This episode marks the EXCITING return of the HorrorFam.com Podcast after two years away! Host Lauren Spear is joined by Waylon Reavis, the charismatic frontman of A Killer’s Confession (and former lead singer of Mushroomhead) as he talks about horror movies, creepy latex masks, and his upcoming monster-serial-killer-vigilante-themed concept album Victim 1!

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LINKS for More Waylon Reavis

• A Killer’s Confession Official Website (News, Concert Tickets, Merch, etc.): https://akcglobalrecords.com/
• A Killer’s Confession on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKillersConfession
• Waylon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waylon_r_reavis/
• AKC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_killers_confession/
• Jason Isaac Kisner (Waylon’s mask artist) on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kisner13/

FULL Written Transcript: HorrorFam.com Podcast Interview with Waylon Reavis

Waylon Reavis: REH-vis.

Lauren Spear: REH-vis! Okay.

Waylon Reavis: REH-vis. Yes. It’s Waylon REH-vis.

Lauren: *practicing pronunciation* Waylon REH-vis. Okay. Umm… Yeah! *gestures to guest announcement board for spelling confirmation*

Waylon Reavis: *chuckles* Yeah! Everything’s spelled correctly! But it’s Waylon REH-vis. But…but nobody says my last name correctly. Not since 1990 when Beavis & Butthead first hit the air.

Lauren: Ohhhh. Okay.

Waylon Reavis: My name became REE-vis when BEE-vis hit the air!

Lauren: Ohhhhh. Yeah. That makes sense!

*HorrorFam.com Podcast Intro Music Plays*

Lauren Spear: Hi, Everyone! I’m Lauren Spear and you’re watching the HorrorFam.com Podcast. Today’s guest is Waylon Reavis of A Killer’s Confession; and he’s been working on his fourth studio album and is in-between one section of tour going into the next. By the time this comes out, he’ll already be out with Drowning Pool on the road again!

Hi, Waylon!

Waylon Reavis: Helloooo! How’re you doin’?

Lauren: I’m doing really well! I’m excited to meet you. *giggles* My husband’s a big fan and he really wanted to interview you himself, but he had to work!

Waylon Reavis: It happens! It’s okay. You tell him I said, “Hello!”

Lauren: I will! *laughs* He’ll like that! It’s his birthday this weekend.

Waylon Reavis: Well, happy birthday!

Lauren: It’s like getting a Cameo!

Both: *laugh*

Waylon Reavis: I don’t do Cameo!

Lauren: Oh? Maybe you should!

Waylon Reavis: Well, no; I prefer, you know… Fans can always go… I’ve always had an open door policy. You know? Just come say “hello!”

You can get a VIP experience and stuff at shows but I just… I prefer to just do things in person, you know. If people see me… Like, some people get nervous, but I’ll always… I’m welcoming! Just come say “hello!” Get a picture. I’ve never said, “no” to anyone about an autograph, photo, y’know… picture. It’s just who I am.

Lauren: That’s so nice of you. That’s great!

Um. I’ve noticed that a lot about the horror community as well — that everyone is, like, really friendly and so welcoming. Everybody’s just so nice. And I’m really thankful for that!

Waylon Reavis: Well, that’s the thing! We do horror and we’re into horror and stuff like that, but we tend to be some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet! Then you go into children’s television and it seems like it’s the most disgusting people you’ll ever meet.

Lauren: Yeahhh.

Waylon Reavis: I think we’re just acting out more… in the horror… I think we’re real true entertainers! Y’know? We’re out to… We’re into Halloween fun! And stuff like that.

But, behind-the-scenes, we’re good people. And a lotta people get that twisted! *chuckles*

Lauren: Yeah. I’ve noticed that as well.

And speaking of horror and whatnot:

What got YOU into horror?

Waylon Reavis: I’ve just always… I like a good story! But, I mean…

My mother.

When I was young, back when you could rent VHS tapes from the store and you’d come back… She’d always come back with something. Return of the Living Dead. You know.

I just grew up with it. And, you know, getting older and getting into the masks and meeting people from the industry. And just, you know… It’s FUN. It’s just fun!

I find horror… The more campy, the better, in my opinion. I don’t like it too serious. You know? That’s more into thriller and drama. And that’s okay! But when it comes to my horror stuff, I’m a Bruce Campbell type person!

