When we asked Himsa singer, John Pettibone, to think about a subject or genre that influenced his development and helped shape him into a ferocious frontman, he answered unequivocally and without a pause, "Horror movies." The following is an annotated list of the ten tales of terror he found most inspiring. A little late for Halloween, we know, but, fortunately, horror is a state of dread that's with us 365 days a year. Here's to your nightmares, and ours:
Here are the ten horror movies I enjoyed the most growing up, and the role they played in my twisted mental cave of existence and pleasure.
10. George A. Romero's "Dead" Series: Night of the Living Dead (1968), Dawn of the Dead (1978) Day of the Dead (1985), Land of the Dead (2005).
"We're coming to get you, Barbara"
'Nuff said!
9. The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988)
"Don't bury me, I'm not dead."
Yes, Wes Craven. Yes, Bill Pullman. And yes, drugs to induce zombification. This is also my favorite movie poster and a great soundtrack. Haitian voodoo at its finest. I wrote a song about this movie when I was in Undertow, my first band.
8. The Last House on the Left (1972)
"To avoid fainting, keep repeating, 'It's only a movie...It's only a movie...'"
Another Wes Craven delight. This was the first time I witnessed shocking torture on screen. Two girls go to the city to see a band called "Bloodlust" -- totally rad! They break down, start to hitchhike, get kidnapped by a gang of psychos and then things get really raw, really fast. I
never hitched a ride in my life cause of this movie and the neighborhood I lived in looked just like this set. Oh, and BLOODLUST!
7. Poltergeist (1982)
"They're here."
This movie hits home because my dad ran the local cable TV system in town, and he said the dead talk to us through TV static to mess with me... then they released this film. The scare factor for me is high on this, and screenwriter Steven Spielberg made director Tobe Hooper ("The Texas Chainsaw Massacre") proud. The famous "Poltercurse" that struck cast members led to three deaths and mental institutionalization.
6. Dracula (1931)
"Velcome..."
Bela Lugosi is my alltime favorite horror character, favorite vampire and the definitive Dracula. His mannerisms with little dialog are stunning and wickedly romantic. This movie was shown every Halloween on "Creature Feature" at 9 p.m. from the time I was six to 19 years old and I take it with me every tour. A nugget of history: It opened on Valentine's Day.
5. The Shining (1980)
"All work, no play makes Jack a dull boy"
Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Steven King's novel is right on. The book scared the hell out of me but Jack Nicholson's intensity as Jack Torrance is flawless and extreme. Room 237, "Redrum," naked granny and severe writer's block - Wow! Side note: Our bass player Derek Harn was employed one winter at The Overlook Hotel (Timberline Lodge). But he only killed one person.
4. The Howling (1981)
"Imagine your worst fear a reality."
This is another one of my favorite movie posters. "The Colony" is a safe haven mental rehabilitation camp tucked away in the woods, but the residents are not what they appear to be and have a habit of turning lvisitors into "shapeshifters." The werewolves in this Joe Dante flick are entertaining and really look like dogs. But more importantly, this was the first time I ever saw boobies. Side note: Slim Pickens, who was famous in '50s and '60s westerns, plays Sam Newfield.
3. The Exorcist (1973)
"F--k me, Jesus!"
Written by William Peter Blatty and directed by William Friedkin, this was the first horror movie I ever saw. My religious grandfather took me to teach me what happens to bad boys. Well, it didn't! (ha,ha!) Demon, I am!! This is one of the most profitable horror films ever and earned 10 Academy Award nominations, all backed by vomiting on a priest and sex with a crucifix - AWESOME!
2. Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)
"Evil comes in all shapes."
Adapted from the Ray Bradbury novel, this Jack Clayton-directed film is about a dark, nightmarish, traveling carnival and the fear and misery it instills in the town folk who enter. Mr. Dark (originally cast for Christopher Lee of 70's Dracula fame, but played by Jonathan Pryce) is the Master of Ceremonies who lures people with promises to fulfill their deepest desires, but instead strikes them with torment. The "Dust Witch" (played by Pam Grier) appears briefly in the film, but has more of a role in the book. Plus it is a rad name for a doom band -- I'm using it. A circus came to town every summer were I grew up and always reminded of this story.
1. Hellraiser (1987)
"We'll tear your soul apart."
Based loosly on the novella "The Hellbound Heart" by Clive Barker (who also directs) "Hellraiser" is filled with amazing imagery and gory effects. All hell breaks loose when the "puzzlebox" is opened: It shreds humans with hooked chains the dig into flesh and decimate like an attack by a grizzly bear. Cenobites appear, the demon seeds of the apocalypse, who sift through the remains of the those who open the box. Doug Bradley's Giger-esque "Pinhead" character is one of the all time best horror creatures. His voice, alone, haunts your sleep and also appears on a Cradle of Filth record -- Dani Filth beat me to him. Pure sadomasochistic delight. We coined the term "getting dark" after this film.
Honorable Mentions
Silver Bullet (1985), Lost Boys (1987), Jacob's Ladder (1990)
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