The Johngy "OR ELSE" Podcast - Ep. 84: Joey Knetter - Brute 1976

On the latest episode of The Johngy "OR ELSE Podcast, Tommy Else and I interview Joey Knetter, a film maker, author, writer and more. He's also a long time friend from many conventions.

I first met Joey about 15 years ago at a horror convention. He was promoting a movie project. Since then, I interviewed him a few times, but never at length. He also indulged me once when I asked him to allow some youngsters to interview him. They still talk about that and I appreciated his willingness to do it.

That shouldn't be a surprise. He is a great guy. Everyone knows he is massively talented and creative, but he is also one of the most genuine and cool people I know. That is saying a lot considering all he has endured. Joe gets into a little of that story in our interview, but suffice it to say, he has dealt with a lot of physical issues for a long time and recently had some other issues not of his own doing.

The main topic of the interview is Brute 1976, Joey's latest film project. A true homage to horror films of the 70s, like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, it is not just blood and guts. The background story Joe tells makes it even more interesting. Other good news is there will be a Brute 1986 and Joe promised to return for an update interview when that is released.

At the end of the interview, I thanked Joe for all over the years and asked about his health. I figured it would be up to him how much he disclosed. He was very open about all of it, most of which I knew, but Tommy did not. Tommy later said hearing Joe's journey was one of his favorite parts of the interview and he gained a whole new level of respect for him/

The interview is at The Johngy "OR ELSE" Podcast. Also, look for Joe on social media to follow all of his projects.

Missing Joe Knetter and Sarah French

I think I first met Sarah French and Joe Knetter at Flashback Weekend. I messaged Sarah ahead of the convention and asked for an interview. When we got there, Joe graciously moved and allowed me to conduct the interview.

This was very early in my interviewing years. I made a rookie mistake (as my buddy Chuck would say). I didn't realize Joe had an impressive resume, too.

Sarah is an actress, while Joe is a writer and author, both generally in the horror field. The couple has been together for many years and they are a lot of fun.

Of course, once I realized they were a couple and Joe had quite a career, I asked for another joint interview, which they both accepted. That interview is at On the Beat with Sarah French and Joe Knetter.

I interviewed both a few times back then. Unfortunately, they have not been around here in many years. The coule moved to the west coast and have been busy ever since.

I wish them great happiness and success always. I also hope they eventually find their way back to a Chicago convention. I miss them (and I want another interview).

Sarah French, Joe Knetter and me in Schaumburg, IL-Movember 2013.

Joe Knetter and Sarah French at Days of the Dead Chicago 2012

With Days of the Dead quickly approaching, I am recalling some of the greatest memories I have had over my many years of attending DotD events. Author-actor Joe Knetter and Sarah French are two of the first celebrities I met at DotD and two of my favorites.

I have interviewed them together and separate several times. They are always very generous with their time and they are quite entertaining. My first interview with Sarah can be found at On the Beat with Sarah French.  My next interview was with both of them at On the Beat with Sarah French and Joe Knetter.

The couple met on a movie set. Sarah's character was beheaded by Joe's character. They have been together ever since.

Joe recently has undergone a tremendous transformation. He had a back procedure and has lost a lot of weight. He hasn't lost his twisted sense of humor though. That will never change.

In addition to acting, Joe has authored several books of short stories. Joe is a master at spinninbg a tale of horror (with some humor tossed into the mix). His books proudly sit on my bookshelf.

Sarah has remained active, appearing in five movies released in 2017 and three more scheduled for release this year.

Follow Sarah on twitter and Joe on twitter, to get all of their updates and other fun stuff. They are a great couple and a lot of fun in person and on social media.

Also, head to DaysoftheDead.com to get all of the info on all of the DotD events. After the Indy DotD, the next one is in Louisville at the end of August

Joe Knetter, Sarah French and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2012.

Sarah French and Joe Knetter Love Johngy's Beat

I have previously written many pieces about Sarah French and Joe Knetter.  They really are two of my favorite people I have met at conventions.  They are a fantastic couple and also fun individually.
After the JohngysBeat.com young interns interviewed them at the Days of the Dead convention, I asked the pair if they would do a promo for JohngysBeat.com.  They agreed and the result is below and will take its rightful place in the right column.
I really appreciate them doing the promo and I hope to continue to see them at conventions.
I encourage everyone to check out SarahFrenchOnline.com and JoeKnetter.com to learn more about these two.  I am certain you will like them as much as we do!

On the Beat with Joe Knetter at Days of the Dead 2013

Joe Knetter and Sarah French are two of my very favorites at conventions (or elsewhere).  They are talented, funny and very nice (yes, even Joe).

I love talking to them and interviewing them, but at Days of the Dead, I gave up my chance to let Christopher and Steven have a shot at the twisted author (I mean the author of twisted books).  Some might say it was risky letting kids talk to Joe, but I liked the possibilities.  I certainly did not put any restrictions on Joe, but in the end, he gave completely clean answers, as you will see.

We ran into Sarah and Joe while we were waiting to enter Days.  I asked both about the interview and both agreed (as they always do...one reason why I really like them).  Hearing I wanted the kids to do the interview, Joe quickly pointed out that he wrote Trapdoor with his daughter Katie (who was eleven at the time).  Obviously, Joe has a somewhat softer side than is visible in his other gore-filled books.

Don't get me wrong.  I am not complaining about his horrific books.  In fact, I own four of them.  I started with Room and enjoyed it so much, I bought the rest at Days.  Joe downplays his writing ability, but these books are full of interesting, unique and definitely gory short stories.  I immediately started reading Vile Beauty the night I got home from Days.

