The co-owner/founder of The Trunk Space invites you to Dr. Zombie's Movie Lab of Terror at the venue this Saturday, April 23.
When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now?
NPR. It's the the most "reasonable volume" news in the morning, and my car--which doesn't have an antenna--picks it up clearer then anything. I hate the blabbering morning DJ schlock on the FM dial, but I won't pay for 'net radio stuff either. Sometimes at night, I'll tune into Coast To Coast on 550-AM, but it's not any good since Art Bell left; though I like Ian Punnett's weekend shift when I catch it.
What's the last song played on your portal music player?
Hmmm, tough to say. I can't get it to tell me. Honestly, I never figured out any of my iPod's features. But, I usually only use my iPod as a recording device for found sound and interviews. I dabble in a recording label called OWL (onewordlong.com), which hasn't formally put anything out in ages, I'm afraid, but I am still collecting lots of stuff. By the way: If anyone wants to be interviewed about their obsessions, or death, let me know, but you better have a really good story.
What's the first record you bought?
I saved up money for weeks to get a copy of Peter Gabriel's So on cassette tape. I was pretty disappointed when the whole thing wasn't like "Sledgehammer" and "Big Time." It grew on me a lot over the years though.
What's the first concert you saw?
The Who for my sixth grade graduation, on one of their many, many farewell /reunion tours. I had no real idea who they were -- something like The Stones, right? I didn't just get it at the time. Years later, Spike Lee used one of their songs in the Summer of Sam movie, and something clicked with me -- Who's Next is my fave LP of theirs.
What's your favorite concert you've ever been to?
Dead Milkmen, Not Richard, But Dick tour in 1993, at The Buffalo Icon in Buffalo, N.Y. If I'd died that night, I would have no regrets.
Preferred format: CD, vinyl, cassette, 8-Track or digital?
I collect weird 7-inch records (commercials, how-to, interviews, commemorative, flexi discs) so I'd have to say vinyl. It's not a snobby thing on my part, honestly, I just grew up with records in the house and feel really comfortable with them. By the way, if anyone has any such weird 7-inch records, feel free to let me know!
What's your favorite CD?
A mix my best friend Ed Luce made called Mellow Drama. It has an epic collection of indie and college radio songs on it, and his packaging is awesome--it looks just like a pro comp or label sampler. I've had friends ask where they can buy it. I literally treasure it.
Who is your favorite singer or band?
Toss-up between Dead Milkmen and The Clash probably, but I have to say as I've gotten older, I've really stated to dig on stuff like Randy Newman, and actually I'm really into Fred Astaire's versions of the "standards" right now. Locally, I am really jamming on Space Alien Donald these days--he's the world's oldest gay Canadian rapper. I also like a lot of the stuff Gilgongo Records has been releasing in 7-inch format. The recent Vegetable is good stuff!
Does you computer track how many times you've played something -- if so, what's at the top of the list?
After just checking, I'm not surprised to find that it's "I Love Watching You Sleep" by local Twilight-themed rockers, The Cullens. It's a seriously well-made piece of pop music.
What was your favorite new or new-to-you album from 2010?
I have been really into this CD we got from the band The Binary Marketing Show. It's a slurry of clinky orchestrated noise with some great ghostly vocals mixed in. I can't stop playing it at Trunk Space between bands.
What one song would you play if you had a world-wide radio audience?
I have no fucking idea, but I'll say "The Knife" from Genesis' 1974 LP Trespass, and after it played, I'd shout "This is what you should be trying to top before wasting your time hitting the record button in the studio!"
