Fan of the Month!
Interviewed by Kayt
For March we welcome another Southern California girl as Fan of the Month,
although she's originally from the Eastern half of the country.
For the record, what is your name?
My birth name is Christine Ellen Leahey, but Red Elvises' chat room fans may know
me as "LoveJunkie". Others affectionately call me Xtine and Pumkie.
Where were you born, and where did you grow up?
I was born in Olathe, Kansas. I went to school in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.
I now live and work in Santa Monica, California.
What were your main interests, entertainment and otherwise,
growing up? Any obsessions you don’t mind people knowing about?
I grew up in the same town where Pat Buchanan announced his presidential
candidacy. Needless to say, there is a want of all things cultural in that plain state.
I have always been interested in fine art and special education.
At the moment, I am obsessed with my gorgeous feline Ming Valentine.
Tell us about your musical endeavors and any musical instruments you play.
I played trumpet in a bizarre and fantastic horn-line for a band called Rook's Garden,
later known as Turquoise Sol, which toured the midwest. I still have a copy of the
paycheck from our first gig.
What accomplishments are you most proud of at this point in your life?
I am most proud of my work as an art therapist, advocating for art museum accessibility
for people who have physical and mental disabilities. In Kansas, Pennsylvania, New York,
Florida, and now California, I give lectures and do specialized training for major art
museums. My area of scholarship concerns vision impairment and blindness. In the Spring
of 2004, I will curate an exhibition of artists who are visually impaired and blind at
LA Artcore at Union Center for the Arts, which is adjacent to MOCA at the Geffen.
What are your favorite movies?
Rushmore. Dancer in the Dark. The Deer Hunter. The Jerk--I love every scene in that
movie, but especially when Steve Martin licks his girlfriend's face in the back of a
carnie trailer.
Do you have any favorite books?
My favorite authors are Richard Russo, Alice McDermott, Phillip K. Dick, and
Haruki Murakami. Albeit cliche, my favorite book is J.D. Salinger's Catcher in
the Rye.
What music are you into, in addition to Red Elvises?
My all-time favorite band is Steely Dan. My favorite band that is no
longer together is the Gear Daddies. My favorite new band is the Old 97s.
You will find me at live shows of alternative country every single night of the
week. My favorite places to hear music are the Cinema Bar in Culver City on
Wednesdays for Tip Jar night and Largo on Fairfax, Friday nights with Jon Brion.
When, where, how, etc. did you first hear and experience Red Elvises?
I discovered the Red Elvises at a listening station in a Borders music store in
Springfield, Pennsylvania. I played Bellydance on repeat for years before seeing the
Red Elvises live at TT the Bear in Cambridge, Massachussets.
About how many times have you seen them?
A dozen, but a different city and venue each time.
What is it about Red Elvises that draws you to them, that you like the most?
I have a fetish for Elvis impersonators, so that was the hook. I find it endearing
that all Red Elvises drop their articles--grammatically speaking.
What’s the furthest you’ve traveled to see them? And do you have good story around that?
My travelogue speaks for itself:
Cambridge, MA
New York City, NY
Allentown, PA
Kansas City, MO
Lincoln, NE
Tampa, FL
Orlando, FL
Long Beach, CA
Ventura, CA
Did I mention that I moved to Santa Monica, CA?!
Any other standout, all time great memories of shows you’ve seen so far?
Red Elvises shows are great because of the fans. I love Kayt [aww, thanks!] and
Michelle and E! because they are unabashed devotees like myself. I love all the boys
in Allentown who played Risk with me. I love Scott Crumbo because he wears the
wildest shirts and is so much fun.
What are your favorite Red Elvises songs?
My favorite Red Elvises song is "Blue Moon."
What would you like to see them do in the future? Any ideas? Anything you'd
like to say to the band?
I believe that the new incarnation of the Red Elvises should play a benefit concert
for my art exhibition.
Okay, last question…Do you have anything you’d especially like to say to all the fans?
Visit me at the Santa Monica Museum of Art at Bergamot Station--it's just 26 blocks
east of Rusty's Surf Ranch!
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