Yesterday, I shared the elusive Alpha-Getti ad featuring the Alpha-Getti Gobbler. Ryan Barnett was the boy at the table who didn't say "You're the Alpha-Getti Gobbler!". Yesterday, he was kind enough to share details about the shoot and his memories of the ad.

While taking a break from work I wondered if any of my old commercials I did ever made it on You tube.  To name a few, McDonalds (Starring Lanny McDonald), a Movie with David Copperfield, Mr. Clean, Rice Krispies, Boots Drug Stores (Remember these stores?) and of course Alpha Getti.  I typed alphagetti gobbler commercial into google and was stunned by the numerous people talking about this ad on blogs and chat rooms and was stunned that there were no pictures or copies of the commercial lying around.  This is when I stumbled onto your blog and read through all the commentary regarding your post and was shocked by how many people remembered this commercial 

It felt kind of crazy to me that people actually remembered this ad, it was definitely a good one but it was soooo long ago!  I remember that this ad ran on Canada tv for about 5 years and people loved the famous line "Your the alpha getti gobbler".  I'm definitely not a big shot movie star, espescially now because I'm a Chartered Accountant at 30 years old.  But I can't lie, it feels pretty damn cool! 

My commercial career ended in my childhood days when I lost my baby teeth and they told me that without a smile I was out of a job.  I guess that's how the commercial life goes.  I can't complain though, all my commercials from my younger days paid fully and completely for my University education.

I don't remember anything about the kid who said the famous line but the commercial was filmed in downtown Toronto and it was a local casting so I'm thinking the kid with the famous line was also from Ontario but I could be wrong.

I remember doing the ad with that big yellow "gobbler".  Technology was not very updated back then and I remember that someone had to get into the suit but parts of the suits were mechanic and moved with remote control.  But for the record, it wasn't all a machine there was definitely a person inside that creature.  I also remember a bunch of the kids in the ad were frightened by this big device they didn't know what to expect from it and getting everyone to concentrate on the ad was a task.

I'm really glad I stumbled on your blog and now hopefully the empty void of people not being able to remember the good old commercials in today's world filled with such crappy commercials can be filled.

Anyways... I hope by me stumbling on this blog allows many people can relive the good old days and enjoy one of the great commercials of the past.

If you haven't seen the ad yet, it's right here waiting for you. Thanks Ryan, for sharing the video with me and for giving us further details about this commercial.

Article Permalink    2 Comments

Fred Patterson, or Freddie P as he's often called, is best known as one half of the Humble & Fred morning show. I met him through Humble Howard and helped him with his popular blog, FreddieP.ca.

Fred's a gracious guy, and he was nice enough to grant me an interview. Here's my interview with Freddie P.

Q: How did Fred Patterson get his start in radio? Tell us about breaking into the biz and that little yellow house in Brampton.
A: After leaving Seneca College in 1978 I took a job at CKFH (now the Fan) writing traffic reports for the morning man who at the time was Brian Barker.

I worked three hours a day for $2.50 an hour. I had to walk half a mile from my house in Scaborough to the bus stop at Birchmount and Eglinton at 4:30 in the morning. CKFH was basically at Yonge and College.

I went all that way to earn $7.50 a day but it was worth it because it put me in the environment of a radio station that leaned heavily towards sports.

Before long I was working the board for Blue Jays baseball and helping out on Bob McCown's original sports talk show, "Talking of Sports."

It was great but I wanted to be "on air" at the folks at FH thought I was too young and green, so at McCowns urging I started to look around and that's how I ended up in Brampton at CHIC 790 - a disco station that needed a news and sports announcer.

It wasn't long before David Marsden hired me to do sports on CFNY (CHIC's sister station) and that's where I stayed for 22 glorious years.

Q: We're missing your voice on Toronto radio. What's next for Freddie P?
A: I have no idea. I'd love to get back into radio but I'm a realist. It's a different business today with less competition and way more interest in bottom line. Ideally I dream of having my own talk show in Toronto, but so do four thousand other people.

I miss the radio station environment and the interaction with people. I'd love to get up each day and have a show to create and present in my own way.

People might laugh at the comparison, but my website has been great therapy for me and in a way constructing it is much like you would a radio talk show. Take a subject, analyze it, give your opinion, piss off a few people, and then wait for the response.

Q: People my age are particularly fond of Mr. Goohead. I want to know the origin of Mr. Goohead and when we can expect a major motion picture featuring the character.
A: When someone makes me an offer. Fat chance.

Mr. Goohead was a real spring board for me. It was his creation that led to my move from sportscaster to morning show co-host. It showed that there was another side to me.

The first episode happened in 1987 with the "Time Change" episode on the Steve Anthony morning show. The clocks and just changed and something inspired me to call a Chinese restaurant and screw with the guy. The voice just came out and the name came from my brother in law who used to call people gooheads.

It got such a great reaction I just kept thinking of concepts and doing them.

At the same time, it was one of those things that after 15 years I grew tired of. Morning shows changed and so did the Humble and Fred Show and prank calls simply didn't inspire me any more.

I still have over a hundred episodes and feature them on my website. freddiep.ca

Q: What happened to that BBQ show you hosted on television? Admittedly, my memory is a little hazy, but I remember you giving grilling tips. Was that a cool gig?
A: The money and the experience were fantastic. The product wasn't so great.