Lauren: Yeah!

Waylon Reavis: I want it a little bit campy. A little bit funny. And I want that moment… That jump scare! The over-the-top acting! Y’know? Lots and lots and lots of fake blood! *laughs*

Lauren: Yes! Omigod. Me too! *laughs*

It’s funny that you mentioned Return of the Living Dead! Even though this episode is coming out on July 12^th, the day that we’re filming this is July 3^rd, which is Return of the Living Dead Day.

Because, you know, at the title screen where it’s like…! The incident goes down on July 3^rd, 1984!

Waylon Reavis: I’ll be honest with you, Return of the Dead 2… uh. Return of the LIVING Dead 2. My mother rented that. And that movie absolutely gave me nightmares for YEARS. And gave me a phobia of dead bodies! Like, I have a true phobia of…

Lauren: Oh, wow.

Waylon Reavis: A true phobia of dead bodies! Because of that movie!!

And I can watch it NOW, but when I was young…

And I’ve grown to love, like, the humor of Part 2! Because it’s funny! It really is.

The zombies are talking, y’know? When he picks up: “It’s the president!” You know! And he comes back and goes, “Get the damn screw outta my head!” Like, that is…

But my mother was a HUGE chicken! So, we’d be on the couch, and there’d be popcorn, and we’d be watching it… And she would cover her head with the Afghan while the bad stuff was happening! And I would have to give her color commentary of what’s going on!

So, if you can imagine this small child — like six or seven years old…

*Wayon’s mother impression* “Well, what’s happening??” *child Waylon impression* “He’s eating his brains!!! And there’s another one coming…!”

Lauren Spear: *laughs*

Waylon Reavis: Having to tell her what’s happening! *laughs* And, you know, I remember it scared the death outta me! That movie did. It did! It bothered…

There’s a few movies that took me YEARS to actually go back and watch!

Because she would do that to me. And, in hindsight, if I could go back and speak to my mother, if she was still here, I’d be like, “Mom, why’d you do that?? That was not good! You should’ve let me be hidin’ under there WITH you!!”

Both: *laugh*

Waylon Reavis: Y’know? Instead of asking me, “What’s going on?”

Both: *laugh*

Lauren Spear: Oh dear!

Waylon Reavis: But I remember that movie. That movie left a big thing…

But, you know, for my childhood, I got real into the Puppet Master series! Like, I was really into that. And, you know, Critters…

Lauren: Oh! My dad worked on Critters!

Waylon Reavis: Oh, I LOVE Critters!! Critters is like one of my favorite… You know, from that genre!

Because it had that science-fiction and y’know, but it’s still monsters! That.

And I love Killer Klowns from Outer Space! But it was just so over-the-top! Y’know? It’s not believable. It’s not like I was watching something that could really happen! It was kooky! And I LOOOOVE that!

To this day, I still love that.

Lauren: Yeah! Me too.

Um…

It sounds like you have an appreciation for like more old-school effects…!

Lauren Spear (continuing): Like practical effects and whatnot

Waylon Reavis: I’m not a big fan of CGI. I’m really not. I like practical.

There’s a magic behind the puppet! If that makes sense.

Lauren: Mm-hmm.

Waylon Reavis: There’s a magic behind that. And the timelapse.

CGI, no matter how good it gets…

And do not get me wrong! I’m not saying it’s a BAD thing. I mean, it’s gorgeous! But there’s just… It’s not THERE with them. And you can tell.

There’s a separation between the actor and what’s going on. And you can tell that it’s not there.

Even though they’re staring at a little tennis ball on a…!

Tank the French Bulldog: Borf? [Translation: Ball?]

Lauren: Ooh!

Waylon Reavis: *to tank* Tank! It’s just… It’s just daddy. I’m sorry, Honey. You go back to taking a nap.

*to Lauren*

That’s my Frenchie…

Lauren Spear: I saw your Frenchie in a video… He…

He or she?

Waylon Reavis: Yeah. He. That’s Tank! C’mere, baby. C’mere, baby.

Lauren: I saw a video that you posted where he was… You opened up the closet and he was at first gonna go after your vacuum cleaner, but then he saw the Chucky doll and was like, “Oh no no! Not on MY watch!”

