Our previous Commander Monday field reports have centered around actors, directors, producers and others closely involved in the film and television industry. As we continue to delve deeper into the ZSC Special Forces Unit, we will uncover those with an even wider range of talents and unique abilities. This week the spotlight falls upon a different stage as we take a look at our next Special Forces Brigade member, musician and songwriter Paul Phillips.
While it’s true that Paul’s experience with actual (un)living, (not)breathing zombies may seem somewhat limited, he has faced a shambling horde of an entirely different sort, made up of adoring fans and admirers from one rock & roll venue to the next. His extensive traveling experiences alone have no doubt taught him that sometimes the best way to survive is to keep moving, with one eye on the horizon up ahead, and the other to the road behind.
Paul Philips hails from Brunswick, Georgia and first began plucking at strings from an early age. He has admitted to taking a few lessons but is primarily self-taught, taking inspiration from his father’s musical background as well as influencing bands such as Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Pantera, Nirvana, and Alice in Chains. Paul’s travels took him to Florida and eventually further West. In 1999 he landed in Los Angeles, California, which eventually led him to join forces with the alternative rock band Puddle of Mudd . Their first album, Come Clean, was released in 2001 and has gone triple platinum while selling nearly 4 million copies to date. Paul also toured briefly with the band Operator, releasing one album before returning to Puddle of Mudd. In 2011, Paul and Puddle of Mudd parted ways once more as he decided a much-needed break from the road was in order.
Paul is currently operating out of Jacksonville, Florida. He recently completed work on the upcoming filmNitro Circus 3D, for which he was offered an opportunity to compose the original music score in collaboration with former Puddle of Mudd bandmate Damien Starkey. he has also been involved in The Fallout Collective and Chiller Channel’s Real Fear.
We look forward to seeing more from our own resident rock star, and have nothing but confidence that he will continue down the road to success wherever it may lead…
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WARNING: Before clicking on any of the links in this article, please be aware that many of them go directly to Billy Tackett’s website. Billy advises that those who suffer from heart problems, weak stomach, fear of the dark or a shortness of a sense of humor should never visit his website www.billytackett.com.
In order to better understand what makes the shambling horde shamble, it is important to employ only the brightest, the strongest, the bravest and most twisted of imaginations. The Zombie Survival Crew has hunted far and wide for new recruits, having successfully located loyal supporters of all colors, shapes and sizes. But even the best of the best are not always able to look at the enemy from inside out. Our elite Special Forces Brigade combines brawn, brains, creativity, and experience into a powerful, unstoppable force of sheer awesomeness to do just that. Just last week we introduced you to our Special Forces Commander, and this week we will begin to delve into those on his command.
For starters, who else but zombie mashup master and creator of the original Zombie Sam, the world’s foremost Zombification Specialist™ Billy Tackett can bring us a unique, striking and honest perspective on our future foes? Few others have had the foresight to ask the most difficult questions of all, the what ifs of the upcoming Z-pocalypse.
What if ‘monsterism’ is the next stage in natural evolution? Do we have the right to interfere with mother nature? Wouldn’t the killing off of werewolves, vampires or zombies be akin to genocide? Or at least the extermination of a species? Conservation should be the keyword. We live in a world filled with endangered species lists. I’m not sure we can justify killing off a creature just because it wants to eat us.
Billy’s approach to the growing undead problem may seem unorthodox, even controversial. Some may suspect he’s a sympathizer and a security risk… but the Zombie Survival Crew thinks otherwise. In a world changing rapidly before our eyes, a kill or be killed attitude is not only common, but for many it’s the only way they can imagine survival when the dead outnumber the living. Billy’s unique perspective is not only one that should not be be lightly cast aside, but may in fact hold the key to our survival in the days to come. Perhaps in better understanding that which we perceive as our enemy, we might find a way to survive and even co-exist in the next evolutionary era.