I was hired with the understanding that CTV wanted Fred Patterson, the down to earth every day guy who worked on CFNY. I was going to do a relaxed presentation, very casual and off the cuff.

But then the sponsor got involved.

Chinette plates decided they didn't want that image. They made high class paper plates so you couldn't have a guy sloppin' stuff on and off the barbeque. You know, reality.

Instead it turned into a formal and stiff segment that I wasn't especially proud of.

Q: You've done quite a bit of podcasting since you left radio. There's the work you do at beer.com and those awesome Humble & Fred podcasts we did from Dan Duran's house. Will there be another Humble & Fred podcast this Christmas?
A: They were well received so It would be a shame to let the tradition die. But who knows what will be happening by Labour Day let alone Christmas.

Q: What's your favourite movie?
A: The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz. Call it timing. The right movie at the right time for me and nothing has surpassed it.

Q: I've noticed a conservative slant at freddiep.ca. When did you sell your soul to the devil?
A: How does the saying go. NDP at 20, Liberal at 30, then you grow up and become Conservative at 40. And I know of what I speak because I've voted for all three parties over the years.

Believe it or not, I'm not partisan. Just give me good honest government. Like that rat Mike Harris who did nothing but do what he said he was going to do. Some of it backfired, but nobody can say he lied to them.

It absolutely amazes me that after 13 years of corrupt Liberal government at the federal level, and four years of Liberal deceit at the provincial level that anyone could even dream of voting for that party.

But people seem to be so anti-conservative they're willing to forgive and forget anything.

Q: I'm a little young to remember Pete 'n Geets, but I hear amazing things. What was it like being a part of that genius?
A: Pete and Geets were fantastic. They were Canada's pioneer FM morning show, and here's what I mean by that. In the early days of CHUM-FM they changed the way morning radio was done.

Less music, more talk, irreverent instead of corny and they didn't yell at you like the am morning shows did. When they came to CFNY in 1980, it got even better.

I often find it amusing how much credit Howard Stern gets for bringing a different style of morning show to radio, but his "style" was being established by Pete and Geets before Stern was even out of college. But without the tits and ass.

And of course, Pete and Geets never got the credit they deserved, mainly because they never had huge ratings. But as we've learned over the years, ratings doesn't mean quality.

The current ratings system is a joke and has robbed Toronto of a lot of good radio over the years.

Q: Is there anything else you want to share with the Toronto Mike crowd?
A: Yea. You don't know what you've got till it's gone. Don't be sad it's over, be glad it happened. Eat lots of fibre and teach your children well.

Article Permalink    2 Comments

Earlier today I wrote about the invitation I received to see Edward Scissorhands at the Hummingbird Centre. I wondered aloud how many other Toronto bloggers got the same offer. I figured there was no better person to ask than Julie Giles from AWA Touring Services in New York City as she's the woman who sent me the invitation in the first place.

I hit up Julie for a few answers to the questions I couldn't shake from my mind. As you'll read, she was very accommodating.

How many Toronto bloggers are getting this invitation?
About 20 but that number is divided over several communities. For example, we've invited several "cultural trendsetters", several "mommy" bloggers, bloggers from the Goth community, and so on...

How did you determine which Toronto bloggers would get an invite?
We look for bloggers who have interests that dovetail with the subject matter. A sports blogger, for example, would not be interested in this show but a photoblogger might be -- based on the fact the show is highly visual and features very dramatic sets and costumes. I guess you could say we look for a good "fit".

Have you tried this form of web 2.0 marketing in the past and was it successful?
We've been doing Web 2.0 marketing for this particular tour since November. It has been very successful in urban markets like San Francisco and Toronto where there is typically a large number of bloggers writing on a variety of topics. That being said, we've also had successes in smaller markets such as Charlotte, NC, and St. Louis, MI. In these markets, we took a slightly different approach and worked with people and their networks in MySpace and Facebook. It's been a very interesting experience.

Article Permalink    0 Comments

I met Bingo Bob for the first time when we all showed up at Dan Duran's house to record the 17th annual Humble & Fred Christmas Show. He used to produce the Humble & Fred morning show and recently scored a cool gig producing the morning show at 103.9 Proud FM, the first radio station in Canada catering to the LGBT crowd. I just Googled it... LGBT means Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender, in case you didn't already know that.

When I threw these questions at Bob, I thought Proud FM had already launched. It turns out I was just hearing a test of the signal. Nevertheless, here's my interview with Bingo Bob.

Q: People know Bingo Bob from The Humble & Fred morning show. What went down in July of 2006. Spill the deets...
A: July 2006 was the end of a very significant part of my life. It had already been a strange 11 or 12 months...as Fred was let go a year earlier...leaving Humble Howard and myself the last two left from way back at the Edge days working together. But on July 15th I got a call from the assistant to the GM at Standard Radio Toronto at about 3:30 in the afternoon asking me to come in to the station at 5:30...yikes. I knew exactly what was coming. It was one of the worst feelings in the world. I had never been fired from anything, never mind something I cared so much about. Humble's explanation of how it felt in his article in the Post was very accurate. It's quite surreal. I wasn't even married a year yet, and it was the day before a planned two week vacation in London and Paris...talk about putting a damper on the festivities. I got to the station, my GM told me they are "going in a different direction in mornings"...and that was that. They walked me out...told me I could come back and get my stuff if I wanted...but I didn't...I stopped off at the morning show office and took as many office supplies as possible.

