Let's talk music, Gore, and Books with my friend Jason Hughes. ** Jason i'd just like to say my condolences to you, and to remind you that your friend is in a better place and you can always shoot me a text- sorry for your loss**
Chris: Jason, first please tell us where you're from?
Jason: I grew up in Texas. I've lived there most of my life there. I went
to college at the Tom Savini Special Effects Program in Pennsylvania,
where I graduated in 2004.
Chris: You started out as a drummer in local death metal bands, how did you transition to becoming a writer?
Jason: I've always been into writing, since as long as I can remember.
I've been into Horror literally since I was born. I started writing
short stories based on films in around the fourth grade. When I was in
Jr. High, I had written a short story called Nightcrawlers, about some
grave robbing kids in Florida. My Teacher liked it and wanted to publish
it in the local paper, but wanted me to censor it. I refused and it
went unpublished. I revised it today as a comic book series for adults.
I was first published in 1995, and played drums then as well.
Music, Horror and Special Effects have been a passion for as long as I
can remember. With this being said, (mostly dark toned) Metal, Horror
movies and True Crime/ Horror novels are all active influences on my
writing.
Chris: For any interested fans out there, can they find any recordings of you playing the drums or for those bands?
Jason: Haha, possibly. They are rare, but
they are out there. I was in three bands in the nineties and early
2000's. The first was called Unborn Death. Unborn Death does not have
any recordings available. The second band was called Necrofetus. We had
one cheaply recorded demo made, but I doubt anyone can find it. Stripped
of Skin was a regurgitated birth of Necrofetus. We have three demos out
if one is lucky enough to find them, ha. Two are on cassette and one is
one CD.
Necrofetus had a pretty big
following and was the premiere Death Metal band in the town where I'm
from. Stripped of Skin had an immediate following because of Necrofetus'
reputation. Necrofetus played local shows, while Stripped of Skin went
on to open for national acts such as Goatwhore, Skinless, Cephalic
Carnage, Prophecy, TON and Disgorge among others.
Chris: Now you're a very strong supporting of the West Memphis 3, what are your thoughts on their overturned cases?
Jason: Yes. I have supported The West Memphis Three
since 1996, when Paradise Lost aired on HBO. I also add the case to my
stories to get the word out, and add a sense of realism with current
events to my works of Fiction. I have been very active in getting the
word out through media and printing the official t-shirts for Rock For
Freedom Weekend 2008, and donation shirts for the defense fund.
Technically, their cases have not been
overturned. They were released under a deal called The Alford Plea. This
fucked-up deal with the State of Arkansas granted them the ability to
walk free with time served, while pleading that they are innocent of the
crime, but with the knowledge that the state sees them as guilty. They
are not able to sue the state under this bargain. Jason [Baldwin] did
not want to take the deal at first, but did it to save Damien's life.
I am glad that they are free, but they need
to be exonerated as well. They did not commit the murders in which they
have been accused of, and the guilty is still walking free. I encourage
everyone to watch the documentary series, Paradise Lost (I: The Child
Murders At Robin Hood Hills, II:Revelations (even though it is a slight
detour in the case, due to the new findings) and III: Purgatory. There
are several books on the case available as well with more on the way
(Devil's Knot by Mara Leveritt, being the most informative), with
another documentary called West of Memphis and two Hollywood produced
films that are in production (one which is based on the above mentioned
novel, Devil's Knot). EXONERATE THE WEST MEMPHIS THREE
For more info on the case, go to www.wm3.org
Chris: You are
also a big supporter of controversial director Nick Palumbo and his
seminal film Murder-Set-Pieces, do you feel that gore like that is
acceptable by today's standards?
Jason: Ha, who cares if it's acceptable? It is to the fans, and that's who
most Writers and Directors work for in the long run. As with Musicians,
without fans, they would not have a job. I think Nick pushes the
boundaries beyond most other filmmakers out there today. Personally, I
don't think it's the gore of M-S-P that gets to people. There are many
aspects of the film to shock one's senses. Gore is the least on the
list, and only a fair amount is used in the film.
Chris: What is you favorite horror film of all time?
Jason: I have a few for different reasons; The Amityville Horror (1979) is
one, because along with The Town That Dreaded Sundown, it made me the
Horror fan/ Writer I am today. The original Last House on the Left, (the
original) I Spit on Your Grave, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The
Exorcist have been favorites of mine growing up (each have their own
catagory)... and today, Murder-Set-Pieces (the banned in the U.S. and
beyond, uncut version, of course) is my current favorite. Each play
their own little influential mile stone of their time.
Chris: Now you have an array of books and short stories out, if one were to start reading Jason Hughes what one do you suggest?
Jason: My novel, WITHOUT NOTICE, is available now at Barnes&Noble and
Amazon.com. It is aimed at an adult audience. I also have a bestselling
short story called Someone Still Lives Here. Unlike the novel, this
short story is suitable for the entire family. I can't tell everyone
what to start with, but they may choose from most of my released
material at my Amazon store here:
Chris: You have a new novel coming out, care to shed some light on it?
Jason: I'll spread some darkness about it, ha... It's called THE 13th TOLL
of TWELVE DARK CHIMES. It will be released in two parts by Trestle
Press. Part II is called Terminal Intrusion. It is a violent Paranormal
story with elements of family Drama, voyeurism and True Crime.
Chris: You true story behind the AmityVille Murders screenplay was optioned, whatever came of that?
Jason: Yes, it's called 112 OCEAN AVENUE. It was optioned in 2007 by a
hack company called Riwayat Films, and their hack owner, named Brian
Coposky. It has had interest by a lot of other companies as well since
then. Right now, it is in the hands of a major studio that is working on
two other True Crime films by my second favorite Author (first favorite
True Crime Writer). I will let the public know when I find out more
from the company, but I am very excited about its current occupant.