Billy hails from a rural Kentucky town, and little has been documented about his childhood. He began drawing zombies, vampires and other undead things that go bump in the night in the 1970’s. But you’ve seen his work. Everyone has, somewhere at some point in their lives. His work has appeared in magazines, book covers, as fine art and advertising illustrations. He has spent the last decade and more building a solid reputation and a loyal fan base from all walks of life. We’ve seen him on National Geographic, in Horrorhound and ImagineFX magazines. Billy’s always entertaining Daily Arting gives us something to look forward to as we struggle forward with the daily grind, and we strongly recommend an occasional dose of Splatter Art for everyone.
Among others, Billy has created brilliant cover art for authors Robert Silverberg, Shane Moore, Piers Anthony, Richard Lupoff and fellow Special Forces Brigade member Jonathan Mayberry. Billy’s Dead White & Blue comics series are a masterpiece of horror, patriotism, humor and ingenuity that no self-respecting zombie genre fan should ever miss. He has also recently launched his own line of apparel and merchandise, and his art book For the Love of Monsters is also available to all.
Billy is always on the move. He travels the country on an exhausting schedule, keeping in touch with fans, supporters and his fellow ZSC members at all times. Billy doesn’t actively recruit for the Zombie Survival Crew, choosing instead to educate and inform the public of the nature of Monsterism from a rarely-seen perspective. For his love of monsters and for decades of awe-inspiring artwork, we salute Special Forces brigade member Billy Tackett.
What’s New?
Billy will be appearing at GenCon in Indianapolis, Indiana and Cincinnati Comic Expo in August and September. Be sure to check the calendar for more!
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On the eighth day, God created Michael Rooker and said “That should give the zombies something to worry about.”
True story. Special Forces Commander Michael Rooker is badder than ol’ King Kong, meaner than a junkyard dog. Foes alive, dead or mostly dead quake in their boots when he’s around. The UGA couldn’t catch him. If you look up “badass” in the dictionary there’s a photo of him. Chuck Norris has nothing on Michael Rooker. When Michael Rooker speaks, everyone listens. His legend precedes him the way lightning precedes thunder. He is the most interesting man in the world…
That’s enough clichés.
We would love to tell everyone that Michael Rooker is actually a nice guy with big heart and (sometimes) a quiet, observant and soft-spoken manner. We would also love to tell everyone that regardless of his ass-kicking reputation, he doesn’t like violence and is more likely to shoot stuffed animals than zombies, but he would probably not be happy if we ruined his reputation. You can just ignore that last part.
Commander Rooker was born in Jasper, Alabama but spent the most interesting years of his young life in Chicago, where he studied at the Goodman School of Drama. His first forays into acting included appearances in local stage productions and pilot episodes for the television series Crime Story. In 1986 he jumped headfirst into the role of infamous serial killer Henry Lee Lucas, and delivered a truly frightening performance for the cult-classic and controversial film Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. In 1988 he fought for and won the role in Eight Men Out, and also co-starred in the civil rights-era film Mississippi Burning. From Sea of Love , Days of Thunder, and Tombstone all the way up to James Gunn’s Slither and Super, Michael very quickly established himself as a hard-working, talented actor with a determination matched by few.
In 2010 AMC’s The Walking Dead exploded into the living rooms of zombie-genre fans all over the world. Even with only brief appearances in the first two seasons, Merle Dixon quickly became one of his most memorable and sought-after characters. During the record-breaking Season 3, Rooker returned with a vengeance and brought the best of Merle Dixon into living rooms all over the world. It was with heavy hearts and more than a few tears that we said farewell to Merle as Season 3 came to a close.
But as the saying goes, when one door closes, another one opens. That new door leads to Marvel. James Gunn’s much-anticipated Guardians of the Galaxywill feature our Special Forces Commander as the mysterious (and very blue) Yondu.