Q: How did you get the nickname Bingo Bob?
A: When I first walked into The Humble and Fred Show @ Edge102 to become an intern, Humble asked me what I did...and lucky me I was a bingo caller/runner/manager. So I immediately became Bingo Bob.

Q: Congrats on being the first Morning Show Producer for the new Proud FM. How is it working with Ken Kostick and Mary Jo Eustace?
A: They are terrific...very nice people who have a great chemistry...I can't wait to get on the air with them...and they cook! It's awesome.

Q: The launch of Proud FM was awfully quiet. You're the first gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender focused station in the country. Shouldn't you be bringing the noise?
A: Well, we aren't launched as of yet. If you do happen upon 103.9 while in your car, what you are hearing is merely a test of the signal...we don't launch until Mid-April.

Q: I'm a heterosexual male. Am I allowed to listen?
A: We are an inclusionary station, we don't JUST cater to the LGBT crowd, we are for everyone.

Q: Who's funnier? Humble or Fred?
A: Hmmmm...actually neither of them. I find them both to be quite serious and somewhat melancholy.

Q: In some quarters, Proud FM is probably a little controversial. Have you had any negative response? Do you receive homophobic email?
A: I haven't yet, but I know some people who were involved in the CRTC application have received death threats.

Q: The Proud FM website has been coming soon for a while now. Do you need a little help with that?
A: Let me ask around...I like your stuff...so we will see!

Q: I live a little west of the downtown core. I get 103.9, but it's a little fuzzy. Any plans to boost the signal so you come in clear throughout the 416?
A: Right now our signal is one of the smallest in Toronto...depending on where you are in the 416 you might have a hard time picking it up on a home stereo...but if you are listening in your car, we are coming in quite well all over the place. My dad called me the other day to say that he was listening while working in Brampton.

Q: Is there anything else you want to share with the Toronto Mike crowd?
A: Not that I can think of...Just that they should keep checking your site as often as possible, anybody who loves Humble and Fred, Pearl Jam and The Simpson's can't be half bad. (Those too are three of my favourite things) And of course to check out my blog too: http://blog.myspace.com/bingobob I have to admit I have been a little light on the postings as of late...who knew building a radio station from the ground up would be so much work?

Article Permalink    3 Comments

blogTO has profiled me in their Blogerati Files feature. Click on other there and read my snappy answers to Lily Dustbin's tricky questions.

If you've clicked on over from blogTO, welcome. Hit up the archives and make yourself comfy.

Article Permalink    4 Comments

Raymi is a local Toronto blogger who gushes words of wisdom at http://raymitheminx.blogspot.com. I interviewed her a couple of years back and decided we needed a sequel. Here's another interview with Raymi the Minx.

Q: Word Tutor defines a minx as "A seductive woman who uses her attractiveness to exploit men". Are you exploiting men, and if you are, what's in it for you?
A: i came up with that name when i was 15 when i wanted to exploit men and then i did for a little while but not anymore, everyone got something out of the transaction i like to think.

Q: You've been blogging for quite a while now. Is there an end game? What's your blogging objective?
A: no end game per se, just something to do to keep my mind sharp, unless i lose the ability to use my fingers, there most likely will not be an end to writing, whether it be on my blog or somewhere else, who knows, i cannot fortell the future. my objective is to be disgustingly rich and have a lot of plastic surgery i don't fucking know, what's your objective? i've been asked this question numerous times, sorry.

Q: What kind of money are you making from your site?
A: that's a personal question and honestly do you expect me to answer it? how much does your mom make? who is to say that i make any money off it at all. i mean, i make money off the things i sell, books and junk and art.

Q: I parlayed my last interview with you into an interview with your buddy Matthew Good. Are you friendly with Gord Downie?
A: no but can you get me his phone number?

Q: Speaking of Matthew Good, you wrote about touring with him. How was that? Spill the stuff you weren't allowed to write about on your site.
A: dude you did this segue matthew good shit last time fucking interview him if you want to know. i am not going to blab personal shit about my friend who happens to be famous in some internet emailed interview so all his fans can masturbate and cut themselves to it. i was drinking 85% of the time, it was a great time, late nites watching carnivale on the bus, great shows, blah etc.

Q: There are rumours on the internets that you're considering a move south of the 49th parallel. Are you planning to move to Cali?
A: what the fuck? where did that come from? seriously that's funny. give me the link to this rumor.

Q: You periodically post pictures of yourself in the nude. I'm guessing this attracts a certain audience that visits for this purpose and this purpose alone. If you stopped posting these pix, how many regular visitors to you suspect you'd lose?
A: i rarely post nudes my hits have not declined, my blog is more than my tits, granted a lot of retards read my blog but i see it my blog is for the retarded, it's like a learning manual for life or an AA meeting that never ends.

Q: What's your favourite song these days?
A: that gary jules cover of mad world

Q: Did you vote yesterday?
A: no i have never voted

Q: Is there anything further you'd like to share?
A: can you not piss me off so much next time please, thanks.

