Rock N Roll Nightmare

Video and mp3 files after the jump

The most recent album from rock-God Thor got quite a bit of love here on WFMU. But I want to talk a bit about the real Thor. That's Jon-Mikl Thor, former bodybuilding champion, Las Vegas attraction, and most importantly...actor and screenwriter.

I first heard of Thor not through his 80s hair-metal albums, but via a dusty video cassette from the rental store called Rock and Roll Nightmare. A good friend giddily introduced me to this film one spooky night (his mother watched it with us) and I must say that my world has not been the same since. Synapse films finally released this lost gem in a deluxe DVD this year in all its widescreen(!) glory and with tons of extras. There has been no greater moment in my life then when I tore open the plastic of my freshly purchased copy only to find, much to my surprise, my own darn name listed in the thank you credits.

So how did a humble little fanboy like me make it to the inner circle of one of the old ones? Well, first let's start with the film...

The plot involves a metal band (the Tritonz) who head to a secluded ranch house in order to record some material for their new album. The house has everything - a 24 track recording studio in the barn, a bevy of giggly groupies, plenty of Coke ("Gotta have my Coke"), and, oh yeah, an evil spirit that randomly possesses our heroes and plucks them off one by one.

I won't lie, Rock & Roll Nightmare is not a good film. It is a cheaply made, slowly paced, poorly acted, and an ultimately not-at-all-scary horror film. Watch this sample for a taste of the characters and a typical moment of suspense.
RnR Nightmare clip: Arriving at the house (Quicktime 25mb)

The jokes (and that Australian accent) don't get any better. But unlike the har-har Ed Wood comparisons from many reviewers (haters!), I genuinely love this movie. There is something about Thor that rises above it all. He has an infectious spirit and an overall like-ability that is just hard to deny. Shucks, for a Mr. Canada and Mr. USA champion who could wipe the floor with my face, he just comes off as such a lovable big puppy-dog - especially in that sexy shower scene. Besides, the music is actually pretty enjoyable.
RnR Nightmare clip: We Live to Rock (Quicktime 39mb)

And then there is the ending - perhaps the most surreal, unexpected, and, okay I admit it, hilarious twist ending to ever make it to the video shelf. Again, I have to give Thor full credit for bringing it all home and somehow making everything so ridiculous that it is somewhat transcendent. Not only because he is completely believable as an Arch-Angel (despite his heavy-metal posturing, there is still something very sweet in Thor's eyes, a genuine caring for humanity), but also because he wrote the screenplay for Rock and Roll Nightmare. So you know that this amazing shocker ending was in his brain the whole time. I hate to be a spoiler, but this ending is a big selling point to the whole film, so you just have to take a little peek.
RnR Nightmare clip: Old Scratch (Quicktime 45mb)

After this scene it gets even better... Now don't you just have to see this movie?

After discovering this film I sought out all things Thor. Admittedly his metal albums and singles didn't really do much for me - other than conjure up glorious memories of the film - but then I found his first album, Keep the Dogs Away.

Released in 1977, this album is pure glorious glam-rock confection with a slightly heavy edge of the best order. RCA billed Thor's new sound as "Muscle Rock". It failed on the LP racks, but as a lasting testament to Thor it is truly among his best work. And it still isn't on CD, dangit, so let's share it here.

Keep the Dogs Away Mp3s:
Keep the Dogs Away     Sleeping Giant     Catch a Tiger     I'm So Proud     Tell Me Lies     Military Matters     Superhhero     Wasted     Rosie     Thunder

Video for Keep the Dogs Away (Quicktime 30mb)
Check out the outfits on Thor's band, not to mention his own stage theatrics. From the DVD An-THOR-logy.

This one-two punch made me seek out the man himself when I was running a non-profit theatre in Boston (this one, if you're curious). My goal was to play the film in our midnight movie series. Sadly, Thor had no idea how to get a copy of the film, but he was about to embark on a new US tour and wanted to play a show at my theatre. Not at a nightclub or a bar - but at the movie theatre. How could I say no?

