Richard Band
Encyclopedia
Richard Howard Band is a composer of film music. He has scored more than 70 films, including From Beyond
, which won the award for Best Original Soundtrack at the Catalonian International Film Festival in Sitges
Spain. His score for Re-Animator
was lauded by the magazine Music From the Movies, which said, "Band’s music is dark and direct, creating an intense and eerie atmosphere, but always with a humorous touch.... Surely, Richard Band is one of the most underrated composers in the film business."
Since 2000, Band has done few films, though he has scored episodes of such television shows as Stargate SG-1
, Walker: Texas Ranger. He also developed the campaign music for many shows on the WB
, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Smallville
.
Band is the son of the cult film director Albert Band
, and the brother of director Charles Band. He has a nephew Alex Band
, and a niece, Taryn Band.
and science fiction
films regularly. His first notable score was for 1977's Laserblast
, which he co-composed with Joel Goldsmith
(son of famed composer Jerry Goldsmith
). By the mid-80's Band was renowned for scoring horror films by employing strong, memorable and often very melodic themes. Films like Mutant
(aka Night Shadows), The Alchemist
, The House on Sorority Row
, Ghostwarrior, Troll
and The Day Time Ended
all feature beautiful and lyrical themes that seem to operate as the antithesis of the genre
for which the films were produced. As Band explains in the liner notes for the La-La Land Records
release of Laserblast, he believes film scores should exist “to add the third dimension to a two-dimensional medium.”
From Beyond
, Band's second collaboration with Stuart Gordon
following 1985's Re-Animator
(performed by the Rome Philharmonic Orchestra) is considered a horror classic within the film score circle, featuring odd tonalities and creative, otherworldly orchestration. He would later go on to score Gordon’s subsequent films such as The Pit and the Pendulum
and 1995’s Castle Freak
, the later of which featured some inventive writing for a string quartet
. 1994's Shrunken Heads (on which he collaborated with his more mainstream counterpart Danny Elfman
) features big band jazz music, while Dragonworld
, Paramount's kid-friendly fantasy
film of the same year pitted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
against a plethora of folksy, Celtic
and ethnic influences.
Since around 1990 onward Band's work has declined in regularity and scope. Today he works primarily in television
, with sparse film projects coming his way. In 2006 he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for his work on the television series, Masters of Horror
.
From Beyond (film)
From Beyond is a 1986 American science fiction/ body horror film directed by Stuart Gordon, loosely based on the short story of the same title by H. P. Lovecraft, and was written by Dennis Paoli, Gordon and Brian Yuzna...
, which won the award for Best Original Soundtrack at the Catalonian International Film Festival in Sitges
Sitges
*Church of Sant Bartolomeu i Santa Tecla . It houses two Gothic sepulchres , belonging to the an older church located on the same site...
Spain. His score for Re-Animator
Re-Animator
Re-Animator is a 1985 American science fiction horror film based on the H. P. Lovecraft story "Herbert West–Reanimator." Directed by Stuart Gordon, it was the first film in the Re-Animator series. The film has since become a cult film, driven by fans of Jeffrey Combs and H. P...
was lauded by the magazine Music From the Movies, which said, "Band’s music is dark and direct, creating an intense and eerie atmosphere, but always with a humorous touch.... Surely, Richard Band is one of the most underrated composers in the film business."
Since 2000, Band has done few films, though he has scored episodes of such television shows as Stargate SG-1
Stargate SG-1
Stargate SG-1 is a Canadian-American adventure and military science fiction television series and part of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Stargate franchise. The show, created by Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner, is based on the 1994 feature film Stargate by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich...
, Walker: Texas Ranger. He also developed the campaign music for many shows on the WB
The WB Television Network
The WB Television Network is a former television network in the United States that was launched on January 11, 1995 as a joint venture between Warner Bros. and Tribune Broadcasting. On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Warner Bros...
, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Smallville
Smallville (TV series)
Smallville is an American television series developed by writers/producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar based on the DC Comics character Superman, originally created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The television series was initially broadcast by The WB Television Network , premiering on October...
.
Band is the son of the cult film director Albert Band
Albert Band
Albert Band born Alfredo Antonini , was an American film director and film producer. He was the son of artist Max Band, father of filmmaker Charles Band and of film composer Richard Band. He is the grandfather of Alex Band and Taryn Band.-Biography:Band escaped from Paris to the United States with...
, and the brother of director Charles Band. He has a nephew Alex Band
Alex Band
Alex Band is an American musician and singer-songwriter, best known for his work in his former band The Calling and their signature song "Wherever You Will Go", which peaked at #3 on the Top 40 in 2001.Along with bandmate and fellow songwriter Aaron Kamin as part of The Calling, the pair achieved...
, and a niece, Taryn Band.
Career
Since the late 1970s Band has been composing film music for horrorHorror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
and science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
films regularly. His first notable score was for 1977's Laserblast
Laserblast
Laserblast is a 1978 American science fiction film about an unhappy teenage loner who discovers an alien laser cannon and goes on a murderous rampage, seeking revenge against those who he feels have wronged him. The low-budget film was directed by Michael Rae and produced by Charles Band, who is...
, which he co-composed with Joel Goldsmith
Joel Goldsmith
Joel Goldsmith is a composer of film, television, and video game music. He is the son of renowned composer Jerry Goldsmith. He was the main composer for the TV series Stargate SG-1, although the main titles were written by David Arnold...
(son of famed composer Jerry Goldsmith
Jerry Goldsmith
Jerrald King Goldsmith was an American composer and conductor most known for his work in film and television scoring....
). By the mid-80's Band was renowned for scoring horror films by employing strong, memorable and often very melodic themes. Films like Mutant
Mutant (film)
Mutant is a 1984 horror film. It was initially released to theaters as Night Shadows, but it premiered on video with the Mutant title, which it has retained for all subsequent VHS and DVD releases. Directed by John "Bud" Cardos...
(aka Night Shadows), The Alchemist
The Alchemist (film)
The Alchemist is a 1984 horror film about a man who desires to avenge a curse placed on him by an evil magician. The film was directed by Charles Band, and stars Robert Ginty, Lucinda Dooling, and John Sanderford.-Plot:...
, The House on Sorority Row
The House on Sorority Row
The House on Sorority Row is a 1983 low budget American slasher film directed by Mark Rosman. The film has become a cult classic among fans of the genre.-Plot:...
, Ghostwarrior, Troll
Troll (film)
Troll is a 1986 cult dark fantasy film. Its plot has no relation to the films Troll 2 and Troll 3, which are intended to be more horror than fantasy. Its "sequel", Troll 2 is considered to be one of the worst films of all time.-Plot:...
and The Day Time Ended
The Day Time Ended
The Day Time Ended is an independent science fiction film released in 1980. The film starred Jim Davis, Christopher Mitchum and Dorothy Malone and was directed by John 'Bud' Carlos...
all feature beautiful and lyrical themes that seem to operate as the antithesis of the genre
Genre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
for which the films were produced. As Band explains in the liner notes for the La-La Land Records
La-La Land Records
La-La Land Records is an American record company based in Burbank, California . The company specializes in film and television soundtracks. The label is run by Michael V...
release of Laserblast, he believes film scores should exist “to add the third dimension to a two-dimensional medium.”
From Beyond
From Beyond (film)
From Beyond is a 1986 American science fiction/ body horror film directed by Stuart Gordon, loosely based on the short story of the same title by H. P. Lovecraft, and was written by Dennis Paoli, Gordon and Brian Yuzna...
