Brian: How are you doing today Emily?

Emily: You’re always so incredibly cordial.  I’m super good…  Thank you J

Brian: So I see since we last talked over a year ago, things have been quite busy in your life.  What’s been going on?

Emily: Yep…  I’m very grateful. I’ve been filming movies!

Brian: Well, speaking of movies, there’s a little flick I have been hearing a lot of buzz about.  Of course, I’m talking about Jesse Dayton’s Zombex.  Can you tell our readers more about your role in this exciting feature and in general, what the film is all about?

Emily: My role in Zombex is that of a sexy and tough ex-military woman who runs her fathers’ private security company, doing special ops jobs contract jobs.  She’s very scrupled in her work and only chooses to take jobs that can actually help civilians.  Her father was the polar opposite- a war monger and profiteer.  Also, my character, Katy Ann is a burlesque dancer.  She has a dark side…

Brian: Well I know you and I have had a few offline conversations about the project, but I’m still blown away when I look at all the legendary names attached to Zombex.  You have Malcolm McDowell, Corey Feldman, Lew Temple, David Christopher and heck, even the lead singer of Slayer, Tom Ayara.  What was it like working with these, for lack of a better term; we’ll call them superstars?

Emily: I know!  It was such a rush!!!  And you know me well enough Brian to know I am HUGE metal head, so working with Tom Araya was beyond…  And of course the rest of the cast was amazing as well.  It all came together because our director, Jesse Dayton, has relationships with these people and they love and respect him.  There was definitely a mutual admiration happening between everyone on-set.

Brian: Anything crazy happen while working on the set of Zombex?  Are there any zany moments that you can recall for us?  Working with all these folks I mentioned before, there had to be at least one or two life altering moments.  Ha ha.

Emily: The crew was hysterically fun to work with.  They pulled shit all the time which brought so much great energy to set.  There were so many moments that just blew me away it would be tough to pull anything specific out.  I will say this, having zombies run at full speed out of the water at you is pretty mind-boggling.

Brian: Are there any actors that Jesse tried to secure for the film, but couldn’t get or didn’t work out?  I remember Scream Queen Danielle Harris telling me how she did not get the role of Mary Beth in Adam Green’s Hatchet and I was surprised to hear that.  While going through my own round of casting auditions and callbacks for the feature film I’m doing, I’m now savvy to how things go down or how things don’t always work out as planned.  I was just wondering if you guys had any casting heartaches with this production…maybe just that one actor who wouldn’t say yes.  But then again, how can anyone say no to you and Jesse?  Impossible!

Emily: Jesse had Mike Ness (Social Distortion) written in to the screenplay but he was unavailable due to touring. That was rough.  But John Doe (X) ended doing the job and just knocked it completely out of the park!  He was SO strong.  Also, in trying to cast the “Thea” character, there were a number of great actresses we hoped to cast but due to numerous conflicts it didn’t work out.  In the 11^th hour we found our girl, Desiree McKinney, and she did a killer job. Also, we tried to cast a couple of super star rappers, but with their “legal issues”, it didn’t work out. Don’t cast rappers!

Brian: I see from all the behind-the –scenes footage on Facebook and on the official Zombex website (www.zombexmovie.com) that you guys actually filmed with Red cameras.  That is so cool.  I’m hoping to pull that off for my feature film I’m producing/directing, but we will see how the money situation is in a few months before making that final decision.  But I must say, I’m very impressed by everything I have seen!  I cannot wait to see the finished product.  However, I’m very curious.  How did the making of this film differ from any of your previous projects that you have been involved with? Does the self-financing route feel any different on set compared to the big studio films such as Sin City on your resume?  I’m assuming you are all busting your asses even harder to make this the best possible product, but you are my eyes and ears here.  I live vicariously through you.  Only you can answer that one.

Emily: This was the first film I was deeply involved with and I can tell you, working on an independently funded film vs a studio film is ENTIRELY different- It’s apples and oranges. The level of commitment is huge when you fund independently.  You become involved emotionally as well.  Not just as an actor but in the well-being of everyone on set.  And, of course, the success of the film is everybody’s focus.  If the film succeeds, it becomes your calling card.

Brian: Alright, I’m going to ask this because I’m a huge Adam Green fan and I immensely enjoyed his Hatchet films that are filmed on location down in the swamps of Louisiana.  How was it filming in Louisiana?  It’s my understanding that you actually brought over some of Robert Rodriguez’s crew from Texas.  Is that true?

Emily: We worked with Hawgfly Special Effects and they’ve worked with Robert Rodriguez on a few films.  They are the best in Texas without a doubt.  They were unbelievably professional and worked SO hard.  They were intrinsic to Zombex.  New Orleans brings a magic to any film, but in particular to Zombex due to the story really centering around the city and Hurricane Katrina.

Brian: I’m not sure if you are allowed to talk about this, but what are the plans for distribution of the film?   When and where is the movie’s premiere?  I want to be there!

Emily: Zombex has offers on the table.  We need to get the post-production in the can and we can then talk further about that.  Zombex will have world wide distribution.  This is as much I can say now.

Brian: So when Zombex is all said and done, what’s next for Emily Kaye?  Inquiring minds want to know!

Emily: Haha!  I am working with a new agent and am redoing my head shots and reel.  I’m ready for the next killer film!  At the moment, I am supervising the post production for Zombex.  I might direct a short film as well…

Brian: I know about your home life and extracurricular activities, but our readers don’t.  When you are not acting or shaking it on stage with Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures, how does Emily Kaye unwind?

Emily: We have 2 Labradors, so I love taking them on trail walks/ runs.  We swim too!  Also, I go out dancing at least 3 times a month.  And it’s like a bloody marathon…  3-4 hours straight!  I can’t get enough!

Brian: From your 5:30 AM, I can’t sleep, Facebook training posts; I know you frequent the gym quite often.  I mean, look at you, that much is obvious!   What’s the secret?   How do you keep yourself so incredibly fit with your busy lifestyle?

Emily: I am an obsessive exercise freak.  I can’t run enough, swim enough or do enough yoga.  As I write this, I’m suffering from a nasty case of plantar fasciitis which hurts like crazy.  It’s from over use and too much running.  Major bummer…

Brian: I’m sorry to hear that.  I have suffered from that in both heels and I can attest to the fact that it’s not fun.  The best thing I found to do was just get out there and run the pain away as stupid as that sounds.  But honestly Emily, I don’t think I can have this conversation without asking you a question I’m personally dying to know about.   Tell me; will there be another Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures album and tour?  I got to know!

Emily: Tough to say.  The demand is so there but finishing Zombex is most important.  That record and that tour with Rob Zombie was utter perfection.  It was a great moment in time and honestly, I think it’ll be tough to top that.

Brian: I understand.  In fact, the whole reason I met you in the first place and how our paths crossed is because of that man, Rob Zombie.  So I have to ask, are there any future plans for you or Jesse to ever collaborate or work with the brilliant (and I mean that on so many levels) Rob Zombie in anyway, whether it’s music, film or whatnot?  I’m just super curious!

Emily: Rob is such a prolific dude on so many levels.  I can say that there is nothing definitive on the horizon, but with Rob, you know when you know.  You know? Hehe.

Brian: Are you a fan of Rob’s new Woolite commercial?

Emily: Yeah!  It’s INSANE!

Brian: Well I’m sure I took up enough of your time so I’m going to go out with a proverbial bang, like only I can do, and drop this heavy open-ended douse of a question on you.  You ready?  What else should your fans and our readers know about you?  When you leave your legacy behind on this planet, what would you want the world to know about who the real Emily Kaye is/was?  What makes you tick and matters the most to you?   Sorry, that’s like three heavy open-ended questions (the Earth’s gravitational pull must have just shifted).  I know, you hate me, huh?

Emily: I only have love for you Brian!  Wow… I will say that the past 2 years have been amazing and collaborating with a guy like Jesse has been the catalyst.  Keeping ego out of business is key for me.  Being honest and working from a place of humility is what keeps me grounded.  I can’t stand people who crave credit.  I like to earn my stripes and prefer to succeed quietly.  And in working on the films I have the past 12 months, I have seen ego run amok.  And it is so ugly to me.  I just can’t imagine being “that” kind of person. So to sum it up, what matters most to me is really try and enjoy every moment and continue to work with people who love what they do, are really good at it and hopefully, have a solid footing on reality.

Brian: Well thanks again for taking the time to sit down with all our readers and me.  We all truly appreciate it.  I look forward to seeing you at the premiere of Zombex J  (hint, hint).  What’s cooking the rest of the day for you?

Emily: Thank you for the support Brian.  People like you make the world a better place!  Kick ass on your project! Today is a work day…  Zombex is my world today J

Brian: Awe.  Thanks Emily!  That means a lot to me.  I’ll be talking to you soon!

Check out these exciting links too for more Zombex!

First off, I know every Zombie fan out there is probably a bit confused over the fact that Geffen Records released this.  It’s only natural to exhibit this confusion.  After all, him leaving Geffen late last year and signing with Roadrunner Records delayed the release of my favorite album of the year so far, Hellbilly Deluxe 2, not to be confused with the upcoming special edition reissue of Hellbilly Deluxe 2 on September 28^th.  Confused yet?  I am a little bit with this next statement.  While this compilation contains several tracks that were not on his previous two greatest hit albums, most notably “The One,” “Meet The Creeper,” “Foxy Foxy” and “American Witch,” it also contains three tracks from his latest Roadrunner Records’ CD, Hellbilly Deluxe 2.  How did that work out?  My best guess is that there must have been some behind-the-scenes kind of deal where Geffen still kind of half owns these tracks too since the album was originally supposed to come out on their label anyway in late 2009.  I think.

So as you might expect, the compilation pretty much takes us on a journey from the early success of White Zombie (the historic tracks that provoked my interest in Ford Mustangs) all the way to Rob’s most recent solo project, Hellbilly Deluxe 2, whose full title is actually Hellbilly Deluxe 2: Noble Jackals, Penny Dreadfuls and the Systematic Dehumanization of Cool.  Wow!  That’s a long title, huh?  I took the liberty of listing all the titles you will find on the 2-disc set below.  Oddly enough, “Mars Needs Women” is actually the unreleased version of the song, without the long acoustic intro, that’s scheduled to be released on the September 28^th special edition reissue of Hellbilly Deluxe 2.  Geez!  This all makes your head hurt if you think about it too much, doesn’t it?

