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The Crushed Monocle Podcast is a show where Coop and site owner, Jon, talk about stuff, All the stuff! Music, movies, shows, records, whatever. It could literally be anything but there are a few constants: They will mispronounce names, poke fun at themselves, and profess their love for Paul Verhoeven’s 1995 cinematic masterpiece, Showgirls. This is the Crushed Monocle Podcast: Episode 8 – BJ McDonnell at Studio 666!
To make the recording of their 10th album truly special, The Foo Fighters set up a studio in an atmospheric mansion in the hills of Encino. But when Dave Grohl unknowingly remedies his writer’s block with a demonic spirit, all hell is about to break loose one session at a time. Rock n roll has never sounded so evil and Grohl has never been so… nice?
Combining elements of horror, comedy, and self-awareness, Studio 666 is a supernatural romp directed by modern-day cinematic legend, BJ McDonnell.
McDonnell hopped on Crushed Monocle to talk about how the project came to be and what measures had to be taken to pull it off. The guys also discussed a variety of topics but not limited to:
- Working with Slayer on Repentless: Killogy
- The cinematic look of modern horror
- Why thrash will always reign supreme
- Pulling fingernails off in that Exodus video makes Coop pass out
- How going to a Christian school had an effect on horror filmmaking
- Jon and Coop are jealous because Dave Grohl isn’t their friend
Most importantly, McDonnell speaks candidly about how important it is to view films as entertainment. Be it thought-provoking and introspective, or slapstick as Studio 666, it’s all entertainment.
There’s no shortage of debates on whether or not summer blockbusters should be considered cinema. However, working on micro-budget music videos to multi-million dollar franchises, McDonnell maintains his opinion: Movies are for entertainment regardless of subject matter. This rings even more true when pertaining to horror. But it’s filmmakers out there like McDonnell who go the extra mile to make the wild and outlandish a reality. Do all these topics interest you? Sure they do! The takes are as sharp as the blade of a psychotic murder demon! Okay, we don’t condone possessions or murder but you get the idea. Whether you’re a fan of rock n’ roll, slapstick comedy, or nightmare-inducing horror, sit back, stay hydrated, and listen to one of Hollywood’s most promising up-and-coming directors talk about stuff. All the stuff!
Please continue to support the horror community and (safety) see Studio 666 in theaters now!
While you’re here, please subscribe to our podcast and rate it appropriately on iTunes or wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts.
Resources: Slayer: Repentless Killogy BGM review | Exodus “The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves” video | Hatchet III trailer | Alanna Royale at Soul Step Records | Cloakroom | Cloakroom BGM review | Totally Unicorn | Death Drop Gorgeous trailer | Official Studio 666 site | Foo Fighters | BJ McDonnell on Twitter | Open Road Films | Showgirls theatrical trailer | Crushed Monocle Podcast on Twitter | Crushed Monocle Podcast on Facebook | Previous Crushed Monocle episodes