The Widow's Bane is an American band from Boulder, Colorado whose music incorporates elements of roots revival, sea shanties, klezmer, vaudeville, gothic rock, and murder ballads while evoking the comedic cabaret styles of Tom Waits and Nick Cave. The band defines their genre as Zombie-Death-Polka. Its line-up includes frontman Gov. Mortimer Leech (a.k.a. Clay Rose), Rutherford Belleview, Rictus Corpum, Franklin McKane, and Bat Catacombs. Previous band members were Jimson Crockett, Abracham Lynch, Frank Raven, James Calvin Thompson, and Philip Parker. Their live show is characterized by zombie-style makeup, Great Depression-era costumes, the creepy animatronic movements of lead singer Leech, and dancing by self-styled "snake-charming hussy," Madame Reaper.
In 2018, The Widow's Bane wrote and performed the score, for a production of Wicked Bayou, with Denver based Wonderbound ballet company.
Awards
2013 - Best Music Video - Mile High Horror Film Festival
Press
You've never heard 'zombie death polka' quite like the Widow's Bane does it
An interview with Rutherford Belleview
Zombies are just undead gentlemen: An interview with The Widow's Bane
Widow’s Bane: Roots music from the undead
Mortimer Leech Raises Hell for Wonderbound's Wicked Bayou
Widow’s Bane – The Afterlife Is A Never-Ending Party
KCSU Music: Live In-Studio Session with Clay Rose of Gasoline Lollipops and Widow’s Bane Part 1: Zombie Death Polka Part 2: Mortimer Leech, Age Unknown Part 3: The Story Behind The Song The Widow’s Bane find the sacred in the profane Mortimer Leech & The Widow’s Bane: A New Lease on Death Mortimer Leech of The Widow's Bane confronts his eternal past The Widow’s Bane Brings Music From Wonderbound Collaboration To CPR’s OpenAir Widow's Bane: The rocking dead
Discography
The Widow's Bane (2009) Don't be Afraid; It's Only Death (June 6, 2013)