Waylon Reavis: No, he was protectin’ daddy! This is my baby right here. He is truly…

He goes on tour with me! Aw, you can just tell. He’s a big ol’ love bug.

Lauren: *giggles*

Waylon Reavis: *to Tank*Thank you for protectin’ daddy. I love you. Go lay down. Go lay down now. We’ll get you some blueberries later. Now, go lay down, Hon. *chuckles*

Lauren: um… Oh yeah! Going back to the practical effects!

You wear a mask in your performances…

Waylon Reavis: Yes!

Lauren Spear: Oh my gosh. It’s so hot getting the latex… You know. The plaster put on and everything!

Waylon Reavis: Mm-hmm! But I like doing it. It’s fun!

It’s fun to watch it be created and to watch it come to life. Because you have an idea.

And I’m lucky to work with Jason Kisner — he also worked with me in Mushroomhead — who created my masks during the era of The Righteous & the Butterfly. And we have took that and evolved it and now I have a spine that runs up the back of it.

You know, it was always inspired by Giger with the facehuggers. The original where it’s got the… *uses hands to form a Xenomorph’s facehugger on his head*

Lauren: Yeah.

Waylon Reavis: It’s kind of a reverse facehugger where it hugs onto the BACK of my head.

Lauren: Yeah.

Waylon Reavis: And just to have Kisner…

He’s such, SUCH a talented artist!

Waylon Reavis (continuing): And him and I are constantly just going back and forth on just like what…

*reaches behind him for a miniature bust of himself in his mask* He created these right here! To get an idea of what…

Lauren Spear: Ooh! Look at that!

Waylon Reavis: Like, you can see the spine that runs up. He made these lil figurines of me!

And it’s kind of cool because you always see the lil Beethoven versions of it. And now I have ME!

Lauren: Yeah!

Waylon Reavis: And I’m like… “That’s cool!”

Lauren: *laughs*

Waylon Reavis: And he can do what he wants, but I have ‘em on my desk. And just the amount of detail that’s in there…!

And this was done off a 3D scanner!

Lauren: Yeah?

Waylon Reavis: He made the mask off of my bust and then made that out of it. And the amounts of detail…!

And we just released TEN of those masks to the public for fans to pick up.

And  love the fact that the fans are just like… It looks cool when you see it in pictures, but when you get it in your hand and you can REALLY see the detail that’s in the mask… His work is second-to-none!

I’m just so… I’m so LUCKY to be working with him! He’s just a great guy.

And the stuff we come up with…! *chuckles* We know we can’t do it. Because it’s not practical. But just the things we try to come up with…

And we’re already talking about the next cycle and the next ideas of masks for the next album.

Because the album is coming out NOW…

Waylon Reavis (continuing): …and this is the look for this album! But we will continue to evolve and try to make it cooler along the way.

But he helps me create the character that is Waylon of A Killer’s Confession.

Because, obviously, you’re talking to Waylon Reavis — and I’m just the guy behind the curtain! Don’t pay attention to me!

Lauren Spear: *chuckles*

Waylon Reavis: But he truly helps me LOOK at that character and try to decide who IS that character.

Lauren: Yeah.

Waylon Reavis: Is he funny? Is he violent? Is he angry? Is he hurt?

I can look at this [mask] and it helps me BECOME that entity in a way. As an actor!

Even though I’m a songwriter and performer, there’s a bit of acting that comes along with it when you dawn a mask or a costume. You want it to be bigger than life!

And to have that looking at me, while I’m creating, helps me channel, like, what would HE say. Y’know?

I’m more into the entertainment aspect of doing this! I’m not wearing a mask just because I can put it out for sale. I try to keep ‘em as rare as possible! I wear a mask because I enjoy the entertainment value of like you’re going to see a spectacle!

You’re going to see something that’s bigger than life!

And that’s what… That’s really why I do what I do. Because I enjoy that part of it.

And that’s why I enjoy horror movies!

Waylon Reavis (continuing): You know, I enjoy movies in general. Like, I can sit… I don’t even have to watch the movie if I’ve seen it enough. I can put it on in the background, and know every line, and just listen to it. And it just gets the creative juices flowin’!

Lauren Spear: That’s awesome!