So came the fateful night in October of 2002 that Thor and his band showed up in their well-traveled van. They hadn't arranged for a place to stay, so I told them they could drive over to my place and crash there. I convinced Thor to ride with me in my car, so we had plenty of time to talk. He told me about his teen-age bodybuilding career, his "big break" appearing on The Mike Douglas Show*, his years as a swinger, the hard break-up with his longtime wife and partner Cherry Bomb, and his possible abduction by UFOs (I wish I could remember exactly what he said about that). It was an amazing drive - not only because, you know, THOR! - but because he was just such a nice, genuine, unassuming guy.

 

* You've got to watch the Mike Douglas clip (Quicktime 46mb) and witness first-hand Thor dancing for the ladies while singing Sweet's "Action". Then he blows up a hot water bottle until it explodes, quipping "I bet you Donny Osmond can't do it." Pay close attention to the befuddled country band trapped on the stage during Thor's act. Is that costumed country schtick really any more dignified?

The concert the next night wasn't as crowded as I would like, we had a ton of sound problems, it ran too long, and the opening act Damien Storm was not very well received (I thought he was pretty amazing, but his act was a little too esoteric for the kids who just wanted to rock). And despite all that it was one of the best damn things we ever did at that theatre. I put together a 20-minute greatest hits edit of Rock N Roll Nightmare from my old VHS copy and the crowd loved it. After the mini-film ended, the man in person immediately took the stage. It was truly like a God descended upon the theatre. We all went completely ape-shit. (The aftermath  - pictured)

In the morning I made french toast for Thor and his band. Not only were they appreciative, but Thor himself insisted on doing the dishes after breakfast. The phrase "Thor did my dishes!" will forever be my favorite saying.

To think after all these years the big guy remembered me and I ended up in those liner notes. Sniff. A little tear just rolled down my cheek. Seriously.

The very next week Jello Biafra came to the theatre and stayed at my house as well. It was a freaking nightmare - the polar opposite of Thor. I mean, the man handed me a cup of his own urine! But that, dear friends, is a story for another time.

Rock Warrior links:

In 2005, Thor returned to the theatre on his new tour. The new album was amazing, the show was amazing, the screening of Intercessor (a bogus sequel to RnR nightmare) was a mistake. Here's a fan review of the show.

Thor's official website

Synapse Films' Rock N Roll Nightmare page
Or at Amazon, if that's your thing.

Reviews of the film:
DVD Verdict     Canuxploitation     Mondo Digital     Eccentric Cinema
1000 Misspent Hours - "Rock ‘n’ Roll Nightmare is a fucking manifesto!"

Interview with Thor about the film

Thor performs in the WFMU studio on Live at the Stork Club (2001) RealPlayer archive link

My favorite Thor head shots

Comments

[Big Andy]

I can't believe that Thor is still going. I remember seeing him on UK TV kids show Number 73 one saturday morning and also have a show that he did at the Camden Underworld in London that was shown on UK TV on video, the man was amazing.

[John Fink]

Holy crap, thanks a ton for this. I first heard about Thor while reading Dave Bidini's "On a Cold Road" and have wanted to hear what Thor sounds like ever since. Now Rock'n'Roll Nightmare has been duly dumped into my Netflix queue. Hoohah!

[JulieB]

But what of Cherry Bomb? I searched for years to find the Thor hits album, featuring "Midnight Man" as sung by his wife Cherry (I blame Bill Kelly for my obsession with this song). I confess I haven't given the rest of the disc a listen! But that bikini picture...hmmm...

[Malcolm Tent]

Hails! I was proud to host a concert by THOR and his band right after the one you promoted. It was here in Danbury, CT and truly was one of the most awe- inspiring concerts I've ever witnessed. It was my fourth live experience with THOR (the third being THOR live in the WFMU studios!) and it felt like the first- pure rock and roll excitement. THOR is indeed the real thing and I can't wait till he hits the road again.

[DanO]

Thor was featured often on the early 80s UHF music video channel U68, which also featured Uncle Floyd.
(am i the only one who watched that??)

they played a lot of his videos during their late night metal block. the one i remember most was for the song "Knock Them Down", i still have the chorus stuck in my head.

but the BEST thing was that they played public service announcements with Thor and they were awesome! in one he comes out in full regalia with a cheap publiuc station backdrop and says:
"Hi, I'm Thor and i want to remind all of you kids to brush your teethe regularly so that they remain strong.... and you can BEND STEEL!"

then he pulls out a three feet long half inch bar of steel, bites down on it, and starts bending it. it isn't easy either - he's grunting and groaning and thrashing around. it was a spectacle!