Other interviews I've conducted:

• Humble Howard
• The Hey Mister Girl
• Custom
• Kevin Shea
• Matthew Good
• Raymi
• Custom

Article Permalink    3 Comments

I have fond memories of the Humble & Fred morning show on CFNY Edge 102, and those memories sparked this entry back in 2004. A year later, I was saddened to learn Fred Patterson had been released of his duties at Mix 99.9 and Humble was Fred-less. On July 14 I openly wondered if Humble Howard was okay after seeing a bump in visitors searching for answers as to why he too was let go by the Mix. The next day people started to learn Humble Howard was off Toronto radio for the first time in seventeen years and they came to this site for updates, support and to share their appreciation. This is how I met Howard Glassman.

A dozen phone calls, twenty emails and one lunch later, I consider Humble Howard a friend. He's genuinely decent and funny, a rare combination that I always have time for. Considering this site has attracted thousands and thousands of unique visitors looking for information on Humble and over 300 people have left comments about the man, I thought it might be cool to interview Humble so those looking for a Humble fix could get one. Here's my interview with Humble Howard Glassman.

Q: Let's address the 2000 kg elephant in the room and get it over with. You were on the radio in this city for seventeen years until last month. What the hell happened? This isn't the National Post, give us the real scoop.
A: The scoop? Nothing you haven't heard. I was hired, I worked, I was fired. They decided to go in a different direction... first without Fred and then without me.

Q: Since that fateful day in July, over 300 fans have dropped by http://www.mikeboon.com/2006/07/humble_howard_are_you_okay.html to let you know how damn missed you are. How does that feel?
A: Amazing. I can't believe that many people give a crap. I have read all the comments and I can tell you it feels great to have had even a little impact on people's lives. Fred and I have spoken quite a bit recently about the nice things people have said especially when it comes to a possible Humble and Fred Reunion on Satellite.

Q: Most readers of this site are from the Great White North. Please share with us the details of your Canadian roots. We love CanCon.
A: No, I love CanCon. Trooper, Chilliwack, BTO, Glass Tiger - all the way to BNL and The Tragically Hip. Not to mention that frisky minx Nelly Furtado.

As for me... 5 provinces. Moose Jaw, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto. Many radio stations, a kids TV show, the asinine puppet show and some standup.

Q: I listened to your entire career at CFNY. That was my station and the Humble & Fred morning show was my wake up call every morning throughout high school and university. In 1991, you disappeared for while. What the heck happened there?
A: I left to go to CKFM in May of 1991. The Spirit was gone and I needed to get a real job.

After Labor Day 91 the station became the Mix. 19 months later I went back to work at CNFY which almost immediately became THE EDGE. I missed working with Fred and thought he and I did our best radio together.

Q: There are rumours on the internets that your relationship with Fred Patterson is a lot like the infamous chilly relationship between Siskel and Ebert. How do you two get along when the microphone is turned off?
A: We get alone fine... see my answer above.

A few people have questioned my staying at the Mix after Fred was fired... Fred wasn't one of them. I can't believe some questioned my loyalty to Fred by not quitting when he was canned. I had a family to feed and he was being paid... if I quit I wouldn't have been - plain and simple. I guess we could have gone to live with him and his wife but it might have been a little crowded.

Q: What's your favourite movie?
A: The Godfather.

Q: You were a regular on The Dini Petty show on CTV. What's she like? She was born in England, ya know.
A: Dini was fine. I didn't know she was from England, her teeth seemed fairly straight to me.

Q: I hear things didn't end well with you and the sock on Ed's Night Party? Care to dish the deets?
A: I don't want to say anything about ED or the midget that has his hand up his ass that hasn't already been said by just about everyone that's met him.

Q: What's next for Humble Howard? Are you okay? Any chance of a Humble & Fred reunion?
A: I'm busy doing nothing... I'm okay and I would look for a Humble and Fred reunion sooner rather than later.

Q: Is there anything you'd like to share with the MikeBoon.com faithful?
A: I would only like to say that this blog and the comments on it are the main reason I get out of bed every day... that and the booze.

Also, I would like to add that I've met Mike Boon and you sir are no Mike Boon.

As well I would like everyone who reads this to know Mike Boon is a slow eater. Should they ever be lucky enough to dine with you they should put aside a minimum of 90 minutes for breakfast, 2 hours 15 for lunch and at least 3 hours 20 for supper. These figures are estimates, actual Mike Boon eating times may vary.

Article Permalink    17 Comments

I maintain the official Custom web site and by far the most popular piece of multimedia over there is Custom's "Hey Mister" video. The star of this video is a sweet girl named Caitlin and she was nice enough to agree to an interview. Here it is for your enjoyment.

Q: How did you become the "Hey Mister" girl?
A: To make a long story short Custom and I had mutual friends so I started hanging out at the house in Malibu where he was finishing up the album. I had a major crush, but never did anything about it because I thought he liked my friend until after about two weeks he asked me to do the video. The rest is history.

