WHAT CULTURAL TREND OR FAD BEWILDERS YOU THE MOST?
Jan: The new trend of religiousity among young people. And then all the
WWJD (What Would Jesus Do? -- Ed.) products and stuff. Not enough for it to be popular but it has to
be commercialized as well, of course. It's fitting in a twisted way. I see
such arrogance in regards to religion among people my age and younger that
it makes sense that they would feel the need to have their religion
plastered on their keychains, notebooks, etc... I never realized that
sorting out religion was just a matter of consumer choice. Personally, I
think figuring out my belief system is a lifelong task where I am
constantly reexamining and testing my belief system to see how it
holds up to the test. Regardless of whether or not this results in being
religious or not I think it is important. However, this isn't what I'm
seeing. They are treating it like a fad that they subscribe to 100% and
just soak up all
the propaganda and spit it back at everyone else...and then get it all
succinctly put on a bumper sticker. They make it seem so easy.
Julian: I am truly stunned that video games are so popular among my
generation. I played a bit of video games when I was 12 or so but I never
got engrossed in it. Like with anything, I do see negative aspects to video
games... I see that often some players may not want to experience much in
life if they spend hours playing them. Don't get me wrong, it is not a
horrible trend, but I certainly don't see it as a positive or fulfilling
thing for *me* to spend my time. I just think it makes some people locked
in front of a monitor playing games rather than stepping outside their
doorsteps and seeing real things.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TELEVISION SHOW OR BOOK WHEN YOU WERE EIGHT YEARS OLD?
Julian: This is horrible bu,t then again I was 8. I was a huge fan of
Knight Rider and G.I. Joe. I thought that was the coolest. I used to have
friends come over and watch it and I use to think KITT was just so fantastic
and cool. Now I would prolly laugh my head off if I saw a car that talked.
Jan: I can't remember exactly when Inspector Gadget started but I think it
was around that time. It was the only TV show I was ever obsessed with.
Which is weird cuz the same thing happened in every show.
ARE YOU A DOG PERSON OR A CAT PERSON?
Jan: Definitely a cat person. Cats are cool cuz they have attitude and
care about personal hygeine. If I could have my way I'd give all dogs high
doses of ritalin.
Julian: I am a cat person all the way. If I see a cat I will stop in my
place and just pet it. Cats are quiet and seem at ease most of the time,
unlike dogs who seem either too nervous or hyper.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BRUSSELLS SPROUTS?
Jan: Of all of Belgium's food exports it's my least favorite. I don't
think I ever saw anyone eating them when I was there though; maybe it's
just a myth. I do like Belgian beer, chocolate, and fries.
Julian: I hate them!!!! Yuck! They are mushy and gross. If they are from
Belgium then I feel for the Belgians because that is easily one of the
worst things I can imagine eating, second only to dry pretzels which I hate
even more...
TELL US ABOUT THE WORST AUDIENCE YOU'VE EVER PLAYED TO.
Jan: The worst audience was a show in an L-shaped room, and no-one was in
the part of the "L" that we were playing. Even so, the audience was still
drowning us out with chatter. Julian played the show with his back to the
audience cuz he didn't want to see that noone was paying attention. We
rushed through our set and played for like 15 minutes since it didn't seem
like a single person was listening. If a show is bad there will be a
smattering of polite applause but this time there was nothing. It was so
horrible we left the club immediately afterwards and went for a walk to get
over it.
Julian: I agree with Jan all the way -- that show was pretty horrible. I could
not even stand to look at anyone there! Now it is nice to look back and
laugh at so it seems charming. We have had better luck since then. :-)
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY MEAL FROM ANYWHERE, WHAT WOULD YOU EAT?
Julian: This is a toss-up between Japan and Thailand. It would be amazing
to eat sushi in Tokyo whilst sipping cider but then again sitting in
Bangkok eating a hot "tasty as sin" Thai meal would be fabulous too ...
