Sunday, September 09, 2007

The Pop Eye Interview


One of my favorite bloggers, Beckeye at The Pop Eye, went after guinea pigs... I mean, kindly asked for volunteers to be interviewed. She has a sarcastic wit that I enjoy immensely and it's well worth checking out her homepage. Anyhow, I agreed to the challenge which meant defending my town, considering my 80's music love/research, getting creative and talking football. How'd I hold up under pressure?

P.S. - She promised to post dirty pictures if more than half of you think I did well.




1. They say that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Being a resident, can you explain then what happened with Panic! At The Disco? How the hell did they slip through, and can you please take them back?

Heard one of their songs but can't say they are amazing. I will say that if everything that happens here, should stay here... the Killers, Slaughter, 702 and a member of Korn would be flipping burgers. I believe that the Las Vegas City Council will resign before designating an official Panic! At The Disco day.


2. Like me, you’re a big fan of the ‘80s. However, the decade wasn’t all sunshine, lollipops and Brat Packers. What was something about the ‘80s that you don’t miss at all?

The memory of the January 28, 1986 space shuttle Challenger disaster. The risk of space travel became painfully aware to millions and I think I saved a few of the newspapers from that day (as I was a paperboy at the time.) I'd gladly have that erased from history. Otherwise... Grease 2.


3. How do you feel about the proliferation of reunion/nostalgia tours by ‘80s bands? Totally rad or bogus and sad?

This is a touchy subject as I've interviewed a several of these bands for my talkcast and website. I think reunions of original band line-ups are a blessing for kids that either weren't taken to concerts by the acts or they lived in an area the act never toured. There is something about seeing a band that made a profound impact on your musical tastes. Classic line-up reunions can be great also as some acts really didn't gel until later in their careers (I mean, how many really would like to see the Beatles with Pete Best on drums? Didn't think so.) There are also single members of bands touring under the name of their original band. If they wrote and sang the majority of the music, I can understand that but some are purely offensive. Some bands are fighting over the name of the act (L.A. Guns, Gene Loves Jezebel and many others) leaving fans unsure who they are actually going to see. With the passage of new laws in more than 20 states, less bands are able to tour under the name of an act without having an original member on stage with them. This is good as it killed the act FGTH several years ago who claimed to have Holly Johnson's brother singing in his place because of his illness as well as a former roadie (FGTH... Frankie Goes To Hollywood.) So... the answer to your question is if there is a 'true' reunion, yes, it is totally rad.


4. Hasbro has approached you to create a new trivia game. What’s your pitch?

Who Did It? The game is a boardgame with DVD use. Players start from point A on the board working to get to point B first. To move, they have to name the performer of a random song performed on a multi-DVD set. As the song goes on, 3 hints will be displayed lessening your movement for each hint given before a correct answer. An incorrect or non-answer moves you back a space (only as far as point A.) What will keep this from ever happening is song licensing but the idea is there.


5. You consider yourself something of a football expert. Without pissing me off, give us some predictions including what you think the Steelers chances are this year.

I love all pro football, not just my team, so let's focus on yours for now. I can honestly say that the Steelers will do better this year. They have all the players they need (sure, Porter isn't there but youth is good for the position.) Willie Parker, Hines Ward and Heath Miller are studs. Pittsburgh's most recent Super Bowl season came with a limited quarterback playbook for rookie Ben Roethlisberger and a run-heavy offense. The following season, Roethlisberger had a bigger playbook following his motorcycle accident and concussion which was an abrupt change for the young QB. I believe that 'Big Ben' comes into the season with a little more time in training camp this year, a clear head and a playbook that will build with the season. I'm not going to predict how many wins they will have but they will do a lot better and, yes, possibly playoffs. Pending injuries, of course.

7 comments:

Barbara Bruederlin said...

I'd buy that game! We pretty much play something similar now, but it is so much better if you can pay money for it, innit?

There is something slightly sad about band reunions, I think. As excited as I was about having the Jesus and Mary Chain reunite, for example, it sort of hurts to see your young heroes as pudgy old guys still trying to rock the hair and leather.

BeckEye said...

Lovely job, Martin. So many compliments on my beloved Black-n-Gold and a Grease 2 diss? Boy, you're really bucking for those naked pics, aren't you? As Charlie Sexton once told me, regarding something completely unrelated, it's not gonna happen.

Dale said...

Snappy yet thoughtful answers, well played Mr. 80's Nut! You too NakedEye.

Anonymous said...

Great Q&A.
Cracking up over Grease 2.

Writeprocrastinator said...

"She promised to post dirty pictures if more than half of you think I did well."

You did fantastic! You are a god of blogging!

Unknown said...

Ummmm ok Martin since you paid me the $20 to post this so that you could get the pictures, you did hella good with the interview.

LoraLoo said...

Grease 2 was such a bad part of the 80's.

I also loved your diplomacy regarding the Steelers. You really could make a great politician in that sense...