Q: Even three years later, the "Hey Mister" video remains extremely popular and I have the bandwidth statistics to prove it. I love it because it seems so organic and raw. Did you work from a script, a rough outline or did you just grab a camera and improvise?
A: The video originally had a script, a huge budget, special effects and me flying through the air, but then 9/11 happened and Custom didn't feel right making a huge video with all the crazy and more important things going on in the world. So with the help of friends Chris and TJ, two very talented guys, we conceptualized the more raw organic version of Hey Mister. We sort of had a plan, but the video really took on a life of its own and we just started shooting. Three weeks later we had this awesome video which was really the story of us actually going to Vegas being crazy almost getting married, and falling in love.

Q: "Hey Mister" was banned from MTV. According to Custom, their standards and practices people felt you looked prebubescent. What was your reaction to all this controversy?
A: It was all absurd. At the time I was 22 years old and a college grad. It was so stupid, me on the beach in my underwear with a tank top on can barely be called provocative, come on, look what's on MTV. Jessica Simpson in the 'Boots" video for "Dukes." Hello!

Q: There's a rumor on the web that the original concept for the "Hey Mister" video was Custom going to The White House and trying to pick up Bush's twin daughters. Is there any truth to this?
A: Yes. In cartoon form. The guys who made napster bad metallic good were to do it. After 9/11 it did not seem appropriate to make fun of the president and his family.

Q: Custom's in-home studio, which has been dubbed "120", is a growing legend among Custom fans. He's not reading this, tell us about all the crazy stuff that happens at 120. We won't tell a soul.
A: There is way too much crazy stuff that goes on here to tell all. Its basically one big party with tons of friends hanging out all of the time. More than anything though it is a creative haven for all sorts of crazy artists to come do their thing be it music, painting or whatever. There is rarely a dull moment at Hotel 120 as we call it here.

Q: Any chance you'll appear in a future Custom video? Have you had any discussions of this nature?
A: Who knows, you will have to ask Custom that one. I would always love to though if he ever offered.

Q: Other than starring in every Custom fan's favorite 3:26 of video, what else have you been up to?
A: Lots of stuff but mainly working on my TV show with Custom. Its called MMMgirls, its this crazy cool cooking show with hot girls. Ask Custom to send you the trailer.....

Q: Why haven't you chimed in on the official Custom bulletin board? The username "heymistergirl" is being reserved for you.
A: I will have to start won't I.

Q: What music are you listening to these days?
A: I have a little bit of everything on my ipod, i listen to a lot of the new Custom stuff, to The Police (my all time favorite), Johnny Cash and Green Day.

Q: Custom is a fellow Canuck. Have you ever been to his home and native land? What do you think of Canada, eh?
A: Love Canada!!! I have only been to Montreal one of my favorite cities, and skiing in Mt Tremblant. I think we are planning to visit some friends in Vancouver later this year and I can't wait I have heard great things.

Q: Is there anything else you want to share with the MikeBoon.com faithful?
A: All I can say is that the new stuff you guys haven't heard is amazing. This album rocks!! P.S. Because i have the super vip inside track Custom has this amazing side project called CDLX a mix of excellent Custom rock and real cool hip-hop, that will be coming out sooner than later.

Article Permalink    0 Comments

I posted my MikeBoon.com Interview with Custom last month but I conducted a second interview with him for Smells Like Sour. Here it is in case you missed it over there.

Q: What do you think of "illegal" music downloads and the lawsuits by the RIAA against music fans in the U.S.?
A: i think that guys who host gigantic servers full of music and film to give out for free should be dealt with. this is different than fans sharing songs they love. that is an ancient tradition which is beautiful. from the sixties and seventies when people would gather in dorm rooms to listen to whole new albums together, to mix tapes, to campfire like singalongs. where does one draw the line. hey mister was downloaded millions of times. i'm glad people are enjoying the song, but....

Q: Do you think a new business model will emerge, one in which gives the artist control (and ownership) of the creative product?
A: Artist's can and have been able to control their product forever. I don't know why everyone is whining. If you want to make your shit like we all do at your home studio and then put it on the web or burn cds for your friends etc. you can. If you want to be on the radio and mtv and get to people around the world you need someone to spend money for you. that's the record company. in what business does someone do all that for you and not have ownership and control? hopefully there will be new models coming out of this market correction. because fifteen dollar cds are a tough sell at this point.

Q: What are your thoughts about the need for direct communication between artists and their fans?
A: i have mixed emotions about this. even as i write answers to your questions here, which i think are important and interesting, i think it's not really my job. my job is to communicate through my recordings and performances. that is the direct communication i am interested in. that is ultimately what it is all about.

Q: Your upcoming album is peppered with politically-charged lyrics. Can you tell us about your opinions and thoughts conveyed in the music?
A: i hope they are decoded by the listener as they stand without much further intervention by me.

Q: Do you think it is important for artists to speak out on political and social issues?
A: i do. since conventional news media does not seem to relay any news it is important for us at least to raise the awareness to ask the question why? or what is really going on? unfortunately it's a seemingly dangerous thing to do. there is a great deal of actual censorship going on right now and any sort of 'anti-american' sentiment will get squashed quite quickly. even thought it seems very obvious that people should be questioning, questioning itself it seems is considered 'anti american'. it is highly improbable that any band could release a song right now that said 'should we really be at war right now'. the gatekeepers (radio etc) would make short work of that, and that is scary.

Q: When will Smells Like Sour be able to release a preview of your upcoming video?
A: usa is being previewed right now. i hope people respond to it.