The Voice of Rooker has also become one of the more recognizable in the gaming community. He has appeared in the mega-hit franchise Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2, Lollipop Chainsaw, and most recently The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct from Activision. When he isn’t filming, voicing or producing, he might be found on the firing range, of which he is a co-owner, or on regular patrols to keep the West Coast safe from zombie infiltration.
Over the last few years Michael has increased his presence on the convention circuit alongside other Walking Dead co-stars Norman Reedus, IronE Singleton, Chandler Riggs, Madison Lintz, Lew Temple, Vincent Ward and… well, everyone else. Always pushing outward, he has expanded his convention visits overseas. He recently visited Germany and Australia, and will be traveling to Japan this summer.
We at the Zombie Survival Crew need no further convincing, Commander Rooker and his Special Forces Unit are more than up to the task as the strongest line of defense in the days to come.
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Attention dear readers, followers and brigadiers… Vincent Ward is among us. Time to RISE AND GRIND.
Vincent joined us in 2013 during his role as Oscar on AMC’s The Walking Dead. But long before he faced the shambling horde, it was clear that Vincent was a force to be reckoned with. This multi-talented actor, filmmaker, artist and writer has appeared in many television roles, films and live stage performances.
Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Vincent excelled in basketball, baseball and football from a young age but turned his attention to basketball in high school. Starting off as one of the best basketball players in Ohio isn’t too shabby at all if you ask us. Fate took an unexpected twist soon afterwards, and Vincent found himself pursuing another dream: dance. Joining forces with his childhood friend, Broderick Dumas, they formed “Night and Day” a.k.a. The Twin Towers, since they both stood at nearly 6 feet 5 inches. Day & Night signed with Dr. Ease and the Ease Town Posse, and they toured with Public Enemy MC Light, X-Clan, MC Hammer, Heavy D and The Boys among others. Vincent went back to school soon afterwards and attended South-Suburban College in Chicago, Illinois under a basketball scholarship, shortly before returning to Dayton, Ohio.
And then it happened. Vincent attended a play in Dayton and the acting bug bit him hard.
With no training or experience, Vincent jumped onto the stage and auditioned. He was almost immediately cast with a touring company out of Columbus, Ohio and appeared in many productions including Black Man Rising, The Ones Who Shoot the Guns, Young Black Men are Dying and No One Seems to Care. In addition to the ever-growing list of theater performances, Vincent’s very impressive body of work includes television and film roles. We’ve spotted him in Ocean’s Eleven, caught him in several episodes of Everybody Hates Chris and The Starter Wife, House of Payne, True Blood, and of course most recently in AMC’s The Walking Dead as the courageous, dependable yet frustratingly short-lived Oscar.
Vincent is no stranger to hard work, and having already stood alongside him at several conventions we’re ecstatic to call him one of our own and have no doubts that when the dead start walking, he’ll be standing strong on the front lines with us.
Madison is most well-known in the ZSC community for her part in the now infamous and soul-wrenching barn sceneduring the second season of AMC’s The Walking Dead. Although the sweetly freckled face of young Sophia Pelletier is instantly recognizable to TWD fans worldwide, Madison has grown up right before our eyes into a beautiful and talented young woman. We’re proud to count her as one of our own.
With a smile that could melt even the hardest of hearts, Madison Lintz hails from an acting family (check out The Lintz Kids!) and is no stranger to the hard work that comes with the life. Even so, she has a seemingly inexhaustible supply of energy. Madison was first spotted at the tender age of six in a nationwide television spot for Golden Corral, and in February of 2011 she appeared in the television special It’s Supernatural before stepping up to audition for The Walking Dead. Soon afterwards, she appeared as young Ana in the film After and the television series Nashville. Madison also appeared in the film Parental Guidance and the indie film project Newborne County.
Madison will be making several convention appearances this year, including the upcoming Walker Stalker events in Boston and Atlanta.
