Fan of the Month!
Interviewed by Kayt
For August, we feature a girl from Texas who has not only traveled the world but also just
experienced her first Rusty's show, on the Santa Monica Pier, in June. She's been supportive
of Red Elvises for quite a long time, even before they were Red Elvises! Here she is... Lisa!
For the record, what is your name?
Lisa (AKA Liza, Larisa, Lise… depending on who’s speaking to me)
Where were you born,
and where did you grow up?
Born in San Antonio, raised in Houston but spent a few formative years in Belgium.
What were your main interests, entertainment and otherwise,
growing up? Any obsessions you don’t mind people knowing about?
- Who else but me hears this on a regular basis: “I heard a LOVERBOY song today and thought of you!!!” – I admit I still find red leather pants and headbands sexy! ;)
- I have been collecting Smurfs since the 70s
- EastEnders has been my favorite TV show since the 80s, I’m addicted!
Tell us about your musical endeavors and any musical instruments you play…
I took 8 years of piano and can’t play a note. I am much happier appreciating music than making it.
What accomplishments are you most proud of at this point in your life?
Probably my extensive travels. I don’t mind traveling alone and have gone to some pretty amazing places. Global Girl.
What are your favorite movies?
Betty Blue, Life is Beautiful, Run Lola Run, Let’s Make Love, and The Big Sleep
are my personal favorites. The Vanishing
(original Dutch version, not lame American remake) is the scariest movie I ever saw, and
there’s not a drop of blood in the entire film. I think the best movies ever made are Jean
de Florette/Manon of the Spring and Gone With the Wind.
Do you have any favorite books?
ANGELAS ASHES!!! On audio especially; nothing compares to listening to the
lovely Frank McCourt narrate his masterpiece. Wow wow wow!!! Also, The Diary of Anne Frank
and The Little Prince are right up there at the top.
What music are you into, in addition to Red Elvises?
All-time favorite singer is Jacques Brel!!! I adore Tori Amos and Kate Bush. There’s a
Russian singer named Linda who is way cool. Best bands are Beatles, Nine Inch Nails,
Led Zep, and Van Halen (Roth era). ABBA has honorable mention! I love internet radio, mostly
Evropa Plus (Russia), Radio Donna (Belgium), and Nostalgie (France).
When, where, how, etc. did you first hear and experience Red Elvises?
I go back to Limpopo days! In early 1995 I saw an article in the local paper about a Russian
folk band playing at the Mucky Duck. My friends and I had a blast. I remember thinking Oleg
looked like John Cleese with long hair and Igor like Brendan Fraser. People used to throw
KitKat bars onstage back in those days. Nicole and I hung out after the show with Oleg. I
saw them twice with [the] original lineup; the third time they had Zhenya in for Yuri. The next
time I went to a Limpopo show, Yuri was back but Oleg and Igor were gone. A guy at the pub
told me that that they had formed a new band called Red Elvises and were playing at The
Velvet Elvis. I must admit the first time I saw the Red Elvises my friends and I were a bit
disappointed because we were hoping for more Russian! But we were easily won over!
About how many times have you seen them?
Rough estimate is 15-20 times since 1995.
What is it about Red Elvises that draws you to them, that you like the most?
I never get tired of their music or shows; they are great entertainers. I appreciate that
they are so friendly and down-to-earth. And pretty cute in all! Plus, I am a Russophile and
really dig that aspect.
What’s the furthest you’ve traveled to see them? And do you have a good story around that?
Until recently, I had only seen them in Houston. But I did deliberately schedule my trip to
LA this summer for a week when there was a RE show! Seeing the guys play Rusty’s is a real
treat, the crowd is great there. It was way cool to meet Alex, Chris, and especially Miss
Kayt, Fan Club President, at her 75th show!
(Interviewer’s note: Just to clear up any confusion, the closest thing to an official
Red Elvises “fan club” is in actuality this very fanzine that you’re reading. At Rusty’s in
June, a guy came up to me and asked “How do I get into this fan club?” I explained that
it’s really the Red Pages online; all those who love and support Red Elvises and read the Red
Pages qualify as “card carrying” fans…so if you’re reading this, you’re in the “in”
crowd; it’s all groovy. Now as for myself being called “president,” that’s an honorary title,
bestowed on either Our Fearless Leader, Ealasaid - Red Pages' Grand Editrix-in-Chief - or myself,
whichever one of us is nearest Oleg at the time he feels like saying it, that is sweet if not
entirely accurate. At any rate, I really feel that honor should belong to Ealasaid if she ever
wants to claim it. And titles make me somewhat nervous anyway, so I’ll be happy with "Photo
Editor and Relentless Writer of Rusty's Reviews" or “Loyal Band Supporter & Generally Crazy
Red-Wearing Person” or something to that effect. --Thanks, Kayt)
Any other standout, all time great memories of shows you’ve seen so far?
The first time I met Schramm was at a Limpopo show in 2001, during the night of Houston’s
worst flood in history. The water in the pub was up to our knees, but everyone danced while
Schramm played music for us on a wonky wet piano. It was so surreal.
Another cool show was in 1997 when the guys played Aug 16th, anniversary of Elvis' death, at the Velvet
Elvis with other Elvis-themed bands. I saw the Red Elvises perform on stage with a female
Elvis impersonator (a Drag King) named Elvis Herselvis. I forgot what they sang, but I have
a photo of it!
What are your favorite Red Elvises songs?
“Techno Surfer”!!! I dig the entire album “Shake Your Pelvis” in a major way! Also “Closet
Disco Dancer,” “Sad Cowboy Song,” “Rocket Man” and “A Million Miles.” “Superment” is really
rad too.
What would you like to see them do in the future? Any ideas?
They’ve done albums, movies, telly… what else is left? Maybe a nice coffee-table book with
lots of photos, funny anecdotes and pretty deep thoughts…
Anything you'd like to say to the band?
Rebyata, zhelaiu vam udachi, schastya I dalneishikh uspekhov! Tseluiu!
PS - It would rock if you’d sing “Devil in Disguise” again at your shows like the old days!
Okay, last question…
Do you have anything you’d especially like to say to all the fans?
Keep an eye on my website Lisa Defalco.com for an upcoming photo page of the band… I
have eight years of photos to share with the world!
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