, Band's second collaboration with Stuart Gordon
Stuart Gordon
After the University of Wisconsin demanded future theatrical productions by Screw Theater be overseen by a University Professor, Gordon cut his University ties to form Broom Street Theater. Its first production, the new translation of the risque Lysistrata, premiered in May 1969. Gordon is...
following 1985's Re-Animator
Re-Animator
Re-Animator is a 1985 American science fiction horror film based on the H. P. Lovecraft story "Herbert West–Reanimator." Directed by Stuart Gordon, it was the first film in the Re-Animator series. The film has since become a cult film, driven by fans of Jeffrey Combs and H. P...
(performed by the Rome Philharmonic Orchestra) is considered a horror classic within the film score circle, featuring odd tonalities and creative, otherworldly orchestration. He would later go on to score Gordon’s subsequent films such as The Pit and the Pendulum
The Pit and the Pendulum (1990 film)
The Pit and the Pendulum is a 1991 horror film directed by Stuart Gordon and based on the short story by Edgar Allan Poe....
and 1995’s Castle Freak
Castle Freak
Castle Freak is a 1995 American horror film directed by Stuart Gordon, roughly based upon the short-story The Outsider by H. P. Lovecraft. It has elements of splatter/slasher films and references to Creature Features.- Synopsis :...
, the later of which featured some inventive writing for a string quartet
String quartet
A string quartet is a musical ensemble of four string players – usually two violin players, a violist and a cellist – or a piece written to be performed by such a group...
. 1994's Shrunken Heads (on which he collaborated with his more mainstream counterpart Danny Elfman
Danny Elfman
Daniel Robert "Danny" Elfman is an American composer, best known for scoring music for television and film. Up until 1995, he was the lead singer and songwriter in the rock band Oingo Boingo, a group he formed in 1976...
) features big band jazz music, while Dragonworld
Dragonworld
Dragonworld is a 1994 film. It is the third film to be released by Moonbeam Entertainment, the children's video division of Full Moon Entertainment.-Plot:...
, Paramount's kid-friendly fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
film of the same year pitted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London. It tours widely, and is sometimes referred to as "Britain's national orchestra"...
against a plethora of folksy, Celtic
Celtic music
Celtic music is a term utilised by artists, record companies, music stores and music magazines to describe a broad grouping of musical genres that evolved out of the folk musical traditions of the Celtic people of Western Europe...
and ethnic influences.
Since around 1990 onward Band's work has declined in regularity and scope. Today he works primarily in television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, with sparse film projects coming his way. In 2006 he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for his work on the television series, Masters of Horror
Masters of Horror
Masters of Horror is an informal social group of international film writers and directors specializing in horror movies and an American television series created by director Mick Garris for the Showtime cable network.- Origin :...
.
Notable works
- Fortune Teller (2008)
- The Raven (2007)
- Masters of HorrorMasters of HorrorMasters of Horror is an informal social group of international film writers and directors specializing in horror movies and an American television series created by director Mick Garris for the Showtime cable network.- Origin :...
: The Washingtonians (2007) - Nympha (2007)
- Masters of HorrorMasters of HorrorMasters of Horror is an informal social group of international film writers and directors specializing in horror movies and an American television series created by director Mick Garris for the Showtime cable network.- Origin :...
: Valerie on the StairsValerie on the StairsValerie on the Stairs is the eighth episode of the second season of Masters of Horror.-Plot:Rob Hanisey is an unsuccessful writer who has long overdue bills and rent, and, as flashbacks suggest, has been dumped by his girlfriend Anna...
(2006) - Masters of HorrorMasters of HorrorMasters of Horror is an informal social group of international film writers and directors specializing in horror movies and an American television series created by director Mick Garris for the Showtime cable network.- Origin :...
: Dreams in the Witch-House (2005) - Beyond Re-AnimatorBeyond Re-AnimatorBeyond Re-Animator is a horror film, directed by Brian Yuzna. It is the second sequel to Re-Animator. The film premiered on the Sci-Fi Channel . This showing was cut to a TV-PG rating...