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If there’s something strange in your neighborhood, who you gonna call? Whether that something strange is the ravenous shambling horde or a giant marshmallow thing-from-another-world in a jaunty sailor cap, Second Lieutenant Ernie Hudson is the man. While he may be best remembered for his part in the 1984 mega-hit comedy Ghostbusters, Ernie’s film and television credits alone are far too numerous to list here. This distinguished actor, producer and writer has been bringing his best to both screen and stage for so long, it’s nearly impossible to imagine the industry could ever have existed without him.
Ernie Hudson grew up in Benton Harbor, Michigan. After trying his hand in the Marine Corps, he stepped into the role of resident playwright at Concept East theater in Detroit and shortly afterwards established the Actors’ Ensemble Theatre. His talents soon brought him to Los Angeles, where he appeared in the stage musical Daddy Goodness, and his first role onscreen in the film Leadbelly. With a B.A. from Wayne State University already in hand, Ernie left Los Angeles to pursue a Ph.D at the University of Minnesota. Throughout the 1970’s Ernie was one of the most recognizable faces among smaller television roles, appearing in episodes of Fantasy Island, The Incredible Hulk, Little House on the Prairie, Diff’rent Strokes, Taxi and The A-Team to name only a few.
When 1984’s Ghostbusters exploded into movie theaters all over the country with a great hilarious glob of ectoplasmic slime, Ernie was well-established as a versatile and talented actor with a solid and promising future. He is well known for his role as the sympathetic police sergeant in the cult classic The Crow, Reggie in The Basketball Diaries, and Solomon the gentle giant in The Hand That Rocks the Cradle. Ernie has also continued to appear in many television roles, including ER, Desperate Housewives, Las Vegas, Bones, and has held recurring roles in Law & Order and The Secret Life of the American Teenager.
Ernie recently completed work on Gallows Road. he is currently filming High and Outside while television movies Living the Dream and Race to Judgement are in pre-production. Ernie can also be seen inHaunted Hathaways, The Grim Sleeperand Entertainment One Films’ highly anticipated drama You’re Not You. When not acting, writing, producing or hunting for ectoplasmic slime, Ernie can often be found on the convention circuit, touring the country to meet fans and gather as many new recruits to the cause. For his seemingly never-exhausted efforts to bring us all together, the Zombie Survival Crew salutes Second Lieutenant Ernie Hudson with a crossbow and a giant Twinkie.
After a brief hiatus and several very important missions (which may or may not have involved a horde of drooling zombies, duct tape and a kangaroo) our weekly field reports which we lovingly call Commander Mondays have returned. Because we believe it is important to know exactly who will be leading you forward after the dead have begun to walk the Earth, The Zombie Survival Crew will be bringing you weekly updates with vital information regarding your commanders. This information is equally important to members and prospective members, because… well… because Our Fearless Leader SAID so, and she’s never wrong.
So, without further ado… Orange Brigade, meet Second Lieutenant J. LaRose!
While many of you are no doubt aware of his rather messy demise in Saw III (disembowelment does have its drawbacks), rest assured that the LT is in fine shape and more than ready to take on the ever-growing threat to the human race. You don’t even have to take my word for it, just a glimpse into J’s varied talents and wide range of experience is enough to convince anyone. He can glare a hole in a brick wall in one moment and charm even the hardest of hearts with a winning smile in the next. Coming from a solid background of horror movies, television and short films, J is more than adequately equipped to face the horror in the days that lay ahead. It doesn’t even have to be mentioned that J LaRose is related to a certain Special Forces Commander, but we mentioned it anyway. J. hails from Chicago, making his first appearances on various television series, including Mortal Kombat: Conquest, In Search of, and short films Butterfly Dreams and The Crown of Rust. In 2006 he made his big screen debut as the unfortunately disemboweled Troy in Saw III (spoiler alert), and from there moved on to Repo! The Genetic Opera and the horror films The Tenant, Insidious and The Tortured. J has also been involved in many projects coming up in the near future. Most recently, J LaRose appeared in The Devil’s Carnival,Insidious: Chapter 2, and the short film Amazing Grace, which will be screening at the Sunscreen Film Festival on 5/02/2014. You can view Amazing Grace online here: http://vimeo.com/89128574
J LaRose is currently operating from an undisclosed location, and we are eagerly waiting to hear more from him soon. We’re very sure he won’t end up like poor Troy again, at least not any time soon.