Jan: That's easy. I'd go to Thailand and have Tofu with Curry and Coconut
Milk so spicy that it burns a hole through my stomach. Yum!
WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH ALL THIS GANGSTA RAP?
Jan: Um, it's a form of expression? It's a shame that so many kids soak
it up and
internalize the violent views it expresses. I'm against censorship but
there needs to be
a counter movement. I think twee-rap should be the next movement. I mean
rock-rap blows. but twee-rap could combat all the violent
gangsta rap and I'd love to see rappers embrace their cuteness.
Julian: I liked Public Enemy and thought thay they were easily the punk
pioneers of rap and hip hop. I think gangsta rap used to be raw because it
was emotional and very real but now I think the gangsta stuff is phony and
very hollow. I agree with Jan a bit...It would be funny if Chuck D wore a
trenchcoat or cardigan for just one video or show!
WHAT FRIGHTENS YOU?
Jan: I'm pathetically frightened by scary voices. No matter how lame.
Once on a car trip to Montreal we were driving through the mountains and it
was pitch black around us and Julian put on this tape of four track
recordings but it was playing backwards and the vocals scared me so much.
And it was my own voice playing! I'm also frightened of work and debt.
Julian: I don't like fire. I hate getting near sharp devices but at the
same time I can use a sharp knife though I handle them like grenades
because I am too mindful of their danger. Very strange I think...
WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING IF YOU WEREN'T DOING MUSIC?
Jan: I'd be writing or being studious, getting a PhD in Sociology.
Julian: I might have become an architect or teacher and been a bit more
responsible but I got the music bug bad when I was like 14. I changed
very much then...
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE JUNK FOOD, AND HOW OFTEN DO YOU EAT IT?
Jan: French fries. Not shoestring ones, but not the thick steak fries
either. Right in between are the best. With lots of Ketchup. I eat them at
least once a week.
Julian: Twizzlers. They are addictive I sometimes will just stick 3 or 4
in my mouth and stare aimlessly, chewing away...a gross sight. Once when I
was 10 or so I ate so many I threw up. That was an even prettier sight.
JUSTIFY YOUR EXISTENCE IN ONE SENTENCE.
Jan: Um, someone has to lead the Korg renaissance (kicks Casios and
Moogs you know where) and make the pistachio pudding.
Julian: I am here to spread the non-wank word to people I respect and
onwards...I am serious. I might start preaching my sermon on a street
corner. HA!
ARE YOU MORE LIKE R2-D2 OR C-3PO?
Julian: R2D2 seems pushy and spunky though he has no legs, but then again
C3PO seems like an eccentric one. I am more like C3PO though wish to be
more like R2. I think I have an R2D2 fetish.
Jan: I'm more C3PO cuz I can be kinda uptight.
WHAT WAS THE FIRST ALBUM YOU EVER BOUGHT, AND DO YOU STILL LISTEN TO IT?
Julian: The first album I bought was prolly Heartbeat City by the Cars
or something by Duran Duran. Yes and no ... I don't listen to Heartbeat City by the Cars -- that is their worst album -- but I still listen to the early
Cars album like Candy-O and I still love Duran Duran. You can't beat "A
View to a Kill" by Duran Duran.
Jan: I can't remember, but I do remember the first album I ever stole was
the Flashdance soundtrack from my mom's record collection. I used to dance
to "Maniac" and run around my room, jump on my bed and then usually fall
off and get hurt. I wasn't very coordinated. And I'd try to recreate the
scene where she flings her hair with all the water. No, I don't still
listen to it.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP?
Julian: I loved Big Bird and Garfield when I was young. I would make
them talk and hang out with friends in my room until I was like 11-12. It
was cute, yet at the same time kinda silly. It is strange; I just never hear
about Garfield any more. I think this is quite sad. There must be a Garfield
revolution on the way!
Jan: My blanket was my best friend. It was very versatile -- it could be a
friend, a cape, a toga, and of course a blanket. I slept with it until I
was 12ish.