*

Disc 1

1. Thunder Kiss ’65

2. Black Sunshine

3. Super-Charger Heaven

4. More Human Than Human

5. Feed The Gods

6. The One

7. The Great American Nightmare (featuring Howard Stern)

8. Superbeast

9. Dragula

10. Living Dead Girl

11. Demonoid Phenomenon

12. Meet The Creeper

*

Disc 2

1. Feel So Numb

2. Never Gonna Stop (The Red Red Kroovy)

3. Scum Of The Earth

4. House of 1000 Corpses

5. Foxy Foxy

6. American Witch

7. The Lords Of Salem

8. Let It All Bleed Out

9. The Devil’s Rejects

10. What?

11. Sick Bubblegum

12. Mars Needs Women (new version)

*

So whether your like me and you always like to play the best of Rob Zombie as your soundtrack while driving your own “Black Sunshine” around town or maybe you have some holes in your Zombie music collection yet to fill, then you owe it to yourself to check this one out.  Icon 2 can be had for as little as $9.99 this week at Best Buy, so you really have no excuse not to pick up 24 of the most hard rocking songs ever to be pressed on that shiny reflective pitted plastic platter known as a CD.  Now that’s serious bang for your buck, isn’t it?

Until next time…

“This comic venture is very, very different in tone for me. Instead of a crazy over-the-top monster-fest like El Superbeasto, I wanted to create something that works more on a slice of life human level,” states Zombie, “After El Superbeasto became a movie, I felt I had taken that style as far as I could. So, I really needed Baron Von Shock to be something fresh in writing and in art.“

“After publishing The Haunted World of El Superbeasto, we jumped at the chance to work with Rob again on Baron Von Shock,” says Image Publisher Eric Stephenson. “Baron Von Shock is darkly humorous, thrilling and uncompromising – everything fans expect a Rob Zombie story to be.“

What Ever Happened to Baron Von Shock? #1, a 32-page full color comic book for $3.99, will be in stores May 26th, 2010.

Check out our EXCLUSIVE CD Review of Rob’s Hellbilly Deluxe 2.

I would like to begin this review by making the following disclaimer.  This is probably the 1^st DVD ever that I did not mind not only viewing, but also reviewing too.  I didn’t even think twice about having to break my Blu-ray only mindset.  This is Captain Clegg after all!  Everything about the DVD’s gritty look screams rock’n'roll and I wouldn’t want it any other way.  I’m typically stuck with the cliché review format of discussing the film, rating the A/V presentation, recapping the special features and recommending a buy or not.  Not this time.  Not here!  I’m going to give it to you straight and raw, Louisiana style (I’m not sure that made sense, but I figured the Captain would chuckle…maybe).  My promise to you is that after reading the following there should be absolutely no doubt about what’s in store for you when you head over to Captain Clegg’s website and grab your own copy in a few moments.

The Adventures of Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures is the ultimate documentary of the band straight from the road on Rob Zombie’s ‘Hellbilly Deluxe II’ tour last year.  I promise you.  You won’t see this footage anywhere else.  There are surprise guests, live performances, backstage antics, exclusive interviews and much more!  Let’s get started, but before we do, how about a quick trailer to set the mood and whet your appetite?  Yeah.  I like the sound of that!  In the famous growling words of Korn’s Jonathan Davis, “Are you ready?”

Upon the disc’s insertion into your DVD player a simple menu with the following choices greets you: the main feature, scene selections and the “Zombie A Go Go” music video.  I admit that I first chose to watch the “Zombie A Go Go” music video.  Why?  Because I love that song!  And after all, I’m the one writing this review so I can do anything I want.  But seriously, for a DVD, I was very impressed by the presentation of the music video.  It looked like it was ripped straight from a HD source.  I have been so used to seeing this on a little web browser window that it was a much-welcomed surprise to see this included on the disc.  Thanks Captain!

So after jamming to my favorite zombie tune I selected the main feature.  In one of the disc’s earlier moments, Captain Clegg (Jesse Dayton) discusses the origins of the band and how Rob Zombie initially made the first contact.  Rob…my number is 440-555-5555.  My skills are music, writing, filmmaking, marketing, leadership and more.  I am available day, nights, weekends and all major holidays.  Anyway, Rob told the Captain that he wanted them in Halloween II and asked if he was interested.  The Captain said he thinks he could be available (facetious of course).  Rob and his wife came to see them play in LA.  The rest is Phantom Jammer history.  Between the interview footage viewers are treated to a live performance of “Castin My Spell” in San Jose.  Rob was responsible for giving Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures their name and musical direction.  The Captain and Rob discussed how they wanted a Sonics with Johnny Cash kind of sound.  After the very first studio cut of the CD, Rob was instantly pleased with the results, and no changes were therefore requested and/or made on Clegg’s behalf.  The results were the CD release of Rob Zombie Presents: Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures.

Next we move on to my favorite city in the United States, Las Vegas.  God, how I wish I could have been a fly on the wall here.  The October 30^th show last year was called the Halloween Spooktacular and Fangoria magazine was on the scene celebrating their 30^th anniversary.  It’s here that the Captain discusses his early musical interests and how he grew up on the Louisiana/Texas border.  One of his favorite albums was listed as an early Misfits record that features Danzig.  Viewers are then able to take in a live performance of my second favorite Captain Clegg song, “Transylvania Terror Train.”  A quick conversation with bass player Lord Victor Ward also transpires here.

And then it’s on to a sound check rehearsal in Tulsa.  Clegg discusses his increasing fan base and owes all his thanks to Rob.  He has a pretty funny quote here that I am going to screw up, but the Captain said something like (I’m paraphrasing here) “When you can get everyone in the heavy metal crowd to give you the middle finger and you’re playing twang, then you know you achieved something.”  And next we move on to one of Captain Clegg’s main attractions, Mistress Clegg, as we are treated to her hypnotic go go dancing in a live performance of “Headless Hip Shakin’ Honey.”  Finally in Tulsa, a quick conversation is to be had with drummer Baron Lansing Wounds.

Next, we are off to another sunny favorite of mine, Anaheim.  Yea!  The Captain loves to meet with his fans and it shows as he takes time out of his busy schedule to meet and greet them all.  The Captain refers to himself as artistic kind of guy.  He gives an amusing analogy of how he can’t play baseball for sh#t, but he can sure play the guitar.  Don’t worry Jesse, I know the feeling all too well.  Here’s where it gets very interesting from a musical history point of view.  While the Captain hints about his involvement in the early Austin film scene, he relishes in the fact, and rightfully so, that he has not only played side-by-side with Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, but also the legendary Johnny Cash.  What metal head out there can deny the uber coolness of that?  He’s the reason we all dress in black, right?  I’ll have to check out the Waylon Jennings album Right For the Time, as Jesse plays on that one.  Also, something really cool happens here within this documentary.  A live performance of “Zombie A Go Go,” my favorite Clegg track, is dedicated to the zombie master himself, Mr. George Romero.  We also get treated to a live performance of “Hollywood Babylon” before moving onto a quick discussion with steel pedal guitarist Mr. Black.

Next up…it’s a sound check in the legendary city where dreams are made in Hollywood.  We even get to hear the Cleggster singing a Willie Nelson song.  He also dishes on his worst job ever.  I’ll leave that one for you to listen to.  I can’t tell you everything after all.  Let’s just say the Captain accomplished the task where all the others miserably failed.  Before moving on to the great city of Austin, Mistress Clegg is showcased real briefly and we even get to see a backstage look at Captain Clegg changing his guitar strings before the show.  Ah.  I fondly remember those days.  But you want to know what my favorite part of the DVD was?  Good.  Because like it or not I was going to tell you anyway.  It’s when we meet an older gentleman by the name of Roky Erickson.  If you don’t know whom this legendary man is, then look him up!  He sang with Clegg on stage that night.  They did a rendition of “I Walked With A Zombie.”  I had this song stuck in my head for days.  I mean there’s this elder man on stage and I was like WTF, until I heard him belt out the lyrics.  It was beautiful.  Yes, I said beautiful!

So if you made it this far, then what are you waiting for?  Head on over to www.captainclegg.com or www.jessedayton.com right now and get your DVD of The Adventures of Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures now!  All you have to do is buy a t-shirt or a CD and the DVD is yours free!  That sounds like an offer to good to pass up.  Hurry and get yours today!

A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO ROB ZOMBIE FOR MAKING ALL OF THIS POSSIBLE.

Much respect and admiration.  - Brian White

Thanks to Mirak of Mezgarth Photography for providing the above images taken during our attendance of “The Hellbilly Deluxe II” tour stop in Detroit, MI last year.

The foxy temptress certainly stands out on stage amongst the jamming band who belt out tunes donned in their best grave-digging threads.  Still, their sound and her flare combine for one cohesive piece of artistry that few others (if any) can lay claim to.  Mistress Clegg recently took a break from her schedule to sit down with two of Why So Blu’s writers (Brian White and myself) to give us a glimpse of her thoughts, her work, and what the future holds. – Gregg Senko

Gregg:  You were born after go-go dancing left the pop culture spotlight.  What drew you to this style of dance?

Mistress Clegg – My mother was a dancer in Vegas and in Reno.  She worked with Sinatra, Dean Martin and had Marilyn Monroe give her a standing ovation after one of my mother’s numbers. We danced like crazy my entire childhood.  Whenever and wherever we felt like it!  She was also an actress so the theatrics of dancing for me came very naturally. 

Brian:  We couldn’t help notice how…umm…in shape you are.  What do you do to stay fit in today’s busy world?

Mistress Clegg – Thanks…I work my ASS off.  I run, swim and bike.  I love triathlons.  I’m also a vegan.  Now if I can just keep Clegg outta the BBQ joints in Texas, all would be good!

Gregg: Go-go dancing is still and always will be something that catches everyone’s attention.  Why do you think this is and how did the concept get incorporated into the rockabilly style of Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures?

Mistress Clegg – Clegg and I are huge fans of Russ Meyers’ films.  Tura Satana is a huge inspiration to me, as is Satan’s Angel.  Neither of these babes were into pin-up, girlie stuff.  They were all sex and VERY powerful characters.  Clegg and I wanted to create a character that was different from the same old tired 50’s pin-up chick image.

