Last year, The Massacre,
followed by the GOBLIN show was probably my favorite event of mine and Billy’s so I was
really looking forward to going again. We made our way up to Chicago on October
18th and made our way back home the next day this time just for The
Massacre – a 24-hour horror movie marathon playing classics we either love,
like just a little, or even sometimes hate on the BIG screen!
Before we arrived in
Chi-town, we stopped off at my old stomping grounds in Munster, IN. where I
lived for a little over a year back in 2006-2007. Those of you who follow what
I do with music will know this was where I formed and recorded with my bands
SLASH DEMENTIA and WOLFHOLLOW. My purpose really for taking Billy here was to
yes, show him where I lived, but mainly to take him to one of my favorite
restaurants there called Arnie’s Dog House (“Where Man Bites Dog”). Even this
vegetarian had to cheat on her diet that day. I had my classic order: hot dog
with mustard and relish, corn dog, and a mound of their nothing special but oh
so tasty French fries. Billy settled for two dogs, a pizza puff and fries. I
was so happy to see the hot dog summer camp mural was still painted on the wall
and they kept their old-fashioned menu as well. See pics to confirm
awesomeness.
Next, I drove him through
Hammond and actually got lost a few times because even though the area was
familiar, a lot of it was foreign since it has changed in the last few years.
Billy was able to sight-see while I lost my mind for a bit at the wheel, angry
at myself for forgetting my way around, ha! Eventually, my sense of direction
took over and…
Off on the Chicago Skyway
we went, and with little to no further problems we made it to the Portage
Theatre where our friends were waiting at the door to greet us. Not really, but
most of them were gathered ‘round the vendor tables which were all near the
door – and then they greeted us. After mingling a bit, it was time for me to
catch the last of Trilogy of Terror. I
was happy to just catch the last few moments as Karen Black bared her ancient
Zuni fangs. The crowd clapped and cheered and I was ready for the next movie to
begin – The Deadly Spawn!
I was excited to see and
hear the crowd being so active, but there were moments where some of them were
a little too active and wouldn't shut
the fuck up; however, I was happy to hear one guy’s reaction to seeing the 1974
classic Black Christmas for the first
time. After the first kill his reaction was, “whoa”. After Margot Kidder’s
death, “Daaaaamn”, and then when the killer’s eye can be seen protruding from
the crack of the door, “What the FUCK?! Noooo, NOOOO!!” I envied this guy. This
movie genuinely creeped me out the first time I saw it late night back in the
winter of 1995 on Cinemax, so to see it for the first time on the big screen
must have been awesome. Maybe I don’t have to lose all hope on kids today after
all since he didn’t laugh and boo like the rest of the chumps he was sitting
with, haha!
Other highlights include
the Italian classics Dellamorte Dellamore
and Dario Argento’s Tenebre.
Unfortunately, I had to sit out Tobe Hooper’s Eaten Alive for two reasons: my ass and back were killing me, and
the cold darkness of the theatre was making me extremely tired. Coffee and
conversation ensued out in the lobby with great friends Matt Harding, Tom
Knizner from Cardiac Arrest, and Putrid. I guess you could say it was somewhat
an Evilspeak Magazine business meeting? That would be pretty accurate actually.
But we all adjourned back into the theatre for the 7am screening of the Hammer
Film masterpiece Twins of Evil. It
was amazing to see this on the big screen and to watch it with friends. Our
commentary throughout the film was keeping me awake and made the experience
even more enjoyable.
As The Town that Dreaded Sundown began, the commentary wasn't keeping
me as awake as I would like to have been and I didn't really think a nap would
suffice in order to stick around for Day
of the Dead even though that was a movie I wanted to see. We called it a
day and left the windy city to stop off in Schererville, IN. for a breakfast at
a restaurant Round the Clock. Can’t say that I wanted to eat there, but the
other place I wanted to take Billy, Schoops, wasn't open yet. Oh well, there’s
always next time!
What can I say, The Massacre was great fun and next year I’ll be better prepared with blankets and a pillow. I also plan for us to stay the full 24 hours so that we can make it in the final photo! It’s a goal, and I WILL make it happen. Who’s with me?!
What can I say, The Massacre was great fun and next year I’ll be better prepared with blankets and a pillow. I also plan for us to stay the full 24 hours so that we can make it in the final photo! It’s a goal, and I WILL make it happen. Who’s with me?!
That hotdog summer camp mural would have been worth the trip for me.
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