Howard Stern has been a mainstay in American pop culture for many, many years now. Back in the 90’s, Howard was everywhere. Not only did he have his ever popular radio show but, also a successful TV version of his show, a best selling autobiography with Private Parts and now he topped the box office with the movie of Private Parts AND the reason for this article today, his Billboard chart topping soundtrack for Private Parts which features songs from Ozzy, Ramones, AC/DC, Van Halen, Deep Purple, Porno For Pyros, RHCP w/ LL Cool J, and an awesome collaboration Howard did with Rob Zombie. The song with Rob Zombie entitled “The Great American Nightmare” is a badass track that can only be found on the soundtrack. The song also has been the opening theme to Stern’s radio show since 1999. Interestingly, the song has only been performed live 5 times (according to Setlist.fm), the most recent time was in 2014 at Howards 60th Birthday Bash. Personally, I’d love for this song to be part of Rob’s setlist again.
Rob Zombie & Howard Stern- The Great American Nightmare:
The Great American Nightmare (Live 2014 Howard’s Birthday Bash):
The other day I was watching an interview with 3/4 of White Zombie as they were talking about the 30th anniversary of the album, La Sexorcisto Devil Music Vol 1. It’s quite a good interview with really good stories about the making of the album and the early years of the band before their eventual breakup. The moment the interview was over, I put on La Sexorcisto and it took me back to when I first heard it when I was a kid. The songs are still kick ass, the production on it is crisp and punchy and the album still holds up great! Of course everyone knows the song “Thunder Kiss 65” but the real gems on this album are the deep cuts. My favorite of those deep cuts happens to be the last song on the album “Warp Asylum.” I love this song. It’s got all the right groove and is the perfect ending to this great album! Now how about a damn White Zombie Reunion Already!!!
Rob Zombie has done it. He’s come out with a new album that is an absolutely killer. It’s been a long time since I’ve said those words but, I full stand by them. On his seventh solo studio album, The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy, Zombie and company have created an album that not only will we the appetite of long time fans but, also those that have been chomping at the bit for a return to the classic White Zombie sound. This is without a doubt the strongest solo album he’s put out since, dare I say his first. Armed with 17 tracks on this album (there are a few interludes that accompany the flow), Rob along with longtime guitarist John 5 have crafted some pretty awesome songs that will no doubt be bangers live but, will also become classic Zombie songs.
I usually like to do a track by track breakdown but, I really don’t want to give away the awesomeness that is this album. The first single “The Triumph Of King Freak (A Crypt Of Preservation And Superstition)” totally caught me off guard the first time I heard it and immediately played it again. This track is superb and a great way to kick things off. It’s even got a bit of the classic White Zombie feel to it. Other stellar tracks on the album include “The Ballad Of Sleazy Rider,” “Shadow Of The Cemetery Man,” “The Eternal Struggles Of The Howling Man,” “The Satanic Rites Of Blacula,” and the album closer “Crow Killer Blues.” There are a few songs though, that are out of left field and bring in some really cool new vibes to Zombie’s classic sound. Those songs are “Boom-Boom-Boom,” “Get Loose,” and “18th Century Cannibals, Excitable Morlocks And A One-Way Ticket On The Ghost Train.” These three songs will make you want to press play again and turn up the volume. Even the interludes are interesting and complimentary. My favorite one is a bit of an interesting one. “The Much Talked Of Metamorphosis” is a stunning piece of music.
The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy is one of the best albums Rob Zombie has been involved in. I was a big White Zombie fan back in the day. I have for the most part always enjoyed his solo albums but, this one, this is the one that needs to be listened to closely by everyone who has ever been a fan of either White Zombie or Rob solo. Month’s back, guitarist John 5 said something in an interview that this album was the best one Rob has done. And he is 100% correct. It’s quite refreshing too that this album has so much to offer. Musically it’s on another level than the other solo albums. Lyrically, Rob stepped up his game a bit and wrote some pretty intriguing and crowd pleasing lyrics. The production is crisp and fits the vibe to a tee. To say this is a good album is an understatement. This is a terrific album and one that Rob and everyone involved with it should be proud of. It’s been a long while since I’ve been to a Rob Zombie concert (think the last time I saw him was 2007?) but, I will most certainly go see him live to hear songs from this album played. What a great return album. Go do yourself a favor and take a listen to this one. You’ll thank me later!