Brian:  Are there any plans for another Captain Clegg record/tour or was this last tour we saw just a one-time shot to tie in with your band’s work with Rob Zombie and the production of Halloween II?

Mistress Clegg – I can safely say there will be a follow up to the Clegg record.  He’s writing a record called “Ghost Soldiers” and the concept was inspired by civil war era ghost stories.  Clegg’s a voracious reader and finds inspiration from some really interesting and obscure people and places.  As far as touring goes, time will tell.  But we’re way into it.

Brian:  Great!  I’m looking forward to the new recording!  Speaking of Halloween II.  I have only seen it twice, but it’s been so long ago since my last viewing.  I remember the movie featuring a total of like 5 Clegg songs throughout.  I also remember there being two Go-go dancers on the stage during the “Translyvania Terrror Train” song.  Were you one of them?

Mistress Clegg – The dancers were strippers from the Atlanta area.  Nice boobies right?  I was busy making shit happen in Austin!  Besides, I don’t do nudes unless it’s Playboy or for Clegg J.

Brian:  Gotcha!  Also, I just read on Jesse Dayton’s Facebook page and also on the Clegg one that the 1-hour documentary of the road show with Rob Zombie has been completed and pressed.  Can you tell us any details about this documentary?

Mistress Clegg – It’s more fun than a documentary should be.  It’s a backstage pass for all Phantom Jammers into the world of a big arena rock tour with tons of live footage, backstage interviews, and cameos by rock stars! 

Brian:  I can’t wait to check that documentary out.  Now speaking of Rob Zombie, I am just curious of the following because I idolize the man.  His beliefs are our website’s core values.  His love, passion and contributions to the world of music, movies, comics and now TV have motivated me to become all I can in life.  What was it like working with the man?  I met him a few times and I have my own favorable opinion of him, but what is yours?  Is he as friendly and lovable behind the scenes as he is when he is greeting and talking to his fans? 

Mistress Clegg – Rob is a genius.  He’s fearless, completely focused, and tenacious and has a never-ending stream of ideas.  His work ethic is insane and I was totally inspired by his whole persona.  He treated Clegg and I so unbelievably well.  As did his entire band and road crew.  It doesn’t get any bigger does it?  And I had NO expectations.  I just wanted to show up do my job. 

Rob and Clegg have a special creative partnership, which is really unique.  I can’t wait for their next collaboration because Clegg just explodes creatively which is great for me as his partner

You know that Rob actually came up with the name Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures?  Clegg and I came up with Mistress Clegg…

Gregg:  Rumor has it you are also an actress.  What kind of work have you done and how do you find time to split a focus on that and your time with the band?

Mistress Clegg – I am an actress and have been working consistently since 2002.  One of the first more recognizable gigs I had was in Sin City.  I was one of the Old Town Girls, which was so great.  I spent a lot of time with Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller.  And they both taught me a lot.  Under my belt right now I have 5 national commercials, a slew of great indie films and on April 21^st I will be in the TV show In Plain Sight on the USA Network, as the character named Lindsey Dennis.

Brian:  Now I have 2 reasons to watch Sin City!  I’m going to need to pull out that Sin City Blu-ray again this weekend.  By the way, I could not help noticing your new photo shoot you just did.  If you are ever in Northeast Ohio you have to look us up.  We work with one of the nation’s best photographers, Scott Morrison.  How did you get involved with modeling?

Mistress Clegg – I would LOVE to work with Scott Morrison! HAHA!  I’m 6’ tall, started modeling before I could wear high heels   Traveled to Japan, etc…  I grew up in Hawaii and had legs like a giraffe.  In fact, that was my nickname in middle school.  Kids are SO mean.  Anyway, growing up with a beautiful actress as a mother, I naturally gravitated towards the arts.  I was born a ham.  I love to flirt with the camera!

Gregg: What type of music does the Mistress listen to when she’s off the stage and on her own time?

Mistress Clegg – I like this question!  I’m proud to say I’m a metal head.  I freaked out like a little girl at an Iron Maiden concert last summer.  Totally lost my shit and danced around like a freak show.  My favorite record right now is the new Mastodon.  Of course I listen to everything Clegg does because I’m usually right there when he writes it.  He’s an amazing writer who is surrounded by other amazing writers/ artists.  I’m not limited in my scope of what I listen to by any means: 60’s soul, Hawaiian music, be-bop, reggae/ dancehall, punk rock. 

Gregg:  Through an email conversation with Brian you mentioned that you had a lot of good things cooking.  What is next on your list of accomplishments?

Mistress Clegg – I will be in the new movie Clegg is writing and co-directing called “Zombex”.  I’m the lead female character and we’ll be shooting the majority of the film in New Orleans- one of our very favorite cities in the world.  There are a lot of great actors and musicians who are stepping up for the project.  It’s so encouraging!  Also, I have modeling gigs and a smaller film I’m about to start working on as well.  Idle hands are the devil’s playground.  If I’m not busy I’m depressed.

Brian:  This is always the million-dollar question.  We have asked this of Zombie and also of Jesse Dayton (aka Captain Clegg).  But everyone’s response is always unique and inspiration in their own little way.  What motivated and inspired you to be the person you are?  Many people live their lives just dreaming with never even attempting to achieve those dreams.  How are you different?  What made you successful in life?  Your philosophy towards life? 

Mistress Clegg – When I first met Clegg I was working in the music business.  I had worked at a major label and signed a band called Monster Magnet.  Then I moved on to build a label called Timebomb Recordings.  Our first releases were re-mastered Social Distortion records.  After that I started getting involved in film and music supervision.  I then started a company called The Chop Shop Music Supervision with my former partner.  Being entrepreneurial is a huge part of who I am.  My mother was this way as well.  Obviously she had a huge impact on me.  My father was out of the picture at a very early age.  So in order to survive, fear of failure was not an option. 

I came to Austin, TX with Clegg and immediately fell into the theater scene.  I co-produced and starred in the Russian classic play “The Master and Marguerita”.  It got great reviews and then I got an agent.  I’ve never looked back on having a day job since then.  That was a HUGE leap of faith knowing I was giving up a certain amount of security, for art.  There have been many sleepless nights, but nothing compares to the freedom I have in my life to be creative, and work on whatever projects I choose. 

Life is very short.  Do whatever makes you happy and have no regrets!

Brian:  Amen.  Is there anything else you wanted to let your fans know about you or better yet, ever wanted to try in life that you have not yet?

Mistress Clegg – I do hope at some point soon to hike to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa.  I really want to do that.  Also, spend a long period of time in Europe with Clegg finding inspiration for new projects.

Brian:  Well Mistress Clegg… It was a pleasure.  Thanks so much for chatting with us!  We’ll hopefully see you on the road again soon! 

Well there you have it folks.  Much like our previous interviews with Rob Zombie and Captain Clegg, Mistress Clegg is another inspiration to us all.  All three of these artists have something very special in common.  They were not afraid to go after, chase and achieve their dreams.  They are living proof that good things come to people who work hard in life.  They refuse to let anyone tell them they can’t do or accomplish something.  And for that, they have my undying respect.  When I think of role models in my life, these three are instantly in my thoughts.  They give me the much needed motivation I require to give it my all in life and never let anyone tell me what I want is for someone else.  Why can’t it be for me?   It will be mine.  That’s the positive attitude we all need to have.  Let the naysayers fall by the wayside.  Thanks for stopping by Mistress Clegg.  We very much enjoyed chatting with you.  Until next time… – Brian White

Please say hello and leave Mistress Clegg some comments below.

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Rob Zombie explores the gruesome world of fame and fortune with Baron Von Shock
 
Berkeley, CA – 15 March 2010 Is there anything ROB ZOMBIE can’t do? From music to television to movies, Zombie has proven himself to be a boundary-jumping entertainment juggernaut. In May, he returns to conquer comics with ROB ZOMBIE PRESENTS: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BARON VON SHOCK? Zombie has concocted a delightfully depressing tale about the seduction of celebrity culture and its pitfalls. BARON VON SHOCK is illustrated by DONNY HADIWIDJAJA and VAL STAPLES and published by Image Comics.
 
“This comic venture is very, very different in tone for me. Instead of a crazy over-the-top monster-fest like El Superbeasto, I wanted to create something that works more on a slice of life human level.” states Zombie, “After El Superbeasto became a movie, I felt I had taken that style as far as I could. So, I really needed Baron Von Shock to be something fresh in writing and in art.”
 
“After publishing THE HAUNTED WORLD OF EL SUPERBEASTO, we jumped at the chance to work with Rob again on BARON VON SHOCK,” says Image Publisher Eric Stephenson. “Baron Von Shock is darkly humorous, thrilling and uncompromising everything fans expect a Rob Zombie story to be.”

 

In BARON VON SHOCK, Rob Zombie returns to comics with a dark dramedy describing the fantastic rise and spiraling decent of celebrity. Being in the right place at the right time isn’t always a good thing, as Leon Stokes aka Baron Von Shock finds out first hand. His sudden rise to fame as a local television horror host meets with unexpected results. BARON VON SHOCK proves to be a roller coaster of emotion that only Rob Zombie can deliver.
 
BARON VON SHOCK #1, a 32-page full color comic book for $3.99, will be in stores May 26, 2010. Also available: ROB ZOMIE PRESENTS THE HAUNTED WORLD OF EL SUPERBEASTO .

Looking back at my youth, I also remember the joyous occasions such as the new release Tuesdays of my favorite musical artists.  I remember how pumped and excited I used to get about them.  Whether it was the new Nirvana CD or the new KISS CD, I treated those Tuesdays as my own special holidays.  Often, I would celebrate them much like any other festive holiday.  I would religiously devote my entire day to their arrival.  That meant no workouts, no stressful activities and if I could help, no work that day either.  When you get older, you obviously can’t celebrate things like that anymore.  People look at you strange if you do.  Of course, that does not stop me from scheduling a vacation day or two every so often to check out a new movie or Blu-ray release, but for the most part I have become what I guess you can say…an old responsible geezer who now has priorities in life and obligations to others.  Doesn’t growing old suck?  Don’t even get me started.

