From his early days fronting the cult group Frankenstein Drag Queens from Planet 13 to his breakout run in the Murderdolls alongside late Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison to his nearly 20-year run fronting his eponymous band that’s still going strong, Wednesday 13 embraces the macabre and spooky all year long – but, as is the case for every horror fan, October is extra special.
The horror rocker is currently celebrating the release of his ninth solo album, Horrifier, out now on Napalm Records, and playing a career-spanning setlist on the 20 Years of Fear tour across the United States. Despite battling a sinus infection (“Luckily I haven’t had to cancel any shows, and my voice still works. Actually, my voice is stronger than it was when the tour started!”), Wednesday 13 spoke to me about the new album and, of course, horror movies.
After working with outside producers on the last two records, Wednesday went back to self-producing on Horrifier, largely out of necessity due to the pandemic. The singer and his bandmates – guitarists Roman Surman and Jack Tankersley, bassist Troy Doebbler, and drummer Mike Dupke – convened in Wednesday’s home studio in Burbank to lay down 11 tracks.
Horrifier serves as a culmination of his past work, with Wednesday drawing inspiration from his previous albums. “I went back purposefully and listened to all of my previous albums, including Murderdolls and everything,” he notes. “I basically said ‘What do I like the best about this record? What’s my favorite song on this album?'”
He astutely describes the result as “sort of a greatest hits of brand new songs,” but Horrifier is his most diverse effort as well. From his heaviest song to date (“Insides Out”) to a throwback to his infectiously catchy horror-punk roots (“Good Day to Be a Bad Guy”) to a glam-laden metal track that sounds like it time traveled from the ’80s (“Halfway to the Grave”), it pushes the boundaries of what a Wednesday 13 album can be.
The album also features several subtle references to his past work, both lyrically and sonically. “It’s always fun to go back and revisit the past a little bit and give a little nod here and there,” he says. “If the people get it, they get; but if they don’t get it, it still works.”
From The Exorcist and Dawn of the Dead to Friday the 13th and Poltergeist, Wednesday has written songs about a variety of horror films throughout his career. “I’ve definitely covered lots of movies over the years, but the last three or four records, I kind of steered away from writing about any particular movie. I felt like I was doing that too much.”
He returned to the familiar territory in more ways than one on Horrifier. Although he previously tackled Halloween in “Haddonfield” from 2006’s Fang Bang, a sporadic TV airing of Halloween II during the album writing process inspired him to undertake a sequel. “Return to Haddonfield” is an anthemic track that could make Michael Myers bang his head.
That’s not the album’s only ode to John Carpenter; “Christine: Fury in the Night” is inspired by the master of horror’s Stephen King adaptation. “Christine has been on my bucket list of movies to write about. I’ve always loved the movie ever since I was a kid. I watched the movie I don’t know how many times during the pandemic, and I was like, ‘Alright, I’ve got to write about it this time.'”
Although his sardonic lyrics are typically delivered with tongue planted firmly in cheek, album closer “The Other Side” is a sincere tribute to Jordison. “Those kinds of songs aren’t my favorite. Don’t get me wrong; I love the song, but that’s not easy for me. Writing about Halloween is easy. Writing about somebody that passed away is tough for me.”
Working through his emotions via song proved to be as cathartic as it was vulnerable. “It was something that I needed to do. It was like therapy for me to write about it. I got a little closure when it was done. I don’t normally expose my skeleton like that, but I needed to do it. I’m glad I did it, and I’m glad that people are reacting well to it.”
Speaking of Wednesday’s history with Jordison, controversy recently struck in the Murderdolls camp. Former guitarist Acey Slade (who currently plays live guitar for the reunited Misfits) reportedly purchased the band’s lapsed trademark in secret then launched a 20th anniversary celebration with a vinyl reissue of the band’s 2002 debut, Beyond the Valley of the Murderdolls.
This didn’t sit well with Wednesday, who was neither informed nor compensated despite all songs on the album being written by him and Jordison. (Slade joined the band after the album was recorded and exited the band prior to their second release.) “It sucks that I have to talk about it, but I need to let people know that I’m not involved in what’s happening,” he laments with fatigue audible in his voice.
“[Jordison] had been sick and obviously had bigger things to think about than looking at a trademark, because no one was going to steal it — except for a thief, and it happened to be one of our former members. Now he’s reactivated the name. He’s telling everyone he did it for the legacy of Joey Jordison, but he stole the name a year and half before Joey died.” He continues, “It’s a shitty situation, and hopefully I’ll put a stop to it sooner than later. It’s just a slap in the face.”
On a lighter note, Wednesday is armed with a selection of beloved horror movies to watch on the tour bus, attempting to squeeze in one a day leading up to Halloween. He’s already screened the likes of A Nightmare on Elm Street, Re-Animator, and The Car. Other favorites include Phantasm, Dawn of the Dead, The Shining, The Exorcist, Creepshow, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Halloween.
Although he generally sticks with the tried-and-true classics, he’s not opposed to giving new horror movies a shot. “One of the last horror movies I saw that I liked was Mandy with Nic Cage. Great movie with a great soundtrack too. That was the last movie I saw that disturbed me in a good way.” He adds, “People were telling me I need to see Terrifier. I haven’t seen it yet.”
“I love the old-school practical effects. I don’t like CGI horror at all, but I’m always up for anything good and new. Hopefully I’ll find something new that I like and I can stop talking about all these old movies,” he quips. It’s no surprise that, like the movies he cherishes, Wednesday’s music takes a playful approach to gruesome material.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to his music, Horrifier is a perfect addition to your Halloween playlist. In Wednesday’s own words, “If you like horror movies, you like comedy, you like rock, you like heavy music that was inspired by all the greats like Alice Cooper, Kiss, Twisted Sister, and Motley Crue, we’re your band.”
The post Wednesday 13 Chats With Bloody Disgusting About Horror Movies and New Album ‘Horrifier’ [Interview] appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.