By Nicole Powers
“It can be its own creature.”
– Scroobius Pip
Scroobius Pip went out one day, and made a record for people to play. Then all the beasts in the world came round, thanks to his killer wit and rhymes so sound. The Nyan cat, the dog and the kangaroo, with “Thou Shalt Always Kill” the YouTube massive he did woo. Then the wolf he howled, the horse he neighed, “I’m releasing a second solo record” the Pip brayed. And when the Pip began to roar, there never was heard such a noise before. And every beast he stood on the tip, to peruse a video of the Scroobius Pip. At last they said to the Pip “By far,
you’re the wisest beast! You know you are!” SG got close to Scroobius Pip to say, ‘Tell us all about yourself we pray. For as yet we can’t make out in the least, if you’re punk or hip-hop, or poet or beast.” The Scroobius Pip looked vaguely round, and hollered these words with a rumbling sound: “Chippetty flip, Flippetty chip, my only name is the Scroobius Pip.”
In truth, he may not have said “Chippetty flip” or “Flippetty chip” – but here’s what went down when SuicideGirls spoke to the Pip…
Read our exclusive interview with Scroobius Pip on SuicideGirls.com.
by Daniel Robert Epstein
“I dont go after anything.”
– Alan Arkin
It was a real treat and a pleasure to get to talk to living legend Alan Arkin. I told a number of people that I was going to talk to the Oscar nominated improv guru and they said, “You got to ask him about Glengarry Glen Ross.” I was like, “Fuck that I’m going to talk to him about Bad Medicine!” But of course I was also very interested in talking with Arkin about his latest role, that of the heroin snorting grandfather of the dysfunctional family in Little Miss Sunshine. The film also stars Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear and is directed by music video masterminds Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.
Read our exclusive interview with Alan Arkin on SuicideGirls.com.
by Lithiumpicnic
“I am in the studio more than is good for me.”
– Sascha Konietzko
In 1984 KMFDM (Kleine Mitleid Fur Das Mehrheit,” which means “No Pity For the Majority”) was founded in Germany by Sascha Konietzko. The band released three albums on European labels before begining their relationship with Wax Trax! Records in Chicago, Illinois. After touring with Ministry in 1989-1990, they were signed to Wax Trax! Records and quickly became a part of the industrial music scene in Chicago that included Ministry, Front 242 and My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult.
KMFDM has no fixed roster, Konietzko is the only member that has been directly involved with every KMFDM project. En Esch, Raymond Watts, and guitarist Günter Schulz are other key members in the band’s history.
Other notable musicians that have contributed to KMFDM projects include Bill Rieflin of Ministry/R.E.M., Nivek Ogre from Skinny Puppy and OhGr, John DeSalvo of Chemlab, Tim Skold of Marilyn Manson, F.M. Einheit of Einstürzende Neubauten, and Nina Hagen. Additionally, Chemlab, Die Warzau, Nine Inch Nails, My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, and Giorgio Moroder have remixed music for KMFDM.
Read our exclusive interview with Sascha Konietzko of KMFDM on SuicideGirls.com.
By Fred Topel
“As you get older, you seem to just get more ideas.”
– Todd Solondz
Todd Solondz had to leave the Toronto International Film Festival early to return to one of his international teaching engagements. I saw his latest film, Dark Horse, on the second to last day of the festival, so was not able to get a Q&A in person. However, he was happy to make time to speak by phone. Across a 15 hour time difference, his distinct voice came on the line via a clear connection to Singapore where he was teaching a film class.
Given the subjects he often deals with, Solondz has a surprisingly warm and soft spoken voice. He had a sympathetic child molester character in Happiness, and in Palindromes a group of religious fundamentalist killing abortion doctors, and their families in the crossfire.
Dark Horse is a comparatively less volatile film, though still deals with characters consistent with Solondz’ ouvre. Abe (Jordan Gelber) lives with his parents, collects toys and slacks off at the office job his father (Christopher Walken) gave him. Abe meets Miranda (Selma Blair) at a wedding and proposes to her after a week of awkward non-dating. He is unshakable despite Miranda’s morose apathy, not just towards him but towards life.
It’s a comedy, by the way. Those awkward interactions between Miranda and Abe, Abe’s total confidence in his lifestyle and his contentious relationships with coworkers and families remind one of Solondz’ breakthrough film Welcome to the Dollhouse. Hopefully Dark Horse will secure distribution soon so everyone can experience what Toronto got to preview at the festival.
Read our exclusive interview with Todd Solondz on SuicideGirls.com.
By Keith Daniels
“It turned into this because we’re both control freaks.”
– Doc Hammer
The Venture Bros. has since its 2003 debut been one of the best, and most under-appreciated, shows on television. Airing on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim block, the show began as a parody of (and tribute to) Jonny Quest, and other ‘60s space age adventure shows. However, it quickly developed its own mythology and a massive cast of characters representing everyone from David Bowie to Spiderman. Only four seasons of the show have eked out so far, but hopefully the recent “Shallow Gravy” special represents progress toward bringing us more. SuicideGirls recently spoke with the series’ creators, pseudonymously known as Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer, about the show, the special, and the possibility of season five.
Read our exclusive interview with Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer of The Venture Bros. on SuicideGirls.com.
by Daniel Robert Epstein
“I’ve got my curse level.”
– Kool Keith
Kool Keith is legally insane. If this interview doesnt prove that to you, just go out and grab his latest album, The Return of Dr. Octagon. Dr. Octagon is a persona that Kool first used ten years ago and since then hes gotten his degree in crazy so it was time to kick it up a notch.
Read our exclusive interview with Kool Keith on SuicideGirls.com.
by Daniel Robert Epstein
“I love SuicideGirls.”
– Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara
To fans of Tegan & Sara, it may seem like it’s been a quick rise from unknown indie band to one with a respectable following. But to Tegan & Sara it has been a long, hard road with many artistic rewards along the way. One of their most recent rewards is that they are finally putting out a DVD. It’s Not Fun, Don’t Do It!, features all of their music videos, a full length concert, the making of their video for “So Jealous,” and endless commentary by these talkative sisters/singers.
Read our exclusive interview with Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara on SuicideGirls.com.
