What Halloween Means To Me '14 Day 4: Brad Slaton

On this lovely first Saturday of October, when the non-"every day is Halloween" crowd are finally getting around to figuring out that it's spooky fun time, we're gonna hear from Brad Slaton.  In addition to directing (one of his shorts is featured in World of Death), Brad does the Picking Brains Podcast where he interviews some of horror's elite.  Brad brought me into the podcasting world when he began bringing me in for a monthly visit.  Our episodes have consistently grown crazier and crazier, ranging in topic from our epic rants about The Sacrament to Sharon Tate's Ass to Busey Claus to golden age horror flicks and blah-blah-blah indie horror.  Brad also manages to offend someone every time he opens his damn mouth.  Seriously, I'm the voice of reason on that podcast if you can believe that.  So, against my better judgement... Brad, what does Halloween mean to you?

"When I was 10 I let Jesus fuck me for the first time on Halloween night. (EDITOR’S NOTE – He means his first viewing of The Exorcist. I must clarify that we here at Son of Celluloid are not accusing Jesus of Michael Jacksoning with any kids.  The Lord has a hell of a legal team.)  After that epic night, my life was changed and I went from dressing up in whatever costume was cool at the time to becoming a creature of the night on a yearly basis. As the years went on the tradition of Trick ‘R Treating was replaced with myself and my deviant friends throwing pumpkins at cars, egging houses, & calling on spirits to wreak havoc; all topped off with a viewing of Tim Curry as a sweet transvestite. Once I hit high school it became tradition to skip school on Halloween. We would start with a breakfast buffet followed by a visit to Eddie’s Trick Shop in the Marietta Square where the Halloween spirit was strong. We would then ride around blaring The Misfits (Danzig Era- Is there any other????) and begin our evening activities of Haunted houses (these were always a blast with the exception of Silo X- shame on you). The night always ended with a marathon of essential horror classics and unspeakable partying until the sun rose.

As the years have passed those nights of debauchery have ceased. The last insane Halloween I had was when my wife and I went to a costume party and I dressed as Santa. Big mistake!!!!! We didn’t know people were bringing their kids and I was bombarded with requests for me to bring them the coolest toys on Christmas morning. It was funny though as my wife went as a Wet T shirt contest winner. That may be the only time anyone has ever seen Santa taking shots from Ms. Claus’s cleavage. Hey Santa likes a nice set of tits just like any other all-American man.  At this point in my life Halloween is all focused on the enjoyment that my two sons derive from the spectacle; the costumes, candy, atmosphere and begging to stay up all night on a sugar high.

Halloween to me is the epicenter of my life. Once the October breeze hits I can smell the season coming. It encapsulates all that I am. From the childhood moments of getting that epic haul of candy to the dead cats hanging from poles I will always remember Halloween. Oh and one last Halloween anecdote… FUCK Ti West!"

27 days 'til Halloween, Halloween, Halloween. 27 days 'til Halloween, Silver Shamrock!

The Horror Business Archive

I know it's been a while since the blog has been active, Cellmates, but I assure you that I am still alive and well.  Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.  I've just been insanely busy with a multitude of other projects.  One of those projects has been my new podcast, Horror Business.
Horror business is a show all about the untold stories of the unsung heroes of the horror community.  The folks that may not get all of the press, but deserve a turn in the spotlight.  The ones who exhibit the kind of passion that makes me proud to call them my horror brethren.  It airs live every other Monday at 10pm on the FDTC Network.  There will be a link at the bottom of this article.  Horror Business alternates weeks with my other show, Missing Link Mixtape.  On MLMT I play two hours of killer tunes from all genres.  They all have a theme that ties them together, and if you guess that link, you could win fabulous prizes.
Until now, if you didn't catch the shows live, you were screwed.  Fortunately, that is no longer the case.  I can't archive Missing Link Mixtape for legal reasons, but Horror Business is now available to stream or download whenever you want.  Listen to them at work.  Listen to them in your car.  Listen to them while you mow the lawn.  Get some sneaky earbuds and listen to them when you're pretending that you're paying attention to your girlfriend.  Whenever you need a horror fix, enjoy the dulcet tones of the Son of Celluloid and his various guests.  I'll be posting the links to future episodes as they happen, but here are the ones that are currently available...

