Megan Burns goes Goth

From Reuters/Billboard:

LONDON (Billboard) - In Danny Boyle's acclaimed 2002 horror film "28 Days Later," teenage actress Megan Burns took on a population of British zombies.

Four years later, the now-20-year-old Burns has turned to the dark side herself, reinvented as goth/pop artist Betty Curse, inspired by the Cramps, Nick Cave and the Cure.

With an enthusiastic press already on board, UK audiences are getting an early chance to see Curse and her three-piece band during an August club tour. September support shows with U.S. horror rock act Wednesday 13 will follow.

Curse is signed to Island Records, which has already issued two UK singles, "Excuse All the Blood" (May 29) and "God This Hurts" (August 21). A third single, "Girl With Yellow Hair," is due in November.

The singer's debut album, "Hear Lies Betty Curse," will be released October 30 online in the UK, appropriately close to Halloween. A physical UK release is due in January 2007, with international plans being finalised.

Island Records UK marketing manager Sarah Boorman says Curse is "targeted directly at the 14- to 18-year-olds who want a more feisty feminine alternative to the current trend towards emo-rock."