“Like a lot of fairytales, our story was short, but still so full of magic and meaning."

Formed in Newark, Delaware in 1996, Eldritch Anisette grew out of earlier local projects including Clevinger and Network 34, emerging through the tight-knit Enoch Collective scene alongside bands like Boysetsfire. Courtney Miller (vocals), Allen Hitchens (guitar), Marc Krupanski (bass), and Tim Nichols (drums) first came together as part of a DIY community of musicians, friends, and show organizers. They were putting on $4 shows in VFW halls, churches, and community spaces, their first show took place in April 1996 at Girls Inc.

The band’s name came from a blend of “eldritch” (meaning strange or otherworldly) and “anisette” (a Mediterranean liqueur), a pairing that, as Courtney described, just “sounded cool” but also ended up capturing something intoxicating and uncanny about their music. Their sound reflected the members’ teenage intensity and early-adult introspection, drawing from emo, indie rock, and early screamo influences. “Eldritch Anisette more than any other band I was in was about tapping into and exploring multiplicities of emotion - like really trying to name them, capture them, understand them, and release them. Here we were able to really explore what was under the surface within each of us. The creation we all made felt delicate to me” said bassist Marc Krupanski.

In the winter of 1997, they booked time at Clay Creek and spent two days tracking their six-song oeuvre, at a cost of $100. “Suckerpunch,” “Pessimism Goes To Work,” and “Dissection of Silence” were selected for a 7”, the others relegated to a DAT Rotundo held onto for safekeeping. Allen and Courtney released the one and only 7-inch on their own private-press label, St. Vitus’s Dance. About 1,000 copies were pressed, split them down the middle and assembled by hand.

Eldritch Anisette has reunited for the first time since the 90s to play Your Renaissance Fest in California and Dilly Dally Fest in Philadelphia. Will we see you there?

Profile Photo: Ryan Gomez