If you’re just joining us for our Commander Monday series, please be sure to check out our previous field reports!
As part of our collective efforts to prepare for the z-poc, ZSC command has undertaken a mission to bring you a series of recipes to keep the body strong and the spirit lifted during dark times. This recipe from Red Brigade Sergeant at Arms Amy Sundberg works great in the Green brigade’s zone, the Southeastern United States, where it shouldn’t be too hard to find a chicken or two…
Coffee Can Chicken
Yep, you read it right. Not canned chicken, although that’s not an unreasonable item to add to your food supply list… but this recipe is the tried-and true real deal. Slow cooking techniques, while they are certainly slow, are key to bringing out the natural flavor of just about any kind of meat. Little preparation is required, and the necessary ingredients are few. If you want a quick meal, this isn’t it. But if you have the time to sit down for a spell or you have other things you can do in the meantime, this one is worth trying.
You will need:
1 whole chicken, butchered and plucked (no more than 3 1/2 lbs)
Butter (margarine or oil will work)
Salt & Pepper
Heavy duty aluminum foil
Gallon-sized tin can
Charcoal briquettes
Optional: Veggies of choice, such as onions, carrots or garlic for more flavor. Go light on the extras, as more materials will extend the cooking time considerably.
Note: During cooking, the can WILL get hot enough to burn whatever is below it, so be very careful about choosing where to put it. If you have inquisitive young ones around, we recommend hanging it from a low branch in a safe place, away from flammable materials and grabby fingers.
Preparation:
Punch or drill holes in the tin can 1 inch up from the bottom approximately 1 inch apart all the way around the can. Place 18 briquettes (no more no less) in the bottom of the can and light.
Rub chicken with butter and season as you like. Wrap chicken with heavy aluminum foil twice, side to side and then from bottom to top. Make sure the foil closing point is on the top of the chicken.
Once the charcoal has turned white, place the foil-wrapped chicken into the can with the legs facing the top. It’s perfectly fine if the chicken sticks out of the can. Let the can and chicken sit (or hang) for 3 hours.
After 3 hours, remove the chicken from the can. Take care opening the foil, steam burns hurt like heck. If the chicken is falling off the bone tender, juicy and smelling delicious, it’s done.
Stand aside, Yellow Brigade! Second Lieutenant Addy Miller is stepping up to the spotlight! This vibrant and fearless young miss has both the brains and the courage to both lead and inspire us all when the inevitable finally begins. While many of us will always remember her as the pajama-clad undead waif in the opening sequences of The Walking Dead pilot episode Days Gone Bye, Addy is no stranger to the industry. At the age of twelve, she is the youngest member of Zombie Survival Crew Command, and it goes without saying that this bright young shining star will only shine brighter as the days grow darker.
Beginning her career as a child model at the age of four, Addy first appeared on the big screen in 2008, starring as the younger Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning) in the award-winning film, The Secret Life of Bees. She went on to make guest appearances in the television series Tainted Love, and it cannot be mere coincidence that she also had a small role in Blood Done Sign My Name with Special Forces Commander Michael Rooker. In 2010, working closely with director Frank Darabont and makeup guru Greg Nicotero, her brief appearance in The Walking Dead earned her a permanent place in the memories of zombie and horror fans everywhere. From there she continued on with appearances in the television film The Shunning and the series It’s Supernatural. Her preference for roles that challenge her to draw upon the darker and more difficult human emotions set her apart from other child actors, and she holds herself to her own high standards at all times.
