JamesG
06-10-2011, 09:48 PM
Monsters of Rock: 13 Rock 'n' Roll Horror Flicks
by Gregory Burkart
June 10, 2011
Remember when we tallied up a list of musicians who rocked horror movies? There was so much good source material to work with, we went back and did a follow-up.
But today I want to flip the concept over and take a look at some horror movies where rock music (in its many forms) joins forces with vampires, zombies, demons, psycho killers and other bad-asses to drive the plot, set the mood, or both.
When mixed right, horror and rock can make a delicious, potent cocktail. When done wrong, they taste like your roommate's back sweat.
By the way, this is not a "best of" list. Sure, all the movies listed below are driven by the power of rock 'n' roll, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the movies themselves rock.
In fact, some of them are crap on a cracker. But as someone very wise once told me, a cat's trash is a dog's treasure. Okay, I totally made that one up.
But don't worry, you'll have fun... maybe you'll find a new favorite, who knows?
Black Roses (1988)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/black-roses.jpg
Well, lucky you... we're starting off with one of the dorkiest titles on this list.
This hairsprayed horror from the late '80s is mind-bendingly awful, but somehow it's never boring.
The main plot – teens enslaved by demons disguised as the popular heavy metal band of the title – sometimes feels like one of those shi*ty religious films about the dangers of "the devil's music."
Maybe that was the whole idea... after all, hearing this band's songs would probably compel me to burn all of their records myself.
The Devil's Rejects (2005)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/displaymedia-1.jpg
There's no need for backstory on this Rob Zombie epic, and like most of his cinematic output, folks either love it or hate it. I'm not here to talk about that.
Instead, listen to the way Rob uses gritty '70s southern rock, honky-tonk and folk music as the purring, powerful engine beneath the movie's skanky, blood-encrusted exterior.
Tracks by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Allman Brothers and Three Dog Night mingle with country-western standards by Kitty Kelly and Buck Owens and the melancholy poetry of Terry Reid, creating an alternate-universe Texas that's mean and ugly on top but strangely beautiful underneath.
Hard Rock Zombies (1985)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/HARD20ROCK20ZOMBIES20DVD.jpg
I have no idea what the hell kind of abomination passed before my eyes when I saw this movie, but after the end credits rolled I immediately wanted to watch it again, so there must be some kind of embedded hypnotic signal in it.
I'm thinking it has something to do with the lead singer's fluffy hair and pedophile mustache.
Seriously, the whole movie concept was probably sketched out on a chemistry notebook between bong hits:
"Okay, there's this righteous rock band, right? And they die and come back as zombies, you know, like in Dawn of the Dead! But dig this, dude – they have to fight Hitler! And Hitler's wife, who's a ****in' werewolf! Is that awesome or what?"
Yes, it is.
The Lost Boys (1987)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/the-lost-boys1.jpg
Again, you've all seen this flick, so no details necessary.
Even though it's not about a band, and the main characters don't actually play any music, this is one of the rockingest horror movies ever made.
From the opening panoramic shot accompanied by Gerard McMann's "Cry, Little Sister" to Echo and the Bunnymen's creepy cover of The Doors' "People Are Strange," to that big side of beef playing the saxophone, you just can't separate the music from the movie.
Even the vampires are in full rock-star mode, dressed in head-to-toe leather, riding motorcycles and partying all night long. It's really no surprise the soundtrack CD became one of the best-selling of the '80s – listening to it is like seeing the movie again.
Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/phantom-paradise.jpg
Brian De Palma's '70s mashup of The Phantom of the Opera, Faust and The Picture of Dorian Gray is also a satirical jab at the evils of the big-label recording industry, with struggling artists desperate to sell their souls (literally, in this case) in exchange for endless lines of coke and nonstop groupie orgies.
At the same time, it's also a loving ode to the raw power of music – a magical craft that can be used for good or evil purposes. Paul Williams' songwriting is magic in itself, musically bringing each character's thoughts and emotions to life.
Queen of the Damned (2002)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/6rlx.jpg
Lotta haters be hatin' on this sequel to Interview with the Vampire, and I agree that it's far from perfect. But I'll also say that it's a more entertaining film, mostly because of the music and the way it's used.
While The Lost Boys equated vampirism with the rock 'n' roll life, this movie takes that connection to the next level, with the vampire Lestat reinventing himself as the world's biggest rock star.
Korn's Jonathan Davis put together all the original songs for the film (he couldn't use his own vocals due to a contract restriction), and some of the hottest metal and dark-rock acts of the decade came onboard.
Unlike so many studio marketing ploys, these songs are well-integrated into the film, not just stuck in there to boost CD sales.
Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/51dirlykbl.jpg
I had mixed feelings about this heavily-hyped "Rocky Horror of the new millennium," but that was mostly due to Paris Hilton – who is totally out of her league in the presence of vocal talents like Anthony Head, Sarah Brightman and Paul Sorvino – and there's some sections in there that sound more like dull musical conversations than full-on songs.
But it's still a unique undertaking, with some incredible show-stopping tunes and an amazing stylized look; I guarantee there's no other film quite like it.
Plus it's the first feature film role for Skinny Puppy frontman Nivek Ogre, whose newfound career as a horror actor is really looking up, so that's cool.
The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/the-return-of-the-living-dead-.jpg
You couldn't even begin to imagine Dan O'Bannon's splatstick zombie classic without the unforgettable songs on the soundtrack.
I mean, seriously, when you remember all the great moments from this movie, you can't not hear the opening shout of "Do ya wanna PARRR-TAAAAYYYY??!!" from 45 Grave's screaming anthem "Party Time."
With half the cast playing '80s-era punks sporting seven miles of safety pins, the film was a natural fit for an assortment of wild and weird sounds from The Cramps, The Damned and Roky Erickson.
Even the original score rocks out, with wailing solo guitar and gothic orchestra stabs. I'm still glad I bought this soundtrack on vinyl back in the day.
Rockula (1990)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/Rockula-Front-Cover-14031.jpg
This is a very silly movie, but it has its moments, and features a funny supporting role from Thomas Dolby as a flamboyant vampire hunter, and Bo Diddley and Toni Basil also make song-and-dance appearances.
The plot involves a young vampire who not only can't get laid, but has to to relive the loss of his true love over and over again through each of her incarnations... until he finds a possible solution by becoming a rock star.
Think of it as Queen of the Damned meets Bram Stoker's Dracula, but made in the '80s with no money and really bad songs.
How bad? The main theme is "I just wanna Rock-U-La." That bad. But the bat-shaped guitar is sick. I want it.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/rocky-dvd.jpg
The granddaddy of horror rock musicals, Rocky Horror needs no introduction.
Throughout the film's midnight-movie history, generations of theatergoers watched Tim Curry whisk off his cape to reveal that whole corset-and-fishnet getup, and immediately began to question their own sexual orientation.
The film's motto "Don't Dream It, Be It" became synonymous with '70s glam excess, our obsession with fame, and an eye-popping alternate universe of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll.
It's no wonder this became the ultimate sing-along movie experience... beneath all the kinky innuendo and gothic goofiness, Richard O'Brien's songs are pure feel-good party rock.
Not even "Glee" could take the awesome out of this movie.
Suck (2009)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/suck-dvd-cover.jpg
Not only is this vampire rock comedy packed to bursting with cameos by Alice Cooper, Iggy Pop, Henry Rollins, Moby, and other music icons, but it's also overflowing with cool tunes, many performed by the cast (including director/star Rob Stefaniuk and Burning Brides' Dimitri Coats, who plays the main vampire), as well as the likes of David Bowie and Velvet Underground.
If any of you reading this are in a band, you'll immediately identify with the dilemma faced by our heroes: if your one shot at super-stardom means turning into a nocturnal, blood-drinking undead monster, would you go for it?
Well, duh.
Trick or Treat (1986)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/54-1.jpg
This movie got a boost from a brief appearance by KISS's Gene Simmons and an even quicker cameo by Ozzy Osbourne, but they're just there to give a wink and a nod to the movie's target audience: high school outcasts who love the metal.
That's just fine, because it works like that.
The whole metal-hating "satanic panic" media frenzy of the '80s gets slapped around here, as rock idol Sammi Curr returns from beyond after a misunderstood teen plays his record backwards.
It's also a predictable "power corrupts" tale, with the kid enjoying a little revenge before discovering that his undead hero has other plans for him.
Nothing new there, but it's kinda fun when you spin it with an '80s hair-metal theme.
Wild Zero (2000)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/wild-zero.jpg
Holy hell, this "Rock & Roll Jet Movie" is probably impossible to sum up in one paragraph, so I won't even bother.
Just know that there's a ridiculously loud Japanese power-punk group called Guitar Wolf, the members are named Guitar Wolf, Bass Wolf and Drum Wolf, they all dress in head-to-toe black leather, carry guns, ride motorcycles and blow off zombies' heads.
Oh, and did I mention the main dude's guitar has a samurai sword in it? His guitar has a f*cking samurai sword in it.
Guitar Wolf was not only a major mega-smash in their native country at the time, they also have a rep as one of the loudest rock bands in the world.
