Lost Cues: The Thing

Waxwork Records and Sacred Bones Records are thrilled to present JOHN CARPENTER’S LOST CUES: THE THING. Composed and performed by director John Carpenter and including performances by Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies, LOST CUES: THE THING features unreleased musical cues from the 1982 alien-horror movie masterpiece, THE THING.

The Thing marks one of the rare occasions that John Carpenter stepped away from scoring duties and entrusted the task to another composer. The legendary Ennio Morricone composed the cold and minimal original 1982 film music featured in the film that is not only a soundtrack-enthusiast favorite, but has been referenced and even used in films such as Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight. 

When editing down The Thing in 1982, Carpenter felt that the film could benefit by the inclusion of additional music to fill in gaps. This additional music would sonically tie the overall film together. Taking the initiative, Carpenter performed and recorded multiple synth-driven cues in his renowned scoring style and edited them into the film.

For this new, special release, John Carpenter is quoted:

“Ennio Morricone composed the magnificent score for my movie THE THING. Because we weren’t finished editing the movie, Ennio had to score without seeing a complete picture. When we put everything together, there were gaps dramatically where I would have wanted music. So I went off and scored a couple of simple pieces that filled in.” 

The original masters featuring these bonus cues from 1982’s The Thing have been lost to time. In 2019, Waxwork Records teamed with Sacred Bones Records, approached John Carpenter about a release of this music, and he graciously agreed to faithfully perform and record the tracks for a special vinyl 12” EP featuring his son, Cody Carpenter, and the outstanding multi-instrumentalist and co-collaborator Daniel Davies.

LOST CUES: THE THING Waxwork Records Variant:

• The Lost, Unreleased Musical Cues By John Carpenter From 1982’s THE THING
• 180 Gram “Arctic Splatter” Colored Vinyl (Electric Blue w/ Cyan Splatter)
• Satin Coated Old-Style Gatefold Jacket
• Artwork By Phantom City Creative