The genre gained significant popularity in the 80’s and 90’s, bringing similar acts like Marilyn Manson to the fore. Taking the stage name of Rob Zombie, the young Robert Cummins assumed the frontman position in a shock rock band called White Zombie. He attended college at Parsons School of Design, and soon afterwards pursued his first passion: music. His parents worked in a carnival in Haverhill, Massachusetts, so those viewing Zombie’s filmography in quick succession should not be surprised to see the heavy usage of circus imagery. Zombie, born in 1965 under the distinctly un-hardcore name of Robert Bartleh Cummins, was also profoundly influenced by his parents’ profession and incorporated it as a recurring theme in his work. For example, my father is an architect, and I find that profession as well as the general idea of structure and functional design to be recurring themes within my own work. I often find that the occupations or interests of an artist’s parents often influence his or her work. While they operate on different planes (West in the indie realm and Zombie handling the mainstream studio side), both directors have positioned themselves as the new vanguards of the genre, aided by an encyclopedic knowledge and respect for the masterworks that came before them. Both have looked to an old-school 70’s/80’s aesthetic for inspiration and execution, and as a result, their resulting works stand out from the pack as fresh and original. Whether that stamp appeals to you or not is simply a matter of taste.Įarlier in this project, I examined indie director Ti West’s career, and it’s my particular belief that West and Zombie are something of kindred spirits as far as their art is concerned. Zombie’s films are often negatively received, mostly due to preconceived notions about his celebrity or identity.ĭespite this, he has cultivated a strong cult following over the course of five features and established himself as an undeniable auteur with an unmistakable stamp. In hindsight, Zombie’s case proves the danger of boxing an artist in, as they are often just as talented in other forms of expression. When shock rocker and frontman for the White Zombies, Rob Zombie, announced he wanted to be a film director, I’m sure many eyes rolled.Īnd understandably so-nothing he had done in his career up to that point had pointed to any inclination towards directing. In practice, it’s a hit or miss proposition: for every successful transition (Steve McQueen, Tom Ford, or even Ben Affleck), there’s an abject failure (Madonna and…Madonna). One of my pet peeves when it comes to art is when someone from a particular artistic discipline decides they want to try their hand at film directing.
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