At what age did you see yourself as a
musician?
I began playing music when
I was about 10 years old. I was in the concert
band and played clarinet. When I was 13, I began
playing the bass guitar. I played in my first
band , Missing Link when I was 16.
That band slowly fell apart and my brother, S.
Gerard Mack, and I formed our own band Dead
Everything I was with this band for 3 years
until we all went our separate ways because of
college and other paths that life took us down.
My
brother and I then started writing more keyboard
driven tracks and renamed the band Function Zero.
With Function Zero we worked with several
different singers including Chris Carini and
Jilllian K. You can read more about the band at www.functionzero.com
Who
were your influences?
My
influences were Depeche Mode, Marilyn Manson,
Korn, and Garbage
Did
you ever imagine yourself composing songtracks
for horror films or any other types of films?
When
I first started writing music I wasnt even
aware of how big the Independent / underground
movie scene was. However, ever since I started
doing it I cant imagine myself ever playing
gigs again. I really enjoy seeing my music come
to life on film.
How
did you find out about Joe Zasos film
company Cinema Image Productions?
We
sent our first demo with Function Zero titled
Deception Bleeds Into a magazine
called Under the Volcano. The review
stated that our music would be a great fit in the
Metal Move Realm. Joe Zaso contacted us because
of this and asked to use some of our music for
their short film Szamotas
Mistress (which is an extra on the
Machines of Love and Hate dvd). Without
even seeing the film we agreed to let them use
our music for free because we figured it would be
a great way for our music to be heard. When they
shot their next film (Machines of Love
and Hate) they contacted us again and
asked us to score it.
I
enjoy the heavy metal music you composed for the
cult gory slasher flick Nikos the Impaler. Did
Andreas Schnaas tell you what he needed for the
scenes?
Andreas
had heard our previous music and totally trusted
us to write what we felt.
What
kinds of feedback did you get for your composing?
So
far all over the reviews of our film scores have
been quite positive. We recently got some great
reviews on a bunch of indy film websites.
I
also loved the songs you used for the film. When
you perform at gigs do you ever announce that
they were used for the film to the audience?
We
no longer perform at gigs and put all of our time
into writing and recording music. I also do some
post production work and will be editing a new
film by Joseph Parda in the next few months.
Was
the band asked to have a cameo in the film?
Yes
we were, but we really wanted to concentrate on
the music. I also worked on the sound efx for the
film.
Did
you go to Germany to see it playing at the film
festivals?
We
did not go to Germany.
You
really did well with the music for Machines of
Love & Hate and some of it was similar to
Nikos. Did you just use your old music from the
movie and revamped it for this one?
Actually
the music for Machines of Love and Hate
was written before the music for Nikos. I really
feel that we have a very distinct style and many
times some of our tracks do sound similar. All of
the music for both films were written while
watching each film and fit specifically for each
film.
Was
Joe Zaso giving you some ideas on how to make the
film effective with the music beforehand?
Joseph
Parda and Joseph Zaso trusted us totally with the
music for Machines of Love and Hate.
Once a week they would both stop in and check up
on our progress, but they were both very happy
with everything from the beginning.
Where
did you record the music at?
The
music was recorded on Pro-Tools HD in a studio I
have in my basement,
Did
you ever release a soundtrack for the music you
composed for of the films Nikos the Impaler,
Machines of Love & Hate and And Then They
Were Dead? If not, will you ever have one out?
We
never released a soundtrack and its not
likely that we will. To me the music is part of
the film and should stay that way.
What
kinds of feedback were you getting from fans?
We
have gotten a lot of positive reviews on the
Nikos the Impaler guestbook which is on the Nikos
website. People from all around the world seem to
feel that our music is perfect for the films.
Tell
me about what kinds of music you did for the
horror anthology Red Midnight?
The
music for the Red Midnight anthology is a lot more laid back then normal,
but still with a lot of feeling and intensity. A
lot of the scenes have a very ATONAL feel to them
or mood music
Did
you make a rock video for the film with clips of
the flick?
We
have not done this but it will most likely be an
extra on the next Cinema Image DVD release
Whats
up for you after this?
As
I said I will be doing some film editing this
year. As for the music we are hoping to be
working with CIP sometime in mid to Late 06. I
also hope to start writing my own film script
that hopefully will become one of the next Cinema
Image films
Did
you ever compose any more songs for other horror
films?
The
films we have done so far are Szamotas
Mistress, Machines of Love and
Hate, Nikos the Impaler,
And Then They Were Dead, and Red
Midmight
Now
heres some fun stuff:
What
are your favourite horror films?
I
really loved Texas Chainsaw
Massacre and ALL of the
Childs Play Movies. I really love all types
of films. My absolute favorite film of all time
is Ghostbusters.
Out
of all the songs you composed for the films
Nikos, Machines of Love & Hate, And Then They
Were Dead and Red Midnight as well as doing the
music for them which film as well as a song do
you cherish the most?
Its
hard to say. My favorite songs definitely come
from Machines of Love and Hate.
The Finale piece (which is the last
12 minutes of the film) is definitely my favorite
and was actually written while I had the flu.
That is probably why is has so many twists and
turns.
I
must say that I had the most fun working on
And Then They Were Dead
Ray Schwetz, who wrote, edited, and starred in
the film, was a pleasure to work with. Working
with someone as talented as Ray made composing
the music easy. Fans of the indy films should
definitely check this one out. Its funny and very
entertaining. You can purchase this and other
films I worked on at www.cinemaimages.net I also assisted on the
sound efx for this film.
If
you were a top musician for one day whether he
was alive or dead who would he be?
Wow.
That is a tough question. I have so many favorite
musicians, but if I had to pick one I would it
would be Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I
was always been very influenced by his style of
play on the bass and would love to play on stage
with the Red Hot Chili Peppers one day
What
is your idea of perfect happiness?
I
recently got married on October 1st,
2005 to my beautiful bride Jennifer. It
doesnt get any more perfect that that.
Also
I have been blessed with the most amazing family.
Its because of my Mom, Dad, and Pop-Pop
that I was able to achieve what I have to this
point. My dad actually gave up his workshop in
the basement so I could build my studio where all
the magic happens. I dont think its
ever easy for a guy to give up his tools. Also my
brother Stephen has always been my best friend
and also someone that I Have always looked up to.
What
are your ambitions in life?
I
currently work as a HS special education teacher.
If I could have a positive impact on one
kids life then I would know that I had a
successful career.
As
for my music I hope to keep working on films and
one day win a Grammy for best musical score.
My
biggest dream however is to raise beautiful
children with my amazing wife.
Other
stuff:
Working
with Andreas Schnaas during Nikos
was such a nightmare that I almost walked off the
project several times. Andreas changed his mind
so many times that the film probably could have
been done in half the time. The only positive of
the film was working with Ray Schwetz and Joe
Zaso. If you can believe Andreas and crew spent
more money on cigarettes than on the Post
Production of the film. The crew of the post
production were more like puppets than humans. If
he has let us use our talents instead of
directing our every move I feel the film would
have come out so much better.
Looking
back I am glad that I finished the project, but
if I was ever to work with Andreas again it would
be on my terms.
I
also have to say that I hope to work with Ray
Schwetz, Joe Zaso, and Joseph Parda again in the
near future. They are all very talented people
that have a lot to offer to the film world. I
really feel that given the chance we can all do
something GREAT!
I
also designed the DVD covers for And
Then They Were Dead, Machines
of Love and Hate (back cover), and
5 Dead on the Crimson Canvas
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