This morning SpookyDan had the chance to talk with shock-rocker Rob Zombie about his new track, "War Zone", which is now available on iTunes and Lionsgate's soundtrack for PUNISHER: WAR ZONE. During the interview, Zombie also talked a bit about the new White Zombie box set, his forthcoming solo album and the status of his animated feature project, THE HAUNTED WORLD OF EL SUPERBEASTO. You can read all the juicy details beyond the break.
This morning I hoped on a call with Rob Zombie who talked a bit about everything from his next solo album to what’s happening with his various movie projects.
You may have read last week here on Bloody-Disgusting that Zombie has released a brand new song on iTunes entitled “War Zone,” which was recorded exclusively for Lionsgate’s forthcoming PUNISHER sequel.
“It came about like most movie songs do, you get a call asking to do a song for a film. Usually there is not a lot of time, which is why you usually submit a remix or an old song,” Zombie explains. “But in this case I was already in the recording studio, and there was enough time. I haven’t seen the movie yet, they gave me the script, so I knew the vibe of the movie and I tried to incorporate that into the song. I was happy to have that come up because what it really did was give us a nice kick in the ass, to HAVE TO finish a song. We had been recording for a while, but we really had not finished any songs yet. That really became the domino effect to finish all of the songs.”
He also reveals that the “War Zone” track might become available on Rock Band or Guitar Hero.
“Nothing that I know of is planned right now for the studio stuff. I think that the “War Zone” song is attached to one of those games. Probably in the future we will do that, but there are no plans for it yet.”
“War Zone” is his first studio release in quite a while. The last chunk of his time has been spent recording a new solo album and prepping for the release of the Let Sleeping Corpses Lie, an epic White Zombie box set arriving at retailers next Tuesday. Zombie explains that the box set is a farewell to a loved moment in time.
“ I didn’t want anyone to think that it was the beginning of something, but rather the end of something. Putting the box set together really made me appreciate what I am doing now even more. It was time to get the box set when I found a window of time available, I just figured if not now, when?,” adding, “CDs probably wont even exist for much longer. What good is a box set without the box? We were always a band that was slightly out of time and out of step, so it has aged pretty well. I think we did a lot of good stuff in the beginning, very groundbreaking, but you know it just became this painful situation most of the time as it went on. I haven’t spoken to any of the White Zombie band members since our last show.”
Zombie continues talking a bit about the negative energy surrounding their demise and how he thinks he has found the perfect trio of musicians to work with.
“In revisiting the White Zombie stuff, [it] brought back a lot of things that I had forgotten about, unfortunately some of it negative. So it really make you appreciate what a great group of musicians and guys you are playing with now while I record my new record. It took 20 something years but I feel like I have found the perfect three people to work with; John 5, Piggy D and Tommy C.”
The good news is that a new album is coming in 2009 and that they’re close to finishing recording.
“We will probably be finished with the new CD by the end of the year. The unique thing about this record is that this is the first time since White Zombie that I actually recorded with the band. In the sense that these are the guys I tour with and that I hang out with were a band and we recorded as a band. It’s got a much more solid vibe, more intricate and interesting record just due to the fact that there are always four people in the room at all times, contributing and working. For me it’s great, because my solo records have always been a bit disjointed due to the changing roster of musicians. Great things come out of situations where you feel a great vibe, and that is what’s going on here. This is the first full thing with us together…”
When asked if any of the music will be used in his upcoming films Zombie shot it down immediately.
“No, definitely not. I made a choice a while back never to use any of my music in my movies - with the exception of House of 1000 Corpses, and that was out of financial desperation to get the movie done. I took an advance on the soundtrack, and put the money back into the film to finish it. After that, I always told myself that I would keep the movie and music separate.”
Good news for fans awaiting Rob Zombie’s animated film, THE HAUNTED WORLD OF EL SUPERBEASTO (pictured below)… it’s finally done!
“El Superbeasto is finished and done! Finally, we just finished last week with sound and all that stuff. So no, we are just figuring out when the best time to release it will be. But as far as working on it… it’s done! After three and half years, it’s a nice feeling.”
Unfortunately, Zombie is still keeping tight-lipped on his project for Dimension Films, TYRANNOSAURUS REX.
“I can’t really tell you anything about it. There’s nothing really to talk about yet, because I haven’t really started it yet. The problem is that it was announced way ahead of time, so we talked about it a little bit, but its not even started yet.”
Lately we’ve been hearing that Dimension Films has been asking Zombie to produce the sequel to his remake of HALLOWEEN. He talks a bit about how he really wants to be involved and not just receive a paycheck.
“I don’t know what there plans are for the future. If I am going to produce someone else’s movie I would want to know what it was about. I always get offers to make Rob Zombie presents or Produced things, where you shadow produce something but don’t actually work on it, you just pick up a check. I feel weird putting my name on something that I am not responsible for. You cannot 100% stand behind something. At this point, there are no plans to do that.”
Well you heard it from the man himself. But if the past dictates the future Rob Zombie has always been full of surprises. Who knows what could happen!
If he's willing to produce the Halloween sequel then it sounds like he's only in it for a paycheck. The way he ended Halloween left like no possibility of a sequel. Enjoy the money Rob.