Episodes 1 and 2 - Brad Slaton of the Picking Brains Podcast

Brad is a podcaster and interviewer extraordinaire, one twisted bastard, and the guy responsible for getting me into podcasting.  We discuss our show, interviewing everyone from Penn Jillette to Glen Danzig, controversy, and the podcasting game in general.  Play the Horror Business drinking game and attempt to do a shot every time Brad says "fuck."  Spoiler: You would die within the first 15 minutes.  As an added bonus, episode 2 contains my epic "torture porn" rant. 

Link: Episode 1

Link: Episode 2

Episode 3 - Ryan Cadaver of The Casket Creatures
Ryan is the front-beast of Atlanta's ghoulrock juggernauts The Casket Creatures.  We discuss running a haunted house, the state of horror punk today, the writing process, crazy shows, and the Count Chocula/Chuck E Cheese conspiracy.

Link: Episode 3

Episode 4 - Stephen Biro of Unearthed Films
Stephen Biro is an author, filmmaker, and owner of Unearthed Films.  Join us as we chat extreme horror, the Yakuza, God and Satan, and the American Guinea Pig Series as well as some EXCLUSIVE announcements regarding upcoming Unearthed releases. 

Link: Episode 4

Episode 5 - James Balsamo of Acid Bath Productions
Filmmaker James Balsamo is no stranger to long time Cellmates.  In this interview we talk 
boobs, blood, slashers, science, boobs, horror legends, physical media, 23 hour shoots, Dave Brockie stories, and boobs.

Link: Episode 5

Every Monday Night at 10 you can...
TUNE IN ON THE WEB AT: http://fromdusktillcon.com/radio
LISTEN ON YOUR PHONE AT: http://mixlr.com/fdtc-radio

Podcasts and Panels: SOC On Picking Brains, Horror 101, and Days Of The Dead

It appears that some of you have it in your heads that 'ol SOC was just sitting around doing nothing during my winter sabbatical.  Au contraire, Cellmates, and shame on you!  Have a little faith.  Just because I wasn't in this particular corner of cyberspace doesn't mean that I was any less active in championing the cause of horror.  "What was I up to," you ask?  First and foremost,  I was continuing to trudge through the seemingly interminable Valley of the Shadow of Pre-production that The Son of Celluloid Show has become.  I promise updates soon.  No, really.  I did manage to peek my head out from Celluloid Central here and there to make a public appearance, though.  Some of those are available online for your listening and viewing pleasure.  I recommend checking out these three in particular...

Cash Wampum is a long time friend and supporter of Son of Celluloid.  He also does a killer podcast called Horror 101.  He and his cohorts from the Great White North discuss creepy classics, the nature of being a horror fan, and whatever else strikes their macabre fancies.  There's a horror movie out there that'll scare the shit out of you, and they're gonna help you find it.  Their 30th episode featured a bunch of guest horror freaks discussing the movies that have scared them.  You know I'm not gonna miss a party like that!  I decided to talk about the time Jaws ruined a young Nathan's summer vacation.  Click on that picture right there to be magically transported to that episode.  While you're there, delve into the rest of the episodes.  It's a damn good listen.

Brad Slaton hosts the Picking Brains Podcast.  He's interviewed horror luminaries like Adam Greene, Herschel Gordon Lewis, Jack Ketchum, Lance Henriksen, Michael Rooker, Stuart Gordon, Mick Garris, and damn near everyone involved with Nightbreed.  He's also a sick bastard.  I think that's why we get along.  He's asked me to drop by the show once a month to keep everyone abreast of the goings on in the horror underground.  In my most recent episode we did a recap of Days of the Dead Atlanta, discussed the horror news, and answered some of the most batshit crazy listener mail you've ever heard.  You can bet that any time Brad and I get together, tangents galore will ensue and one or both of us will probably end up saying something mind blowingly offensive.   Same deal here as with Horror 101, click the banner to go to my episode.  Then, since you're now addicted, listen to all of them.

Speaking of Days of the Dead, this year I was truly honored to join the boys from Traumatic Cinematic and East Coast Horror Group for a panel discussing the in and outs of online horror media.  That was one hell of an experience.  I'm far more used to being the one asking the questions.  It was really cool of Adolfo to turn the spotlight on us for a minute.  Thanks to ECHG, you can now relive that momentous occasion when the pillars of the horror community came together... or you can just watch me try to pretend that I'm sober and talk about my dick.  Either way, a good time was had by all.