Why am I writing this?  Oh yeah…Rob Zombie’s new CD!  See, your short-term memory is often the first thing to go in your elder years.  LOL.  Ever since the news of the CD’s delay last November I have anxiously been counting down the days until its February 2, 2010 release date.  To say I wasn’t giddy as a school boy to hear Rob’s newest music this past Tuesday would be a lie in which I would truly fail a proctored polygraph test.  And I would fail it with pride! 

Rob Zombie exemplifies everything we stand for here at Why So Blu.  From his eccentric contributions in the world of movies and comics, to his 25-year reign as a musical artist, I have followed his every footstep with admiration, passion and the utmost respect for his creative visions.  Little did I know back in the early 1990s, seeing him perform in the White Zombie lineup countless times, that I would owe so much of my success in life to him.  He inspires me to be all I can be and to dig deep down inside to find that courage to attempt new projects in life when everyone else is telling me it cannot be done.  Thanks Rob!  My wife and co-workers may not get you, but I see only greatness and gold in everything you touch and I look forward to one day following your in your footsteps within the imaginative world of film and all the unlimited possibilities and projects that exist as a result.

I could talk forever about my love and admiration for Rob Zombie’s creative work and unique visions that span an illustrious 25-year career, but I won’t.  I will let his music speak for itself.  Many special thanks to Rob’s music publicist and to Roadrunner Records for allowing me to craft and deliver this personal review.  And without further ado…I give to you…Hellbilly Deluxe 2.

Unless my count is off, Hellbilly Deluxe 2 is Rob’s 8^th CD release as a solo artist since his official departure from White Zombie in 1998.  Rob has even gone on record as saying this may very well be the last CD he puts out.  Wait!  Before anyone goes running for the window or searches for the highest bridge they can find to jump off of let me explain.  He simply implies that this may be the last physical media he puts out because everything is pretty much going the way of digital downloads.  Who really knows what the future holds.  If this is his last physical release, then I better go out and buy every format that this album is released on because I am here to tell you ladies and gentlemen that his newest album is the real deal.  It prominently features 11 tracks that rightfully stand as some of his best work over the past 25 years.  And in anticipation of this being his last physical CD release, he also recruited the help of some really great artists to beautifully illustrate the paper CD booklet insert.  I have to admit.  It’s probably my favorite CD booklet of all time.  There’s individual artwork to match each CD track.  Ingenious!  Kudos to everyone involved.

Rob’s talented lineup of musicians is the same as when we left him last November in Detroit.  We got the ex-Manson guitarist John 5, the adrenaline fueled Piggy D on bass (you have to see this man in concert…he never stops moving around), the fastest drummer alive…Tommy (as determined recently by the Guinness Book of World Records) and of course the man himself who needs no introductions…Rob Zombie!  I am going to tackle, dissect and dish the goods on all the CD tracks, in their original order, as they appear below.  Let’s get rocking!

1. Jesus Frankenstein

What exactly is a Jesus Frankenstein?  I have no idea, but whatever it is, it sounds so good!  The song starts out almost like a throwback to a classic Sabbath tune that may be familiar to some.  But don’t worry; it’s not a rip-off.  Before you know it, about 40 seconds in, its unmistakably Zombie.  This is the Rob Zombie we all know and love, and many complained to have missed in latter years.  There’s no swearing, but its total nirvana as Rob delivers a rock anthem I promise you won’t hear anywhere on commercial radio, and he’s never sounded better.  I love the beautiful execution of the hard rock energy fused with the soothing acoustic interludes.  “All hail Jesus Frankenstein!”

2. Sick Bubblegum

“Hey we all know how we’re going to die baby.  We’re going to crash and burn.”  Simply put, I won’t hide my feelings any longer.  This is my favorite song on the CD!  From the moment I first witnessed Rob teaching the crowd this song last November in Detroit to the free sample he graciously allowed our ears to experience on his Twitter page I never once flinched from my belief that this could be my favorite cut off the new CD.  This song is pure rock candy.  It’s not sticky and sweet like Madonna’s candy, but rather rock hard.  Like “Jesus Frankenstein,” don’t expect to see this track on the Top 40 charts, but also don’t be surprised to find it in your Top 10 list of all-time Rob Zombie hits.  Enough said.  Put this one on repeat!

3. What?

“I wanna know who you’re meeting in the cemetery?  I don’t have to tell you anything.”  Much like “Sick Bubblegum” above, this may also be one of the finest songs in Rob’s 25-year old catalog and definitely one of his best intros too!  I remember this song fondly from last year as with most songs it usually takes me a few listens to adore and finally fall in love with it, but not this track.  The infectious punch you in the face adrenaline jam did just that.  I was instantly knocked off my rocker and singing along after only my first listen.  For a song off an album that was more than three months away from being released, you could not believe how well received this song was upon the Detroit “rock city” audience.  I have no idea what the song is about, but who cares.  “Rave on with me!”

4. Mars Needs Women

It’s just what the title implies.  Mars needs women, angry red women to be exact.  Wow!  I can’t say enough nice things about this track.  The beautiful acoustic intro has me visualizing the tranquil and desolate red Martian surface.  And when the song finally kicks in I can honestly say that I have been mesmerized for a whole minute and a half already.  Rob’s vocals cut through like the sharp knife the clerk at Subway uses to cut my sandwiches.  The marching lyrics and matching guitar harmonies are the driving force of the song.  But wait!  What is that?  Did I hear moans?  Yes, the old Rob Zombie interludes are back!  Listen for yourself!

5. Werewolf, Baby!

“They can sense the rhythm of your blood.”  C’mon, what would any good Rob Zombie CD be without homage to the werewolf?  That’s a rhetorical question of course.  Rob Zombie’s vocals hit new and brave dynamics here and the guitar work is extraordinary between the chorus and verse stanzas.  Ever wanted to hear a song about transforming into a werewolf and how thrilling it could be?  If so, then look no further than track number four. 

6. Virgin Witch

From the opening church tower bells, to the classic evil undertones this song is a Sabbath protégé.  It’s a little more subdued compared to the first five tracks, but its undeniably Rob Zombie.  From “American Witch” to now the “Virgin Witch,” you can add one more ‘witchy’ title to Rob’s impressive resume.  If I had to pick the weakest song on the CD, then it would be a tie between both this one and track number nine.  That does not mean it’s a bad song by any means.  The song includes a classic metal vibe to it at no extra cost.  Come to think of it, this whole album thus far has had a unique hard rock vibe that is unlike any other Zombie release prior.  I have grown so used to the usual synthesizers and keyboards employed on past Zombie records, but not here.  It’s completely rock’n’roll!  And that’s a good thing!

7. Death and Destiny Inside The Dream Factory

With a Ramones-like entrance and a slick synthesized vocal deliverance, I can’t help falling for this quick Hollywood infectious groove.  Piggy D is having fun with the bass line in this track “fo sho.”  Unmistakably, from the lyrics, this song is about the moral decay of celebrities, cinema and Hollywood as only Rob Zombie can dish it.  The two minute and fourteen second song delivers its raw message with carnival-like antics and non-restrictive mayhem.  Pure Zombie fun!

8. Burn

Enter the bad-a$$ guitar riff of 2010!  That’s right!  John 5 takes no prisoners on this track and he slays all that oppose him.  If this song sounds a tad bit familiar to all Rock Band artists out there, then that it should.  It was originally released late last year as part of a Rob Zombie three-pack.  It was hard to do, but I resisted the overwhelming urge to buy it last December off the PSN store.  I did not want my first time hearing it to be on a video game.  I mean what if it was edited?  I did not want to take any chances and ruin the experience.  I know.  I am weird like that.  But the wait was well worth it.  This one is among the best songs on the CD.  It’s a quick rocker, but the 3-minute song will keep me busy for hours on repeat play.

9. Cease To Exist

I mentioned on track number six that this was one of my least favorite songs on the CD.  I still love it, but it’s hard to rank songs on a near perfect CD release (insert big smile).  I know, life’s ultra hard when everything is near perfect.  The song starts off slow and dreary, almost Ozzy-like in its guitar structure, but it quickly regains pace around the midpoint with an aggressive drum interlude that quickly changes the dynamics of the track.  Zombie’s voice is a bit flanged on this one for my liking, but it is what it is.  It’s not the best song on the CD, but it’s not a disappointment either.  The ending has a very brief hint of Manson-like feel to it.

10. Werewolf Women of the SS

This song is pure monster fun!  “Howl, baby howl!”  I repeatedly have a great time jamming to this gem.  From The Munsters-like theme guitar riff to the “Anarchy in the UK” style chorus, I find myself addicted to this quick spirited anthem that easily could have found a home on his recent El Superbeasto video release.  I am not going to spend too much time here.  This song is brilliant, fun and engaging.  Rock out to it and most of all…have fun with it!

11. The Man Who Laughs

Hmmm…This one is hard to tackle.  There’s so many genres intertwined here.  There’s a Perry Mason-like intro, with a hint of Dream Theater, and then this really catchy guitar riff accompanied by strings and all.  This is the kind of symphony that’s music to my starving ears.  And just when you think it’s over…enter Tommy for a four-minute drum solo.  I have to admit.  I was skeptical when I heard about this song.  I was even negatively skeptical when I first heard it a couple times.  But you know what?  It has grown on me.  Sure it’s weird to have a drum solo in a song nowadays, whether lone a guitar solo for that matter.  I can’t think of many bands that could successfully pull it off.  Sure it sounded natural to include Eric Carr’s drum solo on the last track of KISS’ Revenge album, but here it still feels alien.  But nonetheless, I support it.  And most importantly, you should too!  It’s a great way to cap off an otherwise phenomenal CD release.  Zombie and the gang come back and save the day with one last measure of the chorus and another syringe of the killer riff that makes the song flow as natural as a hybrid vehicle operating solely on its battery.

Well there you have it folks.  I can honestly say that not since its 1998 predecessor, Hellbilly Deluxe, have I ever been this excited about a Rob Zombie release and I hope it’s the rebirth of many more great things to come from him.  I usually end all my reviews with a recommendation of whether to buy or not.  With this particular CD release I’m not only going to recommend a purchase, but I am going to try hard to convey the urgent need to drop everything you are doing right now and run out to the store to buy this with no reservations.  However, for all us responsible adults, in which that daunting task of dropping everything may seem impossible, I have graciously placed some Amazon links below so you can start enjoying the CD instantly without having to wait in any annoying lines.  Either way…it’s a win-win situation to be had!  Final grade: A.

