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The Murderous World of Angry Johnny and The Killbillies

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Written by Brian Linsky

Welcome to Killville, the home of Angry Johnny and the Killbillies.

Angry Johnny is a hell bent, revenge minded, Whiskey swiggin,’ poet, artist, and lead singer for the band the Killbillies. The rest of the band includes Goatis T. Ovenrude, Slabs Theilman, and Dwight Trash.

Angry Johnny and The Killbillies serve up their own unique blend of grim and murderous melodies that infectiously haunts you with songs about death, mayhem, shootouts with cops, odes to serial killers, revenge, and even murdering Santa Claus.

Angry and his gang are a Grindhouse film brought to life, and Killville is the murderous world where it all goes down.

To quote some excerpts from the Killbillies’ own band bio, “Angry Johnny and The Killbillies are Norman Rockwell’s worst nightmare come to life. Take a trip to a town called Killville where nobody gets out alive and about the best you can hope for is a quick and painless demise.

The Murderous World of Angry Johnny & The Killbillies.

The Murderous World of Angry Johnny & The Killbillies.

These murder ballads and tales of woe weren’t meant to be read about in a magazine, they were meant to be listened to full blast on a crappy stereo in a fast car, barreling down a dark and lonely highway heading to nowhere. So drink ’em up, smoke ’em if you got ’em, laugh and punch that hammer down, say a little prayer, hang on and enjoy the ride.

Song by song the body count continues to rise, and the broken hearts and busted dreams keep pilin’ up on the ground as you press the accelerator down a little harder. That cracklin’ Delco spits out an endless stream of revenge, damnation, double crossin’ and the occasional redemption.”

Obviously not your average band bio. I wanted to learn more about the man they call Angry Johnny, so I recently caught up with him and Goatis T. Ovenrude to discuss the method behind the madness of the Killbillies.

Welcome to Killville. A nice place to visit but you wouldn't want to die here.

Welcome to Killville. A nice place to visit, but you wouldn’t want to die here. – Angry Johnny

iH: The majority of your music is riddled with violence and chaos, does it become tough to keep thinking of new ways to plan murder & revenge?

AJ: Not so far. it’s much harder figuring out how to get away with it.

IH: In addition to your music, a lot of your artwork is angry as well with paintings depicting murder and suicide. As an artist, does your inspiration for your paintings come from the same place as your music does?

AJ: They all kind’ve just slosh around together inside my head. Maybe something’s wrong with my brain.

iH: Is it true that some of your artwork was found at a crime scene? Have your lyrics gotten you into trouble with the law?

AJ: Some guy “accidentally” killed an ex-mental patient during “rough sex” and buried her in the woods. He had one of my paintings on his wall, so the genius investigators from the Connecticut State Police figured that I must’ve had something to do with it. The body was too decomposed to determine cause of death so he was only charged with illegal disposal of a corpse.

iH: Listening to your music, it sounds like you’ve been through some hellacious relationships. How many of your stories and characters are based on actual real life experiences and people?

AJ: Probably most all of them in one way or another. The names are changed to protect the ignorant.

iH: In addition to your own paintings, you’ve also done album artwork for Shadows Fall & Dinosaur Jr… Any others you’ve done?

AJ: I did some crap for Slash Records and A&M a long time ago but my stuff has never really been in much demand. They’re just cartoons on wood after all.

Cover of Shadows Fall album "Threads of Life"

Cover of Shadows Fall album “Threads of Life”

iH: Goatis, In 2007 you won an award at the Fright Night Fest Film Festival for best soundtrack after scoring the independent horror film Gimme Skelter. How did you first get started doing the music for movies?

GTO: We have a friend Don Adams who is a film editor and screen writer, he came on tour with us once and I asked him if he ever needs music I’d like to give it a try. He passed my name along to some film makers and I was lucky enough to be a part of a movie that starred Gunnar Hansen. I met him and he was such a cool guy too. Don Adams also got some of my stuff and the Killbillies into Wrong Turn 6, so I owe him a lot.

iH: Is there a film or tv series that the Killbillies wish they’d be asked to provide tracks for?

AJ: I guess any TV show or film that’s gonna pay us lots of money.

iH: Goat, I know you recently scored the Horror / Comedy film Night of Something Strange, and you included some tracks from the Killbillies, how’d this gig come about?

GTO: One of the previous film guys, Billy Garberina, passed my name to Jonathan Straiton, the director. I asked him if he could send me a scene to score the music to and we could take it from there to see if we were a good match or not. He liked what I did and I was really impressed with the original footage, so we decided to go for it. That movie is absolutely crazy. It is ridiculously awesome. Jonathan needed to find a replacement song for the end credits and I suggested Angry Johnny. He had no idea who we were but he loved the songs I sent to him. He’s a fan now.

iH: Right on. You guys have done some work with Jim Stramel (Degenerates Ink, Reviled), How’d you first hook up with him?

AJ: Stramel tripped me at a bar we were playing at in Richmond. I landed on my face on the cement floor and got a concussion. We’ve been friends ever since.

GTO: Jim and his wife Renee are awesome! I always wish that they were closer to visit. REVILED is awesome too, I like how he’s breaking the story into a series of episodes. He’s another really dedicated film maker. A lot of people talk about making movies but he’s one that actually does it.

Zombie vs zombie pit fighting.

The underground world of zombie pit fighting. Featuring the music of Angry Johnny & The Killbillies.

iH: What can you tell me about your Museum of the Strange? Do you have any authentic collectables?

AJ: As far as you know they are all authentic collectables.

iH: I’m a big fan of your X-mas album, Bang Bang Baby, Merry X-Mas, but I imagine that killing off Santa probably doesn’t sit as well with everyone. Any negative feedback over some of those songs, or has your fan base come to know what to expect from you at this point?

AJ: I’m sure there’s folks out there who can’t take a joke that might be offended if they ever heard it but you really have to go out of your way to come in contact with our stuff. Plus, we’re certainly not for everybody. Anyway my mom likes it, so that’s good enough for me.

iH: Over the years you’ve killed off a lot of people in your songs. Do you keep track of the body count at all?

AJ: No but I was thinking of making up a drinking game based on the body counts, but I’m pretty lazy, so I probably won’t.

iH: What’s next for Angry Johnny & The Killbillies? Any new albums in the works?

AJ: “Dance Dead Man Dance”, the sequel to “Dance Of The Shufflers” is just about mixed. And “Don’t Go Down To Voodoo Town” is also almost ready. Plus “Down At Your Grave” and “Creepier Than Me” are coming soon, along with a couple more.

GTO: I write music for TV mostly. A lot of shows always need background music. I’ve been doing it for almost 10 years now and it’s finally paying the bills. So, I’m really lucky to be doing what I love to do.

iH; Thanks guys, I look forward to hearing new music from you guys and hope we send some new fans your way as well. Check out more from Angry Johnny and The Killbillies by visiting their official website. You can listen to a few of their tunes below, and you can buy them here.

 

 

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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