A: When something breaks, the light gets let in. Some of the most amazing people in life have also suffered tremendously. It’s not victory that defines you, it’s how you respond to being knocked the fuck down. I admire heart.
Q: Wow, interesting. Have you suffered in your life?
A: Tremendously. I’ll leave it at that. But I know I wouldn’t be the man I am today if I hadn’t suffered.
Q: Wow, has suffering impacted your art?
A: Absolutely, yes. How could it not? After 30 years of working with music, I have found myself. Word Up is the manifestation of years of suffering, of playing shows when no one is there but you and the sound guy, and coming home and wanting to quit because you know you sound like shit. But I didn’t quit. I didn’t get some stupid job where that defines who I am. I stuck with it through the hard times and now I’ve flourished.
Q: How would you characterize Word Up? Why is it so defining?
A: Word Up is a kid on the back of the bus farting and busting up all the other kids. It’s the chance I always wanted to take. It’s that word you were so afraid to speak and never did while talking to someone. It’s like nothing I’ve ever done…but it’s the genius I always wanted to be…I always thought I could be.
Q: On a lighter note, what is your favorite food?
A: I must say, every Saturday night I grill New York Strip steaks. I’ve pretty much got it wired…so that they come out maybe medium…to medium rare…that’s how we like them. Served with baked potato covered with butter salt and pepper…
Q: Oh that sounds good…
A: By the way I’ve been watching a lot of that show from a while ago, “Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern”. I never really watched that show before when it was on, but man, that guy really gets into the grit of the strange food world…it’s not even strange food…like the other day they were cooking up squirrel and rabbit in Kentucky…and he was all sampling it…I would have tried that! It looked good!
Q: You’re maybe more adventuresome than I am. What else are you passionate about besides food and art?
A: Basketball. I’ve loved the Lakers all of my life. We have a shot to do well in the playoffs this year. Luka just joined us not too long ago, and we’re playing good defense. We just beat Houston last night, and their 2nd in the West right now. We have 7 more games in the regular season…I hope we keep our #4 seed right now, so we can play Memphis first round…
Q: Yeah I can tell you’re just slightly into the Lakers
A: I’m obsessed with the Lakers!!
Q: Ok then, what else should we talk about?
A: I just want to say to all you brainwashed-ass motherfuckers out there…wake up!! Trump is the most evil piece of shit deranged, manipulative criminal who has ever existed since Hitler. If I’m offending you right now, I’m sorry but it’s too bad! Don’t be a sheep like the rest of the fucking nation right now…and follow the herd, believing whatever this asshole has to say. Wake up and think for yourselves!!!