Highlights: “Sick Bubblegum,” “What?,” “Mars Needs Women,” “Burn,” “Werewolf Women of the SS”

Visit the OFFICIAL Home of Rob Zombie on the World Wide Web at RobZombie.com.

Gregg:  How old were you when you started playing the guitar?

Captain:  I started guitar at 15 and could just play naturally, was shitty in baseball, even though I still love it, so I scrapped sports and immediately started a band.  I played drums and piano since 7.

Gregg:  What does the Gretsch guitar offer in your music that other guitars cannot?

Captain:  It’s common that people think I play Gretsch guitars, but I actually play King guitars.  A company in California builds them for me and they’re very influenced by Gretschs’, but have bigger bodies and I think a fatter tone.  The one I use onstage is the “Capt. Clegg” model and was built for me for my scenes in Halloween 2.

Gregg:  When did you first start playing and singing in a band?

Captain:  I went to a party when I was 15 after I’d been playing guitar for only 2 weeks and sat in with the band.  After hearing the girls at the party freak out over us, I knew I had found my calling.  That night we played a Stones song, one by Neil Young and a Hank Williams number.  I’ve been playing variations of those same damn songs my whole life.

Gregg:  How did the name ‘Captain Clegg & the Night Creatures’ come about?

Captain:  Rockstar/film director Rob Zombie gave us our name.  It’s from an old 60′s Hammer Film from an English horror movie.

Gregg:  From the Detroit show, it sounded like Johnny Cash influenced you.  Is that so and who are your other musical influences?

Captain:  Although I do have a lot of different influences, Johnny Cash is one of the main ones.  I actually got to meet and play with Johnny in 1997 at a Waylon Jennings session I was working on.  Type in ‘Jesse Dayton, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash’ on youtube.com and you’ll see footage of me playing with them in a studio when I was just a young’in!  I’m a huge Stones fan.  I love 60′s garage, 50′s country and western/rockabilly and of course dig 70′s and 80′s punk music.  I actually grew up on the Texas/Louisiana border listening to country and Cajun music.  What am I listening to now?  The new Rob Zombie single “What?”

Gregg:  You mentioned on your website that you and the band have had to work very hard to get to where you are today.  What hurdles have you had to clear to achieve the success you’ve earned?

Captain:  Wow, paying dues is something I know a lot about.  The music business has to be a “calling”…like the priesthood or something of that nature.  That’s why soooo many people give up because they simply can’t make a living.  I’ve slept in vans, airports, bus & train stations…I’ve literally starved before, but I’ve always been a good guitar player so those spells didn’t last long and I would get a gig.  I’ve played every kind of show you could imagine; from a tiny little country wedding to playing for 200,000 people at festivals.  If you love it and you know you’re good, then you just make it work.  Luckily, things have gotten a lot better for me.  I have a cult following, and thanks to Rob and Lew Temple, a new career doing movies.

Gregg:  When playing live music, there is a definite flow and there typically aren’t any ‘do-overs.’  How did this work for the filming of your scenes in Halloween 2?  Was the ‘cut!’ and ‘roll!’ frustrating to deal with?

Captain:  Rob wanted to make it as “live” as possible because he’s a musician/songwriter himself.  We did a lot of takes until we got it right and we we’re all damn glad to be there.  No bullshit, Rob had 300 extras jammed into this “club” that he decorated to look like we’re playing in hell and it was really hot out in the middle of nowhere in Georgia and seriously, not ONE SINGLE PERSON bitched about it.  Rob inspires you to wanna kick ass.  It was an amazing experience.

Gregg:  How did you get contacted to appear in the film?

Captain:  Rob and I had met briefly while working on the Banjo and Sullivan record for the Devils Rejects movie.  One day out of the blue he calls me and says that him and Sheri are coming down to this show I’m playing with Mike Ness from Social Distortion in LA.  So they show up and come backstage and we make small talk for awhile and right before I go out onstage, Rob says, “I’m making another movie and I want you to be IN it and do some songs for it.”  I was blown away.  It was one of those times that was very humbling, like hanging with Cash or something to that effect.

Gregg:  What are some pros and cons to the touring lifestyle?

Captain:  The “pros and cons” to touring are all right there in your face.  The Hellbilly Deluxe 2 Tour was a blast.  I partied some with the band and crew, but I started running awhile back, (inspired by a conversation I had with Willie Nelson who runs a lot), so I found a nice balance of everything.  Having a few drinks after the show or smoking a joint is one thing, but having addiction issues and letting it interfere with work is another.  I’m very sensitive to all that.  My best friend in the world has been sober for 17 years and she is the light of my life.  I’ve lost a lot of friends to drugs and alcohol and it sucks.  Luckily, I don’t have the “addiction gene.”  As far as sleeping on tour and living, I’m a total fuckin’ road-dog.  I could’ve stayed out with Rob for months just because everyone got along so well and we all kind of gave each other the space we needed, not to mention Zombie’s tour manager Fred treated me like a king the whole time.

Gregg:  Lastly, what’s next on the accomplishment to-do list for Captain Clegg?

Captain:  Clegg has become a real living entity.  We filmed a documentary about Clegg while we were on tour and it looks amazing, not to mention it’s a great hook; “How did a white-trash country crooner from Texas end up on one of the coolest heavy metal tours of the year?!”  The documentary titled Phantom Jammers on the Hellbilly Deluxe 2 Tour will be out in January, and then in February I’m going to New Orleans to work on a Clegg film.  It’s a zombie movie, (yes, they’re fast zombies!), about the health care/pharmaceutical companies turning everyone into zombies with a drug called “Zombex”…ya know, like Zanex.  I’m doing it with a bunch of my friends from the Austin film scene.  Also, I’m doing  another film with a legendary director but I’ve been sworn to silence until he releases all the info on it.  I also have a new Jesse Dayton country record coming out with the new single titled Think Of Me Darlin’ When You Take Out The Trash.  If you hate contemporary country radio like me and LOVE Cash, Waylon and Willie, then this record is for YOU MOTHERFUCKERS!!!!!

Thanks, Captain!  There’s no doubt the guy’s got passion and it’s pretty obvious he has several irons in the fire.  We wish him the best of luck and look forward to seeing him perform live again!  As for the ‘legendary director’ he referred to, hmmm, I’m only going on an educated guess here, but could it be Mr. Night of the Living Dead himself?  What a pairing that would be!  Stay tuned for future details.

Visit Captain Clegg on the World Wide Web.

The diabolical debut from the uncontested king of carnage, the ghost host with the most, Captain Clegg and his band of nefarious Night Creatures! Featuring such psychobilly smash-hits as “Zombie A Go Go” and “Transylvania Terror Train,” this is the horror record to haunt your nightmares for eons to come!  To order your CD click on the image below.

Last but not least, check out the music video below for “Zombie A Go Go.”

Captain Clegg & The Night Creatures – “Zombie A Go Go” from Capt. Clegg on Vimeo.

Being the huge Rob Zombie fans we are here we thought we would share some photos sent to us from the show we attended in Detroit this past November (11/27/09).  Extra special thanks to Mirak of Mezgarth Photography for providing the below images.  Cameras were not allowed on this tour so we had to go through proper channels to secure these.  Thanks so much Mirak!  So as you can see from the below images, Mirak pretty much captured the onstage essence and larger-than-life vivid presence of Rob Zombie’s group, our new favorites Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures and Nekromantix.  If you need a refresher of just how amazing this performance was make sure to check out Gregg Senko’s review here.  In the meantime, enjoy the following pictures I appropriately dub “Detroi Rock City.”

 Rob Zombie

Rob Zombie's Tommy Clufetos

Rob Zombie's Tommy Clufetos

Rob Zombie's Piggy D

Rob Zombie's Piggy D

Rob Zombie's John 5

Rob Zombie's John 5

Rob Zombie

Rob Zombie

 Check out Rob Zombie’s Official Site on the Web!

 Captain Clegg & The Night Creatures

Captain Clegg & The Night Creatures - Baron Lancing Wounds

Captain Clegg & The Night Creatures - Baron Lancing Wounds

Captain Clegg & The Night Creatures - Lord Victor Ward

Captain Clegg & The Night Creatures - Lord Victor Ward

Captain Clegg & The Night Creatures - Mr. Black

Captain Clegg & The Night Creatures - Mr. Black

Captain Clegg & The Night Creatures - Captain Clegg

 Check out Captain Clegg on the World Wide Web!

And don’t forget to check out their debut CD (click image above)!

Nekromantix

Nekromantix - Lux

Nekromantix - Lux

Nekromantix - Franc

Nekromantix - Franc

Nekromantix - Nekroman

Nekromantix - Nekroman

 Check out the Nekromantix’s official website here!

Thanks again Mirak! 

Make sure you check out Mezgarth Photography!

Anyway, I am sorry.  I got off the subject there for a moment.  I found myself already dreaming about summer and wishing this damn cold Cleveland winter season was already behind us.  As I was going to say, before I got so rudely interrupted by my daydreaming, Rob recently sat down with MTV News to talk about the tour and how happy he is that his new songs are going over so well.  As you will read and hear below, I got to say I agree 100% with Rob.  Going into his show last week, the only song I had heard off his forthcoming album was “What?”  Rob also debut a new song title “Sick Bubble-Gum” which went over extremely well with the crowd.  It was definitely a different change of scenery where I am used to bands playing their new material and people just standing around, twiddling their thumbs and waiting for the next song they know to finally be performed.  Rob rocked the house in Detroit and never once did he lose the interactive energy he had amongst the sold out crowd.

Check out the full story below, which can be found posted on MTV News, as well as the short video clip from the interview. 

The typical plan for a band with a new album is to drop the single, maybe get a video out there, put the album in stores and then hit the road for a tour. But because of a last-minute decision to move from Geffen Records — the label he had been with since he fronted White Zombie in the early ’90s — to Roadrunner, Rob Zombie‘s new album, Hellbilly Deluxe 2, has been pushed from its intended release date of November 17, 2009, to February 2, 2010, even though Zombie is already on tour.

