I have this friend named Dutch who’s an artist and jewelry maker and all-around character. He’s a really nice guy and we’ve been friends for about a hundred years. Recently, Dutch got some pet Tree Frogs off of Craig’s List. Here is an email he wrote me about them. Continue reading The Frog Report
This past weekend I went to see the Michael Moore film, Fahrenheit 9/11. Everyone needs to see this film. Parts of it are hilarious and parts of it are extremely difficult to watch, but it gives the typical not-super-political person, like me, a laser perspective into what’s going on in Iraq. Continue reading The Roof Is On Fire: Thoughts on Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11
Gail Worley is an unstoppable wedge of cheese, pounding herself between the journalistic bread and butter of the Rock 'N' Roll ham sandwich. Most people would wonder why there would be butter on a ham sandwich, but Gail has always known it to be the best lubricant in these circumstances. Dear me — I have spoiled the most secret ingredient of her most prolific career! Yet I kneel in reverence and take another bite: All Hail Gail!
Gail’s interview with Stephen Perkins was the best interview with a Jane’s Addiction member EVER. Her review of my book, Teen Angst? Nah… wasn’t bad either! And she has a hot cartoon of her on her website. She’s the best!
Gail and Paul in NYC (2003)
As anyone involved in the arts knows, interviews are a drag/necessity. Why should you explain your art? Even if the interviewer thinks they know you, they don’t. So fuck off. Now consider hours of interviews over days, if on a press junket, or over months squeezed into tight schedules, if on tour. How many ways can you say the same thing? Get me a drink. There are a few interviewers I like talking with. Gail Worley is one of them. She knows how to get the interview to transform into interesting conversation — no mean feat considering the nature of interviews is to talk about yourself and whatever it is you’ve done… pretty boring stuff if you’re already working out the next challenge! She knows your history, has a pretty good grip on the effect of your work, and seems to have angles on why you create that even you haven’t thought of — all of which makes talking about your sorry ass easier. One last comment about Gail, who, by the way, has already slayed everyone — SHE IS INTERVIEWING THE ALICE COOPER BAND! They, with Sly and the Family Stone, were the most important American rock bands in the early ’70s!