Rock and Shock 2013
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Article by: Piper Potts
Rock and Shock: 10 Years of Blood, Gore, and Rock and Roll.
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Rock and Shock celebrated its tenth year at the DCU center in Worcester, Massachusetts this year with an ever growing crowd of horror and rock fans. This year was star studded with headliners from the industry’s biggest horror movies, television shows, and the world of rock and roll. Included in the lineup of monsters and mayhem included fan favorites; Michael Rooker (The Walking Dead, Slither), Robert Patrick (X Files, Terminator 2), Dee Snider (Strangeland, Twisted Sister), William Forsythe (Rob Zombie’s Halloween, The Devils Rejects), and Sid Haig (House of 100 Corpses, The Devil’s Rejects.)
Horror veterans Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, Gunnar Hansen, and Tony Moran also made an appearance. The actors sat on a panel, bringing the four big names of slashers together (Freddy Krueger, Jason Vorhees, Leatherface, and Michael Myers.) The men who have have frightened fans for generations spoke about their experiences in the industry, and answered questions from the fans. Their words captivated a full house with only standing room available.
While not as prevalent as science fiction, fantasy, and anime conventions, cosplay still had a memorable presence. Amongst the popular sea of horror movie and concert t-shirts, a growing crowd of fans dressed up as evil clowns, zombies, generic monsters, and slasher legends. Speaking of concerts, Danzig took the stage Saturday, along with Otep, Butcher Babies, A Pale Horse Named Death, and many more over the course of the frightful weekend.
As with any convention fueled by fandom, there has to be a place to shop. Over 100 tables occupied the dealer’s room, bringing together artists, authors, organizations, and businesses all related to the realm of horror. Rock and Shock brings together more than just the generic t-shirts, toys, and movies you can find online. For instance, HorrorDecor.net sells horror themed candles, pillows, and even blood splattered bedding to make your home beautifully morbid for the holiday. Another vendor who breaks the mold is Curious Goods, selling custom, handmade, one of a kind items that make you say “WTF?” by artist Mike Smash. In his lineup of toys he has an extensive collection of zombified superheroes, including a zombie Spiderman, gorging hungrily on the entrails of his beloved bride, Mary Jane.
If you become tired of shopping or rubbing elbows with the guests, you could pull up a chair at the video game or board game tournaments. Play a round of Rock Band with your friends, or challenge them to the newly released
Firefly board game. Throughout the weekend horror themed board games and card games were available to play, including demonstrations of; Cthulu and Zombie Munchkin, The Walking Dead Board Game, and Gloom. If video games are more your speed, video game tournaments included Mortal Kombat, Mario Kart, and Super Street Fighter IV were set up for fans to partake in.
If games aren’t your thing, you could watch some entries from this year’s film festival, such as Waterfront Nightmare directed by Clark Birchmeier and Slew Hampshire directed by Flood Reed. For a special treat, Saturday night marked the worldwide premiere of Army of the Damned, directed and written by Tom DeNucci. As an added bonus, Woodhaven Production Company brought many of the cast members together for a signing, including Tony Todd (Candyman,) and Joey Fatone (N*SYNC.)
Rock and Shock isn’t just for the big kids, and fans of all ages are welcomed to enjoy the convention every year. To reinforce the family friendly vibe, workshops were organized. For the little ones, as well as those of us who are kids at heart, workshops included pumpkin decorating, learning the art of horrorgami paper folding, and how to make Halloween hair accessories.
As a fan who has attended this convention for many years, it is so exciting to see it grow with more vendors and actors eager to greet fans. With familiar faces among the celebrity guests it is always great to see new names added to the list, and this is one convention that tries to blend fan favorites, up and coming actors, as well as new blood. Only time will tell what, and who, next year’s Rock and Shock will bring!
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Article by: Piper Potts
Photos by: Jack Hopkins
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October 31 2013