Rosemary's Billygoat
Encyclopedia
Rosemary's Billygoat is an American horror punk
and heavy metal
band from California
formed in 1991. The band features live stage theatrics such as pyrotechnic effects, horned guitars, and satanic props that are reminiscent of shows by artists such as Rob Zombie
and Alice Cooper
. Rosemary’s Billygoat combine heavy metal riffs with frenetic energy, fire breathing.
, Celebrity Skin
and the Imperial Butt Wizards. Odd became a regular member of the Wizards cast as a non-music theatrical performer. Neal Gargantua, a guitarist from Gardena
, California
and former member of the Nip Drivers
joined the band along with Lance Inosanto on bass. Rosemary’s Billygoat began performing as a drunken cross-dressing quartet and incorporated elements of fire and metal style theatrics, which the band referred to as “Militant Witchcraft Punk with a Motown edge.” They released a split double vinyl 7” record with the Imperial Butt Wizards in 1993.
By 1994, Odd and Gargantua acquired their current lineup by adding Pat Trick, former bassist for the 80’s punk band The Detonators, and drummer Paul Bearer, daredevil showman for the Imperial Butt Wizards. During the same year they released “Pizza of Darkness,” produced by popular punk-rock producer Geza X
.
In 1998, Rosemary's Billygoat teamed up with Circle Jerks
and Bad Religion
guitarist, Greg Hetson. Greg played on the album “Cheeses of Nazareth” as well as producing it with his partner, Blink 182 producer Steve Kravac through Porterhouse Records.
The band altered their style in 2002 which they described as 'Monster Spoof Rock.' Mike Odd teamed with Hollywood Special Effects Artist, Craig Macintyre, and created a new look for Rosemary's Billygoat with goat-exoskeleton structures and other monster-type prop art. The band once again worked with Steve Kravac to produce their most recent album, “Evilution.” The band performed numerous times in North America
in support of their new album.
Mike Odd opened "The Rosemary’s Billygoat Odditorium" in Los Angeles
in 2004. It was a place dedicated to the strange, bizarre and freakish in nature. Kerry King
from the band Slayer
spoke of his visit in Blender Magazine. Celebrities such as Forrest Ackerman, Shooter Jennings
, and Leonardo DiCaprio
have also visited the famous location. The Odditorium closed in 2007 but remains open to the public as an online business.
Since 2008, Rosemary's Billygoat has been touring with Green Jellÿ
and Radioactive Chickenheads
and are currently working on their new studio album to celebrate the band's 20th Anniversary.
Horror punk
Horror punk is a music genre that mixes Gothic and punk rock sounds with morbid imagery and lyrics, which are often influenced by horror films...
and heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
formed in 1991. The band features live stage theatrics such as pyrotechnic effects, horned guitars, and satanic props that are reminiscent of shows by artists such as Rob Zombie
Rob Zombie
Rob Zombie is an American musician, film director, screenwriter and film producer. He founded the heavy metal band White Zombie and has been nominated three times as a solo artist for the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.Zombie has also established a career as a film director, creating the...
and Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
. Rosemary’s Billygoat combine heavy metal riffs with frenetic energy, fire breathing.
Background
Rosemary’s Billygoat was formed in 1991 out of a certain sect of theatrical Hollywood bands that were popular at the time. Singer Mike Odd and drummer Denis Fleps were working in a head shop in Hermosa Beach and frequently attended shows for bands like Green JellyGreen Jellÿ
Green Jellÿ is a Grammy-nominated American comedy rock band formed in 1981. Originally named Green Jellö, the band changed its name due to legal pressure from the owners of the Jell-O trademark, Kraft Foods, who claimed that it was an infringement of their trademark...
, Celebrity Skin
Celebrity Skin (band)
Celebrity Skin is a band-Personnel:* Don Bolles * Tim Ferris * Robert Haas * Gary Jacoby * Jason Shapiro -Discography:* Celebrity Skin...
and the Imperial Butt Wizards. Odd became a regular member of the Wizards cast as a non-music theatrical performer. Neal Gargantua, a guitarist from Gardena
Gardena, California
Gardena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 58,829 at the 2010 census, up from 57,746 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Gardena is located at ....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and former member of the Nip Drivers
Nip Drivers
The Nip Drivers were an American punk rock band formed in 1982 in Torrance, California. The band was the brainchild of lead singer Mike Webber, and for a time included guitarist Kurt Schellenbach, Janus Jones on bass, and Nick Passiglia on drums, though the lineup at any given time was fluid...
joined the band along with Lance Inosanto on bass. Rosemary’s Billygoat began performing as a drunken cross-dressing quartet and incorporated elements of fire and metal style theatrics, which the band referred to as “Militant Witchcraft Punk with a Motown edge.” They released a split double vinyl 7” record with the Imperial Butt Wizards in 1993.