Q: What are your musical influences? What tunes did you listen to during your formative years and what are you listening to today?
A: i've been hearing the new mars volta song frequently lately on the radio in la. i like it alot. i am excited about the new nin record, i hear it is a masterpiece and i have always found trent r to be extremely inspiring. prince the cure pink floyd biggie the clash sex pistols and all the obvious things have inspired me. talk talk laughing stock is a sick record. i don't know. tons of shit.

Article Permalink    0 Comments

Kevin Shea is the author of "Barilko: Without a Trace", the detailed story of Bill Barilko. It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of the legend of Bill Barilko. You'll see his name at the top of this site and you'll find a Barilko #5 Leafs jersey hanging in my closet.

Kevin Shea was nice enough to agree to an interview and here it is for your enjoyment.

Q: The story of Bill Barilko is legendary in these parts. Bill Barilko was only 24 years old with a mere five seasons under his belt. Had he lived, what kind of career do you think he would have had? How would history have viewed him today?
A: Bill was a good, solid defenseman who was developing well under Hap Day's (and later, Joe Primeau's) defensive system. Other than game films, I never saw Barilko play, but teammates of Bill's I trust (Howie Meeker, Ted Kennedy) insist he was an emerging All-Star and a potential Hall of Famer. I can't really comment too much, but even on his own blueline, he usually was only the second or third best defenseman on the team, behind Jim Thomson and often, Gus Mortson. My instinct is that Bill was incredibly popular with the fans and his teammates, but was destined to remain a reliable defenseman who would deliver eye-popping hits and clutch goals from time to time. But his goal on April 21, 1951 ensured that he would be remembered in Leaf history books. His death that summer cemented his legendary reputation in Canadian culture.

Q: Bill Barilko's #5 is one of only two jersey numbers retired by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Do you feel more numbers should be honoured in this fashion by the blue and white or should this remain reserved for those whose careers are ended tragically? I can think of a hand full of other numbers that should be retired. Can you imagine somebody wearing #93 again?
A: I like the Leafs' system of honouring numbers but really like to see exceptional players recognized by retirement of their number. With older franchises (like Toronto and Montreal), it takes a fair number of jersey numbers out of the loop, but why not? I find it odd to see less than legendary players sporting the #7, 9 or 27 for the Leafs, for example. Why not retire #14 for Keon and yes, 93 for Doug Gilmour while we're at it? It gives an aura of heritage and history that is so important in hockey.

Q: I'm looking at a Toronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup flag hanging in my basement right now. There's a gaping hole between 1951 and 1962. This, of course, is also the period of time Bill Barilko's body remained undiscovered. Do you believe the two facts are related?
A: I do. Bill Barilko was an immensely popular player, both with the fans but also with his teammates. It wasn't so much the loss of his talent that left a gaping hole, although that was certainly an issue, but it was was the loss of his spirit that left the void. The Leafs lost part of their soul when Barilko disappeared inexplicably. The team lost some of its cameraderie and fun with Bill gone, and regular media reports about the ongoing search drew the concern to the surface over and over. Combined with the retirement of Broda and (earlier), Apps, it took a decade to develop a new spirit -- one which held together for four more championships in the sixties and the second Leafs;' dynasty, partly anchored around Tim Horton -- Barilko's eventual replacement.

Q: Your book "Barilko: Without a Trace" has helped introduce the legend of Bill Barilko to a whole new audience. Why do you believe it's important we never forget Bill?
A: Hockey was a different game in that era. Players played for the passion; not the money. The system primarily found players in their mid to late teens, rather than nurturing kids 8 and 9 years old as is so often the case today. Bill achieved a dream that even HE couldn't have imagined ever coming to fruition. Poor kid, no equipment, lousy skater, bad eyesight, few prospects for a bright future, yet he found his way, miraculously and against all odds, to the NHL. Dreams can come true. Bill Barilko proved it.

Q: Back in October 2004, the film rights to your book were sold to Vancouver-based producer George Mendeluk. What's the current status of this project? Will Bill Barilko's story be coming to a cineplex near us any time soon?
A: Not soon. Films have long, arduous paths to reach completion. George Mendeluk, with some assistance from me, has written a proposal and a draft of the screenplay. It is circulating around and has garnered some strong and genuine interest. This is normal. When investors spend millions of dollars, they want to be fairly certain they will earn their money back. A few actors have shown interest, too. Even if the money fell into place quickly, which is unlikely to happen, it would still take more than a year to polish the script, cast the actors and shoot, edit and produce the film. There is no real timeline other than our own eagerness to see this film come to pass. Out of necessity, as we knew, George has had to continue his directing career while shopping this script. He is in Vancouver now working on a TV movie, but is working on his West Coast contacts (and meeting Howie Meeker) while he is there. Meeker is on Vancouver Island.

Q: Do you have any other Bill Barilko-inspired projects on the go?
A: Bill's sister Anne and I will be doing a three-hour seminar for the Learning Annex in Toronto on the evening of April 21 this year -- the anniversary of Bill's historic goal. Although I have purposely kept my involvement to zero, a group has put forward Bill Barilko's name as a possible Inductee into the Hockey Hall of Fame, too.

