Three Questions with the
GOGO'S
They stole our name, for starters. Then they followed on the
heels of Blondie and all-around '80s nostalgia to reunite and
throw together a new album of bubble-pop songs. Some people
scratched their heads and (remembering Belinda Carlisle's
solo career with songs like "Heaven Is A Place On Earth")
asked, "Why?" Guitarist Jane Wiedlin answers.
Your episode on "Behind the Music" really showed people
what it was like on the inside during the band's early days.
Did you think you were fairly represented?
Well, the whole
premise of the show is based on being as dramatic as possible,
so it doesn't surprise me that our episode was superdramatic.
The thing that you might walk away with was, "Well, why the
hell did they do it if it was so awful and so ugly?"
Because, of course, they never talk about all the fun we
had. We had amazing, great times, and it was always
intermingled with the horrible times. It's just like life, ya
know? No one's really interested in the times when you
were just so happy together; it's the horrible, dramatic stuff
that people want to hear about.
Does it bother you that others
categorize your band because of your gender?
It really
bothers me. Once in awhile, especially in the past, they would
compare us to the Bangles. It was just so ridiculous. Big deal,
we were the same gender and from L. A.. It was kind of annoying
that people felt the need to do that, and I think some people
still feel the need to do that. But let's face it, things haven't
changed that much. There still aren't that many female musicians
out there, especially successful allfemale bands.
Why do you think that is?
This is weird, because we've talked
about it a lot. This is a theory we've talked about, and I don't
know if it's true or not: One thing for sure is that a lot of guys
join bands because they want to get laid. Everyone knows that
if you're a guy in a band, you can get laid every night of the
week. Women, on the other hand, do not have to join a band
to get laid. Women can get laid any time they want. I think
that basic, primitive, human nature drive is a really strong one.
I think it's the reason there are way more male musicians than
female musicians, because there's a lot more to it than just
simply playing an instrument. If you just want to play an
instrument, go to your room and play an instrument. There's a
lot more to it, as far as getting successful or famous or all that
crap. That's the only thing we've been able to come up with.
I don't know if it's true, and it's probably totally sexist, but it
seems like it's true!
--John Davidson
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Film Notes
Pure Film's upcoming feature film, American Dream?, will
begin shooting in August and September in Denver and Boulder. There will be an
open audition for all cast members June 1 at the
Fox Theater (1135 13th St.) in Boulder
from 1230 pm to 9:30 pm Registration
begins at 10 am at the Fox. All actors,
experienced or not, are welcome.
About 50 roles are open in these auditions,
raging in age from 7 to 70. The only
two characters already cast are the two
principals: Art Richardson and West
Peterson. You must name a specific character
to audition for-- a complete list is
available online at
www.purefilm.net
First, you email
casting@purefilm.net
with the name of the character you'd like
to audition for, your phone, fax, and
address. You should receive sides and a
treatment (in Microsoft Word, natch) to
help you prepare. If you don't have Word,
these can be faxed.
So, if you've ever wanted to be an Angry
Church Member, a Bum, a Crazy Girl, a
Gaudy Secretary, a Mental Patient, a
Rugged Mechanic, or a Strolling Mom,
here's your chance! Several major speaking
parts are available, and actors will not
be required to be available all 30 to 40
days of shooting-- only the days on which
their character is required.
There will be a party for auditioners at the
Fox Theatre beginning at 10 pm, so even
if you don't break a leg, you'll get a
chance to shake one. Production crew
members are also needed: visit
www.purefilm.netfor more information.
The only full-length movie ever made
entirely in Esperanto, Incubus starring
William Shatner, has recently been
released on DVD and video. The black-and-white 1965 horror movie is extremely
weird and creepy, with or without
English subtitles. La arbo estos falanta.
Finally, Chow Yun Fat (most famous
now for Crouching Tiger, Hidden
Dragon) is cast to be the voice of Terl in
the upcoming animated series
"Battlefield Earth" produced by Pine
Com International. There are so many
things wrong with the preceding sentence
that now I'm dead.
--Chris J. Magyar
Local Music
Marilyn Manson remove
the artist from
his scheduled performance at Ozzfest,
June 21 at Mile High Stadium. The
Citizens for the Protection of the Right
to Free Speech (CPRFree Speech) have
publicly admonished the Governor's
office and Bill Owens himself. The grassroots
organization contends the First
Amendment protects the public from any
one group's moral agenda. Manson has
been accused in the past of many things,
including having an influence on the
shooters at Columbine two years ago.
Rafi Sholsman, spokeperson for CPR
notes, "This is not just about Manson É
The government has no business to tell me
what to, or not to, show my child. That is
a parent's responsibility." A CPR support
rally is being planned for June 20. Check
www.supportmanson.homestead.com
for details.
Advocates of the local music scene are
always expounding on the "get yourself
out there" mentality, encouraging bands
to selfpromote at all levels of Denver's
society. The Soul Thieves, a great local
grooverock band, took this under advisement
and have planned an interactive,
blowout event. To kickoff the official
release of Microphone in the SugarBowl,
The Soul Thieves will overtake LoDo's
Soiled Dove June 8. The band will use
film and friends to accompany its stage
show. Joining the band are local players
Eric Shiveley and keyboardist Jeremy
Lawton. The Soul Thieves's popularity is
spreading quickly. The band recorded the
song "RedWings Suck," which was aired
on recent local television news during the
Avalanche updates as well as at the
games, have hired local DJs to remix
their tunes for club use, and have begun
writing film scores for outside projects.
A+ for effort, guys! For more, visit
www.soulthieves.com
As if there isn't enough to do over the holiday
weekend, Celebrate Colorado
Artists has its yearly event lined up at
Denver Pavilions on the 16th Street Mall.
CCA is a nonprofit that seeks to acknowledge
and honor the diverse artistry within
our lovely state. Since fine art comes in all
forms, CCA has wisely added a big lineup
of local bands to celebrate the work of
Rainville, Soul Patch, Carolyn's
Mother, Judge Roughneck, Emilio
Emilio, Chupacabra, Tempa and the
Tantrums, and Opie Gone Bad. Bands
will play Sunday and Monday nights, May
27 and 28. Check
www.celebratecoloradoartists.comfor info and schedule.
For more information on the festival,
check out
www.gogomagazine.com/0310/art.html
--Judy B.
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