Salon Betty

Infobox musical artist |
Name = Salon Betty


Img_capt = Salon Betty
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Prague/Seattle
Genre = Dark Cabaret Psychobilly New Wave Art rock
Years_active = 1994 – 1997
Label = iMusic
Associated_acts = Betty X, Satan in High Heels
URL =
Current_members = Betty X, Hate
Past_members = Betty X Rob "Spike" MacKusick Paul "Pablo Diablo" MacKusick Brian Castillo Raven Leigh Ricky Ricardo C. Barry Semple Ty Pamfilof

Salon Betty is the raucous and sleazy dark cabaret art rock project formed by singer, songwriter and performance artist Betty X during years of 1994 to 1997. Betty cites the idea as being born in Prague while she was living there during the winter of 1992, from a dream that she had about a lurid and crazy Czech hair salon — A den of decadence and art, ala John Waters and David Lynch.The music is typically described as new wave or punk, but has been coined as "gothabilly," "death lounge" and "deathabilly" by the band's frontwoman Betty X.

Jamie Hook, a reviewer for the The Stranger described the music as, "Neu-Wavo Ranchero" and referred to the fans as "Bettephiles." Salon Betty shows had a large cult following, where the fans would dress as Betty or other colorful characters from her songs such as "Courtney Hate" and bring food such as whipped cream, sausages and jello to throw during cues in songs. The shows were three quarter in the round and interactive. Live shows were often compared to My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, Rocky Horror Picture Show meets GWAR by reviewers and critics.

After meeting with collaborator Hate, in 1995, Betty started to experiment with darker themes and experimental with vocalizations to industrialized noises and tribal drumming. The side-project turned into a full time pursuit.

There were many musicians that rotated through the band during its time; Rob "Spike" MacKusick (Faith and Disease), Paul "Pablo Diablo" MacKusick, Brian Castillo "aka pFrenz-C" (Jarboe, In Gowan Ring), Raven Leigh , Ricky Ricardo, C. Barry Semple (Faith and Disease, The Swains) and Ty Pamfilof (Machina Candeo, Otto Pilate), among others.

Disbanded in 1997, Betty X went on to pursue a self-titled solo project. Reportedly one of the first bands to do a live show broadcast via the internet.

Discography

# Salon Betty - "The Big Hair Sex Circus", 1996 (iMusic)
# Salon Betty - "Arizona", 1997 (self-released EP)
# Salon Betty - "Live! From Venus", 1997 (self-released EP)
# Salon Betty - "It Came from Planet X", 1997 (self-released EP)