Q: The Tragically Hip brought this story to the masses with "Fifty Mission Cap". You, like myself, are a big fan of the band. What's your favourite Hip song?
A: Of course, I have always loved 'Fifty Mission Cap' and even more since writing this book, but my favourite Hip track is 'Courage.' In the early 90's, I was the Director of National Promotion for Universal Music Canada and worked on promoting the 'Road Apples' and (my favourite) 'Fully Completely' albums. 'Three Pistols' and 'Locked in the Trunk of a Car' are also favourite tracks. I love The Tragically Hip. Although I've lost some of my zeal for the band over the past few albums, they still are my favourite band of all time. And absolutely brilliant guys to both work with and talk hockey to!

Q: Will the Leafs ever win another cup? Please say they will...
A: I certainly hope they will...and in our lifetimes too. The lock-out will have dire consequences to the Leafs' roster. The year (or more) away will make an old team, ancient. Belfour, Roberts, Nieuwendyk, Mogilny and Leetch were to be the nucleus of a championship team, and on paper, it sounds like a Hall of Fame squad, but time lost will not be kind to the remaining years in the careers of these gentlemen. It hurts. A lot!

Q: Is there anything you'd like to share with the MikeBoon.com faithful?
A: I love your site and am very interested in your blogs on topics that are also relevant to me. For example, I too love Dr. Demento. Through the nineties, I worked extensively with 'Weird Al' Yankovic, who got his start on Dr. Demento's show.

Article Permalink    0 Comments

Matthew Good is a bonafide Canadian rock star. I've seen him live three times and have two of his discs in my collection. While he was fronting the Matthew Good Band, our radios were inundated with hits like "Everything is Automatic", "Apparitions", "Indestructible", "Rico", "Hello Time Bomb", "Strange Days" and "Load Me Up". As a solo artist, there were further hits with "Weapon", "In a World Called Catastrophe" and "Alert Status Red".

Matthew Good was nice enough to agree to an interview and here it is for your enjoyment.

Q: MBLOG, your blog, is well maintained, intelligent and thoughtful. Is blogging the new crack?
A: For me blog design is the new crack. Filling in the other bits is just a hassle. Unfortunately my knowledge of Perl, and other ridiculous inter-language, is non existent. This deficiency stops me from exploiting truly tech-headed formats, such as Movable Type. I suppose I could learn, but when you're in your mid 30's you are gifted the right to claim yourself too 'stubborn' to bother. I can hardly wait until I'm 60 and am allowed to hate people outright for walking on my lawn.

Q: You're a part of my personal history. On a beautiful 1998 August day in Barrie I moshed to a wicked set by your band before Pearl Jam took the stage. It remains my favourite day of live music. Did you get to meet Eddie and is he a righteous dude?
A: Actually, I played two shows that day. One in the afternoon, which is the one you've mentioned, and then again that night in Kitchener. So after I got off stage I left immediately.

Q: Does a bright, political minded dude like yourself have political aspirations? Prime Minister Matthew Good sounds pretty cool...
A: Not particularly. If this country were actually a proper democracy I might entertain the idea, but I don't do well with plutocracies.

Q: Canadian rock fans were treated to a good ol' fashioned duel a few years back when you and the guys from Our Lady Peace exchanged jabs. Then, there was the crap Chad Kroeger was spilling about you to Rolling Stone. Is there anything you'd like to say about these feuds? This is a fine forum to do so.
A: Not really.

Q: Any chance we'll see you at Edgefest this year?
A: Is there one this year? I thought they did away with it?

Q: Most readers of this site are from the Great White North. Please share with us the details of your Canadian roots. We love CanCon.
A: I've traveled all over the world and been from coast to coast probably 50 plus times. We live in one of the greatest places in the world. We just need to work on strengthening our continental identity and stop endlessly entertaining the overwhelming American neocolonialist assault that is slowly but surely stripping us of our cultural uniqueness.

Q: Three of your singles have been selected by the esteemed Smells Like Sour committee for inclusion on three different editions of SLS. Is it fair to state this is your finest achievement to date?
A: Of course.

Q: When you're listening to tunes at home, who are you listening to these days?
A: I've been listening to a lot of Nina Simone.

Q: What's your favourite movie??
A: Brazil

Q: Is there anything you'd like to share with the MikeBoon.com faithful?
A: http://www.amnesty.ca
http://www.ceasefire.ca
http://www.getyourvoteon.ca
http://www.makepovertyhistory.ca
http://www.oxfam.ca

Article Permalink    0 Comments

From the man who brought you An Interview With Custom, I'm pleased to share this interview with Raymi. Enjoy.

Q: In the small world of Toronto blogging, your site is one of the more popular destinations. What's the secret to your success?
A: lots of photos, being around for awhile and being consistent, not holding back and or being predictible. in the beginning it was all photos of my face and my body and nudity and getting people interested at looking at me like a poor man's celebrity but after awhile you realise that having a blog with 95 per cent of the photos of you leaning against a wall is boring and overdoing it. my writing is manic and to the point so that holds well with the ADD crowd. i guess i am kind of cynical and funny and cheesy. these aren't really success tips or secrets it's just what i've been doing, what i do.

