Count Smokula Interview

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I N T E R V I E W
June 2004
Count Smokula

Band email (2) _smokula@yahoo.com Band email (3) _____smokey@exposure.ws Band contact number: __310 281-6731 RCN: Hello, we are here with__ Count Smokula a local band from _Smokesylvania________ , and they're __vundaful!_____ , so we're going to find out a little more about what makes them tick. . .

1. RCN: What type of band are you? (descriptive)

Smokesylvanian, rock'n'roll, blues, rockabilly, hard rock, punk, country & western and rap

2. RCN: Tell us the brief history of your band. (include when you started and some shows you've played)

The Count Smokula Orchestra started in Glipsch, Smokesylvania about 300 years ago, to play at shlabans, or bean-eating festivals. Count Smokula came to the Hollywood of the California, and has been host/emcee and performed at the Rock City Music News Awards for the past 5 years, and many of the Rock City Music Shows at the Coconut Teaszer and at other Hollywood Clubs. The Count has played rock shows, film festivals from Sundance to Cannes, tv shows and films, including Troma's "All the Love You Cannes" and "Tales from the Crapper". He is ringmaster of the world-famous Vamphear Circus that performs annually at The Bizarre Vampire Bazaar. His album "Authentic Sounds of Smokesylvania" won the 2003 L.A. Music Awards Best Comedy Album of the Year. He has also performed on Fox-tv's "Thirty Seconds to Fame", "The Extreme Gong Show" and recently UPN's "Blind Date".

3. RCN: Who are your musical and non-musical influences?

Count Smokula likes Shnotta Shmulevitz (Smokesylvania's most famous singer), Lightnin' Hopkins, Bo Diddley, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Ozzy, Marilyn, Alice Cooper, Britney Spears, and all the great Rock City Hollywood Bands!

4. RCN: What are your dreams and goals?

I dream to keep making great music and everybody likes it!

5. RCN: Who writes the songs, what are they about?

Count Smokula writes the songs. They are about his eggs peery ences in Smokesylvania and in the Hollyvood of the California and his vild life vit tomatoes and rock'n'roll.

6. RCN: What's your opinion of George Bush?

I hoid of him.

7. RCN: How do you promote your band and shows? Ve tell people about 'em and show up.

8. RCN: Describe your show, visual and musically

Sometimes it's just The Count, sometimes with other members with violins, bass, drums, saws, etc. But always The Count with the squeezebox and sometimes harmonica and guitar. Visually it's gorgeous 'cause The Count is so glitterous and sparkly with the cape and fez. Musically, ambrosia for the ears and people dance around.

9. RCN: What do you think about downloading music online?

It's good: Everybody gets to hear it! It's bad: most people don't get paid It'll be better: when everybody hears i, and if you're supposed to get paid, you get paid.

10. RCN: What's your outlook on the record industry today?

It's a wild ride and what happens is anyone's guess. But they better put out good music or people won't be happy. Then again, there's good music for everyone's taste!

11. RCN: What's your claim to fame? (What's unique about your band)

C'mon, did you ever see a 496 year old Smokesylvanian play the squeezebox and rock the house?

12. RCN: Tell us a story about a day in your life.

I just get up and do mah thing. I jump up in the morning (believe it or not) and write some songs to get the day going. Then I maybe do a cable tv show, or a movie or run to a make an appearance somewhere.I call people to make some deals. I write something else, maybe make some paintings/ In between I chase tomatoes and try to keep out of trouble.

13. RCN: What inspires you to do what you do?

I get excited by creating things.

14. RCN: What advice would you give to fellow bands?

If you can do anything else besides this, do it. Otherwise follow your dreams and improve the planet with your musical vibrations.

15. RCN: What are some of your pet peeves?

I don't like it when the cat barfs or craps in the wrong place. Otherwise, most pets are good. You just gotta feed 'em and stroke ' em from time to time.

16. RCN: How does music affect you and the world around you?

Ooh! Vell vhen it's good I get all tingly and shook up. My brain cells voik better and I'm smarter and happier. I can't speak for everyone else.

17. RCN: What's new in the recording of your music?

I'm working on some songs for a new Troma film and would like to find a partner to record or collaborate on some Count Smokula heavy metal songs, and of course, the album of Smokesylvanian spirituals.

18. RCN: What are the biggest obstacles for bands?

Space and time. That's always it isn't it? You need good spaces to rehearse and play, and enough time to do it in. ANd ususally that takes moolah!

19. RCN: What's the best and worst thing about playing clubs?

Best: It's fun to play! Worst: getting people to come out to see you when there's so much going on everywhere.

20. RCN: Tell us about your next shows and why we should be there.

Will play at The Days of Darkness Convention May 22 (but that'll be over when this gets published) - how about Miss Exotic World in Helendale, CA - the international burlesque queen competition June 5 (how could you miss naked strippers in the desert?) and 51 Buckingham Burlesque in Pomona July 11. Of course!

RCN: Thank you for your insight and time. We'll look forward to hearing your music and seeing your next live show . . . Later gator.

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