowed us with her slithering belly-dancing and fierce fire-eating.

As for the teeth, those are the work of the self-proclaimed Lord of the Fangs, a Lestat-like babe named Alejandro who molds and sands them to your specifications from dental acrylic. He and other exhibitors set up shop here weekly to help patrons realize their masquerade fantasies.

Want eyes that are yellow, reptilian, feline or glowing red? Talk to the Bodytech folks about their bizarre contact lenses, which they've crafted for everyone from Tom Cruise to Michael Jackson. They also have a selection of horns, claws and body parts. If you prefer your accessories more conventional, how about the very unconventional coffin-shaped handbags by Lucien J.? I also liked the trippy puppets created by Rick Frausto from doll heads, nuts, bolts, wire and other found objects.

The former turn-of-the-century bank-vault setting lent drama to an already over-the-top milieu. Prevailing statements included plenty of Louise Brooks fans, S&Mers, motorcycle boys and 18th century-inspired romantics. But let me tell you, all those kohl-ringed eyes and Vamp-painted lips can make a girl who opted not to wear any makeup feel utterly underdressed.