Zombie Nightmare

Audio

Danger Zone

TRACK #263:

Danger Zone by Fist

Hey, what gives? You’re gonna include some whatever-ass Metal song and just gloss over Motörhead?

Yep, and I’m about to do it again.

Cause listen, we’ve all heard Ace of Spades. Nobody reading this right now doesn’t know Ace of Spades. Quite frankly, you’re probably all sick of Ace of Spades. Never mind the fact that no one is associating Ace of Spades with this movie or even Halloween. So, forget Ace of Spades. You’ll hear it on the radio soon enough.

More importantly though, for my money, the Zombie Nightmare soundtrack doesn’t get any better than Danger Zone.

Nope, not the Loggins classic, but rather this choice thumper from Canadian metallurgists Fist.

In fact, Fist’s Danger Zone predates the Giorgio Moroder composed Top Gun hit by at least an entire year. No real matter though, as Wilson Pickett recorded a song called Danger Zone in 1966. So whatever to claiming on that, ya 80’s upstarts.

If you’re watching Zombie Nightmare, you may note that The Twist ‘N Creme plays an unnaturally prominent role in the film. A lot of stuff happens there, and this Fist tune can be heard loud and clear as car-hop Susie shuts in down for the night.

Unfortunately, she’s about to be accosted (again) by our old friend Jimmy “I Can’t Drive 35” Batton. He leans into yet another unrelenting string of juvenile innuendos regarding his inordinately large dick. The classic art of woo.

Susie is not amused. You might be though, at least that is until Jimbo flips the rape switch and shit gets weird.

Thankfully, our dead-signated Hitter Tony Washington shows up and shoves a softball bat straight through Jimmy and saves that day.

Way to go Zombie! Gotta love a movie that lets you root for the Monster.

 

Audio

C’Mon Let’s Go

TRACK #262:

C’Mon Let’s Go by Girlschool

John Fasano is an honorary Shindig All-Star because the man understood a simple truth: horror movies and heavy metal fit like a latex mask.

When we honored John back in 2014, we glossed over one Fasano production that definitely abides by this universal law: Zombie Nightmare.

Though uncredited due to some bizarro Canadian financial regulation, John basically wrote and directed Zombie Nightmare. And as such, it’s got what you need: Adam West, Tia Carrere, Voodoo, Rec-League Softball, Dollar Store Columbo, Fasano himself body slamming a dirty greaser, John Mikal Thor’s nipples, a zombie with a baseball bat and one rocking soundtrack.

Letting you know what’s up right from the jump is Motörhead and Ace of Spades. Not a bad way to kick off any movie. Throw in some tracks from Death Mask, Virgin Steele, and a bevy of song produced by pseudonymous Thor bands (including a sweet song called Zombie Life) and you got yourself a soundtrack. Thor also added credited-track Rebirth to the mix and even took it upon himself to synthesize a score as the Thor-kestra. Snap.

If you’ve ever seen the film, then you know defacto-gang leader and vehicular-manslaughterer-turned-food-thrower-turned-bad-innuendo-peddler-turned-sexual-predator Jimmy Batten is one weenie of a villain.

Such a weenie in fact, that he can’t even burn rubber in his sweet Porsche 944 to this Girlschool song that was definitely built for speed. You should at least approach 65 if you’re listening to this tune. What you shouldn’t do is leisurely cruise down Quebec’s miracle mile, particularly if you’re riding high on last night’s hit-and-run murder and you just threw a bunch of spaghetti in your mom’s face. What kinda Teen Beat rebel are you?

Despite Jimbo’s internal governor, you can feel free to let your lead foot linger just a little and get that sucker redlined. C’mon, let’s go!

 

Monster Makers: John Fasano

On July 19th of 2014, writer, director, producer, actor, artist, monster maker and all-around nice guy John Fasano, passed away in his home near Los Angeles California.

John was a purveyor of that which molds the very foundations of the Shindig; rock ‘n roll horror. The man behind such 80’s cult staples as Zombie Nightmare, Black Roses and The Edge of Hell (aka Rock N Roll Nightmare), John understood exactly why metal and horror went together so well, and added much to this unfortunately thin sub-genre.

Having been a fan of his work, it was surreal to meet and become friends with his son, John Cody, through my network of special effectsery out here in LA.

Though I only met him a few times, on those occasions John was the nicest guy you could imagine, and truly gracious for every fan he had.

Our condolences go out to John Cody and the entire Fasano family.

Without a doubt John left his mark on the world of Horror, and horror fans will continue to celebrate his work for as long as there are horror fans to do so.

For our part, The Shindig will honor John the only way it knows how; through kick-ass horror songs and gifs. We’ll cram all the Fasano hits already spread throughout the playlist into one blistering block of rock ‘n roll remembrance.

Thank you John Fasano for your work, without which, my life and this blog would be a lot less awesome.

R.I.P. John Fasano 1961 – 2014