(2003) - Puppet Master: The LegacyPuppet Master: The LegacyPuppet Master: The Legacy is a 2003 horror film written by C. Courtney Joyner and David Schmoeller, and directed by Charles Band. It is the eighth film in the Puppet Master franchise, the sequel to 1994's Puppet Master 5: The Final Chapter, and stars Jacob Witkin as an elderly Peter Hertz and Kate...
(2003) - The Silvergleam Whistle (2003)
- My Horrible Year (2001)
- Curse of the Puppet MasterCurse Of The Puppet MasterCurse of the Puppet Master is a 1998 horror film written by Benjamin Carr and David Schmoeller, and directed by David DeCoteau. It is the sixth film in the Puppet Master franchise, the sequel to 1989's original Puppet Master, and stars George Peck as a scientist experimenting with transforming...
(1998) - Stargate SG-1Stargate SG-1Stargate SG-1 is a Canadian-American adventure and military science fiction television series and part of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Stargate franchise. The show, created by Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner, is based on the 1994 feature film Stargate by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich...
(1998) - Three (1998)
- Hideous! (1997)
- In The DoghouseIn the Doghouse"In the Doghouse" is a short story by Orson Scott Card and Jay A. Parry. It appears in his short story collection Maps in a Mirror. Card originally published this story in the December 1978 issue of Analog Science Fiction and Fact.-Plot summary:...
(1998) - BugsBugs (TV series)Bugs was a British television drama series which ran for four series from April 1995 to August 1999. The programme, a mixture of action/adventure and science-fiction, involved a team of specialist independent crime-fighting technology experts, who faced a variety of threats based around computers...
(1996) - Head of the FamilyHead of the FamilyHead of the Family is a 1996 b-movie black comedy released by Full Moon Features. It concerns a Southern couple who blackmail a family of mutants to get money and revenge. It was rated R for language and strong nudity.-Plot:...
(1996) - Robo Warriors (1996)
- Shadow of the Knight (1996)
- Zarkorr! The InvaderZarkorr! The InvaderZarkorr! The Invader is a 1996 low-budget monster movie produced by Full Moon Entertainment.It was planned for a limited theatrical release, but was instead was made a direct-to-video film.-Synopsis:...
(1996) - Castle FreakCastle FreakCastle Freak is a 1995 American horror film directed by Stuart Gordon, roughly based upon the short-story The Outsider by H. P. Lovecraft. It has elements of splatter/slasher films and references to Creature Features.- Synopsis :...
(1995) - DragonworldDragonworldDragonworld is a 1994 film. It is the third film to be released by Moonbeam Entertainment, the children's video division of Full Moon Entertainment.-Plot:...
(1995) - Magic IslandMagic Island (film)Magic Island is a 1995 DTV film released by Moonbeam Entertainment, the kidvid division of Full Moon Entertainment.-Overview:Jack Carlisle is a disillusioned 13-year old boy. His mother is always away at work since his father left. He decides to run away, as he feels his mom won't miss him. As he...
(1995) - Time Warrior: Planet of the Dino-Knights (1995)
- Time Warrior: Journey to the Magic Cavern (1995)
- Time Warrior: The Human Pets (1995)
- Time Warrior: Trapped on Toy World (1995)
- Castles (1994)
- Puppet Master 5: The Final Chapter (1994)
- Shrunken Heads (1994)
- Dollman vs. Demonic ToysDollman vs. Demonic ToysDollman vs. Demonic Toys is a low-budget independent 1993 horror film in the B movie category, that went straight to video and never had a theatrical release...
(1993 - Prehysteria (1993)
- Puppet Master 4Puppet Master 4Puppet Master 4 is a 1993 horror film written by Charles Band among others, and directed by Jeff Burr. It is the fourth film in the Puppet Master franchise, a sequel to 1991's Puppet Master II, and stars Gordon Currie as a youth scientist who, along with his friends, played by Chandra West, Ash...
(1993) - RemoteRemote (film)Remote is a comedy film that was released on September 22, 1993, starring Chris Carrara, Jessica Bowman, and John Diel. Ted Nicolaou directed the film and it was written by Mike Farros. The movies premise is similar to that of Home Alone...
