TWISTED SISTER Frontman Talks About His New Gig As Host Of 'Dead Art'; Audio Available

Jian Ghomeshi of CBC's cultural affairs show "Q" conducted an interview with TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider on Wednesday, February 13. Dee talks about his new gig as the host of "Dead Art" — a TV series about finding beauty in cemetaries.

Download the podcast containing the Snider chat at this location.

"Dead Art" is airing on the U.S. HD network.

"I am a horror fan and cemeteries do have a cachet," Snider said in the "Q" interview.

"What people don't realize is the history and a lot of famous people and a lot of great architecture is contained in all these legendary cemeteries around the world," he added.

Snider seeks out the gems inside the cemeteries, often forgotten now that people no longer visit cemeteries as a wholesome family outing.

"I think back in time to when people would go there for an outing," such as a Sunday picnic, he said.

"It was a much more respectful way to view the dead. It was a place with some kind of joy and I assume people went to cemeteries where family members were buried and visited them on a regular basis and paid homage in a way by reflecting on their lives."

Snider said his show focuses on the history and on beautiful artwork and sculptures, including one 3,000-square-foot mausoleum in the Bronx complete with Tiffany glass.

"Wealthy people turned to the great artists and architects of their time and hired them — they have the money — to build their mausoleums or sculpt their statue."

So how did the TWISTED SISTER singer go from being the heavy metal rocker wearing makeup to a guy in a jacket —albeit a leather one — hosting a TV show?

"I've been doing talk radio and TV for [U.S. digital network] VH1 in the U.S. for a while now and it's been my shop, but this is the first opportunity to do something not music related," Snider said.

"A lot of cemeteries when they heard I was hosting were afraid, but once they saw the content they were pleased and we've been invited back."