To wrap up this year we have a dedicated fan from North Carolina who I met on my travels. He was at the Raleigh show and had a great time. I'm sure you'll find him to be an interesting person...take a look at his Red Elvises stash - at the bottom of the picture is a drumstick Adam signed for him. Join me in welcoming HAP as our December Fan of the Month! |
Fan of the Month! |
For the record, what is your name? HAP Proctor. I'm not being conceited spelling it in all caps. HAP is my initials. My "real" first name is Howard. I prefer HAP, though. Where were you born, and where did you grow up? I was born in Augusta, GA. I grew up mostly in Lexington, SC, but I finished high school in Wilson, NC What were your main interests, entertainment and otherwise, growing up? Any obsessions you don't mind people knowing about? Now you're making me think hard. That was quite a bit ago... I was always into Science Fiction and comic books (my favorite superhero was, and still is, Captain America). TV, movies, music, the usual things for a couch potato. |
Tell us about your musical endeavors and any musical instruments you play…
I took piano as a kid. That didn't take. I took guitar in middle school. That didn't take, either. These days, I just play air-instruments. Everyone seems happier with that.
What accomplishments are you most proud of at this point in your life?
This may seem cliche, but getting through school and getting married.
What are your favorite movies?
You want the whole list, or just the top ten?
OK, in no particular order (and by no means complete): Six-String Samurai (hey, I am a Red Elvises fan!), Tron, Porco Rosso, Tokyo Godfathers, Terminator 2, Stalag 17, Big Trouble in Little China, Shaun of the Dead, The Andromeda Strain, and Fight Club. That's ten, but I could really keep going. My DVD collection keeps getting bigger and bigger.
There are quite a few TV shows I've loved too:
American:
The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Twilight Zone, Heroes
Japanese Animation: RahXephon, Last Exile, Fullmetal Alchemist, Full Metal Panic, Gatchaman, Angelic Layer, Twelve Kingdoms, Vandread, Cowboy Bebop. Just to name a few.
Do you have any favorite books?
Favorite books... that's a toughie! I watch so many movies! I will say that The Bible has had the greatest impact on my life. After that... I like books by David Sedaris. I really enjoyed Watchmen by Alan Moore. Currently, I'm really into a manga series called Negima!
What music are you into, in addition to Red Elvises?
I've always loved The Who. Pete Townshend's guitar and lyrics and Roger Daltrey's voice are a real powerhouse. I've really enjoyed the 1970's Yes era as well. Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, and Rick Wakeman, backed by Chris Squire and Alan White were also a real powerful and risk-taking band with very complex and compelling music.
I'm actually into a lot of foreign music right now. I like The Pillows, The Indigo, Rie Fu, Akino Arai, and Ayano Tsuji. All are Japanese artists and range from Rock 'n Roll to Pop to a more folk sound. NPR did a good story on Ayano Tsuji, search for it. I really enjoy the Red Elvises in Russian, too.
I've been studying Japanese language off-and-on and can follow the Japanese artists a bit. Russian is completely alien to me. However, despite these limitations, I really enjoy the music and the singing and the lyrical style. Even if I can't understand the words, there is a universality to music that transcends spoken language. That's a beautiful thing.
When, where, how, etc. did you first hear and experience Red Elvises?
Actually, it was at work. About three jobs ago, I was bored and went to a website (now defunct) called "Shreck's Cinema" (Not sure if I spelled that right, but it has nothing to do with the ogre!). I was scrolling through the upcoming movies list that they had compiled and there it was: Six-String Samurai. Now, that's a title that grabs your attention, especially if you're a geek like me. After watching the trailer, I had made up my mind I was going to see that flick! You can imagine my surprise when the movie actually came to a local theater. I actually got to see it in the theater!! Initially, it did not have a great impact on me.
Roll forward about three years, and I saw a clip on another website. The music hearkened me back. I couldn't get the songs out of my head. I bought the DVD and watched it immediately. I watched it again. The more I watched it, the more I liked it. The more I liked it, the more I realized that I really liked the music too. I bought the soundtrack and loved it too.
