An Interview with Joseph Ziemba of Bleeding Skull

This past Friday, I had the opportunity to interview Joe Ziemba, the creator of the blog Bleeding Skull! Ziemba, 39, from Chicago Heights, IL originally started Bleeding Skull, writing reviews for obscure VHS horror films. The blog launched on January 4th, 2004.

“I have had a passion for b-horror movies & VHS tapes my entire life” said Ziemba. “It really just started as a hobby, something I just really enjoyed doing, and soon after I met Dan Budnik”.

Budnik soon became the head writer of Bleeding Skull.

“It was just Dan & I for a while” Ziemba said. “It was really just a passion project of ours, we had a little bit of a following for a few years, but it wasn’t nearly where we are now”.

In 2013, Ziemba & Budnik authored the book Bleeding Skull! A 1980s Trash-Horror Odyssey.

“Dan & I were super-excited to finally get our reviews published. The paperback is actually quite a collections item now since we never re-printed it.” Ziemba said.

“Unfortunately a year after that, as our fan base was growing due to our book, Dan had to leave Bleeding Skull for personal reasons, which was hard.” Ziemba continued.

“I’m also the art director for the local Alamo Drafthouse and the host of Terror Tuesday, so it was quite a stressful time.”

Soon after however, Ziemba met current Bleeding Skull writers Annie Choi & Zack Carlson.

“When Annie, Zack, & I started to collaborate, that’s when things really took off” Ziemba said.

“We started Bleeding Skull! Video, where we post newly printed VHS tapes, DVD’s, & downloads for sale of many schlocky horror films that have never seen the light of day since the 80’s, with the help from folks at Alamo Drafthouse” Ziemba continued.

As of right now, because of Bleeding Skull! Video, the blog has developed a cult following.

“We’re super busy here at Bleeding Skull, but I’m overjoyed of how many people are appreciating our content” Ziemba said.

In conclusion, Ziemba stated “I really think that blogging is the future of Journalism. Just writing what you are passionate about can be very rewarding.”

Photo Courtesy of: Joseph Ziemba

VHS Exchange At Tattooed Mom in Philly

This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to go to the Tattooed Mom bar on South Street in Philadelphia, for a VHS Swap & Video Party, hosted by the Philadelphia VHS Society & Lunchmeat. I met some interesting people, and picked up some cool tapes while I was there.
Here’s some pictures I took to show what the event was truly like in action!

 

VHS seller, Emily Johnson relaxing on a couch at Tattooed Mom’s in Philly on Saturday, March 3rd, 2018. (Photo/Craig Leeming) “This is a yearly event, and it’s my first time, really happy I was able to make it out” Johnson said.

A very 80’s looking display of VHS tapes, and laserdiscs featuring Pretty in Pink, at Tattooed Mom’s in Philly on Saturday, March 3rd, 2018. (Photo/Craig Leeming) “Those laserdiscs people love looking at, but I’m still having trouble actually selling them” seller Eric Ingala explained.

VHS seller Eric Ingala, shows his friends & fellow collectors Abdeel Capote & Alex Gardner a prized Godzilla VHS box set, at Tattooed Mom’s in Philly on Saturday, March 3rd, 2018. (Photo/Craig Leeming) “Abdeel & I both love collecting obscure Godzilla tapes” Ingala said.

VHS seller Ryan Todd, talking to fellow collector Forrest Frandsen, at Tattooed Mom’s in Philly on Saturday, March 3rd, 2018. (Photo/Craig Leeming) “Ryan & I didn’t meet until setting up today, but it’s always good to meet new collectors” Frandsen stated.

VHS collector Matt Garrett shows fellow collector Jesse Ross a rare Mondo Video title simply called Things, at Tattooed Mom’s in Philly on Saturday March 3rd, 2018. (Photo/Craig Leeming) “I would have bought it if it was an original copy” claimed Ross.

VHS collectors Gerard Chin, Nick Rubenstein, Thom Zarra, & Krystal Brackett chat and hunt for tapes at Tattooed Mom in Philly on Saturday March 3rd, 2018. (Photo/Craig Leeming) “I’m still looking for that hidden gem” Zarra said.

VHS sellers, Emily Johnson & her boyfriend Ryan Todd, talking with fellow collectors and sellers at Tattooed Mom’s in Philly on Saturday, March 3rd, 2018. (Photo/Craig Leeming) “We run a small publisher called Retro Media Video, and we create our own cover art”. Todd explained.

Seller Ray Meoni & collector Steven Bostic scan a row of VHS tapes at Tattooed Mom in Philly on Saturday March 3rd, 2018. (Photo/Craig Leeming) “The best tapes at that table were the first four Friday the 13th films, but I have them all already” explains Bostic.

VHS Seller Gary Bonetti sitting at his table in deep thought, at Tattooed Mom’s in Philly on Saturday, March 3rd, 2018. (Photo/Craig Leeming) “This is my second year doing the VHS exchange, and you always meet interesting people” Bonetti said.

Seller Forrest Frandsen displaying his cassette collection & Game Boy Color At Tattooed Mom in Philly on Saturday March 3rd, 2018. (Photo/Craig Leeming) “The Game Boy Color has a close place in my heart, since it was my first game console as a kid” Frandsen explains.