Though two singles have made their way onto the Internet and radio (“What?” and “Sick Bubble-Gum”), Zombie has refrained from playing much of the new album while on the road. But he hasn’t let that get him down. If anything, he’s building even more anticipation for the record.

“What I’m discovering is that the songs we have been playing from the new album are connecting in an amazing way, considering that most of the audience doesn’t know the songs,” he told MTV News in the bowels of New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom, where he played a show Tuesday night. “There are certain songs — ‘Sick Bubble-Gum’ in particular — that if you didn’t know anything about us and you just came to the show, from the crowd reaction you would assume that was an old favorite we were playing. Sometimes you play new songs and people think, ‘Maybe I’ll like it later,’ but people are digging it now, which is nice.”

There are plenty of tracks that Zombie wishes he could unleash, but the age of information is holding him back. “One song that we’ve been doing at sound check is ‘Mars Needs Women.’ I’m really looking forward to playing it because it’s got such a great groove,” he said. “We would already play it if everybody didn’t bootleg every little thing you do. The whole album would be online if we played any more.”

Hellbilly represents an interesting shift for Zombie, who is used to making albums without a permanent band. But this time around, he and his touring squad — former Marilyn Manson guitarist John 5, bassist Piggy D. and drummer Tommy Clufetos — worked like clockwork. “Maybe now I’ve gotten spoiled, but the guys I’ve got in the band can really think fast on their feet,” he said. “We don’t really ‘jam,’ because jamming seems like you meander through lots of nonsense. We come up with an idea in the morning, by lunch the song is done, and by dinnertime we’ve already left and it’s put to bed.”

Zombie remains on tour through Saturday, December 5. He’ll then take some time off before heading back out again as a lead-up to the record’s release on February 2.

After destroying Broadbent Arena in Louisville, Kentucky!

Visit Rob’s official site!

For those not up to speed on his directorial side of things, Rob Zombie is the mastermind behind such cinematic haunts as House of 1,000 Corpses and The Devil’s Rejects in addition to the 2007 Halloween and it’s follow-up, H2.  Next on the horizon for Zombie’s director chair is a remake of The Blob.  I’ve always been intrigued by the potential the original film’s story had, but both that and its remake attempts thereafter always fell flat due to some contrived story flow or bad acting.  Enter Rob Zombie.  His dark, violent perspective is a shot in the arm to Hollywood and is just what a movie like The Blob needs to both modernize it and entertain us. 

I asked the film-making veteran how the movie is progressing to which he honestly said, “There is no progress…not when I’m on tour.”  Fair enough.  He went on to say that when he works on a film, it is so demanding that it takes up all of his time, so it’s near impossible to front a concert tour and man the helm of a film at the same time.  Fortunately, the tour will wind down the first week in December.  Hopefully he’ll switch job hats soon after and begin work on his next project. 

Rob Zombie & WSB’s Gregg Senko @ The Fillmore Pre-Show Party

As for the evening’s concert, the first thing I wanted to point out is how much bang you get for your buck.  For approximately $44 a ticket (and that includes the inconvenience fees), we got two opening acts as well as Rob Zombie and company.  The first act was a rockabilly group known as Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures (the Captain is one hell of a guitar player, I might add).  Complete with a steel pedal guitar and their own go-go dancer, these guys rocked it out to a very receptive audience and did not disappoint.  You might have seen and heard their work from this year’s Halloween sequel as well as Rob Zombie’s animated film, The Haunted World of El Superbeasto. 

The second group, The Nekromantix, were a three-piece rock group whose front man boasts a coffin-shaped bass.  Billed as a ‘psychobilly’ band, their website describes their music as “Elvis meets the Wolfman.”  While entertaining, they didn’t quite measure up to the delivery that Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures offered.  This became most evident in the audiences’ reluctance to share the energy that the Nekromantix lead singer provided.  Still, they put on a good performance and when all else failed, I just watched their talented and beautiful enchantress drummer whose name I couldn’t understand.  It sounded like ‘Yahtzee’ but I’m seriously doubting that’s what the Anaheim-derived talent went by.

So, after two bands and some dialogue with a few drunken fans trying to ruin my evening, the attentive lads of X-Men Security stepped in and corralled the nay-sayers to a different area.  No, I’m not making a comic book reference here.  That is really the security firm’s name and that is really what happened.  Hey, I paid my way and got there early enough.  I wasn’t giving up my front row spot for anyone. 

The time soon came when the lights dimmed, an ominous drumbeat began, and pure electricity traveled through the air.  The audience was about to reach a musical high as Rob Zombie approached the stage with undeniable confidence and a rock star swagger.  The building came alive with a thunderous roar of approval as Rob and his band opened with ‘What Lurks on Channel X.’  No longer was I looking at the same calm-demeanored guy I spoke with about The Blob a few hours earlier.  Now I witnessed the post-transformation of normalcy to performer as Zombie possessed the audience for that evening. 

Crowd favorites such as ‘Living Dead Girl,’ ‘More Human Than Human’ and ‘Thunder Kiss ‘65′ were digested by our ears, while new tunes such as ‘Sick Bubblegum’ also filled out the setlist.  The band finished up their electrifying work for a short break and came out for an expected encore playing ‘Werewolf Women of the SS’ and ‘Lords of Salem,’ much to everyone’s delight.  The band left yet again and returned for a second encore. 

Listen folks, like his music or not, you have to acknowledge the fact that when he gets called out for more, he’s doing one hell of a job out on that stage.  His vocals were strong and his energy was through the roof, as was his respect for the fans.  Combine those three attributes and the unexpected second encore might not be so unexpected after all.  What was that song in the final encore anyway?  Oh, just nothing more than my favorite Zombie tune of all time…’DRAGULA!’  Hey, nothing like rockin’ out to the comedic driving skills of Herman Munster. 

Another high point to Rob Zombie’s performance is the fact that he mixes up the songs from show to show.  This is an extremely rare occurrence in today’s touring world and in my opinion, speaks volumes for the creativity that’s crafted by the performer(s).  It’s good to know that fans can attend multiple shows on a tour and get a different experience each time.  I wish I could say the same for a certain classic rock band that I’ll keep unnamed, but after attending two shows from that group’s ’08-’09 tour, I was disappointed to find out first-hand that one show is just a carbon copy of another.  It is a relief to know that not everyone in the music industry has fallen into this easy-way-out methodology.  Hats off to the Zombie! 

Before I wrap this up, I can’t mention how great of a show it was without giving a nod to Rob’s band (Piggy D, Tommy C and John 5).  They all eat up their music with an insatiable hunger for the performance.  Their talent is uncompromising and their contribution to the show is on a level all its own.  The performance from the band as a whole was simply unforgettable.  If you get the slightest inkling of enjoyment from any bit of hard rock/heavy metal, go experience a Rob Zombie concert so you can blow the lid off your can of inhibitions.  Don’t just dabble in this genre…jump in head first!

As for Rob Zombie’s upcoming album, Hellbilly Deluxe 2, fans can expect an early 2010 release date.  For more information on Rob Zombie or any of the concert’s other bands, please visit their websites:

robzombie.com

captainclegg.com

nekromantix.com

Gregg Senko and myself were fortunate enough to be part of a small number of guests able to attend a pre-show party at the legendary Fillmore theatre in Detroit this past Friday afternoon.  Headlining that night was a man that needs no introductions.  His 25-year legacy of contributions in the world of music, movies, comics and art will go down in the history books for future generations to learn about until the end of time.  It does not seem like that long ago, when I was just a carefree college student caught in a mosh, and a somewhat relatively unknown band named White Zombie was hypnotically performing on Cleveland Nautica’s amphitheatre stage.  The circus leader of the band, Rob Zombie, created a persona that not only conquered, but also demanded your utmost attention to his charismatic presence on the stage.  His on-stage persona, which he must have forged in the deepest fires of hell, was like few I have ever witnessed before.

Years went by and Rob eventually went on to front his own solo project and not only became successful in the world of comics and art, but also took the world by storm through his visionary filmmaking endeavors.  And there’s where my love for his work really began to blossom.  Rob took everything I love and hold sacred in life and just made it cohesively all his own.  His love for the horror genre and relentless imagination propelled and aligned him for unscrupulous success.  While entering into his 25th year in the music industry, it just seems like the world is his for the taking.  He has us wrapped around his fingers and we are all enjoying the monster ride.  And thus is the reason I am sitting here at 1:30 AM drafting this post.  Rob symbolizes everything we stand for here at Why So Blu and to simply let another day go by without honoring everything he does in life would be like depriving the world of much needed oxygen. 

So anyway, as I alluded to before, I had an important question for Rob, that I never got to ask him this past summer in San Diego, and I have been dying to ever since.  It stems from my lifelong love of Ford Mustangs, but we will get to that momentarily.  As usual, when Rob walks into the room his tranquil demeanor and raw appearance immediately petitions your attention.  Friday afternoon was no exception to that.  After a short 15-minute wait, I finally I had a chance, once again, to converse with the man personally responsible for resurrecting the dead Halloween franchise and bringing the face of terror back to the silver screen, Mr. Rob Zombie.  It all went down a little something like this.

The below diction and exchange of words is an approximate recollection of the brief conversation I held with Mr. Zombie this past Friday afternoon at the pre-show party in Detroit.

I introduced myself to Rob once again, after originally meeting him at Comic-Con this past summer.  I handed him a Why So Blu website flyer and my business card.  I educated him a little bit on what our site was all about, how we supported him and his ingenious blending of the music, movie and comic book scenes and urged him to check us out when he had a chance.  I did not even think about it, as I did not have anything on me to ask him to autograph ,so I gave him my backstage pass and he graciously signed and dated it (see the pictures below).

