White Zombie

BIOGRAPHY

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White Zombie (1985-2000): a Industrial Metal band from New York, New York, USA.

orn in New York and taking their name from an old 1932 "B quality" horror/monster movie starring Bela Lugozi, White Zombie was started by Rob Bartleh Cummings (who took the name Rob Straker on early recordings and later assuming the name of Rob Zombie; b. January 12, 1965) founded the act along with female bassist Sean Yseult, to recruit Peter Landau (drums) and Ena Kostabi (guitar). What they started was an unconventional outfit that got the attention of death metal, dance and industrial beat fans alike. They started off by releasing several unconventional basic heavy metal EPs, Gods On Voodoo Moons (1985), Pig Heaven (1986; with Ivan DePlume now on drums and Tim Jeffs taking over from Kostabi), as well as Psycho-Head Blowout (1987) and Soul Crusher (1988), on their own label. The last two would feature the classic White Zombie line-up now complete with Tom Guay on guitar in place of Jeffs, the releases also got them a deal with the 'Caroline' label. John Ricci (ex-Exciter) replaced Guay for Make Them Die Slowly (1989), adding a lead guitar and a more focused approach that shed them of the 'artsy' feel, but their raw power still failed to fully show. Jay Noel Yuenger would soon replace Ricci, who debut on the next effort God of Thunder EP, (a Kiss cover even duplicating Gene Simmon's costume for the cover).

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La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Vol. 1 (1992), now on 'Geffen', was the first huge success they received; even MTV's Beavis And Butthead cartoon got in on it. Its demonic roaring mixed with 'B' movie dialog sold well, and would and off setting their mold. Philo was then replaced by DePlume but he, in turn, was sacked after the subsequent tour, with John Tempesta (ex-Exodus/ex-Testament) taking his place.

The follow-up opus Astrocreep 2000: Songs Of Love, Destruction, And Other synthesizeresizeresizeretic Delusions Of The Electric Head (1995) would follow. Like its predecessor it received plenty of media support and whipped up the charts, reaching 6 in the US and 25 in the UK, its predecessor only making 26 in the US! The follow-up Supersexy Swingin' Sounds (1996) failed the chart topping heights, most likely because it was nothing more than a remix album featuring 'Zombie hits to a dance beat.

To the surprise of the whole world, Rob Zombie would suddenly leave his White Zombie outfit the next year to go solo, effectively ending it. He launched his solo debut Hellbilly Deluxe in 1998, which became no less of a hit; his best to date in fact. Work on that debut solo album first began in 1997, before White Zombie had officially broken up. More recordings, a marriage, and a career in movies would follow.

While Zombie continued on with his life, Ysault resurrected her moonlighting project, Famous Monsters, with Devil Doll (a.k.a. Yseult; guitar), Vampire Girl (Real Name: Katie Campbell; bass) and Frankie Stein (drums) to release Summertime EP (1995), In The Night (1998) and Around The World In 80 Bikinis (1999). She-zilla (Real Name: Carol Cutshall) would then replace Stein on drums shortly after the release of In The Night.