Addy has very quickly become a regular in the comic-con and horror show circuits. When her busy and demanding schedule allows, she can be found touring and meeting fans from all over the world. This straight-A home-schooled student has been active in raising awareness for autism through public events, charity auctions and much more. Addy also has an interest in the goings-on behind the camera, and it wouldn’t surprise any of us a bit if she were to try her hand at directing, writing or producing somewhere down the road.
Coming soon:
Addy has been working hard and has several upcoming roles in both film and television. She has recently worked on several films including Plan 9 and Nowhere. She has also appeared in the short films Burying the Truth and Red Rose. Currently in production are Sick People, Dark Places and the Kickstarter-funded horror filmThe Devil’s Tree.
Keep watching! This young star can only soar higher and shine brighter.
If you’re just joining us for this series, please be sure to check out our previous Commander Monday reports!
Watch out world! Light Blue Brigade’s Second Lieutenant Adrian Kali Turner is stepping up to the plate. This young actor, writer, singer, competitive dancer, youth speaker, humanitarian and ambitious entrepreneur may be young, but that shouldn’t give you any reason to believe he is to be underestimated.
Born in Takoma Park, Maryland in 1997, Adrian took the lead in a pre-school play and joined the Norbeck Community Church Choir at the age of four. While his peers and classmates were busy fingerpainting, worrying about nap time, and playing tag on the playground, Kali was already well situated on the path to success, and preparing for the day when he would be called to duty.
One of the youngest members to take on the daunting responsibility of Zombie Survival Crew leadership, Adrian is no stranger to hard work. He has appeared in numerous television roles including iCarly, Yo Gabba Gabba, Chuck, Lincoln Heights, Flash Forward, and Disney’s 3 Minute Game Show. Adrian earned awards for Monologue and Commercial competitions at the Actors, Models and Talent Competition in Orlando, Florida in 2006. He delivered solid performances in the films My Name is Khan,Cowboys & Aliens and the 2011 summer comedy Bad Teacher.
In a critically acclaimed and heartbreaking episode that aired during Season 3 of AMC’s The Walking Dead, we learned of Dwayne Jones’ tragic demise through a retelling by his father Morgan, played by Lennie James. In spite of this sad turn of events, Adrian has continued to move onward and upward.
Adrian is a member of the teen singing group, Boyz Crew, and had the opportunity to perform at President Obama’s Inauguration Neighborhood Ball. He has appeared on the talk show circuit with Oprah Winfrey, Ellen Degeneres, and Larry King Live and performed performing alongside Will.i.am, Donna Summer and Jamie Foxx. Adrian has put his musical talents to work to promote humanity and peace, writing and performing a rap single for the Peace in Our Hearts CD. Adrian also indulges in his greatest love, writing, whenever he can. He has penned countless poems, short stories and rap songs, and is a regular writer with the OMG-TV Live teen sketch comedy group. Adrian also wrote and produced the short film My Bad, and is the Chief Operating Officer at Epic Apps Forever, creator of iPhone and iPad apps.
Adrian’s current humanitarian missions involve raising awareness about child slavery. His work has included public speaking and coaching opportunities for young artists and their families, as well as work with the US Forestry Campaign. There seems to be no stopping this young force of nature, and nothing that he cannot do. We at the ZSC are convinced beyond a doubt that this world is a little bit brighter because of him, and we are counting on him to shine that light on us all in the days to come.
Coming soon:
Adrian recently appeared as Julius Love in an episode of Arrested Development. He has also been seen in the films Camp Fred, Standing Up and Teachers alongside Salli Richardson-Whitfield and Esai Morales. Keep an eye out for Behind Locked Doors (formerly The Jack Story), directed by Charles S. Dutton and co-starring Richard Tyson.
Our previous Commander Monday field reports have centered around actors, directors, producers and others closely involved in the film and television industry. As we continue to delve deeper into the ZSC Special Forces Unit, we will uncover those with an even wider range of talents and unique abilities. This week the spotlight falls upon a different stage as we take a look at our next Special Forces Brigade member, musician and songwriter Paul Phillips.
