White Zombie deliberately moved away from their noise rock origins towards a more accessible, danceable metal sound, seeking audiences beyond New York’s underground clubs. Their single Thunder Kiss ’65 became central to that ambition, with exposure from Beavis and Butt-head helping turn the band into a million-selling act and placing them alongside artists they admired.

Guitarist J. Yuenger said the shift in sound and attitude had begun before he joined in 1989, as the group wanted to become a “real” metal band without becoming conventional. Vocalist Rob Zombie said he did not want to remain playing to around 300 people at CBGBs, believing the scene limited the band’s prospects; instead, they strengthened their sound and began performing on metal bills.