Rob Zombie slams musicians obsessed with the old days: “You sound like your grandparents!”

Watch his incredible interview with Johnny Doom

Rob Zombie at Download Festival
Published 11th Jun 2017

In a hilarious interview with Kerrang! Radio’s Johnny Doom backstage at Download Festival, Rob Zombie has lambasted bands who get hung up on the supposed glory days of the music industry.

Speaking ahead of his coveted headline slot on the Zippo Encore Stage last night, the metal legend joked to Johnny that he gave his last album - The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser – a hard to pronounce title due to his dislike of radio DJs.

“I do (hate radio DJs), so much,” he joked. “I mean, I figure what’s the point? You’re not going to play it anyway.”

Talking on his future plans, Rob added: “Right now we’re doing shows all summer then we’re starting a new record in August and then I won’t start a new movie until next year cos’ it’s all music for the rest of this year.”

Asked by Johnny if the album title could be a little snappier this time around, Rob quipped: “Sure, I’m going to come up with something short… I’m going to call it ‘Number One Radio Smash Hits’.”

He continued: “These days as everybody knows there’s not really like a proper album cycle where you make an album and you just tour to death because no one really gives a s--- if anyone’s making records that much anymore. See you (Johnny) won’t even be bothered to learn a title so if that’s too much work imagine how the kids are.”

Rob Zombie at Download Festival

With his tongue firmly wedged in his cheek, Rob continued: “I like making (music), it’s great. I’m different than a lot of people that I hear talking – I don’t care if people are buying it.

“I’m sick of hearing about the old days, who gives a s---?! Talking about CDs, you sound like your grandparents talking about CDs drop it man! Y’know, f---ing boring topic.

“I make (music), I don’t care if they steal it, whatever they can. I prefer it they sneak into the store and steal the vinyl but if they choose to steal the download that’s ok too. But I challenge you, start stealing the vinyl if you’re going to steal our music.”

Arguing that the video format is more relevant than ever, the acclaimed film director added: “I love making videos. We made more videos for the last record than we’ve made in the last ten years because that’s all that matters.

“Y’know people go ‘oh no one listens to music’ – yeah, they do but they watch it at the same time. I mean, you look at a video you go ‘wow it’s got 50 million views’, well you didn’t get 50 million views on f---ing MTV y’know. It’s great!”

You can watch Rob’s interview in all its unabridged glory below where he also chats about playing Donington supporting Metallica on their Escape from the Studio show in 1995, the dangers of pyrotechnics in the wind and gives Johnny some hangover advice.