Fan of the Month!
Interviewed by Kayt

For the record, what is your name? Unsteady Freddie Where were you born, and where did you grow up? Born in New York, lived there my whole life... "Grow up?" Never did! What were your main interests, entertainment and otherwise, growing up? Music was almost at the head of the list. I was twelve years old when the Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, and from that point forward, rock ‘n roll has always had my undivided attention; the "British Invasion" music of the 1960s in particular I was a huge fan of (still am). I always wanted to be a DJ on the radio, and now I am able to do that with two Internet radio shows, "Twang Shebang" (on My Real Broadcast) and "Elemental Instrumental" (on

Kids Channel.ca). I love my vinyl - prefer LP's to CD's - especially because of the album cover art. Again, there's that "growing up" reference again - not sure what that means!

Any obsessions you don’t mind people knowing about?
The Red Elvises! I also am nutzoid over surf-rock music - mostly instrumental, but the Red Elvises are an exception. Also, I guess you could say "women" are an "obsession" - I can't help it, I am a "raging heterosexual."

Tell us about your musical endeavors and any musical instruments you play…
I play a little guitar...still have my Vox Super Lynx Deluxe F-hole hollow-body electric guitar from the 1960's. I just got a Univox 1960s amp repaired, complete with a built-in 'reverb tank' - sounds great! My musical "endeavors" have included my working for Chrysalis Records from 1978-1982, and now I am an emerging force in the field of surf-rock music. Two Internet (and also going to FM) radio shows, "Twang Shebang" and "Elemental Instrumental." I put on shows in New York City and other areas on this genre, and one can consult my website www.catch-the-waves.com for show listings. I also post pictures of the shows I attend on two my websites, www.readyunsteadygo.com and www.reverbsuperb.com.

What accomplishments are you most proud of at this point in your life?
God gave me another day - the rest is bullshit. I have worked hard to find inner peace, spirituality and serenity, considering the horrible lifestyle I used to embrace. I also have a beautiful 17-year-old daughter whom I so proud of, and love so very much.

What are your favorite movies?
"The Day The Earth Stood Still" is probably my favorite. I’m a big fan of Bela Lugosi, W.C. Fields, Laurel & Hardy, The Marx Brothers and the 3 Stooges (yeah, I am quite the intellectual!).

Do you have any favorite books?
Playboy, Penthouse -- oops, sorry, those aren't books (kidding!). "The Mustache" by Emmanuel Carrere comes to mind first - an amazing look at madness and paranoia. Also, "Surfing Rabbi: A Kabbalistic Quest for Soul" by Rabbi Nachum "Shifty" Shifren, also a resident of Venice Beach like Our Favorite Band!

What music are you into, in addition to Red Elvises?
As I already stated, instrumental surf-rock music, and music with that distinctive 'twang' have got my attention BIG TIME at the moment. I also love classical music, flamenco, rock and roll, the music of the 1960s especially (the "British Invasion" might be my favorite) and "progressive" rock, also known as "art rock."

When, where, how, etc. did you first hear and experience Red Elvises?
I've been a real intense fan of the Red Elvises for about two or three years now, though I was aware of their music before that. I finally saw them live for the first time in NYC a couple of years ago and their energy and sense of humor just knocked me out. The first time we met, I brought them a poster I had made - an enlargement (color) from the New York Times, which was on a story about Andy Warhol and his painting called "Red Elvis."

About how many times have you seen them?
I have lost count but suffice to say I have seen them all over the United States - Oregon and California earlier this year, New Years Eve at Rusty's Surf Ranch (2003), Musikfest in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania... I actually check their tour schedule, and often booked my vacations around their concert appearances; this way I can sight-see all day and be guaranteed a fun evening following that.

What is it about Red Elvises that draws you to them, that you like the most?
Their energy and sense of humor on stage is amazing; they are silly, idiotic (I say that lovingly) - like me! If they weren't such great musicians, they probably would not get away with it. I also totally appreciate the love they have shown me, the fact that they so warmly greet me when they see me, are willing to spend some time with me. They have given me a great interview for my radio show, "Twang Shebang" too. And both Schramm and Oleg have discussed the show at length with me -- that was very cool of them to do that. I know Schramm talked with me about some of the music he heard me play on my show, which amazed me, that he had paid so much detailed attention.

What’s the farthest you’ve traveled to see them? And do you have a good story around that?
I live in New York, but have seen them on the West Coast several times in a two-year span (California -- Santa Monica Pier at Rusty's, Petaluma this year and Oregon - Salem, Portland, this year). Great stories? Nothing out of the ordinary (sorry) -- just great music and great times.

Which show is your favorite of the Red Elvises shows you've seen?
New Years Eve at Rusty's stands out, as do the Musikfest shows in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Any other standout, all time great memories of shows you’ve seen so far?
Can't get enough of the girls who get on stage to belly dance!!

What are your favorite Red Elvises songs?
I Wanna See You Belly Dance, Rocketman (and Cosmonaut Petrov!), Boogie on the Beach, El Nino, Lovepipe, Grooving to the Moscow Beat, Gypsy Heart, Closet Disco Dancer, Hungarian Dance #5, I'm Not That Kind of Guy, Ukranian Dance #13, Love Rocket, and so so many others.

What would you like to see them do in the future? Any ideas?
Mix in some more surf-rock riffs, because essentially, deep-down, they have their hearts in that sound - it's filtered into their music all over the place.

Because I am such a big fan, maybe we should call the band The Fred Elvises!! Or maybe I should change my name legally to Fred Elvises?

Unsteady Freddie, as you can see, has a great sense of humor!

Anything you’d like to say to the band?
Thanks for the amazing music you give us, for the joy you bestow upon my soul and, oh yeah, for putting up with Unsteady Freddie!

Okay, last question… Do you have anything you’d especially like to say to all the fans?
? Consider me a friend of all of you! Keep watching my websites, as I post pictures of them performing live all the time. I still have to post pictures from Musikfest 2005, and also Petaluma, Salem, and Portland -- coming soon! Keep your eyes on www.reverbsuperb.com and www.readyunsteadygo.com. You should also listen to my show "Twang Shebang" because I play their music their all the time. Here is a direct link to my radio page.

I am also a member of the Red Elvises Yahoo Group, and post there all the time. I have met a lot of you at shows - if you recognize me, come over and say hello some time! I am so totally honored to have been chosen Fan of the Month -- and how lucky are all of us to have this amazing bunch of guys in our lives? Red Elvises, Your Favorite Band! Unsteady Freddie, Your Favorite Red Elvises Fan!! (OK, maybe not....)

All photographs in this interview (c)2005 UNSTEADY FREDDIE