I then proceeded to unload the burning question that has been on the tip of my tongue since last July, but first, I had to deliver a warm and engaging back-story.  I filled him in on my childhood and how growing up I was always a die-hard Ford Mustang fan.  I figured if nothing else, he could see where I was coming from.  I mean after all, he’s a smart guy.  I proceeded to let him know that my interest in Mustangs was captivated to an all-time high back in the early 90’s with the emergence of White Zombie on the music scene.  You see, more times than I can even count on my two hands, Rob was single-handedly responsible for elevating my interest in the muscle car scene, especially geared towards Mustangs, through his powerful use of racing and muscle car themes within his songs.  The story of “Black Sunshine” immediately comes to mind as a perfect example.  The introduction of “Black Sunshine” goes a little something like this:

Gripping the wheel

His knuckles went white with desire

The wheels of his Mustang

Exploding on the highway

 

Like a slug from a forty-five

True death, 400 horsepower

Of maximum performance

Piercing the night

This is Black Sunshine

If the above lyrics, set to a driving bass line, are not powerful enough to create a spark of raw untamed energy within a young twenty something male driver, than I don’t know what is.  Those same spoken words served as my motivation to one day acquire, own and race my very own Mustang.  And to this day, those infamous lyrics are still a living testament to the masses involved in the muscle car scene.  I joked with Rob about the black Mustang car clubs I have been a part of and how so many people have named their black Mustangs Black Sunshine.  Rob let out a chuckle and said he knows. 

So anyway, after I told Rob about his influence on me in the world of cars and racing, I finally got the chance to ask him about his own personal car collection.  I was very curious to learn just how many Mustangs and other muscle cars he had in his stable and what they were.  What I heard next was very shocking, to say the least.  Rob admitted to me that despite his love for the racing scene, muscle cars and everything else he has nothing in his garage except one vehicle.  He said he sold off all his classic cars and he prefers to have a new car every year.  He divulged to me how he firmly believes in leasing and therefore, he leases a new car every year.  I have to admit.  I couldn’t believe my own ears at first.  I was truly expecting to hear about this muscle car museum I imagined he would have amassed over the years, but nonetheless I was dead wrong.  Without much thought I immediately acknowledged what Rob had just said to me and told him I understood.  I too, comprehend the love of having a new car every year, but I was just shocked to hear there were no ponies in his garage. 

After posing for a brief picture with Mr. Zombie, I shook his hand again and thanked him for his time.  I asked him if he had any plans on returning to Comic-Con next July, but he said it was too early to tell.  In retrospect, I suppose I could have spent the previous 5 minutes asking him about any future film, comic book and music plans, but I figured he would appreciate a much more personal and different topic of conversation.  I figured he gets bombarded with those staple project questions enough and that he would enjoy a much more candid conversation about a topic I thought would be very near and dear to his heart…muscle cars.  You know what?  I never did find out what that one car he has in his garage is.  I will make a mental note of that for next time.

During the show, a person in the audience asked me what it was like to talk to Rob Zombie.  I said to her “It’s always a pleasure.”  I said “Mr. Zombie does not stop speaking to you until you stop speaking to him.”  Rob adores and respects his fans.  You can’t beat that!

As always, thanks again for taking the time Rob!  Until next time…

Rob Zombie & Why So Blu’s Brian White

And no…I broke the finger the day before

Do you like my jacket?

I am very excited about this next Blu-ray announcement.  Anchor Bay made speculation true today when they announced a December 22nd Blu-ray release date for the Dennis Quaid and Ben Foster sci-fi thriller Pandorum.  This film is a no-brainer for me to pick up as well as any fan of Alien or Descent.

ROB ZOMBIE UNEXPECTEDLY SWITCHES LABELS ….

.. ..

MOVES TO ROADRUNNER RECORDS’ ….

LOUD & PROUD IMPRINT TO RELEASE HELLBILLY DELUXE 2 IN EARLY 2010….

.. ..

New York, NY – In a sudden and unexpected move, multi-platinum hard rock artist Rob Zombie has inked has a new worldwide deal with leading rock label Roadrunner Records through its Loud & Proud imprint. ….

.. ..

This shocking announcement comes as Zombie exits his former label and of eighteen years, where he sold fifteen million records as a solo artist and with his former band White Zombie.  Zombie’s new album, Hellbilly Deluxe 2, previously set for release on 11/17 will now be released by Roadrunner / Loud & Proud Records in early 2010.  ….

.. ..

“It certainly wasn’t an easy decision to make after all this time, but it had to be done,” states Zombie. “I love this new record and wanted to surround myself with an excited new group of people who can reignite my enthusiasm for working within a hard rock record label. Roadrunner seems to be the perfect place.” ….

.. ..

“Roadrunner is thrilled to be involved with Rob Zombie on a worldwide basis as he is a multiple-threat artist whom we’ve admired for many years,” said Roadrunner president Jonas Nachsin. ….

.. ..

Tom Lipsky, founder and president of Loud & Proud echoed Nachsin’s sentiment, “Rob Zombie hits hard on Hellbilly Deluxe 2 and the fans expect nothing less. We are excited about the monster mayhem that he is certain to create!”….

.. ..

The first single from the new album, “What?” recently launched at all rock radio formats and is quickly climbing the charts.  This latest album marks the follow-up to 1998’s triple platinum Hellbilly Deluxe…..

.. ..

The track listing is as follows:….

.. ..

1. Jesus Frankenstein….

2. Sick Bubblegum….

3. What?….

4. Mars Needs Women….

5. Werewolf, Baby!….

6. Virgin Witch….

7. Death and Destiny Inside The Dream Factory ….

8. Burn ….

9. Cease to Exist ….

10. Werewolf Women of the SS ….

11. The Man Who Laughs….

.. ..

In support of this release Zombie, will kick off his first headline tour since 2007 in Phoenix, AZ on October 29^th.  Shows in Las Vegas, NV on the 30th, and a very special Halloween event on October 31st in Hollywood, CA are set to follow.  Zombie will be accompanied by his longtime band mates – guitarist John 5, bassist Piggy D and drummer Tommy Clufetos.  ….

While you patiently wait (yeah right) for the new album to drop make sure to download the first single “What?.”

]]> http://whysoblu.com/rob-zombie-unexpectedly-signs-with-roadrunner-records/feed/ 0 http://whysoblu.com/the-daily-blu-november-3-2009/ http://whysoblu.com/the-daily-blu-november-3-2009/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:38:49 +0000 Blu-ray Brian http://whysoblu.com/?p=3916 First of all, Happy G.I. Joe day!  One of my favorite films of the year, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, made its Blu-ray debut today and I could not be happier.  Fans of the film, or peeps wanting to learn more about the Blu-ray edition, should check out our own Brian White’s Blu-ray review of the film over at Into The Blu.  While it was not a winner at the box office this summer, please extend a very warm welcome for Rob Zombie’s Halloween 2 releasing on the Blu-ray format January 12th.  Supposedly, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will be helping The Weinstein Co. put it out.  No further details are known at this time about the release.  Last but not least, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren are together again in Sony’s Universal Soldiers: A New Beginning, which will be dropping on Blu-ray January 5th.

Word on the street is that the Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture  Trilogy box set has been indefinitely postponed.  If we get any further word about its eventual release we will keep you posted.

That’s it for today!  Have a great night of hopeful rest!

I am not going to waste anymore of you time when you can be off downloading his newest single and enjoying it now!  So what are you waiting for?  Get it?  “What?”  Go get it now!

Download your high quality mp3 single of “What?” today off Amazon for the super low price of only 99 cents and know that 1% of your purchase will go directly to making a difference in the life of a child at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  And don’t worry…all Amazon mp3′s play nice with your iPod and iTunes software.  An best of all…they are of better quality than iTunes and you own them!  You can’t beat that deal.  Enjoy Rob’s newest single today and get ready for Hellbilly Deluxe 2 coming November 17th!

If you can’t get enough of Rob, check out his official website here.

The Haunted World of El Superbeasto Blu-ray will be presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio with a 1080P AVC video encode and sporting an aggressive 5.1 Dolby TrueHD soundtrack.

Best Buy has this Blu-ray on sale this week for only $12.99. 

We put together a compilation of press releases below celebrating Rob’s Blu-ray release this week and promotion of his new studio album/tour this fall.  Read all about it below!

The below press release is from Anchor Bay.

El Superbeasto aka “Beasto” is an unstoppable superhero masked wrestler, Producer/Director/Star of BeastoWorld Enterpirses-and world-famous man of action! In his first full-length animated adventure based on the comic book created by Rob Zombie, Beasto and his super-sexy sister Suzi X must stop the unholy marriage of foul-mouthed stripper Velvet Von Black and diabolical Dr. Satan, or unleash all the sudsy powers of Hell! Welcome to a depraved domain of outrageous comedy, non-stop ultra-violence and bad-ass theme songs! Featuring a horde of Nazi zombie bikers, seven original songs by Hard ‘n Phirm and the voice talents of Tom Papa, Sheri Moon Zombie, Rosario Dawson, Brian Posehn and Paul Giamatti as Dr. Satan in THE HAUNTED WORLD OF EL SUPERBEASTO!

The below press release is from Rob Zombie’s website.

Ever wondered what a Rob Zombie animated film would be like? Well you don’t have to wonder any longer… A bizarre comedy that Zombie dubs “Austin Powers meets The Munsters by way of Hard Days Night,” The Haunted World of El Superbeasto is a trash culture wild ride that’s a soon-to-be cult classic.

Several years in the making, Zombie’s very pleased to have fans finally be able see it. “Next to Sergei Eisenstein’s Battleship Potemkin I believe that El Superbeasto may be one of the most important moments in film history” Zombie states,
 
“A superhero monster sex comedy/musical is exactly what the world has been screaming for… and now they have it.”

The following press release is also from Rob Zombie’s website.

The Hellbilly Returns! The Master of monster mayhem Rob Zombie will be destroying a city near you beginning this October 29th on The HELLBILLY DELUXE 2 TOUR. Not since 1998’s super smash triple platinum HELLBILLY DELUXE has Zombie hit the road under that moniker. So get ready to scream!

This will be Zombie’s first headline tour since 2007 and will have other ghoulish delights in tow including openers Nekromantix and Captain Clegg & the Night Creatures last seen rocking Haddonfield and Michael Myers in Zombie’s new film HALLOWEEN 2. The tour will usher in Zombie’s forthcoming album HELLBILLY DELUXE 2 – Noble Jackals, Penny Dreadfuls and the Systematic Dehumanization of Cool (Geffen), a companion to 1998 original.

The tour will blast off with Phoenix, AZ on October 29th, Las Vegas, NV on the 30th, and a very special Halloween event on the 31st in Hollywood, CA hosted by Uncle Seymour Coffins also seen recently in HALLOWEEN 2. Zombie will be accompanied by his longtime band mates — guitarist John 5, bassist Piggy D, and drummer Tommy Clufetos.