Chris: Do you have any plugs you'd like to make?
Jason: Watch out for THE 13th TOLL of TWELVE DARK CHIMES and THE 13th TOLLof TWELVE DARK CHIMES II: TERMINAL INTRUSION...
COMING SOON by TRESTLE PRESS
I also have several new short stories that will be out in different
anthologies and some other films that are in pre-production. I am
writing a collaborative novel with Simon Critchell called 21:24. Look
for that next year sometime. Visit my Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/
WITHOUT NOTICE
$4.99
CHEAP!
“5 STARS”
*****
"The story is worth the read, trust me."
-Stephen W. Roberts, Author, Editor/ The Dark Fiction Spotlight
"WITHOUT NOTICE is a truly great read and a book that you won't want to put down!"
-House of Horror Magazine
"Jason Hughes [WITHOUT NOTICE] took me for a whirlwind of shock, horror and mystery. I often wondered what would happen next to Amanda and actually started to feel sorry for the woman....
Don't be distracted when reading this book or you will miss what good writing is."
-Terry Morgan, Sonar 4 Landing Dock Reviews
"WITHOUT NOTICE takes the reader on a journey of intrigue and eclectic terror. Jason Hughes stitches together a bloody flesh mask of horror as we follow the life of forlorn lover Amanda. After Amanda realizes her fiance has been unfaithful she moves into Graystone Castle Apartments where she meets a handful of interestingly devious characters. While Amanda circles the alcohol, drug induced; proverbial drain, tenants are being killed off. One by one they are picked off in horrific ways. The tenants grow leery of each other, suspicious of the person down the hall. The intensity builds to an exciting conclusion that leaves the reader gasping for air.
Hughes pros are almost poetic in style, reminiscent of some of the great's with a modern twist. His descriptions of terror are vivid as if you were watching them on the big screen. He makes you feel uncomfortable in that you are sucked into the emotions of his protagonists very being. You feel for her, but want to reach into the book and slap her at the same time.
Overall, this book is a great read for adults. I wouldn't recommend this for anyone under the age of 18 as there are some gratuitous sex scenes and graphic violence. But for those of us that thrive on these things, I think you will get a gut wrenching kick out of WITHOUT NOTICE."
-Stephen W. Roberts, Author, Editor/ The Dark Fiction Spotlight
"WITHOUT NOTICE is a truly great read and a book that you won't want to put down!"
-House of Horror Magazine
"Jason Hughes [WITHOUT NOTICE] took me for a whirlwind of shock, horror and mystery. I often wondered what would happen next to Amanda and actually started to feel sorry for the woman....
Don't be distracted when reading this book or you will miss what good writing is."
-Terry Morgan, Sonar 4 Landing Dock Reviews
"WITHOUT NOTICE takes the reader on a journey of intrigue and eclectic terror. Jason Hughes stitches together a bloody flesh mask of horror as we follow the life of forlorn lover Amanda. After Amanda realizes her fiance has been unfaithful she moves into Graystone Castle Apartments where she meets a handful of interestingly devious characters. While Amanda circles the alcohol, drug induced; proverbial drain, tenants are being killed off. One by one they are picked off in horrific ways. The tenants grow leery of each other, suspicious of the person down the hall. The intensity builds to an exciting conclusion that leaves the reader gasping for air.
Hughes pros are almost poetic in style, reminiscent of some of the great's with a modern twist. His descriptions of terror are vivid as if you were watching them on the big screen. He makes you feel uncomfortable in that you are sucked into the emotions of his protagonists very being. You feel for her, but want to reach into the book and slap her at the same time.
Overall, this book is a great read for adults. I wouldn't recommend this for anyone under the age of 18 as there are some gratuitous sex scenes and graphic violence. But for those of us that thrive on these things, I think you will get a gut wrenching kick out of WITHOUT NOTICE."
-Nate D. Burleigh, Author of Sustenance
"WITHOUT NOTICE"
by Jason Hughes is by FAR the best book I have read this year. The
action and suspense continue to build with each page, and just when you
least expect it, something ELSE happens~! He had me at the first three
words of the book. I can't wait to read more of Jason's work. I have
found a new HORROR author that I am in love with~!!
“… The story
really caught my attention from the beginning and held it through to the
end. That's why I am giving this five stars, because it is a great tale
and suspenseful with a poetic grit to it. Had me from the beginning
until the absolutely horrific surprise ending. Great job for this author
and I expect we shall see more from him in the future."
SOMEONE STILL LIVES HERE
*****5 STARS*****
“Jason
Hughes hits a line drive right into your heart with this creepy tale.
His pros accurately reflect the love of parents for their Autistic child
as the story unfolds into a chilling tale of angst whilst the parents
frantically try and figure out what else could be wrong with their son.
The conclusion doesn't jump out at you, more than confirm your
suspicions. I recommend this tale to anyone who wants a good wholesome
chiller for the entire family to enjoy.”
-Nate D. Burleigh
Author of Sustenance
-Nate D. Burleigh
Author of Sustenance
*****5 STARS*****
"I just
finished reading Someone Still Lives Here this morning. I definitely
recommend this book for all ages. I plan on reading the story again with
my nephew. Jason Hughes did an awesome job with this spooky and creepy
but yet heartwarming story. Billy is a little autistic child whose
parents feel like he is slipping farther away from them,but what is
causing such a tremendous change in Billy? I encourage you to read the
story to find out. I will definitely be checking out more of Jason
Hughes' work."
$.99
CHEAP!