That began my love affair with the music of Red Elvises. It's an affair I hope will never end. I now have most of their discography (including two Limpopo CDs).
About how many times have you seen them?
About six times, I think. That's nothing compared to you, Kayt.
Interviewer's note: It IS something, six times or sixty, it's awesome! You can't really compare your number of times seeing them to mine because I used to live in the Land of Red Elvises, Southern California, so had more opportunities. I wish everyone the chance to see them 100+ or even 200+ or more times! Plus, everyone knows I'm crazy and will drive or fly a bazillion or so miles to see them (see evidence of this in my write ups in this issue, lol). And now back to your interview...
What is it about Red Elvises that draws you to them, that you like the most?
I guess it's the fact that their music is just plain FUN! They must truly enjoy what they do, because it really comes out on stage. That's their true power: Live shows. I really look forward to their shows every year. It's like my birthday, Christmas, and Halloween all rolled up into a fantastic few hours.
A note to anyone reading this: If you love the Elvises, but have never seen them live, GO. Go now! Find them live and revel in it. It's bliss! And if they aren't playing near you, do the next best thing, get the live double-CD and the DVD. In fact, get them anyway! What are you waiting for?
What’s the farthest you’ve traveled to see them?
Work and home-life limit my travel, so I've only seen them locally. Pretty boring, eh? I hope to catch them at Musikfest one year though.
Which show is your favorite of the Red Elvises shows you've seen?
Um... All of them?
The first time I saw them, they played at a joint called The Brewery. There was a crappy opening act, but then The Red Elvises took command! The Brewery is a small venue with a low ceiling and the stage off in a corner. It sounds like a dump, but the acoustics were great. The sound just blasted you out of your shoes! My wife and I were right at the stage directly in front of Igor and Oleg and we were loving every minute if it! After the show, my wife admitted that seeing the Elvises was better than the Elton John/Billy Joel concert she had just been to a few weeks prior.
Each time after that, I saw them at The Pour House. For some reason, it's always a weeknight so the crowds at first few shows weren't that great. But I guess the fan base is growing in the Raleigh area because the crowds keep getting better at each successive show. This past show, I was at my usual post- right up front; and there were a few times the screaming crowd was making my ears hurt more than being so near the speakers! I have high hopes that the shows will continue to get better and better as far as the crowd goes. The Elvises themselves have never ever disappointed me at all.
I hope that they can come through on a weekend sometime. That should really boost the attendance.
Any other standout, all time great memories of shows you’ve seen so far?
If you mean other performers, I got to see The Who (minus Keith Moon) in concert. I also got to see Penn and Teller. To me, the fact that they came to the Raleigh/Durham area is significant. I also got to see Victor Borge live at Myrtle Beach, SC. That was very memorable. Even at his advanced age, he still played beautifully and beautifully funny. I got his autograph.
What are your favorite Red Elvises songs?
"Odessa," "Cosmonaut Petrov," "Natasha Loves Reggae," "Juliet" (Rockenrol version), "Night Butterfly" (live), "I Wanna See You Bellydance," "Love Rocket" (live), "Drinking With Jesus," "Lovepipe," "Boogie on the Beach," "Ticket to Japan..." The list goes on and on.
What would you like to see them do in the future? Any ideas? Anything you’d like to say to the band?
- As a male, heterosexual fan of the band, thank you for hiring Elena! (Oh yeah, she plays great too!)
- If you can, come to Raleigh to play on a weekend date.
- When can we get another live CD?
- Russian CD?
- New songs on CD?
And finally, thanks so very much for being a bright spot in my life and in the lives of all of your fans!
Okay, last question… Do you have anything you’d especially like to say to all the fans?
GO SEE THEM LIVE!!!! (And not just for Elena!)
...Thank you very much, HAP, for being the December Fan of the Month! Happy Holidays and I hope you get to see Red Elvises a lot in 2007! Keep rocking!!