This new album…! It’s Victim 1.

Is that… is that still the title?

Waylon Reavis: Yes.

Lauren: Okay.

Waylon Reavis: Victim 1.

Lauren: And so far there’s been “Tongue,” and “Greed,” and “Martyr” as the three signals, er, singles that’ve come out?

Waylon Reavis: Those are the three that’ve came out so far!

It’s a story. And you have to, like…

This is not going to be laid out for you like a book. This is music.

This is a complete concept album…

Waylon Reavis (continuing): …of a serial killer vigilante.

He is very much in a world he does not understand.

And he’s just… He sees all the sins and the Greed and the violence — people just not having a moral compass. But, at the same time, he finds himself guilty of these things. And a lot of the songs on Victim 1 deal with the fact that he has a split personality.

So, a lot of the time, you’re gonna be listening to a song and it’s gonna feel like a conversation is happening. Because it is. They’re the two sides of his brain talking to each other.

It was probably the most difficult album I’ve ever wrote because I didn’t want… As much as I love campy, I don’t want my music to be campy lyrically. I don’t want to write about a murder or a witch hunt or something like that. I would rather talk about the psychological of what’s going on up here. *taps his head with his finger*

And this album was very difficult writing. I took a year! And I took my time. Just to make sure everything laid into place that I see it because I’m not going to lay it out for you to find. You’re going to have to listen and decipher lyrics from one song to another and see where the tie backs happen. And then maybe you can put the story together for yourself.

Because I never want…

I love a good puzzle, too!

Waylon Reavis (continuing): I love to… I’ve done this for years in my songs! Even with whole albums. Like, I’ll say something four albums later that referred back to something I did in 2006.

Lauren Spear: Oh, wow! *intrigued chuckle, thinking about the potential fun in solving musical mysteries*

Waylon Reavis: So, like, if you’re into lyrics and you’re into tie-ins of, like, “Well, he just answered that question” but YEARS later… I’m all about that!

Lauren: Mm.

Waylon Reavis: I’m all about leaving Easter eggs and little things. And you have to decipher it and you have to find it. And a lot of it, you know… Especially with this album! It all ties together.

Because Victim 1 lays down the story of where he’s going and where he’s at. Y’know? Is it in is head? Is this really happening?

It’s very much… you know… This guy is insane.

This is the start and

I’ve already started working on the next album.

Waylon Reavis (continuing): and it’s…

Lauren Spear: Oh, wow!

Waylon Reavis: It’s a continuation of where he’s going as a person.

Lauren: That’s so cool! That gives so much replayability for the music! For drawing in new fans but giving something to the old fans… A reason to go back to things they’ve already heard! Over and over.

Waylon Reavis: Oh, you can go back and you’ll find things! You’ll hear just certain phrases and just things that tie-in and go, “That’s real familiar.” And the reason it’s familiar is because I’m actually going back!

And, as a writer, I’m trying to… I’m creating a Universe with my own music. And most people would never get this, unless I said it. And there’s a point for it.

I’ve always tried to write about some kind of HOPE though. Some kind of self-worth — a light at the end of the tunnel.

And there’s always a message in every song. There’s a message — if you just take the time to decipher it.

Like, I’m not about the hook line. I’m not about what’s popular. I’m not about writing about material things. I’m all about… *taps his own head again*

The one place you’re going to wake up every day is inside your head.

Lauren Spear: Yeah.

Waylon Reavis: You’re going to wake up with yourself and you’re going to go to sleep with yourself every night. Y’know?

You live in your world.

Waylon Reavis (continuing): And sometimes we forget the fact that we ALL do. We all go through the same things.

So, I try to really write something positive! Because I’ve been given a platform and I feel like that platform should be used for better things.

The worst thing, to me, is to just listen to a song… And, I mean, you’ve got love songs and all that and that’s all good for people who want to hear that. To each their own. But, for me, I write for people who’ve been through the same paths I’ve been.

And or, maybe, people who’re starting to go down the paths that I went. And if you listen and you know my story then maybe I can write something that can keep you from having to take the fall that I took. And maybe save you from yourself! Have you be like, “He’s laying it out here. Maybe I shouldn’t do this. Maybe I should be more aware of my surroundings and what I’m doing. Because, what he’s saying, there IS a pit… but there’s also redemption from that pit.”

