Rob Zombie says he has not achieved anything by being wasted, so he stays away from drugs. Photo by Alfred Nitsch/Wikipedia
By Geoffrey Rowlands
Rob Zombie can’t really be described as a typical heavy metal artist. The Massachusetts native assiduously avoids alcohol and drugs. He has also been happily married to Sheri Moon for 14 years and the couple were together for nine years before they tied the knot.
“I don’t think I’m so different,” Rob suggested. “I know a lot of heavy metal guys who have been married for a long time. You never get to hear about their wives so people don’t know. But pretty much everyone who knows anything about me will be familiar with my wife because of her appearances in my music videos and movies.
“As for the drugs and drink thing, I’ve never achieved anything by being wasted. There is so much I want to do. I don’t have the time or desire to let those kind of things mess up my life.”
No-one who saw Rob, heard most of his music or watched his numerous horror films would imagine him to be a staunch supporter of traditional family values. Particularly when they learn he comes from a travelling carnival family.
“That’s another fallacy. Carnival people can be just as traditional and family-orientated as anyone from middle-America. My parents got out of the carnival life after there was a heap of trouble one night and people got hurt. I think I was just about school age at the time. They figured maybe it wasn’t the right environment for raising me and my younger brother.”
Rob’s family settled in the town of Haverhill, around 30 miles north of Boston. Exposure to radio and television saw him develop a passion for music and movies.
“I studied in New York with the aim of somehow getting into the entertainment industry. My first job was as a bike messenger for the Pee-wee’s Playhouse children’s TV show. I then became a production assistant. But music was what I really wanted to do at that time. I met my then girlfriend, Sean Yseult, at the Parsons School of Design and we co-founded White Zombie.”
Originally a noise-rock band before progressing into heavy metal, their self-released debut EP, “Gods on Voodoo Moon,” was issued on October 18, 1985. The band would undergo numerous personnel changes during the course of their career before splitting up in 1998.
Ironically, the last of White Zombie’s four albums, 1995’s “Astro Creep: 2000,” was by far their most popular. It reached number six on the Billboard 200 and sold well throughout the world.
“Outsiders must have thought we were crazy to disband. But success affects everybody differently. There was no-one to blame but I felt the band just didn’t work anymore. We did lots of great stuff but White Zombie had run its course.”
Rob’s debut solo album was released later in 1998. “Hellbilly Deluxe” built upon White Zombie’s success earning him a top five spot on the Billboard 200. A similar path has been followed by each of Rob’s subsequent studio albums. His latest release bears the bizarre title of “The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser.” It has become his sixth straight studio album to debut inside the top ten on the Billboard 200.
“I can only say a big thank you to all the fans. There aren’t many heavy metal artists who have every one of their records enter the chart in the top ten. My fans are very special.”
Rob is an equally successful film director, screenwriter and producer. Apart from directing an episode of CSI: Miami and a live performance by American comedian Tom Papa, Rob’s output has always been in the horror genre. Although his movies have usually received mixed reviews, they have all proved financially successful. His latest work, 31, was premiered in January at the Sundance Film Festival and will be in cinemas from September.
“It’s been an exciting project, not least because my fans have partly funded the film. The movie industry continually changes. Projects which could easily be made a few years ago might be very difficult today. Basically, 31 was able to be made because I could bring the crowdfunding money to the project. So many people wanted to get involved that we did a second crowdfunding campaign after the first one was fully subscribed.”
Now 51, Rob shows no sign of curtailing his activities. But he will be moving away from horror for his next film. Raised Eyebrows covers the final few years in the life of comic actor Groucho Marx.
“I loved Steve Stoliar’s book, Raised Eyebrows: My Years Inside Groucho’s House. I contacted Steve with my idea for the film and we were totally in sync with how the project should be approached. I’ve got a big schedule of concerts to perform over the next five months but I’m really looking forward to working on the movie later this year.”
in
brief
Andy Black
Black Veil Brides singer and multi-instrumentalist Andy Biersack has created a solo career for himself under the moniker Andy Black.
His first release two years ago was the single, They Don’t Need To Understand. The video can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMA-GMW8TNg
The positive response from critics and fans seemed sure to induce more music from Andy in the immediate future. This didn’t happen. Only now has he finally issued his debut solo album, “The Shadow Side.”
They Don’t Need To Understand isn’t even among the 13 songs on Andy’s LP. Lead single, We Don’t Have To Dance, was recently released. The official music video is posted at www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fEoWA9Vz3A
Meghan Trainor
Meghan Trainor has now released her sophomore album, “Thank You.” She has also issued a newly edited version of the video for her latest single, Me Too.
“I felt really embarrassed when I saw the finished version of the original video,” Meghan remarked. “Without my knowledge, it had been digitally manipulated to make my waist look slimmer.
“My first hit, All About That Bass, effectively told girls it was perfectly okay to be the size that I am. Yet there I was seemingly now taking a completely different view by having my waist photoshopped.
“There was no way I would let that happen. As soon as I saw what had been done with the original Me Too video, I ordered it to be taken down from YouTube and all other outlets. It’s now been replaced by a version in which everyone sees the real me.”
Meghan’s officially approved video is posted at www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDRORgoZxZU
Flo Rida
Flo Rida will release his fifth studio album, “The Perfect 10,” later this year.
Lead single, Hello Friday, which features Jason Derulo, was issued at the end of February. The official video is available to view at www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-iLzd-HKRg
Two more songs have now been released as promotional singles. Neither is accompanied by an official music video but Who’s With Me can be heard at www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBpOGccLcLA.
At Night, which features Liz Elias and Akon, is posted at www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZZPA-Y6OEA
Good Charlotte
American rock quintet Good Charlotte release their sixth studio album, “Youth Authority,” on July 15.
Newly available is Life Changes, the third single so far taken from their forthcoming album. No video has been made as yet but an official audio posting of the song is at www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ITxH7FHWgA
A full music video was made for lead single, Makeshift Love. This can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=oV5JxCbz-UI
But only a lyric video was produced for the follow-up, 40 oz. Dream. This is posted at www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q7FdMFWFxY
Cash Cash
Electronic dance music trio Cash Cash return next month with their fourth studio album, “Blood, Sweat & 3 Years.”
Seven of the 16 tracks have already been released as singles. The first of these, Take Me Home, featuring vocals by Bebe Rexha, was issued nearly three years ago.
Their latest single, How To Love, features guest vocals by Mexican singer Sofia Reyes. It is already doing well in the Dance/Electronic chart. The video can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=peByeoQhjMM