Even the movie's poster is so cool it doesn't even make sense to uncool people.
http://www.fearnet.com/news/b22830_monsters_of_rock_13_rock_roll_horror.html
by Gregory Burkart
June 10, 2011
Remember when we tallied up a list of musicians who rocked horror movies? There was so much good source material to work with, we went back and did a follow-up.
But today I want to flip the concept over and take a look at some horror movies where rock music (in its many forms) joins forces with vampires, zombies, demons, psycho killers and other bad-asses to drive the plot, set the mood, or both.
When mixed right, horror and rock can make a delicious, potent cocktail. When done wrong, they taste like your roommate's back sweat.
By the way, this is not a "best of" list. Sure, all the movies listed below are driven by the power of rock 'n' roll, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the movies themselves rock.
In fact, some of them are crap on a cracker. But as someone very wise once told me, a cat's trash is a dog's treasure. Okay, I totally made that one up.
But don't worry, you'll have fun... maybe you'll find a new favorite, who knows?
Black Roses (1988)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/black-roses.jpg
Well, lucky you... we're starting off with one of the dorkiest titles on this list.
This hairsprayed horror from the late '80s is mind-bendingly awful, but somehow it's never boring.
The main plot – teens enslaved by demons disguised as the popular heavy metal band of the title – sometimes feels like one of those shi*ty religious films about the dangers of "the devil's music."
Maybe that was the whole idea... after all, hearing this band's songs would probably compel me to burn all of their records myself.
The Devil's Rejects (2005)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/displaymedia-1.jpg
There's no need for backstory on this Rob Zombie epic, and like most of his cinematic output, folks either love it or hate it. I'm not here to talk about that.
Instead, listen to the way Rob uses gritty '70s southern rock, honky-tonk and folk music as the purring, powerful engine beneath the movie's skanky, blood-encrusted exterior.
Tracks by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Allman Brothers and Three Dog Night mingle with country-western standards by Kitty Kelly and Buck Owens and the melancholy poetry of Terry Reid, creating an alternate-universe Texas that's mean and ugly on top but strangely beautiful underneath.
Hard Rock Zombies (1985)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/HARD20ROCK20ZOMBIES20DVD.jpg
I have no idea what the hell kind of abomination passed before my eyes when I saw this movie, but after the end credits rolled I immediately wanted to watch it again, so there must be some kind of embedded hypnotic signal in it.
I'm thinking it has something to do with the lead singer's fluffy hair and pedophile mustache.
Seriously, the whole movie concept was probably sketched out on a chemistry notebook between bong hits:
"Okay, there's this righteous rock band, right? And they die and come back as zombies, you know, like in Dawn of the Dead! But dig this, dude – they have to fight Hitler! And Hitler's wife, who's a ****in' werewolf! Is that awesome or what?"
Yes, it is.
The Lost Boys (1987)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/the-lost-boys1.jpg
Again, you've all seen this flick, so no details necessary.
Even though it's not about a band, and the main characters don't actually play any music, this is one of the rockingest horror movies ever made.
From the opening panoramic shot accompanied by Gerard McMann's "Cry, Little Sister" to Echo and the Bunnymen's creepy cover of The Doors' "People Are Strange," to that big side of beef playing the saxophone, you just can't separate the music from the movie.
Even the vampires are in full rock-star mode, dressed in head-to-toe leather, riding motorcycles and partying all night long. It's really no surprise the soundtrack CD became one of the best-selling of the '80s – listening to it is like seeing the movie again.
Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/phantom-paradise.jpg
Brian De Palma's '70s mashup of The Phantom of the Opera, Faust and The Picture of Dorian Gray is also a satirical jab at the evils of the big-label recording industry, with struggling artists desperate to sell their souls (literally, in this case) in exchange for endless lines of coke and nonstop groupie orgies.
At the same time, it's also a loving ode to the raw power of music – a magical craft that can be used for good or evil purposes. Paul Williams' songwriting is magic in itself, musically bringing each character's thoughts and emotions to life.
Queen of the Damned (2002)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/6rlx.jpg
Lotta haters be hatin' on this sequel to Interview with the Vampire, and I agree that it's far from perfect. But I'll also say that it's a more entertaining film, mostly because of the music and the way it's used.
While The Lost Boys equated vampirism with the rock 'n' roll life, this movie takes that connection to the next level, with the vampire Lestat reinventing himself as the world's biggest rock star.
Korn's Jonathan Davis put together all the original songs for the film (he couldn't use his own vocals due to a contract restriction), and some of the hottest metal and dark-rock acts of the decade came onboard.
Unlike so many studio marketing ploys, these songs are well-integrated into the film, not just stuck in there to boost CD sales.
Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/51dirlykbl.jpg
I had mixed feelings about this heavily-hyped "Rocky Horror of the new millennium," but that was mostly due to Paris Hilton – who is totally out of her league in the presence of vocal talents like Anthony Head, Sarah Brightman and Paul Sorvino – and there's some sections in there that sound more like dull musical conversations than full-on songs.
But it's still a unique undertaking, with some incredible show-stopping tunes and an amazing stylized look; I guarantee there's no other film quite like it.
Plus it's the first feature film role for Skinny Puppy frontman Nivek Ogre, whose newfound career as a horror actor is really looking up, so that's cool.
The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/the-return-of-the-living-dead-.jpg
You couldn't even begin to imagine Dan O'Bannon's splatstick zombie classic without the unforgettable songs on the soundtrack.
I mean, seriously, when you remember all the great moments from this movie, you can't not hear the opening shout of "Do ya wanna PARRR-TAAAAYYYY??!!" from 45 Grave's screaming anthem "Party Time."
With half the cast playing '80s-era punks sporting seven miles of safety pins, the film was a natural fit for an assortment of wild and weird sounds from The Cramps, The Damned and Roky Erickson.
Even the original score rocks out, with wailing solo guitar and gothic orchestra stabs. I'm still glad I bought this soundtrack on vinyl back in the day.
Rockula (1990)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/Rockula-Front-Cover-14031.jpg
This is a very silly movie, but it has its moments, and features a funny supporting role from Thomas Dolby as a flamboyant vampire hunter, and Bo Diddley and Toni Basil also make song-and-dance appearances.
The plot involves a young vampire who not only can't get laid, but has to to relive the loss of his true love over and over again through each of her incarnations... until he finds a possible solution by becoming a rock star.
Think of it as Queen of the Damned meets Bram Stoker's Dracula, but made in the '80s with no money and really bad songs.
How bad? The main theme is "I just wanna Rock-U-La." That bad. But the bat-shaped guitar is sick. I want it.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/rocky-dvd.jpg
The granddaddy of horror rock musicals, Rocky Horror needs no introduction.
Throughout the film's midnight-movie history, generations of theatergoers watched Tim Curry whisk off his cape to reveal that whole corset-and-fishnet getup, and immediately began to question their own sexual orientation.
The film's motto "Don't Dream It, Be It" became synonymous with '70s glam excess, our obsession with fame, and an eye-popping alternate universe of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll.
It's no wonder this became the ultimate sing-along movie experience... beneath all the kinky innuendo and gothic goofiness, Richard O'Brien's songs are pure feel-good party rock.
Not even "Glee" could take the awesome out of this movie.
Suck (2009)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/suck-dvd-cover.jpg
Not only is this vampire rock comedy packed to bursting with cameos by Alice Cooper, Iggy Pop, Henry Rollins, Moby, and other music icons, but it's also overflowing with cool tunes, many performed by the cast (including director/star Rob Stefaniuk and Burning Brides' Dimitri Coats, who plays the main vampire), as well as the likes of David Bowie and Velvet Underground.
If any of you reading this are in a band, you'll immediately identify with the dilemma faced by our heroes: if your one shot at super-stardom means turning into a nocturnal, blood-drinking undead monster, would you go for it?
Well, duh.
Trick or Treat (1986)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/54-1.jpg
This movie got a boost from a brief appearance by KISS's Gene Simmons and an even quicker cameo by Ozzy Osbourne, but they're just there to give a wink and a nod to the movie's target audience: high school outcasts who love the metal.
That's just fine, because it works like that.
The whole metal-hating "satanic panic" media frenzy of the '80s gets slapped around here, as rock idol Sammi Curr returns from beyond after a misunderstood teen plays his record backwards.
It's also a predictable "power corrupts" tale, with the kid enjoying a little revenge before discovering that his undead hero has other plans for him.
Nothing new there, but it's kinda fun when you spin it with an '80s hair-metal theme.
Wild Zero (2000)
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/wild-zero.jpg
Holy hell, this "Rock & Roll Jet Movie" is probably impossible to sum up in one paragraph, so I won't even bother.
Just know that there's a ridiculously loud Japanese power-punk group called Guitar Wolf, the members are named Guitar Wolf, Bass Wolf and Drum Wolf, they all dress in head-to-toe black leather, carry guns, ride motorcycles and blow off zombies' heads.
Oh, and did I mention the main dude's guitar has a samurai sword in it? His guitar has a f*cking samurai sword in it.
Guitar Wolf was not only a major mega-smash in their native country at the time, they also have a rep as one of the loudest rock bands in the world.
Even the movie's poster is so cool it doesn't even make sense to uncool people.
http://www.fearnet.com/news/b22830_monsters_of_rock_13_rock_roll_horror.html