The kids asked Joe things on their mind and Joe answered very thoughtfully and patiently.  I appreciate Joe for his time, as always.  His interviews, like his books, always entertain me.

As much as I love his books and I look forward to future books, I have no plans on buying that infamous 8x10 of his.  Sorry Joe, I like you a lot, but no sale there, buddy!

For more info on Joe, check out JoeKnetter.com.  You can also order his books through that site or Amazon.

Sarah French and Her JohngysBeat.com Shirt

I have written about Sarah French and Joe Knetter several times.  They are two of my very favorite celebrities.  They are funny, talented, friendly and more.
I have interviewed them a few times.  After the last interview at Days of the Dead, I gave them JohngysBeat.com shirts.  I could say I gave them as a present, but really the present was to me.  Just recently, Sarah posted my present, a picture of her in the JohngysBeat.com shirt.
To use my usual line..how cool is that?!
Sarah is a multi-talented.  Along with acting, she has written for Shock Horror Magazine and has done modeling.  Most important, she is so very sweet and genuinely nice.  If you everget the chance to meet Sarah or Joe, you will agree with me.
Sarah is the first celebrity outside of the wrestling world to pose in the shirt.  It is very fitting, because if there was a JohngysBeat.comn Hall of Fame, Sarah would be a lock to be enshrined.  Do you think she would show up for the ceremony and would she wear the JohngysBeat.com shirt?
Thank you very much, Sarah.  I hope to see both of you again later this year.
I encourage everyone to check out SarahFrenchOnline.com and JoeKnetter.com to learn more about these two favorites of mine.

Sarah French in Rochester, MN-February 2013.

Book Covers: Room by Joe Knetter

This is a recurring series about books I have read by people I have met.

I have written several times about Joe Knetter and Sarah French.  They are two of my favorite people and favorite interview subjects.  They are talented, interesting and fun.  I like to call them the first couple of horror.
Joe was kind enough to send me a copy of his latest book "Room" over the holidays.  I did not promise him any review, nor did he ask for one.  I am just putting that out there to further illustrate that this review was totally unsolicited and is just me presenting an interesting book to anyone reading this.
"Room" is not Joe's first book, but it is the first one of his I have read.  It will not be the last.  As a matter of fact, I already contacted Joe to tell him I would be purchasing his other books at the next convention when I see him.
I had no real idea what to expect when I started reading "Room."  It is always tricky discussing a book written by someone I know.  I guess if I didn't like it, I would just avoid writing anything about it.
Fortunately, I absolutely enjoyed "Room."  It is a collection of eight short stories, all filled with violence, gore, horror and other things to keep you reading and to keep you up at night.  The stories are not connected, except by basic genre.  Each one is fresh and different.  There is no predictable pattern to the stories.  While I sensed a couple of the endings, I was also way wrong on most of them.  While the stories are not predictable, they do make sense.  The endings do not come from left field (unless there is a solid reason).
What I am trying to say is that Joe has a winner here.  The stories grab your attention and hold it throughout. It is realistic horror fiction.  I enjoyed each story and was not disappointed with any part of the book.
"Room" gets an "A" from me, as I wrote in my review on Amazon.  You can learn more about Joe Knetter, "Room" and his other books at JoeKnetter.com.  You can also see him at many conventions across the country.  If you get his book, tell him Johngy sent you.  Just be warned.  Do not ask him about his infamous tattoo!

Joe Knetter, me and Sarah French in Schaumburg, IL-November 2012.

On the Beat with Sarah French and Joe Knetter at Days of the Dead 2012

I interviewed Sarah French and Joe Knetter at Flashback Weekend a few months ago.  Not a whole lot happens in that short of a time span, not even for a horror couple like Sarah and Joe.  Still, that did not stop me from wanting to talk to them again.  They are always so much fun.
Of course, with no clear direction, the interview was sure to quickly veer off into some silliness, which is just fine by me.  What could be sillier than a tattoo of Joe's face on his butt?  Yep, that is included.  I am just here to warn the weak of heart and stomach.
Some legitimate topics were covered, too.  Sarah talks about her recent movie, Opposite Blood and Joe talks about his recent book, Room.  They even talk a bit about their recent vacation.
Spoiler alert: Near the end, one of them raises their shirt to expose their chest.
Seriously, I love these two.  They are talented, funny and very nice.  I encourage everyone to go to SarahFrenchOnline.com and JoeKnetter.com.

On the Beat with Sarah French and Joe Knetter at Flashback Weekend

Flashback Weekend is a great convention in the Chicago area.  It is well-run, very organized and the celebrities are usually very accommodating.  Among others, last year I interviewed Sarah French, a talented young actress.

This year, Mike (one of the organizers and a great guy) invited me back to cover the event again.  Since Sarah was scheduled, she was my first target, but I also wanted to correct one of my flubs from last year.

I don't know how, but somehow I failed to lock in Joe Knetter (writer, actor and more).  Making it even more confusing is that he is with Sarah!  How did I not get Joe?  Anyway, this year I was hoping for the two-fer and I got it.

Together or separate, these two are great.  They are multi-talented and gaining more success and exposure.  Besides all of that, they are really fun and they treat me well.  They are definitely two of my favorites.  They are working on a bunch of projects (together and separately), including Hallow Pointe, a movie to be released in 2012.

After you watch the interview below, please go to SarahFrenchonline.com and JoeKnetter.com.