All of this is cool. I will be getting everything he is putting out. Can't wait for the new album next year. His Halloween is great and I hope he produces the sequel. The more involvement from him, the better it will be.
I think it's a mistake for Zombie to separate his music and film. If you can compose, why not do your own score and soundtrack? I just think his work would be more organic if he would set visuals to *his* iconic songs instead of other bands' iconic songs. After all, White Zombie and his solo projects have always been focused on referencing horror film genre. Combine the two! It just makes sense.
I like Rob Zombie... I'm not a die hard fan, but a fan nonetheless. But I'm really not in the least bit excited about El Superbeasto. I can't put my finger on it, but there's just something about it that just isn't appealing to me.
Dr_Loomis, how did Halloween end w/ no possibility of a sequel? Did we see where Laurie shot him? no, it could have been the face, shoulder, or chest. We never really seen because they were kind of fighting over the gun so there is the way to have a Halloween 2.
Halloween 2 wouldn't be so bad. I mean If Rob Produced it that wouldn't be horrible. Now if he wrote it I may not agree w/ that so much for a few different reason's. I think Dewight Little (director of Halloween 4) would be a great person to direct the film. As for Zombie writting, I wans't a big fan of his dialog for Halloween I thought it was a little to white trash. Plus, I am trying to get my script to The Weinstien Company. I WAS in talks w/ Trancas International Films about the script however Weinstien's sent out word for them not to look at or discuss anything w/ Halloween because of the French Duo. So that cancelled me out but now that they are out of the picture I am trying to get my script out to them and trying to find the right Agent for me. So who knows, even if my script is a no go I will be in line to see it.
Here we go again. More Zombie trashing. I think his movies are absolutely kick ass. But I think his music sucks. Uncreative candy metal. I wish he'd lay off the music and focus on horror. And no more remakes, as he in no way deserves the heap of shit talking he gets for Halloween.
RZ shouldn't even touch a movie period. I gave him 3 chances, 3 strikes and he was out. House of 1000 boredom had no premise, no plot, no point, it was just a film packed with crazy characters and zombies and ya crazy characters with no character development. I didn't care about the victims. There's a reason why no motion pictures wanted to distribute that garbage. Then comes Devil's Rejects which i thought it was a good direction but very poorly written and my goodness weak characters. Halloween came and i loved the prequel part but when all shifted to present time i was falling asleep at the stale dialogue and copying of the original.
I like Rob Zombie, also. I would very much like him to do more horror. But, his own. Not too sure how his "animated" stuff will be like. I would be much happier with REAL blood, violence, and mayhem!
rob produces the halloween sequel that's fine bye me. If he doesn't it still cool with me. Either way the halloween series will live on. Michael will still be back slicing his way to the boxoffice.
Zombies music is awesome. but his movies aren't so good, (Zombie directed)
hes is 2 to 1
BAD vs. Good
2 vs. 1
His only decent one is a The Devils Rejects
Why does a hack like Rob Zombie get contracts through Dimension Films and get to direct a remake when he made two bad films House of 1000 and Rejects? When in fact Steva Menan who directed Malevolence and the funny comedy Brutal Massacre and the prequel to Malevolence doesn't get a chance? Steva is a much better writer and director than Zombie. By the way, why do people like Zombie's music? I only liked two songs, Thunder kiss 65 and Living Dead Girl, he sucks. Go buy Axl Rose's new album 11-23-08 at Best Buy. Rock is back.
People like different things. Because you only like 2 songs doesn't mean others do. I like ALL of his songs. I think the two you like are two of the worst, though I do still like them too. Now Axl Rose I think is the hack. But people like his music so I don't care. I just don't pay attention to what I don't like. Simple as that. Oh, and House of 1000 Corpses and The Devils Rejects kick ass as does his Halloween.
as much as i love zombie white zombie i think had better music and as far as films go 2 out of 3 were pretty much remakes with halloween and tell me that house of 1000 corpses didn't seem to be so so similar to the original texas chainsaw massacre
I Have Mixed Feelings On Mr. Zombie, I Like Most Of His Music But I Hated House Of 1000 Corpses, Halloween Was Decent, And Devil's Rejects Surprised Me, It Was Much Better Than House, And I Have Been Anticipating El Superbeasto, But We'll See. I Do Agree With Dr.Loomis, I Don't Know Why They're Even Talking Sequel, I Guess The First (Zombie Version) Could Be Chalked Up As A Prequel, But That Would be Lame
Oh Yeah, The Whole Reason I Actually Wanted To Post: The New Song Is Horrible, It Sounds Rushed And Very Un-Energetic, Very Disappointing
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“It came about like most movie songs do, you get a call asking to do a song for a film. Usually there is not a lot of time, which is why you usually submit a remix or an old song,” Zombie explains. “But in this case I was already in the recording studio, and there was enough time. I haven’t seen the movie yet, they gave me the script, so I knew the vibe of the movie and I tried to incorporate that into the song. I was happy to have that come up because what it really did was give us a nice kick in the ass, to HAVE TO finish a song. We had been recording for a while, but we really had not finished any songs yet. That really became the domino effect to finish all of the songs.”
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