So, I always try to put some kind of… There’s always a moral. In everything I do. And it’s never bad.

Even though I’m A Killer’s Confession, I don’t write about, like, murder and things like that. I’m deeper than that! Like, I would never write a song about hack and slash and doin’ something. There’s always an undertone and there’s a real message.

But I’ll never tell people what it is! It’s for the listener to decide.

Lauren Spear: Yeah. I try to do that with my work, both here and…

Waylon Reavis: It’s difficult!

Lauren: …on my other website.

Yeah. It’s just… *choked up* You don’t want people to go through the pains that you have. And if there’s any way that you can…

Waylon Reavis: It’s a lesson. It’s life lessons. I’ve had to lose a lot, and learn a lot, and gain back a lot, and…

People shouldn’t have to suffer.

Waylon Reavis (continuing): I’ve always believed that. If somebody can be big enough to be like, “Let me take the pain FOR ya — just LEARN from my mistake!” Y’know? Be that REAL friend. Be like… *rueful chuckle* “Ah, no. I’ve already been there!”

Lauren: *nodding* Yeah.

Waylon Reavis: No, don’t turn left there! Trust me!!

Both: *laugh*

Lauren: Yeah!

Waylon Reavis: And people, you know… I do get people who do find it helps and it’s the biggest humbling. And it’s very much special when people do find it and are like, “This saved me from this.” And I’m like… That’s what it’s there for.

Because it’s never been about fame. And it’s never been about money to me. It’s about the MESSAGE.

Lauren: Yeah.

Waylon Reavis: It’s always about the message.

Because I’ve dealt with death and knowing my own mortality my entire life. And the one way that I can continue to be here is through this. And if I’m gonna do that, I want it to be something I can be proud of.

And it’s something that, years down, they’re like, “He was saying something.” Whether it’s noticed or not at the time: “He was saying something.”

You know? It will always be there.

Lauren Spear: What you write remains.

Waylon Reavis: Yeah! It does!

And why write something that’s either “trendy” that could be a joke ten years from now — like “What were WE thinkin’?” y’know? — or that type of…

And I see most of what’s going on today and when people gain some sort of intelligence back in the future they’re going to look back like, “How DUMB were we?”

Because, like, a lot of what’s going on today… And I don’t care, you can go to ANY social media and see the dumbest things — the DUMBEST! The absolute dumbest of the dumb. And people think this is COOL! And people are making millions of dollars off of it. And I’m like, “Do you know how embarrassing this is for you??”

And nobody’s telling you this because you’re just getting your Likes and your Subscribes and you’re getting your OnlyFans or, y’know, your Subs… and you’re making yourself look like a COMPLETE moron!

And I’m there with it!! *laughs*

That’s why I’ve really pulled back…

Waylon Reavis (continuing): …from TikTok and social media because I think it’s just a circus of just idiots.

Lauren Spear: *laughs loudly*

Waylon Reavis: I could be wrong. But that’s my opinion!

Lauren: I… *laughs more* I can’t argue!

Waylon Reavis: Because it is! And the only way it’s going to stop is to correct bad behavior and for people to just be like, “Stop that. Do you know how DUMB you look? Get an education. Go DO something!”

Look, my son told me… He goes, “I want to be an Influencer.” And I told him no. And he was like, “Why?” And I said, “You don’t know anything to influence anyone ABOUT anything!”

I would rather be educated than influenced.

Lauren: *chuckles*

Waylon Reavis: To “influence” is to trick. You’re influencing… You’re pushing YOUR agenda, whether it be right or wrong! I would rather be educated on the proper, like, this is how things ARE! This is how it is: One and one is two.

EDCUATE ME! Don’t influence me.

Lauren Spear: *slightly panicked* Well, we’re almost out of time! And, if you could, uh, educate the people watching on where they can find you…!

I mean, I guess not so much on social media, but where…?

Waylon Reavis: Oh, we’re on social media! We are. But I just don’t do the cliché stuff that people see.

Lauren: Ah, okay.

Waylon Reavis: I’ll do some funny stuff from time to time, and it always has to do with the music, but you can always find us on Spotify. You can find us on Apple Music. YouTube — our videos are there.

