Night Gallery at the Red Party at Mercury Lounge

Mark Demon & Kitty Hawke

In 1986, Kitty Hawke heard a bass line in a dream and remembered it upon waking. This bass line formed the skeleton of what would become her first musical composition, "Funeral Parlor." She continued playing bass and writing songs, forming the gothic rock band Night Gallery in New York City in 1991. Night Gallery played the local club circuit and recorded some of its music, but then ceased in 1995. Ten years later, Hawke was inspired to revive the brand with new musicians. Night Gallery released its one album, Inside Out, in 2013. In recent times, the band has consisted of Hawke, vocalist Mark Demon, guitarist Gerry Barnas, keyboardist Jennifer Bobbe, violinist Helen "Destroy" Buyniski, flautist Cheryl Pyle, and drummer Jimmy Dragon.

Hawke and her husband, Demon, are relocating to Florida. Hence, Night Gallery fittingly performed its final concert at the monthly gothic celebration called the Red Party at Mercury Lounge. Demon sang dark, melodic songs with a haunting voice, pausing midway into the songs for the violinist, the flautist, or keyboardist to grab the melody and run with it. This was the frequent point when the band shifted from gothic to a more psychedelic folk style until Demon's ominous vocals reentered the songs. Other songs exuded a mysterious aura or Bowie-esque dramatic flair. As such, Night Gallery broke open the traditional confines of gothic music. Freshly dismantled, the innovative Night Gallery will be missed in local gothic circles.