The Scene
Nestled in the quaint town of Schaller, Iowa, the Bango Haunted Crib is a regional fixture, thrilling and chilling visitors every Friday and Saturday from October through November 1st. But on this night, the horror was amplified by a dose of heavy-hitting rock: the outlaw band Reload. The pairing of the haunted attraction and the band resulted in an evening of sheer epic-ness.
Beyond the Shadows: The Mission of Bango
Before diving into the music, it’s worth noting the spirit behind Bango. As stated on their website, the haunted house exists not just to scare, but to give back to the future. Every scream supports local youth programs. In chats with the creepily clad volunteers, it’s clear the entire operation is committee-funded, with all profits donated to charity. This dedication draws out-of-state visitors, and it’s not uncommon to host over 600 attendees in a single night. It is, even for horror enthusiasts, a truly terrifying and amazing experience.
Who’s steering the fort (booking & promo)
Reload’s band management is handled by
through Beyond Media Entertainment (BME). BME is a regional band management and booking company—the behind-the-scenes engine that gets talented bands like Reload on strong bills and promotes those shows to fill the house.
Reload Delivers the Bang(o)!
The journalism assignment was clear. Cover Reload, and Reload absolutely delivered all night long, featuring guest guitarist,
.
What’s an Outlaw Rock Band to Do at a Haunted House?
They embrace the horror. Reload set the stage for wild success by opening with John Carpenter’s iconic “Halloween Theme” from the 1978 film. The atmosphere was perfectly set.
Set Highlights
Vocalist Danny followed up with the well-known Stone Temple Pilots track, Crackerman, and the audience was instantly up, dancing, and rocking along.
The band’s performance was elevated by the unique venue. The screams and roar of the chainsaws from the surrounding haunted house only added to the band’s ferocious sound. Set highlights included the raging energy sparked by ZZ Top’s La Grange and Metallica’s Enter Sandman. The interaction peaked when haunted house characters, like the terrifying Dr. Smiley, took moments to get their fists in the air, with Dr. Smiley even rocking out on stage with Reload.
The Third Set
The third set was captivating and hit with visceral power. Megadeth’s Symphony of Destruction was stellar — a track that thumped through the body. The show climaxed with the perfect encore choice, Rage Against the Machine’s Killing in the Name. The scene was a whirlwind of devil horns raised high, head banging, and fists punching the air until the very last note.
Summary
In summary, Reload and Bango Haunted Crib were a match made in heavy-rock heaven. If you missed the Reload experience, you can catch them performing throughout the Des Moines area in 2026. And if you haven’t explored Bango Haunted Crib, it is an absolute must-see haunt.
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