(1993) - Demonic ToysDemonic ToysDemonic Toys is a film produced by Charles Band's Full Moon Entertainment and released in 1992. The film features small, killer toys similar to those seen in Puppet Master, a film which Band produced in 1989. Demonic Toys, like many other Full Moon releases, never had a theatrical release and went...
(1992) - Doctor MordridDoctor MordridDoctor Mordrid is a 1992 American film starring Jeffrey Combs. It was produced by Charles Band and co-directed by Band and his father, Albert Band. It was written by C. Courtney Joyner and released by Full Moon Features....
(1992) - The ResurrectedThe ResurrectedThe Resurrected is a 1992 horror film, released direct to video. It was directed by Dan O'Bannon and starred John Terry, Jane Sibbett, Chris Sarandon and Robert Romanus. It is an adaptation of the H. P...
(1992) - Seed PeopleSeed PeopleSeedpeople is a motion picture produced by Charles Band and directed by Peter Manoogian.-Plot :The sleepy little town of Comet Valley has been invaded by plants from outer space. Intent on taking over the Earth, the space plants have found a way to pollinate humans, thus turning them into walking...
(1992) - Trancers IIITrancers IIITrancers III is the second sequel of the Trancers series and went straight-to-video in 1992.-Plot:Tagline: "The end of time is just beginning. Deth lives."...
(1992) - ArenaArena (1989 film)Arena is an American science fiction film directed by Peter Manoogian and starring Paul Satterfield and Claudia Christian. Set in 4038, Satterfield plays Steve Armstrong, the first human in 50 years to compete in the intergalactic boxing sport called simply "The Arena"...
(1991) - Trancers IITrancers IITrancers II is a 1991 American action science fiction film directed by Charles Band. It is the sequel to Trancers starring Tim Thomerson and Helen Hunt.The film has been released on DVD through the Trancers boxset or as a single DVD in Europe.-Plot:...
(1991) - Bride of Re-AnimatorBride of Re-AnimatorBride of Re-Animator is an American horror film released in 1990. It was directed by Brian Yuzna and was written by Yuzna, Rick Fry and Woody Keith. H. P. Lovecraft wrote the original series of stories, titled Herbert West–Reanimator, from which the characters were derived. The plot roughly...
(1990) - The Arrival (1990)
- Crash and BurnCrash and Burn (film)Crash and Burn is a 1990 science fiction movie.-Plot:Unicom is a powerful organization overseeing most of the world after its economic collapse...
(1990) - The Pit and the PendulumThe Pit and the Pendulum (1990 film)The Pit and the Pendulum is a 1991 horror film directed by Stuart Gordon and based on the short story by Edgar Allan Poe....
(1990) - Puppet Master IIPuppet Master IIPuppet Master II is a 1991 horror film written by David Pabian and directed by Dave Allen...
(1990) - ShadowzoneShadowzone (film)Shadowzone is science fiction/horror movie directed by J.S. Cardone and released in 1990. It was rated R for violence, language, and some nudity.-Plot:...
(1990) - The Caller (1989)
- ArenaArena (1989 film)Arena is an American science fiction film directed by Peter Manoogian and starring Paul Satterfield and Claudia Christian. Set in 4038, Satterfield plays Steve Armstrong, the first human in 50 years to compete in the intergalactic boxing sport called simply "The Arena"...
(1989) - Puppet MasterPuppet Master (film)Puppet Master is a 1989 horror film written by Charles Band and Kenneth J. Hall, and directed by David Schmoeller...
(1989) - Prison (1988)
- DollsDolls (1987 film)Dolls is a horror film directed by Stuart Gordon, shot in Italy in 1985 and released in 1987.- Plot summary :A violent thunderstorm strands six people in the gothic English countryside: Judy, who's traveling with her thuggish father and her cold, self-centered, stepmother...