By 1994, Odd and Gargantua acquired their current lineup by adding Pat Trick, former bassist for the 80’s punk band The Detonators, and drummer Paul Bearer, daredevil showman for the Imperial Butt Wizards. During the same year they released “Pizza of Darkness,” produced by popular punk-rock producer Geza X
Geza X
Geza Gedeon, professionally known as Geza X was a personality in the Los Angeles punk scene in the late 1970s. Geza produced records for a number of early California punk bands including the Dead Kennedys, The Germs, Black Flag, The Avengers and The Weirdos...
.
In 1998, Rosemary's Billygoat teamed up with Circle Jerks
Circle Jerks
The Circle Jerks are an American hardcore punk band, formed in 1980 in Los Angeles, California. It was formed by Black Flag's original singer, Keith Morris, and future Bad Religion guitarist Greg Hetson. They were among the preeminent hardcore punk bands of the L.A. scene in the late 1970s.The band...
and Bad Religion
Bad Religion
Bad Religion is a punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1979. Their current line-up consists of Greg Graffin , Brett Gurewitz , Jay Bentley , Greg Hetson , Brian Baker and Brooks Wackerman . Gurewitz is also the founder of the label Epitaph Records, which has released almost all of the...
guitarist, Greg Hetson. Greg played on the album “Cheeses of Nazareth” as well as producing it with his partner, Blink 182 producer Steve Kravac through Porterhouse Records.
The band altered their style in 2002 which they described as 'Monster Spoof Rock.' Mike Odd teamed with Hollywood Special Effects Artist, Craig Macintyre, and created a new look for Rosemary's Billygoat with goat-exoskeleton structures and other monster-type prop art. The band once again worked with Steve Kravac to produce their most recent album, “Evilution.” The band performed numerous times in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
in support of their new album.
Mike Odd opened "The Rosemary’s Billygoat Odditorium" in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in 2004. It was a place dedicated to the strange, bizarre and freakish in nature. Kerry King
Kerry King
Kerry King is an American lead and rhythm guitarist. He is best known as the lead guitarist and cofounder of American thrash metal band Slayer. He co-founded the band with Jeff Hanneman in 1981 and has been a member ever since...
from the band Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
spoke of his visit in Blender Magazine. Celebrities such as Forrest Ackerman, Shooter Jennings
Shooter Jennings
Waylon Albright "Shooter" Jennings is an American singer-songwriter active in the country music and Southern rock genres as well as making his first foray into psychedelic rock in 2009...
, and Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio is an American actor and film producer. He has received many awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his performance in The Aviator , and has been nominated by the Academy Awards, Screen Actors Guild and the British Academy of Film and Television...
have also visited the famous location. The Odditorium closed in 2007 but remains open to the public as an online business.
Since 2008, Rosemary's Billygoat has been touring with Green Jellÿ
Green Jellÿ
Green Jellÿ is a Grammy-nominated American comedy rock band formed in 1981. Originally named Green Jellö, the band changed its name due to legal pressure from the owners of the Jell-O trademark, Kraft Foods, who claimed that it was an infringement of their trademark...
and Radioactive Chickenheads
Radioactive Chickenheads
The Radioactive Chicken Heads are a punk rock band from Los Angeles, California.They are best known for their outrageous live shows and music videos, during which they perform wearing cartoonish mutant chicken and vegetable masks...
and are currently working on their new studio album to celebrate the band's 20th Anniversary.
Albums
- Rosemary’s Billygoat/Imperial Butt Wizards Compilation (1993)
- Pizza of Darkness (1994)
- Cheeses of Nazareth (1998)
- Evilution (2002)
Current members
- Mike Odd - vocals
- Neal Gargantua - guitar
- Pat Trick - bass
- Paul Bearer - drums