become another fan-favorite, considering he is a sexist, pedophile murdering rapist, in retrospect? Because I absolutely love the character, and I know I shouldn't cheer for him, but I do.
Bill: "Otis" is one sexy, fucked-up beast. "Sexist," "pedophile," "rapist," aren't necessarily adjectives I'd attach to a 70's horror character, but everyone has their own filter, Rob, and if you want to impose your point of view, be my guest. Just don't do it when Otis is sharpening his blade!
Rob: (Laughs) I am so honored to be torn apart by you! (Laughs again) And you returned to the character in the amazing
sequel, "The Devil's Rejects". How grueling was playing Otis in that run and gun scenario? I mean you
are running, shoot-ing, fighting, and you can practically see the sweat coming off of every scene, so what was it like?
Bill: "The Devil's Rejects" was shot in thirty days, so there was plenty of running and gunning, lots of sweating out there in the summer of 2005 in desert-like Lancaster, California! I actually appreciated having to work so hard because the schedule never gave
me time to lose character. The difference between Otis in "House" vs. Otis in "Rejects" was
simply that I found Otis in the first film, took him for a spin in the second. For me, I don't always get the character by the
time shooting starts. I like to read the script a few times, try to show up with my lines, as prepared as I can be. In my line of work, sometimes I get flown in the day before I shoot a movie don't get to meet the cast or even the director until I'm on the set ready to rumble! No rehearsals, just go for it. With "House," I felt I got Otis a few weeks after we wrapped when Rob shot the "Run Rabbit Run"
scene as an add-on. But, baby, when we did "Rejects," Otis hit the ground running!
Rob: Most definitely! Not to bring down the conversation, but we lost lost two incredible character actors and favorites in the genre, Tom Towles who was another industry friend, and Geoffrey Lewis whom I never had the pleasure of speaking to. What was it like working with these men, and do you have any great stories you will always remember about them?
Bill: I loved Tommy Towles, worked with him on Savini's "Night of the Living Dead", Adam Wingard's "Homesick" and Rob Zombie's "House of 1000 Corpses," "The Devil's Rejects," "Werewolf Women of the SS" and "Halloween." In fact, come to think of it, I suggested Tommy to Rob when Rob was casting "House of 1000 Corpses." The casting people "Couldn't find" Tommy, so I looked up his number in the phone book. Just goes to show you. Tommy and I also hit the horror convention circuit, and I always
enjoyed his wit, wisdom and especially his humor. He'll be missed in my household. I worked twice with Geoffrey Lewis, and both times I beat him up, and killed him in Rejects! First time was in Clint Eastwood's "Pink Cadillac." I love Geoffrey's acting, but, man, you should hear his spoken word music CDs!
Rob: I will definitely check those out, and Tommy really was a great guy and a hell of an actor, i'll miss him a lot. For one of my absolute favorite and unsung films "Grindhouse", you were in the fake trailer for Rob Zombie's "Werewolf Women Of The SS". Was there ever a chance that an actual film would see light that you were aware of, and did you get a chance to chat with Nicolas Cage. I had to ask because I heard so many great and strange stories about talking with him.
Bill: I was on board "Werewolf Women of the SS" for a day or two, didn't have much contact with Nick Cage. His chauffeur gave me the fish eye when I accidentally got too close to Mr. Cage's $500,000 Maybach car, and when I introduced myself to
Nick in the hair & makeup trailer, he maybe nodded and grunted hello.
Rob: Oh, wow. That's crazy. You have also been a musician for quite some time, also doing voiceover work for other bands along with performing with the "Corn Bugs", but I had read that you are going to be collaborating with one of metal's most
legendary vocalists, Pantera and Down's Phil Anselmo. I am so excited even hearing anything about this project, can you say anything about it?
Bill: My collaboration with Phil Anselmo is called "Phil & Bill". I can't say much more about it other than it was a blast to work with him down in his home state of Louisiana back in March, and Phil says the fans will love what we did!
Rob: I can't wait for this! You have