Josh Millrod and Jesse DeRosa of Brooklyn experimental outfit Grasshopper were weaned on horror movies, essentially from birth. While the rich kids friends were mall-ratting, they would sleaze around the horror section of Blockbuster and marathon through the classics, absorbing both the aesthetic of Lucio Fulci and John Carpenter films as well as their scores.
Two films that had a lasting impacts on the Jesse and Josh were respective films by both of those horror visionaries–Zombi 2 and Assault On Precinct 13. Listening to the covers of both of these tracks, it is easy to recognize two young kids in their basement of their parents’ house watching these two films on repeat on a shitty tube television.
The analog elements of the Zombi 2Â cover give the track sort of this weirdly epic or regal quality that compounds the stress and suspense of the theme. Rather than relying solely on ozzing synths, there are elements to the song that feel simultaneously half-living and half-dead.
About tackling John Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13 theme music, Jesse explains, “the original arrangement of P13 was almost too perfect for our available instrumentation, and our sinister dispositions, to not make our own.” What you’ll hear when you listen to it is a very on-edge, sinister take on the original theme. Though a very faithful rendition of the original, Grasshopper’s version wails and wines a bit more. It is a very cool contemporary take on an instantly recognizable classic.
If you dig the horror zones these guys are entering, then be sure to head to their SoundCloud page to explore further. The group’s album, Dark Sabbath: Symbols Of Evil will be out November 11 via Hausu Mountain.
Oh and for Halloween, Jesse will be going as an elite from Carpenter’s They Live and Josh will be going as an “emo zombie.” So you know, these guys know whats up. Let us know what you think in the comments and on Twitter!
Image: Variety Film
