Interview: ZOMBIE!

My sick obsession with all things zombie, coupled with my equal love of all things dark and grisly, including music, led me to the band ZOMBIE! Their lyrics alone will give you nightmares - hopefully this interview won't!

Lili's Lair: Why did you choose the name ZOMBIE!

ZOMBIE!: After nearly a decade of working too hard and too long on things that were no longer fulfilling for me, I literally felt like a zombie. I just became completely dead inside; Hell-bent on vengeance and consumed with the urge to mutilate the living. I couldn’t imagine calling this project anything but ZOMBIE! Also, the band name “Loverboy” was taken.

Lilis's Lair: How long has ZOMBIE! been around, and how did you get your start?

ZOMBIE!: ZOMBIE! officially rose from the grave on Halloween of 2008. It started by getting a few songs up on MySpace and YouTube. Since then, the ZOMBIE! fanbase has grown by over 1000 people per week.

Lili's Lair: How did you come to the decision to combine horror with music?

ZOMBIE!: It wasn’t really a decision. When I get inspired to write lyrics, it’s always from a dark or angry place. It’s just what comes out. It’s therapy. While some artists are inspired by love and reminiscing, I’m mostly inspired by horror and violence. I could further explain it, but that’s what my court appointed psychotherapist is for.

Lili's Lair: You are literally a one man band. Exactly what instruments can you play, and how long have you been playing them?

ZOMBIE!: I play guitar, bass, drums, and some piano/keyboards. I started on drums in 1986, when I was 14, and just picked everything else up over the years. I also produce the music myself.

Lili's Lair: Who has been your greatest musical influence?

ZOMBIE!: Glenn Danzig

Lili's Lair: What is "horror rock", and why did you decide that horror rock is what you wanted to do?

ZOMBIE!: There wasn’t much of a choice for me in the matter of what I “wanted” to do. It’s just what comes out. Musically, ZOMBIE! is influenced by rock, punk, blues, and metal and the “horror” is found in the lyrics and the imagery.

To me, the core of real “Horror Rock” is in the lyrics. I prefer them to be truly violent, twisted, and disturbing. There’s no point in making a G rated horror film, so why do it with a song?

If I write something, people are going to die or get seriously hurt within that song. But, it’s all in fun, as premeditated murder should be.

Lili's Lair: Do you do all of your own art for your T-shirts and such, and if so, were you a musician or artist first?

ZOMBIE!: I do some of the art and most of the concepts, but I also work with other artists for the majority of the ZOMBIE! visuals. I am an avid supporter of indie graphic designers and illustrators. There is a lot of talent out there and many of these guys do not get the credit they deserve.

A great guy and illustrator, Dave Cook, created the ZOMBIE! skull logo and a few of the shirt designs. Another truly amazing talent is Corefolio, who created the ZOMBIE! “Head Shot” design and is also working on the art for the CD. It’s seriously shaping up to be the most insane album art I’ve ever seen from a rock band. I can’t wait to show the fans.

Lili's Lair: Do you do many live shows?

ZOMBIE!: Once the ZOMBIE! CD is released; I will focus on live shows and a global killing spree.

Lili's Lair: I read that you will be incorporating more visuals with your music. Could you expand on that?

ZOMBIE!: ZOMBIE! is more of a multimedia project than simply a band. I don’t like to reveal anything until it’s finished, but fans can expect a lot more terror. There is always something ghoulish creeping around here.

Lili's Lair: What made you decide to incorporate more visuals? Was it more of a personal reason, or was it based on marketing purposes?

ZOMBIE!: The visual and multimedia aspect was always part of the original concept for ZOMBIE! I love nothing more than bringing the twisted visions in my head to life.

Lili's Lair: How many CD's do you currently have out?

ZOMBIE!: I’m still working on the debut CD. It will be out by the end of 2009.

Lili's Lair: What future projects does ZOMBIE! have on it's agenda?

ZOMBIE!: Finishing up the CD, expanding on the visual concepts, and of course… devouring the brains of the living.

To find out more about ZOMBIE! or to get in touch, hit these links below:

http://www.zombierocks.com/
http://www.twitter.com/ZombieRiot
http://www.myspace.com/ZombieRiot
ZombieGroup@gmail.com