Alive: Music for Night of the Living Dead

Modern Robot performs an original film score to the original zombie movie: “Night of the Living Dead”.

Yellow Venue
Friday, May 19th midnight
Sunday, May 21st 8:45 pm
Friday, May 26th midnight
Saturday, May 27th 10:15 pm

George Romero and his crew shot mostly at a Pennsylvania house scheduled for demolition, so the place could be torn part. The costumes came from the actors, or second-hand shops. One of the actors owned a string of butcher shops, so he donated roasted ham and entrails (that part will make more sense if you’ve seen this film). With some gallons of blood-like Bosco Chocolate Syrup, “Night of the Living Dead” might define what an independent horror film is.

The ending is so truly bleak, almost anti-movie, that “Night of the Living Dead” was turned down by a string of distribution companies. But in 1968, this film managed a theatrical release. It went on to be a huge and worldwide success; millions saw it. It was even the top-grossing film in Europe in 1969 — made for $114,000.

While audiences loved it, the critics were mostly grossed out, or disturbed. I like this quote from Variety:

“Until the Supreme Court establishes clear-cut guidelines for the pornography of violence, Night of the Living Dead will serve nicely as an outer-limit definition by example. In [a] mere 90 minutes this horror film (pun intended) casts serious aspersions on the integrity and social responsibility of its Pittsburgh-based makers, distributor Walter Reade, the film industry as a whole and [exhibitors] who book [the picture], as well as raising doubts about the future of the regional cinema movement and about the moral health of film goers who cheerfully opt for this unrelieved orgy of sadism...”

But this has changed. As well as launching the entire genre of zombie films, “Night of the Living Dead” is on a score of critics’ lists, “most-scary” lists, “most-significant” lists and so on. It’s a recognized classic.

And then I have my own opinion. Inside this B movie (and it is a B-movie!) lurks a better movie. It just needs some trimming.

At the Orlando Fringe, Modern Robot is performing a new and original score, performed live to this “Night of the Living Dead”. It’s tense and disturbing music, to highlight the true human drama of society, empathy, power, survival, and betrayal.

Joining me on drums is the extraordinary and entirely delightful Paul Gavin. Paul’s drumming is rooted in jazz, but he can often be found in musical theater, teaching private lessons, giving clinics, and teaching marching percussion. Paul won two International competitions: the VSA International Young Soloist Competition in 2013, and the Downbeat Student Music Awards in 2014, but really, you just have to hear him to know what a creative and musical drummer he is.

In August, Modern Robot will take this show to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, so come see what this is all about!