Uber Rock’s 13 Days of Halloween continues its deadly dance towards October 31st with the diseased thoughts of a true beast with five fingers. John Virgo plays guitar for We Come From Ashes but, in his spare time, he digs up dead bodies, sits them around his dinner table, and reads them the lyrics from Poison albums. Allegedly. Read on for his slicin’, dicin’ opinion on Halloween and horror movies…..

 

1.) What are your most vivid childhood memories of Halloween?

In all honesty, my family were normally the ones who closed the curtains and turned the lights off to make out they weren’t home. So, my most vivid childhood memory of it was hiding from trick or treaters. I never really celebrated Halloween until I joined my first band. That was when I started doing cool Halloween shows and really seeing how much fun Halloween could be.

 

2.) Why do you think that the worlds of horror and metal/punk have always been so closely linked?

I’m not really sure. Maybe it’s that the aggressiveness of the music just suits the aggressiveness of a killing spree on film. Maybe it’s because Horror has always kind of been the alternative genre of the film industry in the same way metal and punk have always been the alternative choice in music. Or maybe it’s a bit of both. There’s also the association of horror films being dark and having edgy and sometimes controversial subject matter and of course metal and punk has never been afraid to be edgy and controversial.

3.) Has there been a horror remake yet that has bettered the original movie?

 

One that springs to my mind is The Crazies. I’m a big fan of zombie films and I thought this was a very good take on the original. I’d say it’s more of a re-imagining than a re-make. But, having said that there are enough nods to the original for it to qualify. I also think the Dawn Of The Dead re-make was very well done.

 

4.) What’s the greatest ever horror movie kill?

 

As much as horror purists will probably scoff at me, I think the kills on the Final Destination movies are normally the most creative. One of my faves being the guy having his guts sucked out by the filter in a swimming pool. There are some sick ones in I Spit On Your Grave too, some of which which were painful to watch. But I think my fave is probably on Killer Klowns From Outer Space when the little short clown opens his shirt and a boxing glove knocks a guy’s head clean off. I like a bit of comedy in my horror. Which has just made me think of another great kill! The British film Stitches, starring the stand-up comedian Ross Noble. At one point he kills a lad by putting a balloon pump into the back of his head and pumping til his head explodes. As you can tell I can’t decide on just one.

 

5.) Who is the baddest ever horror movie villain…and why?

 

I’ve always thought Jason Voorhees was a great villian as he doesn’t seem to make much effort to kill people but always gets his victim. Apart from in the re-make, he never runs or walks fast but will always catch up with you. That freaks me out! I think he’s just the ultimate horror villain.

 

6.) Who is the greatest ever Scream Queen?

 

I’ve always liked Heather Langenkamp from the Nightmare On Elm Street films as I love that series no matter how cheesy they are. But, I’d have to say Jamie Lee Curtis. She was the first proper scream queen in my eyes as The Fog and Halloween were two of the first horrors I ever saw.

 

7.) Name your Top 5 favourite horror movies of all time…and tell us why!!

 

In no particular order:

 

Halloween – It was the first film I ever saw that actually made me feel uncomfortable and maybe a little scared even after the film had finished.

 

A Nightmare On Elm Street – When I first saw this I was quite young and just thought it was the scariest thing I had ever seen. In my mind it could happen as he could get you in your dreams. I don’t think I slept for a week after watching it.

 

Many won’t agree with this one, but Saw – I just think at the time the first one came out it was a fresh new take on the horror genre. It was very inventive and creative. They made too many sequels, but the first is still a classic in my opinion.

 

Another film I really enjoyed was Sinister – A bit like with Saw, when I saw it I thought it was a fresh take on horror.

 

This is cheating, but any of the Friday the 13th movies – I don’t care how cheesy and dated they are, I love those films!

 

8.) What underrated horror movie would you recommend to our readers just in case they have never seen it?

 

I’d have to say one of the films I mentioned in the last question, Sinister. I thought it had fresh ideas, a great atmosphere and Ethan Hawke was great as the main character. Maybe not as scary as most horrors but it keeps you guessing.

 

9.) What is your guilty pleasure, the trashy horror flick that you hold dear but everyone else runs away from?

 

Going back to an earlier question again, I’d say Killer Klowns From Outer Space. I can watch it over and over whereas most people seem to think it’s a bit rubbish. Well, they are wrong!

 

10.) What is the greatest ever horror movie poster?

 

I’ll have to go old school with this one. I think the original The Hills Have Eyes poster is just a classic. Anyone who likes horror would instantly recognise it. Very basic but very effective.

 

11.) Have you ever had a ghostly supernatural experience?

 

In all honesty, no. I’d love to tell you some amazing story akin to Paranormal Activity, but the closest I’ve come is my nephew making me jump while pretending to be a zombie.

 

12.) What ‘star’ of the music world would you like to see slaughtered in gory horror movie style?

 

Hmmm, so many to choose from! I’m not gonna go the pop route. Instead I’m gonna say the singer from Black Veil Brides. I don’t mind their music, in fact the band are quite a talented bunch. But, I had the misfortune of seeing them support Murderdolls once and the singer was not only a complete douche, but also his voice was terrible. I had never heard of them before so had no preconceptions, but he was awful. Never again! I’d like the Killer Klowns to turn him into candyfloss and suck him dry with a curly straw.

 

13.) What are your plans for Halloween this year?

 

Halloween is gonna be amazing this year! Firstly, on 31st October the awesome Anaal Nathrakh are playing at the Olympus Theatre in Gloucester (which is pretty local to me) with support from Amputated, Necrosis and Ascaris. So that will be an amazing night of death metal. Then on 1st November at the same venue I am taking part in Hells Fury which is a “supergroup” of people from bands in the Gloucester area (including Hellbound, Oakhaart, Ascaris, Broken Jaw, Blood Debt) and special guests doing 35+ cover songs. All the participants will be playing on various songs and there will be all different combinations of people playing the songs which will vary from soft rock and pop punk to industrial, hardcore and metal. We will all be in costumes to and it’s free entry. It should be a great laugh.

 

 

Live photos courtesy of Ashlea Bea Photography

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