The HELLBILLY DELUXE 2 TOUR will mark Zombie’s return to the road after much box office success as the writer and director of HALLOWEEN 2 (Dimension). His R-rated, animated feature, THE HAUNTED WORLD OF EL SUPERBEASTO, will also be available everywhere on DVD and Blu-ray September 22nd.

“I am bouncing off the walls like a mental patient”, says Zombie “ that tells me it’s time to take it to the stage and let the demons loose.”

Selling over fifteen million albums worldwide, Zombie is one of Geffen Record’s top selling and the longest running artists on the label. He has written and directed five feature length films, directed dozens of high profile music videos, contributed recordings to multiple soundtracks, and authored several comic books. HALLOWEEN 2 (2009) took hold of the box office recently, following-up his record breaking blockbuster re-imagining of HALLOWEEN in 2007. In 2005, Zombie assaulted the film world with the critically-acclaimed THE DEVIL’S REJECTS (Lionsgate), the follow-up to his already cult classic HOUSE OF 1,000 CORPSES (Lionsgate 2004).

TOUR DATES:
Date / City / State / Venue
10/29/09 Phoenix, AZ Dodge Theatre
10/30/09 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl
10/31/09 Hollywood, CA Hollywood Palladium
11/3/09 San Jose, CA San Jose Event Center
11/5/09 Salt Lake City, UT Great Salt Air
11/6/09 Denver, CO The Fillmore
11/8/09 Tulsa, OK Brady Theater
11/11/09 Houston, TX Verizon Wireless Theater
11/17/09 Akron, OH Civic Theatre
11/20/09 Minneapolis, MN Roy Wilkins Auditorium
11/21/09 Des Moines, IL Val Air Ballroom
11/22/09 Chicago, IL Aragon Ballroom
11/24/09 Louisville, KY Broadbent Arena
11/27/09 Detroit, MI The Fillmore
12/1/09 New York, NY Hammerstein Ballroom
12/2/09 Boston, MA House of Blues
12/3/09 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
12/4/09 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
12/5/09 Washington, DC 9:30 Club

It really pains me to declare the statement I made above, but I left the theater feeling very uneasy about my relationship with Rob Zombie and the Halloween franchise.  I was disgusted that I sat through the entire movie thinking it could get better and in disbelief wondering how Rob Zombie could screw something up as formulistic as Halloween is.  If you really think about it, the script and storyline is practically spoon fed to the guy and all he had to do was show a few teenagers having sex, some patrimony slasher mayhem and a wish washy ending.  How can you mess that up?  It’s as basic as learning your ABC’s.  No, wait!  It’s as basic as taking a dump in your diapers as an infant.  It requires little to no thought on your part whatsoever.  That’s what the old Halloween movies were, and no matter how many people say they want something different, they really don’t.  They want to see some pretty girls, some monster who is indestructible, and someone who destroys everyone and everything in their path, not someone who hallucinates about a mom who looks like Gandalf with a white horse.  When the test-of-time formula is broken, not even Gorilla Glue can hold the pieces back together.  It may take a few days to scrub it off your fingers, but the foul stench of this film will erode in my mouth for years to come like waking up in the morning and realizing you can smell your own bad breath.  And guess what?  It smells so bad that it is the reason why you were woken in the first place.

Why do I feel bad about bashing this abominable example of American cinema?  I feel badly because not only am I a huge Michael Myers/Halloween franchise fan, but I also have the utmost respect for the creative genius and artistry of Mr. Rob Zombie.  Now with that being said I really don’t know anymore.  I really don’t know how I am going to wake up tomorrow and every other subsequent morning and be able to look myself in the mirror and honestly tell myself that Rob Zombie is a brilliant mind.  In all honesty, it would take a lot of psychiatric sessions, medication and time before I am willing to concede and give him another chance.  I stuck by him through the good times and the bad.  I let a few of his not so stellar albums and songs slip my hippocampus region of my brain while I rallied the troops in support of him when the naysayers were protesting against his first Halloween tampering.  Heck, I even bought all his movies twice, on DVD and then again on Blu-ray in support of his creative vision.  So what happened here?  I have my theories on what I believe went impossibly wrong.

Here is how I believe this went down.  My buddy Virgil, who always says we are going to get the band back together, may be right with his assumption that Rob Zombie did not have enough time to devote to this project.  I actually read once that the filming did not begin until this past March and he had an incredibly short time to piece this cinematic trash together.  I really hope that is the case, but still, no excuses.  It could all come down to B.S. politics where the studio green lit the movie at the last minute to make a quick buck and Rob may have had some hidden contract he was obligated to partake in.  After all, Rob Zombie’s Halloween wasn’t exactly a box office failure.  It pulled in a respectable $80 million during its theatrical release.  That’s hardly disappointing for a film that was on a shoestring budget of $15 million dollars.  To reinforce Virgil’s point, please take the following into consideration.  While attending Comic-Con, in July of 2008, I met Tyler Mane (Michael Myers).  I asked him if there would be another Halloween movie.  He said he did not know, but he was contractually signed to do two films if they should ever decide to do another one.  I think this is more overwhelming proof that Rob Zombie really didn’t have a lot of time to spare on the creation and development of Halloween II.  If that is truly the case, then what a tragedy it is.  We may never know what this film could have been.

My second train of thought unfortunately strays to creativity aspect of Rob’s clinquant and imaginative mind.  Or should I say the once brilliant mind he once had up until now?  Although I am a huge fan of Rob’s take on the first Halloween film, I have always felt that maybe the subject matter here is beneath what Rob should really be working with.  He should be doing so much more.  His movies are what should be mind f*$king us, not District 9.  I mean, how many of us fell in love with Rob Zombie’s vision in the House of 1,000 Corpses or The Devil’s Rejects?  I know I did.  Ever since that brief cartoon segment that he produced in that Beavis and Butthead movie I have never downplayed Rob’s artistic talents, until now.  Could it have been in his quest to create this Halloween movie in his own image, that he went a bit overboard, as there really is only so much you can do with the Michael Myers serial killer formula?  I loved the fact that he showed us just how messed up Michael Myers’ childhood was in the first film, but I got the point the first time after seeing Michael’s mom (Sheri Moon Zombie) appear as Gandalf over and over again in the second film.

It’s always difficult to discuss and dissect (the two D’s) a film without really going into the plot and giving certain elements of surprise away.  Not that there is anything shocking or revealing to spoil here, but out of respect to the individuals who still want to sit through this one I am just going to run through several of the low moments for me and share the only two good things I could find.  I already mentioned my displeasure with Gandalf the mom so I will let that unpleasant taste wander.  My second beef is the recasting of young Michael Myers.  I realize the original actor is a couple years older, but I think including him in this film would have made for somewhat stronger cohesion.  You can be the judge for yourself.  Besides the ridiculous storyline, the thing that bothered me the most was the hobo Nomad they called Michael Myers in the film.  It looked as if he just got off the train car with the Slumdog Millionaire kids.  I can appreciate the fact that maybe his mechanic outfit needed a much anticipated wash or that his latex mask was falling apart, but to see Michael Myers in pursuit with scarves around his neck and a hooded Dickies-like jacket, looking like he should be pushing around a shopping cart full of aluminum cans and trash bags, was disgraceful.  And what about all the endless shots where he was without a mask?  As my buddy Virgil said, I could appreciate the fact that he could not exactly go into CVS and buy a razor blade to trim the bush he had hanging off his face, but seeing Michael Myers without his mask is like taking away the magic of Christmas from your kid.  It’s not a good thing.  It not only ruins the tradition of the beloved Halloween franchise, but it ruins the menacing mystique of the killer known as Michael Myers.  He is, after all, suppose to be the Boogeyman, not Robert De Niro’s monster in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.  Right?  I’m just going to throw this out there and lay it on the line.  If you are desperately searching for closure on how he survived the gunshot wound at the end of the first film, then you are really going to be disappointed.  I have one more WTF moment to share and then I am done with my endless ranting.  How do you screw up the performance of the legendary Malcolm McDowell as Loomis?  That’s all I need to say.  You can see it for yourself, if you so choose.

In my opinion, the only thing the film got right, for the second time, was the casting of Scout Taylor-Compton as Laurie Strode.  As with the first film, the exuberant amount of energy and emotion she puts into her role keeps the suspension of disbelief alive for me.  Anyone who thinks it is easy to psychologically get into character the way she does and mentally break down for hours on end deserves to be a star too, or disproved, whatever the case may be.  The additional casting of Danielle Harris, yet again, is an added bonus for me.  Not only does it pay homage to the original Halloween franchise, but she also interacts well with Scout.  Although not beauty pageant contestants, especially in this film, the onscreen chemistry between Danielle and Scout just clicks perfectly.  You feel the tenderness and caring connection between the two friends.  I needed that so I did not separate all together emotionally from this train wreck film.

That ladies and gentlemen, is all I have good to say about Halloween II.  How sad is that?  I have been looking forward to this movie all year long and I end writing a bashing review of the film.  Rob Zombie’s Halloween will always hold a warm spot in my heart, as it was released on my birthday in 2007.  What better way to celebrate a birthday!  Halloween II, on the other hand, will go down as one of the worst movies I saw this year.  I really hope the being rushed excuse here is applicable, as I really would like to see Rob Zombie rebound from what is sure to be a low box office turn out due to all the negative press.  Next up for him is a remake of the 1958 film, The Blob.  Rob Zombie is excited because this will be an exit from the horror genre and an entrance into the sci-fi arena.  I remain skeptical and believe Rob is much better at doing his own thing, rather than playing with past franchises.  I think that is what makes Rob a visionary and I think he is only hindering his growth and artistic integrity by doing these remakes.  That’s my two cents.  Coming away from this film, I plan to check out some of Scout’s other films and look forward more than ever to Megan Fox’s Jennifer’s Body on September 18th.  How bad can it really be compared to Halloween II?  Please, don’t answer that.  I am still emotional after the death of my beloved Halloween franchise.  All of those purists, who say that Rob zapped the suspense out of the original Halloween, hit the target dead on with this film.  Cheers!

Below is a picture taken of me and Rob Zombie after he autgraphed an 8×10 for me.  Click on the thumbnail for maximum viewing pleasure.

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