Q: Better Living Centre, a new Toronto blog, has twice now featured your replies to Rebecca Eckler's Advice to the Lovelorn questions. "Dear Raymi" seems to be a hit, any plans to make this a regular feature?
A: ask them. i have no problem in doing it on a regular basis.

Q: Where do you see yourself in five years? Will you still be blogging?
A: i will still be blogging and i will probably be saying I STARTED BLOGGING TEN YEARS AGO to shitbag kids and their mothers. hopefully i won't be old or fat looking.

Q: Most readers of this site are from the Great White North. Please share with us the details of your Canadian roots. We love CanCon.
A: french canadian, welsh, scottish, born in canada.

Q: It seems you've developed an interesting relationship with fellow blogger and Canadian rock star Matthew Good. Give us the straight up goods (pun totally intended) on him. Dude or dud?
A: definitely a dude and hates on people who are only interested in really expensive clothes and has an angry-schtick which i find amusing and he knows a lot about technology unlike other musicians so that's brownie point right there.

Q: Has Matt asked you to guest on his next album? Your bio suggests you have musical roots.
A: no are u retarded?

Q: Your entries are completely void of any punctuation. How were your primary school grammar grades?
A: straight A's. english and spelling were my strongest subjects so naturally that's the first area to slack on. it's fucking irritating when people mention my grammar and punctuation like oh my god she doesn't use periods and commas. who are you the grammar police? it's arty. it's how i think and "create." i think my writing is fine just the way it is and when the time comes, if ever, for me to write properly i am perfectly capable of doing so.

Q: What's your favourite movie?
A: The Professional

Q: Is there anything you'd like to share with the MikeBoon.com faithful?
A: my cat scream-cries-meows around the house for hours on end for no reason.

Article Permalink    0 Comments

I wrote earlier this month about how I was corresponding with Custom and how great his new music is. He was nice enough to grant me an interview, and here it is.

Q: Most people know you for your hit single "Hey Mister". That was a few years ago now, when can the people expect to hear some new Custom on the radio?
A: in the spring hopefully.

Q: Jazz composer Maria Schneider took home a Grammy last night for her album "Concert in the Garden," without selling a single copy in a record store. She financed the album through an Internet-based music delivery service that opens the financing of production to dedicated fans. Is this the future?
A: Potentially. I think it's up to people like you who 'the audience' look to for taste. Tastemakers. If the tastemakers of yore are mtv and radio, can the web and maybe satellite radio fill that space somehow? Here is hoping. Also, Ani DF has done the indie thing with great success for years. It's about the artist's dedication and creativity. We are now responsible to think as much about reaching an audience as we are how to make good music. It's a lot but it seems to be reality. I think the days of letting the label do everything are waning.

Q: Most readers of this site are from the Great White North. Please share with us the details of your Canadian roots. We love CanCon.
A: Wild Rose Country. Born and raised in Alberta with stops in Halifax and Vancouver later on to make a movie. I fucking love Canada. I feel especially patriotic even though I am living down here in New York.

Q: Your single "Hey Mister" was selected by the esteemed Smells Like Sour committee for SLS7. Is it fair to state this is your finest achievement to date?
A: By far. Think that in ways The MTV awards for film and music to a degree have surpassed the Oscars and Grammys in their legitimacy with the audience. They are more indicative of true public perception about the work. And MTV is a relatively new thing in the broader timeline. Perhaps SLS will be the next step in the evolution of awards.

Q: I consider INXS's "Kick" to be one of the finest pop-rock albums ever. You directed Michael Hutchence in "Limp" just before his tragic death in 1997. What kind of guy was he? Did you notice anything out of the ordinary with Michael in late '97?
A: Michael was an amazing guy. He was incredibly dedicated, charismatic, creative, fun to be around and down to earth. He was really a 'rock star'. That may sound like a weird thing to say, but there are lots of famous musicians and then there are 'stars'. He had that. Magnetism. Like even people who didn't know him, would feel something, look up when he entered a room.

Q: Speaking of "Limp", why was it never released and how does one get access to it in order to actually view it?
A: Michael passed away shortly after principle photography. That led to a myriad of complications, obviously, that are too vast and complicated to discuss here. There are no plans for release at this point.

Q: What's next for Duane Lavold the filmmaker?
A: Something is brewing. I'll let you know.

Q: What's your favourite movie?
A: So many. I don't know. The obvious ones: Smokey and the Bandit. No. Scarface, Godfather, Apocalypse, Breakfast Club, Fight Club, Trainspotting... I don't know. I like a lot of movies but don't watch enough. Recently, Lost in Translation. I love Bill Murray and S.C. is a fucking brilliant director to make that beautiful a film from such a simple story. Very difficult. Station Agent. Just watched that scene in Miracle last night, where the coach is making the guys skate lines after losing the game to Russia: Again. Again. Again.... then the player says his name, coach says, "who do you play for?" The United States of America. Wow. Scenes like that kill me. It's a perfect scene. So intense, hard to accomplish. Beautiful. Moments. Like songs, that capture an emotion perfectly. That's what it's all about. What we aspire to do as artists. What a fucking scene.

Q: Is there anything you'd like to share with the MikeBoon.com faithful?
A: Yeah, my new music. Maybe we can arrange for a little preview situation. I have a cool video for the song 'USA' maybe we could get up. Something like that.

Article Permalink    4 Comments