The low-budget, horror cult-classic “ThanksKilling” might have one of the most memorable starts in B-movie history. At the first Thanksgiving in 1621, a topless female pilgrim is killed by a tomahawk-wielding monster turkey who gives an awesomely bad, not-safe-for-print quip.Directed by Jordan Downey, it’s been described as “so deliberately terrible, it’s funny,” and through Netflix and the Internet, the $3,500 movie found such a following it spawned two sequels and also a screening tour that will bring the film and it’s music producer Dean Carls, aka General Bastard, Nov. 26 to the Stone Tavern in Kent.
The night will start with a showing of “ThanksKilling” followed by a Q&A with some of the film’s actors, and will close with the heavy metal sounds of Carls, Ravenna Arsenal and Album. “People who love this movie, really, really love the movie,” Carls said. “People either love it or hate it. But hopefully this will give people a chance to connect to the film a little more and meet some of us. They can get some of the inside stories of the film and hear its soundtrack.” Here Carls took our 5Qs quiz to give a sneak peek of the Stone Tavern show and to lend insight on what it is about the film that struck a nerve with so many fans.
1. How did it come about that you did the music for “ThanksKilling?”
A. “I’m friends with Ryan Francis who plays ‘Jared The Nerd’ in the movie. Our bands had played some shows together, and he grew up with one of the directors, and they had this role for me. They offered me it, and also offered for me to do music for it as well. Now here were are six years later, and it’s still going. It’s pretty cool.”
2. What is it about “ThanksKilling” that has made it such a cult classic?
A. “I think there are a lot of people who like the Troma kind of movies. They’re done by independent filmmakers making something the mainstream wouldn’t do. They don’t take themselves too seriously. It goes along with that kind of Troma vein. It’s obviously not supposed to be a classy movie. It’s just a stupid comedy with stupid jokes to make you laugh. It’s not meant to be an Oscar-caliber film. Really, it’s just friends making a movie. We started just to amuse ourselves, and everybody else caught up with the joke as well. It’s got a unique theme to it. There really weren’t any Thanksgiving-based horror films. There are plenty for Halloween, obviously, and even for Christmas, but this had a little more of a unique twist.”
3. Has the film served as a vehicle for people to discover your music and vice-versa?
A. “It seems like no matter where we are, there’s always someone there because they are a fan of the film. One time we were in Kansas. A girl there had no idea who I was, and we played the ‘ThanksKilling’ theme. Afterwards she said, ‘I can’t believe you played that!’ All of the sudden she put two and two together. It was funny. She had a surprised look on her face and took off running. She was back in like 30 seconds saying ‘We gotta take pictures!’ That was really great.”
4. What was it that initially kick-started your career in music?
A. “I started as a wee lad, as they say, watching The Beatles’ ‘Hard Days Night.’ I seen all them girls chasing The Beatles down the street, and I thought that’s what I wanna do! I’ve met people through the years who have had the same exact story. Most guys who start in music do it for the girls. I wanted them to chase me down the street, too!”