(1987) - EliminatorsEliminatorsEliminators is a 1986 film directed by Peter Manoogian. The plot concernes a "Mandroid" constructed by an evil scientist from the body of a downed pilot, who teams up with the scientist responsible for android technology, her pet robot Spot, a riverboat guide, and a martial arts warrior...
(1986) - From BeyondFrom Beyond (film)From Beyond is a 1986 American science fiction/ body horror film directed by Stuart Gordon, loosely based on the short story of the same title by H. P. Lovecraft, and was written by Dennis Paoli, Gordon and Brian Yuzna...
(1986) - Ghostwarrior (1986)
- TerrorVisionTerrorVisionTerrorVision is an American horror-comedy film released in 1986.The film was directed by Ted Nicolaou, produced and written by Albert and Charles Band and composed by Richard Band, all of whom would go on to found and work with Full Moon Features in 1989...
(1986) - TrollTroll (film)Troll is a 1986 cult dark fantasy film. Its plot has no relation to the films Troll 2 and Troll 3, which are intended to be more horror than fantasy. Its "sequel", Troll 2 is considered to be one of the worst films of all time.-Plot:...
(1986) - Zone TroopersZone TroopersZone Troopers is a 1985 science fiction film, directed by Danny Bilson and starring Tim Thomerson. The original music score was composed by Richard Band.-Plot:...
(1986) - The DungeonmasterThe DungeonmasterThe Dungeonmaster, , is a 1984 low-budget science fiction/fantasy film, rated PG-13, starring Jeffrey Byron, Charles Moll and Leslie Wing...
(1985) - GhouliesGhouliesThe Ghoulies films are an American horror-comedy series released throughout the 1980s and 1990s and centered on a group of demons usually summoned by Satanic worshippers.-Ghoulies:...
(1985) - Re-AnimatorRe-AnimatorRe-Animator is a 1985 American science fiction horror film based on the H. P. Lovecraft story "Herbert West–Reanimator." Directed by Stuart Gordon, it was the first film in the Re-Animator series. The film has since become a cult film, driven by fans of Jeffrey Combs and H. P...
(1985) - MutantMutant (film)Mutant is a 1984 horror film. It was initially released to theaters as Night Shadows, but it premiered on video with the Mutant title, which it has retained for all subsequent VHS and DVD releases. Directed by John "Bud" Cardos...
(1984) - The House on Sorority RowThe House on Sorority RowThe House on Sorority Row is a 1983 low budget American slasher film directed by Mark Rosman. The film has become a cult classic among fans of the genre.-Plot:...
(1983) - Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-SynMetalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-SynMetalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn is a 1983 science fiction movie starring Jeffrey Byron, Michael Preston, Tim Thomerson, Kelly Preston and Richard Moll. It was directed and produced by Charles Band who is possibly better known for his other, rather low-budget science fiction and horror...
(1983) - ParasiteParasite (film)Parasite is a 1982 horror/science fiction film starring Demi Moore in her first major film role.-Plot:In the far future, an atomic disaster has reduced the world to poverty. Instead of a government, America is run by an organization called the Merchants, who exploit the degenerate remains of...
(1982) - Time Walker (1982)
- Dr. Heckyll and Mr. Hype (1980)
- The Day Time EndedThe Day Time EndedThe Day Time Ended is an independent science fiction film released in 1980. The film starred Jim Davis, Christopher Mitchum and Dorothy Malone and was directed by John 'Bud' Carlos...
(1980) - LaserblastLaserblastLaserblast is a 1978 American science fiction film about an unhappy teenage loner who discovers an alien laser cannon and goes on a murderous rampage, seeking revenge against those who he feels have wronged him. The low-budget film was directed by Michael Rae and produced by Charles Band, who is...
(1978) - AuditionsAuditions (1978 film)-Plot :A pseudo-documentary about the processes involved in putting together and casting actors and actresses for a porn film. Although several actual porn stars are in the film, it is not a porn film itself.-DVD Release:...
(1978)