Overall Rating: A
Rob Zombie- The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy:
Travel back to 1995 with me and revisit the time White Zombie was on the Late Show with David Letterman. While out promoting their album, Astro-Creep 2000, White Zombie payed a visit to the Letterman show and performed “More Human Than Human.” They were joined by Paul Schaffer as well who provided the keyboard parts. It’s a very fun performance and it looks like the band was enjoying it, especially David Letterman at the end. What’s even cooler is that, White Zombie returned to the Letterman show a few months later and performed again. This time they chose “Super Charger Heaven.” I still believe that if White Zombie were to reunite, they could put out one hell of a good album.
There are a ton of new singles and albums that came out today. Some that will surprise you, some that will make you want to get up and dance, some that will make you think, and some that will make you just simply smile. No matter what though, this new music Friday, has something for everyone.
Rob Zombie- The Triumph of King Freak (A Crypt of Preservation and Superstition):
The movie Airheads is quite a fun one to go back and watch. It’s still ridiculous and silly but, there is something so good about it. Perhaps it’s because of Adam Sandler and Steve Buscemi, or Chris Farley, or even the soundtrack (which is absolutely worth checking out if you haven’t). I still remember watching the movie years back and seeing White Zombie performing “Feed The Gods” and thinking, how cool they were live. I still wish I had been able to see them live. Anyways, this song I’ve always thought was a badass White Zombie song.
The other day while still on my Smashing Pumpkins kick, I was delving more into the album Monuments To An Elegy and remembered that all the drums on the album were played by Tommy Lee. Yes, Tommy Lee of Motley Crue played on a Smashing Pumpkins album. As usual with any of my delves, it got me thinking about what else Tommy has played on over the years. So, here are a handful that Tommy has guested on over the years.
The Smashing Pumpkins- Monuments To An Elegy:
Jack’s Mannequin- Everything In Transit (played on tracks 2, 3, 4, 8, 10, & 11):
Rob Zombie- Meet The Creeper (from Hellbilly Deluxe):
Rob Zombie- The Ballad of Resurrection of Joe and Rosa Whore (from Hellbilly Deluxe):
Fuel- Wasted Time (from Angels & Devils):
Post Malone- Over Now (from Beerbongs and Bentleys):
A new year brings new albums to be released. 2020 is sure to be chock full of new releases by your favorites. I’ve started to compile a list of the bands who I believe are releasing new albums this year as the most anticipated. I know I’m missing some, so with that in mind who are you looking forward to new music from?
2020 Anticipated Albums:
Deftones The Cure Guns N Roses? Mastodon Foo Fighters The Smashing Pumpkins Pearl Jam ACDC Spirit In The Room Clint Lowery Carcass Gojira Lamb Of God Megadeth Nine Inch Nails Sevendust Rob Zombie Every Time I Die
Marilyn Manson
Power Trip
Dead Cross
Run The Jewels
Placebo
Back in 1996, one of the biggest movies of the year was Beavis and Butthead Do America. I still remember seeing that movie countless times with my childhood best friend. It was and still is one hell of a funny movie. One of the coolest parts of the movie was the soundtrack. In particular the song that White Zombie contributed to it entitled “Ratfinks, Suicide Tanks and Cannibal Girls.” Even the scene in which it’s featured is superb and super trippy. This White Zombie song was also the last thing the band would release before they broke up.
White Zombie- Ratfinks, Suicide Tanks and Cannibal Girls:
The other day Ozzy celebrated his 70th birthday. Funny enough, while I was on my way home that day, I had my iPod on random and the Rob Zombie song “Iron Head” came on and there was Ozzy singing on it. I had totally forgotten about Ozzy guesting on that song, so of course when I got home I looked up all the songs he’s guested on over the years. So, here’s a bunch of those songs.
Rob Zombie- Iron Head (from The Sinister Urge):
Black Label Society- Stillborn (from The Blessed Hellride):
Coal Chamber- Shock The Monkey (from Chamber Music):
Slash- Crucify The Dead (from Slash):
Tony Iommi- Who’s Fooling Who (from Iommi):
Alice Cooper- Wake The Dead (from Along Came A Spider):
Ringo Starr- Vertical Man (from Vertical Man):
Busta Rhymes- This Means War (from E.L.E.- The Final World Front):
audioeclectica 