Interview: Talking Horror with Tooth Gore (Written)
Tooth Gore (aka Kobi Joe) is a supremely talented and exciting surf punk solo artist hailing from the seaside town of Newquay, Cornwall. Tooth Gore will release his explosive sophomore album, ‘For Losers, By Losers’, on Friday 6th June. In this interview we talk all things horror with the artist.
1. What’s some of your earliest memories surrounding horror films and at what age do you think you experienced your first one?
My first horror film was one called ‘The Hole’ from 2009. The general premise is that whatever the characters are most afraid of emerges from the hole in the basement. I don’t remember much about it but the little clown doll scared 7-year-old me to death.
2. What effect do you think it had on you, either positive or negative?
I think it had a positive effect and started my lifelong love of horror. In my opinion there’s no better way to instantly engage an audience than to scare them.
3. Do you have a particular moment in horror, be it a specific film or even a scene, that defined your childhood?
A moment that sticks out to me is seeing Seth Brundle’s horrifying final transformation into Brundlefly in Cronenberg’s 1986 ‘The Fly’. It was a masterful use of practical effects and animatronics to create an iconic movie monster.
4. What used to scare you?
I used to be scared of the dark, as well as things related to sleep, like sleep paralysis.
5. How did your early experiences blossom into a love of all thing’s horror?
I think growing up with a mum who adores all things horror like I do has influenced me more than anything. I always watch horror movies with my parents, that’s something special we have.
6. Do you have a particular era or style of horror that you deem the best? If so, which one, why, and what are some examples of the best of that era/style?
I really like sci-fi horror from the 70’s and 80’s like ‘The Fly’ and ‘Alien’ . I think they’re really imaginative with their creature designs and have an atmosphere that tows the line between campy and horrific. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I also love more modern, artsy psychological horror films like Ari Aster’s ‘Hereditary’ which is so dedicated to creating a gut-wrenching atmosphere before we’re even aware of anything supernatural going on. Another example of this that I love is Robert Eggers’ ‘The Lighthouse’ which is surreal and maddening.
7. How about genres – are you a slasher fan, paranormal lover, gorefest enjoyer, etc, or is a little bit of everything ok with you?
I love and appreciate all genres of horror, though I tend to lean towards horror that has something to say, like last year’s incredible ‘The Substance’.
8. What’s the best horror film to watch alone and why?
I think Lake Mungo is the best horror film to watch alone, as its slow pace and suspense really build when you’re concentrating without distractions.
9. Likewise, what’s the best horror film to watch with a group (beers and popcorn included) and why?
The Terrifier series – Terrifier 3 is the best thus far in my opinion – is the best to watch as a group, as the over-the-top gore and comedic slasher killer, Art the Clown, make for a blast to watch.
10. What is an overrated film or franchise? Please explain.
I think the Blair Witch Project is the most overrated film, I found it a bit boring, and the characters were unlikeable.
11. What is a modern horror film (the last ten years) that you just loved and why?
‘Hereditary’ from 2018 is my favourite horror film of all time, it’s so perfectly made, and it’s properly scary.
12. What scares you now?
Growing up.
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