Goose Goes All In On ‘Stranger Things’ Halloween Theme In St. Petersburg

Goose continued their annual tradition of “Netflox & Chill” Halloween shows based on a movie or television program last night in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Connecticut-based quintet went with a Stranger Things theme at The St. Petersburg Pier as they dressed as characters from the Netflix show and performed music from its score and soundtrack.

The members of Goose took fans to the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana with guitarist Rick Mitarotonda appearing as Steve Harrington, keyboardist/guitarist Peter Anspach portraying Dustin Henderson, bassist Trevor Weekz breaking out the white tank for his Billy Hargrove costume, multi-instrumentalist Jeff Arevalo serving as Hawkins Police chief Jim Hopper and drummer Cotter Ellis wearing a dress as Eleven. Anspach showed his commitment to the bit by shaving his signature mustache.

Goose kicked off the show by debuting their take on the synth-laced “Stranger Things Theme.” The song was composed by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein of the Austin-based electronic band S U R V I V E. Mitarotonda then led Goose through “Dr. Darkness” before Anspach showed off his guitar skills and mustache-less face on the ensuing “Yeti.” From there, the five-piece delivered a standalone “Silver Rising” and fit a “Stranger Things Theme” jam within a “Wysteria Lane” that bled into the Talking Heads classic “Psycho Killer.” Goose’s last cover of the Talking Heads classic came way back on November 23, 2016 — a span of 614 shows.

Both “Psycho Killer” and the debut cover of Michael Sembello’s lone hit “Maniac” that followed were songs featured in Stranger Things episodes. Ellis handled lead vocals on “Psycho Killer” while Mitarotonda helmed “Maniac.” The latter gave way to beloved original “Madhuvan,” which closed the first set and featured a quick romp through the instrumental “Wipe Out” within. The classic surf jam was featured in the second episode of Stranger Things’ fourth season.

Goose bookended their second set in St. Pete with debut versions of ’80s smashes featured in Stranger Things. Rick sang Dead Or Alive’s “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)” to get the closing stanza underway. The quintet devoted the next 33 minutes to shooting off a well-jammed “Arrow” that encompassed an equally adventurous take on “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God).” Kate Bush’s 1985 song returned to the charts in several countries in 2022 after it was used multiple times in Stranger Things’ fourth season.

The subsequent, holiday-appropropriate “Creatures” was also nicely extended and segued into a fun rendition of Tears For Fears’ “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” to wrap the set. When Goose returned for the encore they vamped on the “Stranger Things Theme” once more to lead into a show-closing “Empress of Organos.”

Watch pro-shot video of the nugs.net livestream of Goose’s Stranger Things-themed show below:

Goose’s current tour hits The Amp in St. Augustine, Florida this weekend. Livestreams of both nights and the rest of the tour are free for nugs.net subscribers.

Setlist (via ElGoose.net)

Set One: Stranger Things Theme[1] > Dr. Darkness, Yeti, Silver Rising, Wysteria Lane[2] -> Psycho Killer[3], Maniac[4] > Madhuvan > Wipeout[5] > Madhuvan[6]

Set Two: You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)[7] > Arrow > Running Up That Hill[8] -> Arrow, Creatures, Everybody Wants To Rule The World[9]

Encore: Stranger Things Theme, The Empress Of Organos

Notes:

• [1] S U R V I V E. FTP.
• [2] With Stranger Things Theme teases.
• [3] Talking Heads. LTP 11/23/16
• [4] Michael Sembello. FTP. With Stranger Things Theme teases.
• [5] Bob Berryhill. FTP.
• [6] With You May Be Right teases.
• [7] Dead or Alive. FTP.
• [8] Kate Bush. FTP.
• [9] Tears For Fears. FTP.

Show Notes: The band dressed in costume for Halloween to perform selections from the Stranger Things soundtrack. Peter as Dustin Henderson, Rick as Steve Harrington, Trevor as Billy Hargrove, Jeff as Sheriff Jim Hopper, and Cotter as Eleven. Psycho Killer was played for the first time since November 23, 2016.