Lauren: I noticed that your Twitter isn’t too active right now, but your Instagram has been!

Waylon Reavis: Instagram has been. Our Facebook is. Our Facebook’s very…

And we’re very active on TikTok! We are very active on TikTok. We post videos of live stuff going on… But when it comes to the trends I try to stay out of it as much as possible.

Lauren: Yeah.

Waylon Reavis: I just shake my head at it.

Even though I HAVE to do it! *laughs* It’s a necessary evil in my business to do this.

Lauren Spear: Yeah.

Waylon Reavis: But if you really wanna know what’s going on, just go listen to the music, you know?

That’s what it boils down to! Go watch the video. There’s always messages there too.

Lauren: I really liked “Greed.”

Waylon Reavis: Thank you!

Lauren: I wasn’t familiar with your music before this. My husband was! And he was a fan! But I don’t usually listen to my husband’s music because I can’t process a lot of it.

It’s like… If you’re going to pull out all these heavy instruments and write a song and sing about it… Why can’t you be bothered to enunciate?!

Which is one of the things that I really liked about YOUR music! That I could actually understand what you were saying!

Waylon Reavis: Thank you!

Lauren: That’s so rare in your genre! So… thank you!!

Waylon Reavis: Well, thank you so much! And I have a very THICK Southern accent as well!

Lauren: *giggles*

Waylon Reavis: People all the time… I get off stage and…

Because I won’t talk like this on stage!

Waylon Reavis (continuing): So everybody’s like, “That’s how you really speak??” And I’m like, “Yeah. This is ME.”

Lauren Spear: You sound like my aunt!

Waylon Reavis: *laughs*

Lauren: She was from North Carolina.

Waylon Reavis: I’m originally from North Carolina! Maybe that’s why…!

Lauren: You sound like my aunt Carol.

Waylon Reavis: What part of North Carolina is she from?

Lauren: She was from… Not Charlotte… Maybe it was Charlotte??

Waylon Reavis: Yes!

Lauren: Yeah! I think it was Charlotte. She was… *getting choked up thinking about her beloved aunt who passed at age 55 in 2007*

*brushes the thoughts aside with a laugh* Omigosh. I’ll… I’ll get back to you! I’m flustered.

Waylon Reavis: I’m from the mountains of North Carolina!

I’m from where Mayberry from The Andry Griffith Show was.

Lauren: Oh, okay!

Waylon Reavis: I grew up actually 40 minutes from the real place: Mount Airy. Not Mayberry, but Mount Airy. I grew up in the mountains of North Carolina.

Lauren Spear: Aw. That’s so cool!

Waylon Reavis: I just… I’ve never wanted to lose who I truly am. So when everybody’s like, “When’s your accent gonna change?” I’m like, “Never! This is who I am. And I’m proud of it.”

Lauren: Well, good! I’m glad that you’re proud of who you are and I can’t wait to see what comes next from the Victim 1 album!

Waylon Reavis: We have “Filth” dropping on the 12^th.

Our new song “Filth” will be coming out…

Lauren Spear: *excited* Oh!! The day that this comes out! *gestures to the HorrorFam.com Podcast message board with Episode 22’s release date*

Waylon Reavis: The same day as our new song “Filth!”

Lauren: *giggles*

 Waylon Reavis: So, if you’re listening to us now, go to Spotify, to Apple, go to YouTube — there’ll be a lyric video! Everything. Go watch that stuff, you guys! Go be a part of the story. Go listen and enjoy yourself.

This is music. And I’m going to say this: I’m really excited for “Filth” to come out! It’s one of my favorites on the album!

Lauren Spear: Oh, that’s great!

Well, we’re out of time. I’m sorry.

Waylon Reavis: You’re fine!

Lauren Spear: All right. Well…! It was so nice talking to you.

Waylon Reavis: Nice talking to you. Have yourself a beautiful day.

Lauren: Thank you! You too!

Waylon Reavis: Thank you.

Lauren: Good luck on your tour!!

Waylon Reavis: Thank you, Darlin’!

Lauren: Byeeeee!

Waylon Reavis: Bye!!

Images of Waylon Reavis and A Killer’s Confession were provided by Mr. Reavis’ publicist. The Return of the Living Dead: Part II poster was purchased via CineMaterial.