[ResidentClinton]

The mighty Thor has not forgotten the kindness of Uncle Floyd. He even gives him a shout out during his FMU appearance in 2001! Oh, and some of his Uncle Floyd appearances and U68 promos are featured on the An-THOR-logy DVD.

[Clint]

Don't forget Thor's starring role in "Zombie Nightmare" (do I detect a theme here?), as seen on season 6 of Mystery Science Theater 3000.

[Andrew]

As far as I'm concerned, Thor will always be remembered for his heroic work in ZOMBIE NIGHTMARE, which was eviscerated on the very first MST3K I ever saw.

[Trainwreck]

Thor played a halloween show in Winnipeg (Canada) with surf band the rock doras who played air guitar to a taped karaoke version of Thor's last album. It was best and worst thing i've ever seen on stage. Long live the Rockathoras!!!

[pixie]

HELLO! I've just downloaded PIL's video. :) Could you put more of their videos or SEX PISTOLS videos on your page, I'm a big fan of them... Or some PIL's mp3's... I would be veeeery thankfull. BTW great blog. You allready know... ;D BYE

[Lukas]

Great post, and I can't wait to read the Jello Biafra story...

[scottbeadle]

Great Thor story and goodies, thanks! As a Vancouverite, I was lucky enough to watch Thor perform on local cable channels as an impressionable teenager. And for some reason, Thor's blatant and unrepentant ridiculousness endeared him to the hate-everything punk rockers that followed him a year or 2 later. One of our local punk just-for-fun "supergroups" Rude Norton regularly covered Keep The Dogs Away (Dimwit sang it, RIP, former drummer for DOA, Subhumans, Pointed Sticks, Four Horsemen, etc). More recently, DOA did a split CD with Thor & toured together. But what's less known is that his Jon Mikel Thor days (see the "head shots" link you've provided) reached back to the hey-day of glitter rock. He was one of the opening acts for the New York Dolls when they played here in 1974, along with a Seattle outfit called Ze Whiz Kids, which featured future Screamers members (Screamers started in Seattle, remember). I believe Jon Mikel Thor also played CBGBs in pre-1977 days, I'm not sure who with, but note that Screamers members spent some time in NYC before moving the San Fran to form Screamers. He doesn't play up this predigree that much, but I find it interesting.

[Station Manager Ken]

I met Thor in the elevator when he was here to play live on The Stork Club. He was the nicest and most genuine musician I've ever met at the station. he seemed like a truly great guy.

-ken

[noah]

hi clinton!
i just commented on your later post (i'm going backwards through all the posts i've missed while i've had no internet access) asking, on a longshot, whether you were the one who booked the coolidge.
i never got the balls to tell you this, but you are seriously the greatest show-booker i have ever heard of, ever.
microphones/calvin johnson/jason anderson, thor/damien storm/anal cunt (even though they bailed), low (i think it was there, right?), jello, i went to every one i got a chance to attend.
i had just started college and was so fucking happy that all of my favorite acts were playing in the perfect setting, a movie theater, where no one talked. that september 6th 2002 microphones show was the most important for me; i was the guy who sang onstage with phil (off-key because he was fucking with the guitar) during "lanterns." as a 19 year old friendless college kid, your shows were a real bastion of quality in the shithole known as the boston music scene. i missed you when you left, and you have never been replaced. i remember when you moved to ny. i hope you're still booking shows!
anyway, i'm playing in brooklyn in a week with don lennon and indian style. based on your taste, i bet you'd like the show. i'd love it if you came or even emailed me. thanks for everything you did for those of us in the underrepresented high-quality market!

[the invisible man]

I cannot thank you enough for the THOR mp3s...My copy of "keep the dogs away has definetly seen better days! I was lucky enough to see The Man himself live a coupla years back & yes, he is truly amazing, an awesome showman if ever there was! And he ROCKS!!! One of the funnest shows Ive ever seen..... Ive got the autographed hot water bottle (blown into pieces by the mighty lungs of THOR of course!) to prove it! "....You are like straw against the wind)

[Joe Rogers]

Are you kidding me? Thor sucks! No passion. No energy. He's hype and all show and NO go! None!