Tobin Bell, George Romero headline jam-packed Rock and Shock
WORCESTER — Whether you’re into self-inflicting pain to escape a psychopath’s deadly games of torture, defending a closed shopping mall from zombie gate-crashers or feel more human than human, this year’s Rock and Shock has something for you.
Rock and Shock is celebrating its spine-tingling, blood-cuddling, gut-busting 12th year as New England’s premiere showcase for horror and high decibels. And, this might be the most eclectic Rock and Shock events yet, as evidenced by the gaggle of ghoulish guests.
Best known as Jigsaw in the “Saw” film series, veteran actor Tobin Bell will be knocking fans dead with a rare horror convention appearance. Prior to “Saw” and its six sequels, Bell was an accomplished character actor scoring short-but-sweet roles in a series of memorable films (including “The Firm,” “Malice” and “The Quick and the Dead”) and television shows (including “Seinfeld,” “NYPD Blue,” “The X-Files,” “ER,” “24” and “The Sopranos.”)
Also in attendance will be George A. Romero, who became the undisputed granddaddy of zombie movies Long before Daryl Dixon and Sheriff Rick Grimes were fighting “The Walking Dead.” The 75-year-old Romero is an icon in the world of low-budget movies and horror. His 1968 film “Night of the Living Dead” is a cult classic that was reportedly made in the measly $100,000 range. Romero continued to redefine the zombie genre with the ingenious “Dawn of the Dead” (a film that will never make you look at a shopping mall the same way ever again) and intestine-spewing “Day of the Dead.” Not only has Romero changed how society looks at zombies, he has inspired every zombie movie (and TV show) ever since.
Other scheduled guests include William Sanderson, who played J.F. Sebastian, a genetic designer making replicants for the Tyrell Corp., in “Blade Runner”; Samantha Mathis, who has appeared recently on “The Strain” and “Under the Dome”; Adam Green, the creator of the FEARnet horror sitcom "Holliston"; Derek Mears, best known as Jason Voorhees in the “Friday the 13th” reboot; Doug Bradley, best known as Pinhead in the “Hellraiser” film series; Traci Lords, who appeared in “Blade”; Rachel True, from “The Craft” and “Sharknado 2”; P.J. Soles from “Carrie” and “Halloween”; "The Devil's Rejects” stars William Forsythe and Bill Moseley; “American Horror Story: Freak Show” alums Naomi Grossman, Erika Ervin and Rose Siggins; “The Monster Squad” veterans Stephen Macht, Duncan Regehr and Michael Reid Mackay; Howard Sherman and John Amplas of “Day Of the Dead”; Felissa Rose of “Sleepaway Camp”; Robert Mukes of “House of 1,000 Corpses”; and John Kassir of “Tales from the Crypt.”
On the rocking side of the event, the Misfits’ Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein fronts The Rocking Dead, which brings together Wednesday 13 (Murderdolls), Ace Von Johnson and Taime Downe (Faster Pussycat), Ash Costello and Nikki Misery (New Years Day), Mike D’Antonio (Killswitch Engage), Alex Story (Doyle/Cancerslug), Acey Slade (Joan Jett & the Blackhearts), Kyle Castronovo (Wednesday 13) and Bret Von Dehl (The Relapse Symphony). The supergroup will perform at 7:15 Saturday on the main stage at the Palladium, and members will be signing at the band's booth at the DCU Center throughout the convention.
Also set to perform at The Palladium are Hatebreed with Soulfly, Sanctuary, Soilwork, Decapitated, Shattered Sun, Brick By Brick, 2nd Stage: Ana Sapphira, Dead By Wednesday, Disguised The Curse, Shore City, The Grey Curtain, I Guard The Throne, A Fathom Farewell and Without Warning on Friday; Danzig with Superjoint Ritual, Veil of Maya, Prong, Witch Mountain, Crumbsuckers, Doyle, New Years Day, Get Scared, Eyes Set To Kill, Wednesday 13, Byzantine, The Release Symphony, Darksiderz and Hatchet on Saturday; and TWIZTID with Blaze, Boondox, Prozak, Wolf Pac, Scum, Kissing Candice, 2nd Stage: Freeze, OLC, Fury, Split Face, Matty C and Ariel, Jeffery Messii & Twitch, Infiniti,, Lyrical Deathwish, Super Smash Bros and Shane Slaughter on Sunday.
What: Rock and Shock
When and where: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at DCU Center convention hall, 50 Foster St., Worcester (for convention); and 3 p.m. upstairs and 5 p.m. main stage Friday, 3 p.m. upstairs and 4 p.m. Saturday, and 3 p.m. upstairs and 5 p.m. main stage Sunday at The Palladium, 261 Main St., Worcester (for concerts).
How much: $20 per day for convention only ($5 additional the day of the show), $50 for a three-day convention pass ($10 additional the day of the show); $75-110 for three-day convention and concert pass; $35 advance for convention and concert ($40 day of) Friday; $40 for convention and concert Saturday ($45 day of); and $30 for convention and concert Sunday ($35 day of)
Info: www.rockandshock.com
