White Zombie

White Zombie was a Grammy Award-nominated American Hard Rock, Industrial Metal or Hardcore rock band. Based in New York City, White Zombie was originally a noise rock band. White Zombie are better-known for their later heavy metal-oriented sound, with lyrics heavily influenced by horror films. Unlike other metal bands of the 1990s, White Zombie was almost exclusively a "fantasy" band, writing songs not based on their aspirations or experiences, but about surreal horror fantasies.

The group officially disbanded in 1998 shortly after the release of singer Rob Zombie's solo album Hellbilly Deluxe. In 2000, White Zombie was included on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock, ranking at No. 56.

History

Early years

In 1986, Zombie hired Tim Jeffs, his Parsons School of Design roommate to play guitar to replace Ena Kostabi, and Yseult brought in Ivan de Prume from their days in the band LIFE as the replacement for Landau. It was at this time the band started touring, making their live performance debut at CBGB's on April 28, 1986. White Zombie released their second EP Pig Heaven that year. The release contained two songs, "Pig Heaven" and "Slaughter the Grey". The EP was recorded at 6/8 Studios on Houston St & Bleecker St in NoHo in New York City. Other songs that were recorded during the session but never released were titled "Follow Wild," "Rain Insane," "Paradise Fireball," and "Red River Flow." After touring for a year in the band Tim Jeffs left and was replaced by Tom Guay, often known as Tom Five. The band released a second pressing of Pig Heaven with different cover art, but retained the same recording with Tim Jeffs on guitar. Only 500 copies of each pressing were released on vinyl.

In 1987, the band released their third EP, Psycho-Head Blowout. Later that year, the band released their first full length album Soul-Crusher, which was their first release to feature sound clips from movies in the songs, a trademark that would continue for the remainder of the band's lifespan. John Ricci replaced Tom Guay shortly after the release of Soul-Crusher. One of the most obvious examples of this direction is the difference between the songs "Disaster Blaster" on Make Them Die Slowly and the re-worked version, "Disaster Blaster 2", on the God of Thunder EP.

Major label years

On March 17, 1992, White Zombie released , the album which launched them into mainstream recognition. White Zombie began a two and a half year long tour for the album soon after its release, during which the band gained a large cult following. During the tour, Ivan de Prume left the band to pursue a successful career as a producer/engineer as well as drummer/percussionist and opened his own studio, Burningsound. He was replaced by Phil Buerstatte. The music video for the song "Thunder Kiss '65" went into heavy rotation on MTV in 1993. The popular TV show Beavis and Butt-head began reviewing the band's music videos, boosting the band's popularity. De Prume continues to write and record music with Healer, as well as recording, producing, and engineering for special projects in his studio, Burningsound. His drums and percussion work can also be heard on Sony's "Ghost Rider" score. In 2009, de Prume began hosting the weekly radio show, "Metalopolis". His studio guests have included Rob Halford, Dave Mustaine, Max Cavalera, Vinnie Paul, and Tom Araya. De Prume is also a member of the band KREEP, and has completed a West Coast tour in spring 2010, and is planning an East Coast tour in fall, 2010.

In November 2008 Geffen/UME released Let Sleeping Corpses Lie, a boxed set which includes sixty four tracks. The package also contained nine music videos (including their breakthrough Grammy-nominated hit "Thunder Kiss '65"), and ten live performances. In an interview to promote the release of Let Sleeping Corpses Lie, Zombie made it clear that a reunion with his White Zombie band mates was unlikely, saying, "I don't want fans to think it's the beginning of anything."

In December 2010 Yseult released "I'm in the Band", a book containing tour diaries and photos as well as detailing her eleven years spent as a member of White Zombie.

Band members

;Final lineup

;Former members

Discography

References

External links

Category:American alternative metal musical groups Category:American industrial music groups Category:Musical groups from New York City Category:Musical groups established in 1985 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1998 Category:1980s music groups Category:1990s music groups Category:White Zombie Category:Musical quartets Category:Heavy metal musical groups from New York